moving booking to TA

[lauramcc]

I just booked my first cruise direct with Celebrity. As a rule I don't like middle men if it can be avoided, however, I'm having some difficulty. They assigned me a "cruise specialist" but as near as I can figure he never answers the phone and has not returned my calls. People seem to get very personalized service from TA's, but is that level of service possible with the big online agencies? I live in upstate New York and don't know any local agents or anyone who's used one.

 

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

[deliver42]

You don't have to talk to your PCC to get answers. Anyone in X's office can do anything for you. Some of the big box TA's will be the same way. I used one once, and never again. We cannot give names of TA's on CC, whether good or bad.

[marieps]

You also don't need to live near a TA to employ one. Our cruise friends in Green Bay use a TA out of state. I've had mine for ten years and I've met her in person once. Her office is 30 minutes away. You don't need to go the mega-shop route. I can't give you a referral here, however.

[Wine-O]

Don't forget, you only have 60 days to transfer your booking to a Travel Agent. Look on line, do a search on TA's. They should give you an incentive to transfer the booking to them. The good ones (high volume) give somewhere between 8-10% on board credit after taxes/port charges.

 

P.S. Welcome to Cruise Critic. Lots of good information on this site.

Edited September 21, 2016 by Wine-O

[ClaudiaB]

We use a large online TA (the one whose initials are the same as this website).

We are independent travelers and don't need "service" or "help" on our upcoming cruise, so when we initially book, either while on the ship (to get the booking-on-board perks) or on the phone with Celebrity or directly with the TA, we get both Celebrity's perks and the additional ones from the TA.

 

We don't ever book a cruise unless we definitely plan on taking it. Therefore, it doesn't matter that we have a middle man, or two middle men, or a whole army of middle men--- we book it, get Celebrity's perks and the TA's perks and pay the money and go. I can only think of one time in this century that we have needed to speak with a customer service agent and that was when we cancelled a cruise due to a drastic change in our plans (daughter was having a baby!) - kept the same booking number - and transferred it to a cruise later in the year. We did all that easily with the online TA.

 

It's all about the additional perks!! On a two week cruise in a sky suite, if booked on board, we can get $650 in on board credit and premium beverage pkg, gratuities and unlimited internet. Pass that on to a TA and we get about $850 MORE on board credit. A no-brainer. I'll take a middle man all day long for that!

I've heard of local TAs who don't give much. And of course if you're booking an ocean view for a week, you don't get the same big dollar amount. The big ones give you more. And.... I *do* have one agent I work with. Downside is if we're sitting around on a Sunday afternoon and find a great cruise with our preferred cabin and the TA is closed, we just put a "hold" on the cabin. Our agent at the TA sorts it all out the next day, releases the hold and we get the cabin with her.

So no downside really.

[chamima]

Make sure you ask the TA if they have cancellation fees (Celebrity doesn't charge if you need to cancel before final payment but some TAs DO!!)

Also ask if they charge a fee if you need to re-fare because the cruise went down in price.

 

I have a wonderful TA who is out of state but I can email her or call her on the phone.

She gives me OBC and has gone to bat for me with the cruise line when I need help.

I can't name her here but I got her by talking to fellow CCers while on a cruise.

That's the best way!

Edited September 21, 2016 by chamima

[Wine-O]

Make sure you ask the TA if they have cancellation fees (Celebrity doesn't charge if you need to cancel before final payment but some TAs DO!!)

Also ask if they charge a fee if you need to re-fare because the cruise went down in price.

 

I have a wonderful TA who is out of state but I can email her or call her on the phone.

She gives me OBC and has gone to bat for me with the cruise line when I need help.

I can't name her here but I got her by talking to fellow CCers while on a cruise.

That's the best way!

 

Good point. Some large on line TA's will charge if you cancel. Additionally, if you want to service your reservation with regard to upgrade, cabin change, or price drop, they will also charge you -- so what's the point in even having a TA who does that?

[jelayne]

Good point. Some large on line TA's will charge if you cancel. Additionally, if you want to service your reservation with regard to upgrade, cabin change, or price drop, they will also charge you -- so what's the point in even having a TA who does that?

 

For our cruise next Feb we are in a C1 and getting $900 OBC from our TA. They don't charge for upgrades or cabin changes but do charge for price drops -$25. With $900 in refundable OBC we can take advantage of a price drop or 2 and still be way ahead. They do charge for cancellations but our travel insurance covers that charge.

Edited September 21, 2016 by jelayne

[merlin5353]

We've used the same TA for many years. We've transferred a couple dozen cruises to them because they:

1. Don't charge fees; cabin change, price drops, cancellations, anything.

2. Give us 8-10% of the price in credit.

3. They're available 7 days a week.

4. You can check their price and credits online for comparison.

 

You are the only person who can weigh the value of a high OBC with fees. It's worth it TO ME that once my TA has the booking, I don't have to be concerned with what fees may pop up.

With that said, YES, transfer your booking to the TA you are comfortable with. You will just save money to do it.

BTW, we use a big warehouse club store's travel agency (starts with C and ends with CO).

