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

[LegendUK]

We are looking to book next July - Fjords, and have a price from the P&O own site.

 

I know TA names can't be mentioned here, but where could I find a reliable TA that could potentially give a better deal than P&O direct?

 

 

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[ann141]

If you google Specialist Cruise Travel Agents, a list should appear! Some will advertise a discounted price but most will advertise the same price P and O state but they expect you to ask for a discount- its usually possible to get between 3 and 5 % discount. Sometimes they will offer free extras-OBC or wine etc- its up to you to decide who to go with.:)

[FluffyFiFi]

I would rather book direct with P@O but when I rung them they couldn't match the price I received from a TA. I tried to book direct on line with P@O but their website wouldn't take my Peninsular number, it also didn't give a great range of cabins. Would like to know what TA is the best as so many to choose from, I know advertising isn't allowed but is private messaging allowed?

[kevinyork]

I would rather book direct with P@O but when I rung them they couldn't match the price I received from a TA. I tried to book direct on line with P@O but their website wouldn't take my Peninsular number, it also didn't give a great range of cabins. Would like to know what TA is the best as so many to choose from, I know advertising isn't allowed but is private messaging allowed?

 

 

 

No private messaging was removed from the forum.

 

 

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[danielundecided]

Can I ask a question (it will sound absolute stupid)? If I go to my TA and ask for them to try and reserve a specific cabin and they are successful in doing so when booking opens, is it possible for me to turn it down if they want to charge me a stupid amount? Previously numerous TAs have quoted me more than the cruise line so I don't want to get myself wound up in contracts forcing me to pay more than I would if I went with P&O.

 

 

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[ann141]

I would ask a TA what discount they could offer for a certain grade of cabin(check the price on P and O web) and if you are happy with the price quoted ask them to phone P and O to secure a particular cabin.

 

For the question regarding reliable TS a I would look to see if they have won any cruise awards or use one of the big name TA s that people may have mentioned (accidently of course!!) on previous threads.

[terrierjohn]

Can I ask a question (it will sound absolute stupid)? If I go to my TA and ask for them to try and reserve a specific cabin and they are successful in doing so when booking opens, is it possible for me to turn it down if they want to charge me a stupid amount? Previously numerous TAs have quoted me more than the cruise line so I don't want to get myself wound up in contracts forcing me to pay more than I would if I went with P&O.

 

 

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If you are talking about the new summer 2018 cruises then you should agree a price for a specific cabin grade with the TA when you pre-register.

However you have now missed the opportunity to pre-register, that finished on 15th Sept, but you can still ring a TA once the bookings open and obtain a price from them, and it should be exactly the same as you get from P&O, THEN you need to persuade them to give you an extra discount, up to 5% should be possible.

[danielundecided]

John, should the TA fare include the up to 10% off for past passengers before you try and haggle it down a bit?

 

 

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[weylady]

Kevinyork do you have to pay in full at the time of booking with topcashback

[topster5]

I would like to understand clearly how travel agents can offer better prices than P&O themselves? Not talking about the 5% or 10% discounts for previous customers, or for reserving well in advance for 2018. If they are able to offer additional discounts over and abovethese discounts that the cruise company are offering - how? Do they get a commission from the cruise company? or are they selling cabins that they have bought and are selling on?

I mean, I would like to know how it actually all works. Do travel agents reserve a certain number of cabins from P&O and they are effectively selling them on to us, the customers? If so, what's in it for P&O? Why would it be advantageous to them for people to go through a travel agent? if they know they can fill the ship anyway, why involve a third party?

Just would genuinely like to understand the concept of the relationship between cruise line and travel agents and how the prices can vary depending on how you buy your cabin.

[Host Sharon]

I would like to understand clearly how travel agents can offer better prices than P&O themselves? Not talking about the 5% or 10% discounts for previous customers, or for reserving well in advance for 2018. If they are able to offer additional discounts over and abovethese discounts that the cruise company are offering - how? Do they get a commission from the cruise company? or are they selling cabins that they have bought and are selling on?

I mean, I would like to know how it actually all works. Do travel agents reserve a certain number of cabins from P&O and they are effectively selling them on to us, the customers? If so, what's in it for P&O? Why would it be advantageous to them for people to go through a travel agent? if they know they can fill the ship anyway, why involve a third party?

Just would genuinely like to understand the concept of the relationship between cruise line and travel agents and how the prices can vary depending on how you buy your cabin.

 

The extra discount comes from their commission from P&O which I believe is around 8% - used to be higher! Obviously if you book direct with P&O they get to keep that 8%!

Edited September 16, 2016 by Host Sharon

[Host Sharon]

John, should the TA fare include the up to 10% off for past passengers before you try and haggle it down a bit?

 

 

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Yes. If you build up a long relationship with a TA then the extra discount is automatic, although I have on occasion haggled it even lower!

Edited September 16, 2016 by Host Sharon

[daiB]

The extra discount comes from their commission from P&O which I believe is around 8% - used to be higher! Obviously if you book direct with P&O they get to keep that 8%!

 

 

Yes the discount I have just received from a TA is 5%. That was available to all as the price offered was on their website. This was of course on top of the P&O discounts.

 

 

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[topster5]

...

Edited September 16, 2016 by topster5
changed content of reply to include quote (below)

[topster5]

The extra discount comes from their commission from P&O which I believe is around 8% - used to be higher! Obviously if you book direct with P&O they get to keep that 8%!

Thanks for that info, very interesting

[FluffyFiFi]

Our local High Street TA would always give 5% discount on our cruise but they closed down. The remaining TA in town doesn't want to give any discount and on our last cruise we managed to get 2.5% but only after a lot of discussion and it was given very reluctantly. We won't use them again and for our next cruise we are using an on-line agent who advertised the cruise significantly cheaper than P@O. As it is the first time we have used them we are a bit anxious but so far everything has gone well.

[PRINCESSTHE BEST]

Our local High Street TA would always give 5% discount on our cruise but they closed down. The remaining TA in town doesn't want to give any discount and on our last cruise we managed to get 2.5% but only after a lot of discussion and it was given very reluctantly. We won't use them again and for our next cruise we are using an on-line agent who advertised the cruise significantly cheaper than P@O. As it is the first time we have used them we are a bit anxious but so far everything has gone well.

 

I always try and find the cheapest price on the internet and then ask my TA to beat it. If they do, they get the booking, if they don't, they don't get the booking. I have no allegiance to a particular TA, I just want the best price.:D

[daiB]

Our local High Street TA would always give 5% discount on our cruise but they closed down. The remaining TA in town doesn't want to give any discount and on our last cruise we managed to get 2.5% but only after a lot of discussion and it was given very reluctantly. We won't use them again and for our next cruise we are using an on-line agent who advertised the cruise significantly cheaper than P@O. As it is the first time we have used them we are a bit anxious but so far everything has gone well.

 

 

High street TA's have little chance to compete with the Internet ones.

 

Pick a list of good on line TA's. Ring round and get quotes.

 

 

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