Rare CineGraphic Posted June 15, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 15, 2017 What's important to you? Good service, low prices, comps, monitoring prices once booked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted June 15, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 15, 2017 What's important to you? Good service, low prices, comps, monitoring prices once booked? Good qualities but I would add Product Knowledge , and eliminate Monitoring, as a Good TA will be too busy booking happy clients , to do that for you . That is up to you . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RU_Gremlin Posted June 15, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Good qualities but I would add Product Knowledge , and eliminate Monitoring, as a Good TA will be too busy booking happy clients , to do that for you . That is up to you . I wouldn't eliminate monitoring. I have these boards for product knowledge. I want a travel agent to worry about monitoring for me. If I wanted to worry about monitoring fares, I would just book myself. I'd say (in order): - Responsiveness (especially as it relates to questions specifically regarding the cruise or cruise line and adding extras) - Value add (can they get a deal or discount that I wouldn't get on my own) - Monitoring (I am using an agent to ensure the best deal, I expect that they get the best deal) - Feedback and recommendations that they have gathered from years of happy customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerelmx Posted June 15, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 15, 2017 There are many variables, there are certified and recommended agents that have so much work that they do not answer until the three days of your request. I prefer a local certified agent that you can go to the office to see everything related to your cruise and right there along with you make the reservation and you are watching every step in the terminal of the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedy Posted June 15, 2017 #5 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Someone that puts up with me. I have an awesome agent and she knows just what I'm like. I can fire a multitude of questions and repeatedly contact her about a price drop I've seen and she doesn't bat an eye. She follows up on everything and I know that I'm not her only client but she makes me feel like I'm am which is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baronessk Posted June 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted June 15, 2017 THE PERFECT TA The perfect TA is happy, And she does not moan; She has a beautiful smile, That you can hear right thru the phone. The perfect TA gets you OBC And is always on your side. She is a really good planner And to you has never lied. The perfect TA loves searching, For cruises and airfares too. She'll do anything in her power To find the best deal for you. The perfect TA is sweet, And will never forget your name. She's your best friend when you cruise And never causes you pain. She never makes you cry Or never makes you pissed. Oh, screw this stupid poem... The perfect TA does not exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted June 15, 2017 #7 Share Posted June 15, 2017 What's important to you? Good service, low prices, comps, monitoring prices once booked? Answers the phone or calls you back in a timely manner, OBC. I monitor my own prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted June 15, 2017 #8 Share Posted June 15, 2017 THE PERFECT TA The perfect TA is happy, And she does not moan; She has a beautiful smile, That you can hear right thru the phone. The perfect TA gets you OBC And is always on your side. She is a really good planner And to you has never lied. The perfect TA loves searching, For cruises and airfares too. She'll do anything in her power To find the best deal for you. The perfect TA is sweet, And will never forget your name. She's your best friend when you cruise And never causes you pain. She never makes you cry Or never makes you pissed. Oh, screw this stupid poem... The perfect TA does not exist. ROFL:D:D Very cute!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted June 15, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Monitoring my price and finding a better deal is half the fun! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted June 16, 2017 #10 Share Posted June 16, 2017 The Perfect Travel Agent would pay for my cruises, provide massive amounts of OBC, provide transportation to and from the cruise terminal, etc. I will have to settle for a Good or even Great TA but doubt I will find the perfect TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishfulone Posted June 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Someone that puts up with me. I have an awesome agent and she knows just what I'm like. I can fire a multitude of questions and repeatedly contact her about a price drop I've seen and she doesn't bat an eye. She follows up on everything and I know that I'm not her only client but she makes me feel like I'm am which is great. So does mine :D She researches everything I throw at her and best of all, she answers my emails 7 days a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted June 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Good qualities but I would add Product Knowledge , and eliminate Monitoring, as a Good TA will be too busy booking happy clients , to do that for you . That is up to you . MCC is correct IMO (she usually is) - a Good TA is going to be too busy to monitor every cruise booking for every client. Though - I think with Good TAs, if someone brings a price reduction to their attention, they will check the other people on that sailing and adjust accordingly. I think price reductions are a two way street. I just want to make sure the agent I work with is willing to check the prices if I