[Jim_Iain]

We've used the same TA for many years. We've transferred a couple dozen cruises to them because they:

1. Don't charge fees; cabin change, price drops, cancellations, anything.

2. Give us 8-10% of the price in credit.

3. They're available 7 days a week.

4. You can check their price and credits online for comparison.

 

You are the only person who can weigh the value of a high OBC with fees. It's worth it TO ME that once my TA has the booking, I don't have to be concerned with what fees may pop up.

With that said, YES, transfer your booking to the TA you are comfortable with. You will just save money to do it.

BTW, we use a big warehouse club store's travel agency (starts with C and ends with CO).

 

Curious about the credit you receive from them. Last time I looked they are no longer offering an OBC but a company specific cash card. Can you only use the cash card at the warehouse or are you able to cash it in? I guess you could always use it to book your next cruise.

[jelayne]

Curious about the credit you receive from them. Last time I looked they are no longer offering an OBC but a company specific cash card. Can you only use the cash card at the warehouse or are you able to cash it in? I guess you could always use it to book your next cruise.

 

Just made final payment on a cruise booked in 2014, got OBC for that one. In looking a t & c's on the paid invoice the cash card is good for in store purchases, online purchases from them & gas. We stopped booking with them when they changed to the card instead of OBC since we don't live near a store.

[cjmayes51]

I just booked my first cruise direct with Celebrity. As a rule I don't like middle men if it can be avoided, however, I'm having some difficulty. They assigned me a "cruise specialist" but as near as I can figure he never answers the phone and has not returned my calls. People seem to get very personalized service from TA's, but is that level of service possible with the big online agencies? I live in upstate New York and don't know any local agents or anyone who's used one.

 

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

 

Good luck with your TA hunt - but please do your research. I live in North Carolina & have been using a TA that is 700 miles away for 30 years. I may not get as much OBC as many here, but I just booked a 2017 & 2 a 2018 Celebrity cruise with them & didn't get any OBC from her, but my price was $300-400 less per person then many of the really large internet TA's who wow you with a bunch of OBC & I got quotes from 3 of the biggest. I would rather pay $800-$1000 less then Celebrity's pricing & not worry about a $500 OBC with a higher cost. No one agent will always give you the best cost or even best Service . Good luck! Charlie

[Johnnyocean1959]

Lauramcc, I live in upstate NY as well. I've used a TA for 20 years now, mother and son. Part of large national online group, but works independent. Very happy with them. Feel free to email me for referral. Johnnyocean1959@yahoo.com

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[lauramcc]

Thanks everyone, lots of good info here. So excited to try cruising!

[Iamthesea]

ClaudiaB - I have recently been booking with the same TA group. I have never been able to get the same TA, even when emailing them direct. Seems they always transfer me to someone else. Could you tell me the first name of the person you deal with?

 

Also, does CC charge if I want to change staterooms, categories, or get a price drop? I know they charge cancellation fee.

[Jim_Iain]

Just made final payment on a cruise booked in 2014, got OBC for that one. In looking a t & c's on the paid invoice the cash card is good for in store purchases, online purchases from them & gas. We stopped booking with them when they changed to the card instead of OBC since we don't live near a store.

 

Thanks - I didn't think to look at the T&C on their website. Their switch to a Gift Card has dissuaded me not to book with them.

 

Also found this in their T&C

 

Cash Cards may not be applied toward payment of cruises, rental cars, Disneyland® Resort packages, guided vacations or any other travel purchases.

 

The card, which you'll receive two to four weeks after you return from your vacation or cruise, may be used toward merchandise or gas

[jelayne]

ClaudiaB - I have recently been booking with the same TA group. I have never been able to get the same TA, even when emailing them direct. Seems they always transfer me to someone else. Could you tell me the first name of the person you deal with?

 

Also, does CC charge if I want to change staterooms, categories, or get a price drop? I know they charge cancellation fee.

 

We also have booked a number of cruises with this agency. We always book with the same agent but once booked any change/question is directed to Customer Service. So beyond the initial booking we never talk to that agent.

Customer Service has always been very responsive but it is a big operation so always get the feeling that they are huge call center- handle the call & move on, your not a person just a booking number.

[basil's mom]

I just booked my first cruise direct with Celebrity. As a rule I don't like middle men if it can be avoided, however, I'm having some difficulty. They assigned me a "cruise specialist" but as near as I can figure he never answers the phone and has not returned my calls. People seem to get very personalized service from TA's, but is that level of service possible with the big online agencies? I live in upstate New York and don't know any l local agents or anyone who's used one.

 

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

 

You don't need a local agent. We have booked with the same agent for 18 years and I have never met him (I live on the west coast and his office is on the east coast). There has never been a problem getting ahold of him. He must work seven days a week because no matter what day I call, I either talk to him or get an e-mail when he is traveling.

 

Talk to others to see if they are happy with their travel agent. Referrals are the best way to find someone.

[marieps]

Knowing how much OBC I've been getting from X promotions, my TA decided to pay for the airport limo instead. Saves us a ton in parking at ATL for 16 days, plus the gas plus the hassle. Using it next week with Equinox from BCN. It's about a $250 perk. Love her.

Edited September 22, 2016 by marieps