Book direct or use a travel agent- advantages/disadvantages ?

[topster5]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm wondering now whether we will be at a disadvantage when the cruise we've pre-registered for in Oct. '18 goes on sale, as it's been mentioned that Travel Agents get priority time when the phone lines open on launch day of cruise going on sale, to reserve preferred cabin for their customers.

[daiB]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm wondering now whether we will be at a disadvantage when the cruise we've pre-registered for in Oct. '18 goes on sale, as it's been mentioned that Travel Agents get priority time when the phone lines open on launch day of cruise going on sale, to reserve preferred cabin for their customers.

 

 

Only if you are Caribbean or above is there a great advantage.

 

We always book through a good internet Cruising TA. Can't say which one on here.

 

If there is any hassle or problem then they take care of it. Also some give extra discount on top of what P&O give.

 

This time between 3% and 5%.

 

 

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[PRINCESSTHE BEST]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm wondering now whether we will be at a disadvantage when the cruise we've pre-registered for in Oct. '18 goes on sale, as it's been mentioned that Travel Agents get priority time when the phone lines open on launch day of cruise going on sale, to reserve preferred cabin for their customers.

 

Always use a TA. You get more discount and they have the hassle sorting out issues. I've just been on the P&O Freephone number waiting in the queue for 58 minutes.:eek:

[HomelessBear]

I'm another who uses a TA and get a discount. I agree they also have the cost and hassle of hanging on the phone line and they'll also print out our boarding passes etc if we wanted them to and post them to us (but we do ourselves anyway but just in case printer doesn't work).

 

I know that many folks prefer booking direct, but I prefer the few hundred quid I get off through the TA.

Edited September 12, 2016 by HomelessBear

[topster5]

And yet, looking online on a certain well known cruise Travel Agent, begins with letter 'R' - not sure whether we're allowed to mention by name - the cheapest grade of deluxe balcony they are offering is dearer than what we have paid P&O direct for the grade of cabin we have got guaranteed, and we have a grade two grades higher guaranteed.

Do you use a high street travel agent or online?

[daiB]

And yet, looking online on a certain well known cruise Travel Agent, begins with letter 'R' - not sure whether we're allowed to mention by name - the cheapest grade of deluxe balcony they are offering is dearer than what we have paid P&O direct for the grade of cabin we have got guaranteed, and we have a grade two grades higher guaranteed.

Do you use a high street travel agent or online?

 

 

Online. Some high street TA's no little about cruising.

 

 

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[annieuk]

We use a specialised Cruise Agent, always book by phone - when we've pre-registered they have never failed to get us the cabin we wanted - we give our Agent a list of cabins that we would be happy with and mostly we get our no. 1 choice. We also get a discount from the Cruise Agent. They are really good at knowing what we like, at answering any queries and as I have said they have never failed to get what we want when pre-registering. I have usually had a phone call by 10am on the morning booking opens telling me they have secured what we want.

 

When we have taken out a Future Cruise Deposit when on board a cruise our Agents know about this and can apply this to our next booking if that's what we wish to do. I endorse what has been said about it needing to be a specialised Cruise Agent, not a high street Travel Agent.

[jeanlyon]

We use a cruise TA and always get a discount, plus they have always got our cabins for us.

[brillo]

Always book direct online, never had a problem !

[jeanlyon]

Always book direct online, never had a problem !

 

and you've never had extra discount either!!

[topster5]

But that's what I'm saying, Jean - is there extra in it? as we have paid less by by booking direct on this occasion than 'R' Ltd are offering : we 've got a better grade of de luxe balacony cabin guaranteed , at a cheaper price than their cheapest grade of de luxe balcony cabin.

We booked by phone with P&O on this occasion

Edited September 13, 2016 by topster5

[kevinyork]

Always book direct online, never had a problem !

 

 

 

If you prefer to do this then go through Topcashback first as you get 4.2% cash back on P&O.

