Flamingo15 Posted December 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 2, 2017 I cruise 2-3 times a year, have always booked directly with the cruise lines, usually because I get an email with a particularly good deal and that particular offer works with my timing, costs, etc. I'm looking at a couple cruises that are more in advance, not so much spur-of-moment offerings. Do people see a big difference between using cruise travel agents vs. booking directly with the cruise line? Any tips or hacks on advanced booking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted December 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Well, we aren't allowed to name/recommend/discuss TAs. All that I can suggest is to do your research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted December 2, 2017 I would speak with friends who you respect and see if they can give you recommendations for TA's and then speak to a few of them. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted December 2, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Since all TA's can book any Rate or Promo that you can by booking Direct , you should always expect the TA to do better (additional OBC, Discount , Group Rate & Amenity , etc. ). You do have to contact the TA for their Deal as they are not permitted to advertise their own Deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 2, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 2, 2017 For every booking we make, we always compare the bottomline price, net of all perks, between cruise line and travel agents. There were instances where one was better than the other. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted December 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted December 2, 2017 It certainly never cost any more (... and often less) to use a travel agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted December 2, 2017 #7 Share Posted December 2, 2017 We use the TA that we do because their website is excellent. We can easily compare prices, dates, ships, deck plans, and much more, and each query will bring up the exact info based on our data (senior/repeater/veteran, etc.) which is in their system. After browsing their site for a long time, we decided that ethically we should use them for booking. No regrets. Now if I look at any cruiseline site, I get very frustrated with how complicated and slow it is to get any information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted December 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted December 2, 2017 The downside to using a TA is that you are now the TA’s customer. Until you board the ship, any and all communications or negotiations with the cruise line must be through your TA. See a price drop and want to match? Talk to your TA Need to make a cabin change? Talk to your TA Need to change MDR time? Talk to your TA Communications is vis versa also Cruise line has a change? They notify your TA. The TA is then supposed to notify you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic6318 Posted December 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Hi As it is you get an email that attracts you and you take that opportunity to book. Everybody is happy, you get a cruise at a price you think is fair and the cruise line fills a cabin. The thing is...this is easy. What you are asking, is how do you get a better price? If you really want to know what a better price is, it requires the patience to do the research to understand what the price was yesterday (or last year). Find cruises you might be interested a year or more out, that way you will know where the price was yesterday. You want to be able to book as soon as you feel comfortable that you can go. You want to have an understanding of what different TA's will are selling the "same" cabin (with whatever perks) for. Verify what restrictions/obligations in your cabin "rate" will be. Try to book with a "rate" that allows for price protection. You don't say if you have particular cruise line preferences, but many offer additional perks for booking while on a cruise. Armed with all the information you have researched you might find that booking while onboard might give you some additional OBC. If you find one TA offers a better deal than another, don't hesitate to ask if the other can do better. Very important...make sure you are dealing with a reputable TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted December 3, 2017 #10 Share Posted December 3, 2017 I cruise 2-3 times a year, have always booked directly with the cruise lines, usually because I get an email with a particularly good deal and that particular offer works with my timing, costs, etc. I'm looking at a couple cruises that are more in advance, not so much spur-of-moment offerings. Do people see a big difference between using cruise travel agents vs. booking directly with the cruise line? Any tips or hacks on advanced booking? There's a zillion threads here on why use a TA and what they can do for you beyond the best deal from the cruise line itself. Look for 7-10% of the commissionable fare given to you by the TA as refundable OBC or a post-cruise rebate. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted December 3, 2017 #11 Share Posted December 3, 2017 I cruise 2-3 times a year, have always booked directly with the cruise lines, usually because I get an email with a particularly good deal and that particular offer works with my timing, costs, etc. I'm looking at a couple cruises that are more in advance, not so much spur-of-moment offerings. Do people see a big difference between using cruise travel agents vs. booking directly with the cruise line? Any tips or hacks on advanced booking? We use a TA who works for a travel agency .They offer free basic insurance and loyalty points .For every cruise we book we get X amount of points that can be used on a future cruise as onboard credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted December 3, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Well, we aren't allowed to name/recommend/discuss TAs. All that I can suggest is to do your research. Solely out of curiosity why can't the name of a Travel Agency be posted ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted December 3, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Solely out of curiosity why can't the name of a Travel Agency be posted ? Because it would be considered advertising. You can't discuss specific TAs, by name, either good or bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted December 4, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Because it would be considered advertising. You can't discuss specific TAs, by name, either good or bad. Other cruise sites similiar to CC allow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted December 4, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 4, 2017 ^ Perhaps but we are guests here and must abide by the host's rules and guidelines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted December 4, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I think CC accepts ads from travel agencies, so mentioning of TAs (and implied solicitation from posters who might also be TAs) runs counter to their business model. Their ball, their rules. What's interesting is that CC is now owned by TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor forums have no such rule. I'm not sure whether it's kosher to mention them by name but there is a website where you post your cruise details (itinerary, cabin category) and travel agencies bid in response. It doesn't always save me a bunch but often I save 10% or more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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