New to Cunard

[scdreamer]

Hello, we are Americans, planning a transatlantic westbound cruise on QM2 in August. This is our first cruise on Cunard, and we are wondering if there is a benefit to having a travel agent, rather than booking directly with Cunard.

 

We have cruised before, on Oceania and Celebrity, and have had a good experience using our travel agent - however, she does not work with Cunard.

 

I know it is not okay for anyone to recommend a specific travel agency on this forum, but would appreciate any general pointers regarding this topic. Thank you!

[MCC retired]

I don't understand why your TA states that they don't work with Cunard ???

Doesn't make sense . Your TA may have preferred suppliers but no reason not to book Cunard

when they can . Cunard cruises are usually big ticket items thus earning better comm.

 

For your benefit , Cunard allows all TA's to discount their best rates .

Yes use a TA . Booking Direct with Cunard you are just paying current retail $$ . A good TA can always do better. May also have Group Amenities to offer you.

[scdreamer]

Thanks for the response, MCC. Our agent deals only with about four cruise lines - I asked her if she works with Cunard, and she said "no." So ... I am now going to look for an agent who does.

 

I wonder if just going with an online agency that comes up with google is okay? Otherwise I don't see any.

[Former Goalie]

Thanks for the response, MCC. Our agent deals only with about four cruise lines - I asked her if she works with Cunard, and she said "no." So ... I am now going to look for an agent who does.

 

I wonder if just going with an online agency that comes up with google is okay? Otherwise I don't see any.

That's odd that the TA doesn't have a relationship with Cunard. As another poster said, Cunard verges on the luxury status, which can mean a big commission for the TA. I would suggest seeking out several online agencies, and price shop. You will almost assuredly get a better price and/or more amenities than booking direct with Cunard

[MCC retired]

That is quite an unusual TA that you have there ?

I was a Cruise Specialist TA for many years and never heard of any TA that only books 4 cruise lines ? Sure they have preferred suppliers , but none of them offer the regular Transatlantics that

Cunard does.

 

Most Online agencies are fine but ask your friends , relatives , coworkers and others who cruise , for a referral.

Find one that assigns a Cruise Specialist to your booking. Many of the largest Online agencies use Homebased TA's that provide excellent personal service. You may luck out to find one that has earned Cunard Commodore status thru extensive online training and experience on the Cunard product.

[Dowunder]

It's perhaps wise to use a TA, but keep an eye on Cunards website as prices fluctuate so much on all cruise lines. For example I booked with our TA for a BE cabin on QV for $ 4,800 p.p I monitored Cunards website every day and discovered that BE cabins had been reduced to $ 3,100 . The TA hadn't informed me so I called her, she made the price adjustment through Cunard for exactly the same cabin. A big saving. By all means book with a TA, but keep an eye on Cunard's website.

[newcruise]

You would be wise to just look online for a TA. We book a Future Cruise Deposit onboard (fully refundable to those of us in the U.S. if not used in 4 years) then book through a large online agent. That gives us lots of onboard credit and a very competitive price. Dowunder is quite correct to keep checking both the Cunard website and your online TA's website for price drops. We saved over $1,000 on our May transatlantic during the Thanksgiving weekend flash sale!

[Ray66]

It's perhaps wise to use a TA, but keep an eye on Cunards website as prices fluctuate so much on all cruise lines. For example I booked with our TA for a BE cabin on QV for $ 4,800 p.p I monitored Cunards website every day and discovered that BE cabins had been reduced to $ 3,100 . The TA hadn't informed me so I called her, she made the price adjustment through Cunard for exactly the same cabin. A big saving. By all means book with a TA, but keep an eye on Cunard's website.

 

So you also get the chance of a price adjustment after having booked In Australia? I thought it just applied to those in the US. It is really quite unfair for us in the UK not to be able to do this.

---------

To the OP,

Have you tried clicking on the Find a Cruise tab at the top of this page? ^^^ You can get quotes from TA's on there.

[Salacia]

So you also get the chance of a price adjustment after having booked In Australia? I thought it just applied to those in the US. It is really quite unfair for us in the UK not to be able to do this.

---------

To the OP,

Have you tried clicking on the Find a Cruise tab at the top of this page? ^^^ You can get quotes from TA's on there.

 

Hi Ray. Hope this makes you feel better: the booking conditions on this side of the pond have changed.:)

[Captiveguru]

We booked our first Cunard crossing with a TA 15 years ago. In 2014 and 2015 we booked direct without a TA. In 2016 we used a CLIA certified TA. She was able to get us $350 in additional OBC and a very inexpensive port to airport transfer.

 

I recently booked my 5/24 crossing with her.

 

With the internet it is tempting to book direct, but I would recommend you use a competent TA. It makes everything so much easier.

 

I asked my TA about your postings. Like everyone else, she was surprised to hear that a TA would only book with 4 cruise lines. She books with 10. BTW - I was her first and second Cunard bookings. She is looking for a 3rd because she gets some kind of perk after 3 bookings.

 

One more thing... Use an agent uses software that tracks cruise prices. If the price drops after booking she can then negotiate with the cruise line. I do not have personal experience with this process, but I am sure she would negoiate a better deal than I could (More OBC or an upgrade).

[Dowunder]

So you also get the chance of a price adjustment after having booked In Australia? I thought it just applied to those in the US. It is really quite unfair for us in the UK not to be able to do this.

---------

To the OP,

Have you tried clicking on the Find a Cruise tab at the top of this page? ^^^ You can get quotes from TA's on there.

 

I should have added that we were able to pay $200 price drop insurance with our TA. Money well spent as we are still way ahead .

[keithm]

Hello, we are Americans, planning a transatlantic westbound cruise on QM2 in August. This is our first cruise on Cunard, and we are wondering if there is a benefit to having a travel agent, rather than booking directly with Cunard.

 

We have cruised before, on Oceania and Celebrity, and have had a good experience using our travel agent - however, she does not work with Cunard.

 

I know it is not okay for anyone to recommend a specific travel agency on this forum, but would appreciate any general pointers regarding this topic. Thank you!

We had a TA(who now charges $100 whether you use her or not)which is why we don't use her any more. She did "specialize" in Cunard. Our current TA did not book Cunard trips before us. Cunard does require some training classes(what our current TA told us)