 

 

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[HellouB]

I have booked via a travel agent and now do my bookings direct with P&O over the phone. I still look to see if the prices are comparable with other sites and they usually are.

 

I have seen in the thread that some people have been left on hold for a long time, but once you begin to book a lot direct you are given a designated cruise consultant and a different number (including their extension number). When you call you get put straight through to them, however, if they are on the phone with a another customer it goes to a "live person" who either handles your query or takes down your details and then your consultant calls you back straight after finishing the other call.

 

I have also had my consultant call me when there are good offers, I always let her know where I want to go and when.

Edited September 13, 2016 by HellouB

[jeanlyon]

So far, my TA has always been cheaper than P&O simply because of the discount he gives us. I can't put the name on here.

[gadabout60]

Or if no discount to speak off then other perks such as the travel agents pay your gratuities. On our next cruise with Celebrity our online agents have thrown in two nights in a Miami hotel

[daiB]

When you book is also important. Which is often determined by the type of cabin you want and which cruise you want. Cheap late deals seem to be fairly rare now so booking very early is more of an advantage.

 

 

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[terrierjohn]

Since we now book early to secure an accessible cabin then I find booking through a TA far better. We always did book through a TA anyway and shopped around for the best deal, that of course was when commission rates were much higher.

But booking at launch I find that the TA offers the better service, I give them a (very) short list of our preferred cabins and they try to secure them in our order. If there is a possible problem they ring before taking action, whereas I understand that P&O will book you the best alternative if your preferred choice has already gone.

The regular TA we use gives us the best level of discount they are prepared to offer, and this is generally better than P&O, or at least no worse.

We would probably still use a TA even if we were able to book late saver deals, as any changes we want they process readily and without any effort from us, and this has included obtaining price matching for later much better offers, or cancelling and re-booking the same cabin if the cruise line won't price match.

[ann141]

We prefer to use a TA for the discount.:) The only negative is that recently when we wanted to change a cruise to a more expensive cruise, P and O charged us £100 which I was expecting but the TA charged us £50 as well for admin charges.I also like the fact that the TA phones P and O if necessary so its not our phone bill or time wasted in a phone queue!

[Host Sharon]

We prefer to use a TA for the discount.:) The only negative is that recently when we wanted to change a cruise to a more expensive cruise, P and O charged us £100 which I was expecting but the TA charged us £50 as well for admin charges.I also like the fact that the TA phones P and O if necessary so its not our phone bill or time wasted in a phone queue!

 

I have had to switch a couple of cruises in recent years and never has the TA charged, only P&O. I'd change my TA! I am also one that always uses a TA for the additional discount, and don't always go by advertised prices. They will often price match or less.

 

Fingers crossed for tomorrow :)

Edited September 14, 2016 by Host Sharon

[cruisefan2012]

Have always booked either online on the P&O website or by phoning them direct

 

If I phone to book then I can ask questions if need be

 

Dont use travel agents, find them outdated.

[daiB]

I have had to switch a couple of cruises in recent years and never has the TA charged, only P&O. I'd change my TA! I am also one that always uses a TA for the additional discount, and don't always go by advertised prices. They will often price match or less.

 

 

 

Fingers crossed for tomorrow :)

 

 

I agree with Sharon, change TA.

 

I am awaiting a phone call tomorrow morning as well. We have decided it is Oriana's turn again.

 

 

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[Mysticalmother]

I agree with Sharon, change TA.

 

I am awaiting a phone call tomorrow morning as well. We have decided it is Oriana's turn again.

 

 

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Weve gone for 2 on Oriana as well....think we have to wait an extra day or two though as we are only Atlantic.....

[ann141]

Hope you get the cabin(S) you wanted Sharon. We are not a high enough tier yet so will have to wait a few more days!Need to book a few more cruises to reach that level.-(Wheres that brochure!)

Ann:)

[daiB]

All booked, first choice cabins. :) :). X807 and X819. Happy Days

 

 

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[Host Sharon]

Yes, me too. First choice cabin for J813 :)