bring it to their attention. Lately, these price reduction questions are a whole lot more complicated then they used to be with all the promos as they have to figure out how much you save vs what benefits you give up when you change fares. You may lose your sip and sail promo and free dinner but your cabin went down $400 pp - which is better? It maybe different for each customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted June 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted June 16, 2017 THE PERFECT TA The perfect TA is happy, And she does not moan; . I think you need to marry a TA or if that is not possible - talk one of your kids into becoming one :halo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted June 16, 2017 #14 Share Posted June 16, 2017 My perfect TA does not charge any fees other than those imposed by the cruise line. My perfect TA passes through all promos from the cruise line. My perfect TA provides a 10% discount in addition to the promos. My perfect TA refares to reflect any and all price drops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted June 16, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 16, 2017 The Perfect Travel Agent would pay for my cruises, provide massive amounts of OBC, provide transportation to and from the cruise terminal, etc. I will have to settle for a Good or even Great TA but doubt I will find the perfect TA. Thrak, You just described my uncle Tony from NJ he's the BEST!!! :D :D Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pris993 Posted June 16, 2017 #16 Share Posted June 16, 2017 over the years... past 30 years... had a few TAs, actually found I was my own best TA... now with computers and so much travel information available... I no longer use a TA... book all travel directly, air, cruise, hotels, insurance... I use you tube to research new ports or cities in advance of a trip... we do tours on our own.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amtrack Springfield Posted June 16, 2017 #17 Share Posted June 16, 2017 My daughter! She is a TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvmike Posted June 16, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 16, 2017 One that goes to bat for you. On our last Celebrity cruise we had the room steward from hell. He would come in after one knock. Once my wife was in the shower and I went off on him. He stopped. Did not go to C/S since it only happened for 2 days. Told our TA about it and he called Celebrity without telling us and got us each a $250 obc for our next cruise. we live in Ca and he is in MI and we always send a bottle of wine for the holidays. He has done 25+ cruises for us and I still don't know how we found him. Ken is a good guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triple7tahoe Posted June 16, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I think one like James Dietz of Genx ************ is perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smelmel Posted June 16, 2017 #20 Share Posted June 16, 2017 THE PERFECT TA The perfect TA is happy, And she does not moan; She has a beautiful smile, That you can hear right thru the phone. The perfect TA gets you OBC And is always on your side. She is a really good planner And to you has never lied. The perfect TA loves searching, For cruises and airfares too. She'll do anything in her power To find the best deal for you. The perfect TA is sweet, And will never forget your name. She's your best friend when you cruise And never causes you pain. She never makes you cry Or never makes you pissed. Oh, screw this stupid poem... The perfect TA does not exist. Thank you for my 1st laugh of the day!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baronessk Posted June 16, 2017 #21 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Well I don't have any kids, and I'm a widow, so I became a TA myself....but only for close friends and family. Too many things can go wrong so the low commissions TA's get and how time consuming it is just isn't worth it (to me). Thank God I have a REAL job! I think you need to marry a TA or if that is not possible - talk one of your kids into becoming one :halo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted June 16, 2017 #22 Share Posted June 16, 2017 MCC is correct IMO (she usually is) - a Good TA is going to be too busy to monitor every cruise booking for every client. Though - I think with Good TAs, if someone brings a price reduction to their attention, they will check the other people on that sailing and adjust accordingly. I think price reductions are a two way street. I just want to make sure the agent I work with is willing to check the prices if I bring it to their attention. Lately, these price reduction questions are a whole lot more complicated then they used to be with all the promos as they have to figure out how much you save vs what benefits you give up when you change fares. You may lose your sip and sail promo and free dinner but your cabin went down $400 pp - which is better? It maybe different for each customer. Thanks for the complement , but she is a he . I was a Cruise Specialist for 17+ years as a home based agent for the 1st agency in the US that began booking only cruises . They are still one of the top cruise agencies , but I'm retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted June 16, 2017 #23 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Thanks for the complement , but she is a he .I was a Cruise Specialist for 17+ years as a home based agent for the 1st agency in the US that began booking only cruises . They are still one of the top cruise agencies , but I'm retired. Thank you for the correction!!!!! I figured I had a 50% chance of getting it right! I appreciate your insight knowledge you provide on this board! Invaluable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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