TA vs RCCL

[grandgeezer]

If you shop around, you can get the same deal from a TA without the cancellation fee, and even better customer service.

 

For the service I need, I give them a 10+.

I got an e-mail from my online travel agent today saying they were have a special sale tomorrow for the seven day Caribbean cruises on the Celebrity Equinox sailings in June, July, and August. They are offering the "Best Package" which is the premium drink package, prepaid gratuities, $300 obc, and unlimited internet for around $315 p.p. less than the current pricing on Celebrity's website. There is also a generous obc from them, which is refundable. I get $100 because we've done so many cruises with them plus whatever they normally give to everybody. I think I'll risk the $100 cancellation fee. I'd be stunned if you can match that.

Giving travel agency's name on this board is not allowed.

[rockon391]

Can TAs still provide bonuses on interior room bookings?

[Clarea]

Can TAs still provide bonuses on interior room bookings?

It's up to the individual TA, but they can give OBC on any category.

[Wine-O]

For the service I need, I give them a 10+.

I got an e-mail from my online travel agent today saying they were have a special sale tomorrow for the seven day Caribbean cruises on the Celebrity Equinox sailings in June, July, and August. They are offering the "Best Package" which is the premium drink package, prepaid gratuities, $300 obc, and unlimited internet for around $315 p.p. less than the current pricing on Celebrity's website. There is also a generous obc from them, which is refundable. I get $100 because we've done so many cruises with them plus whatever they normally give to everybody. I think I'll risk the $100 cancellation fee. I'd be stunned if you can match that.

Giving travel agency's name on this board is not allowed.

 

If it's that one up in New Hampshire, their customer service sucks. Just saying. If you're happy, good for you.

[JBoshears]

I booked with RC, then transferred to a big online agency. I probably won't do that again. I have changed cabins once (higher category) and called to have the fare reduced another time. Every time I call, you have to leave a message, and never know when you will get a call back, or who it will be. If you miss their call back, you have to start all over in the process. I'm sure I got someone new when I asked for my fare to be reduced because she told me RC will charge me $100 to do so??? I questioned her, but she was adamant! I ended up getting the reduced fare, but it had to be escalated for approval. Even when I've called to make a simple payment, it has taken days to get a call back.

 

But....on the flip side, the perks I got are amazing!

 

Bottom line for me on TA's...the customer service lacks (timeliness), and I feel I have no control. I'm most likely done with TA's in the future.

[grandgeezer]

Its not the cancellation fee itself. Like many have said, you get additional perks on top of your RC perks when you book with a TA. These fees are on top of any fees you may incur with RC. Sure, no one wants to cancel, but to get hit with the RC fee and then the TA fee on top of that, leaves a bad taste in your mouth that's already there because you have to cancel your cruise. When a TA gives you perks and no cancellation fee, that's an additional perk so to speak.

 

How can you consider it a perk if you don't use it? People spend $65 a day for drink packages, $50 everytime you use a specialty restaurant and you got a sour taste in your mouth for somebody wanting to get paid for work completed?

If the perks are identical they might so validity in this stance, but I've spent a lot of time looking for the best price and I have not come across that. The extra perks more than offsets the cancellation fee.

[tekguy26]

My personal preference is booking directly through the cruiseline. I used a TA in the past, but would continue to check prices on the RC website. I would call the TA whenever there was a change and asked to have the fare adjusted. At one point, I felt like I was inconveniencing her by constantly calling. With the cruiseline, I can call as many times as I need, and not feel guilty about it because I'm usually talking to someone different.

 

If you have a casino offer, it's even WORSE. Because now, they need to place you on hold, and conference the casino in. So if you had to hold to get your agent on the line, you'll have to hold again why they try to get the casino on to conference. Last year during the hurricane, i couldn't even get my agent on the line to reprice my booking because their phones were blowing up due to people needing to make changes or rebook.

 

So, that's my reason.

[Debmyster]

Why dose RCCL charge a fee to upgrade your room? I called and wanted to get a jr. suite, a 550 difference, when I called I was told it would be a 1000 more....? What I said it should only be 550 he told me there was a fee to upgrade? Dumb

[ONECRUISER]

Hi Mike!

 

I just made my first RCI reservation in many years. Since early this week I have changed my room three times, and I am now in 9260 btb, 9 Feb-25 Feb, Feb 25-Mar 14, 2020, Radiance of the Seas. I booked directly with RCI and their phone reps are 24/7. I am guessing I ultimately ended up in this room because holds fell off. Both changes were made between 6am-7:30am. I originally started in 7176, btb, changed to 9258, 9260, and now 9260 both legs. All that to say, if I booked with a TA I am not sure I would have been able to make the change quickly as the hold feature does not seem to be working. I think I am settled with the room unless a JS comes open later at a reasonable price(highly unlikely). Now, I will be watching for price drops. ALL this to say, I would like to receive some perks from a TA but not sure I would be able to reach them in a timely manner for any changes. Thoughts(specifically to your TA)? THANK YOU.

Agree. Reserved though Royal last 5 yrs using same Vacation Planner. Know his hrs, email/call or in a pinch if he's out I'll talk with another. He'll even change/fix cruises I reserved on my own. One of my cruises was the 11th version and at times I've emailed him with 3-4 changes on couple dif cruises and done within hr. 8 cruises planned next yr, will change cabins when better comes up or so my B2B are same cabin, when rates drop. Know there's good and bad VP & TA but I got a good one and more important I'm happy... Do whatever works for you..

[Biker19]

Why dose RCCL charge a fee to upgrade your room? I called and wanted to get a jr. suite, a 550 difference, when I called I was told it would be a 1000 more....? What I said it should only be 550 he told me there was a fee to upgrade? Dumb

There's no fee to upgrade -call back. The price you saw may have been an error.

[FlorenceItaly]

Agree. Reserved though Royal last 5 yrs using same Vacation Planner. Know his hrs, email/call or in a pinch if he's out I'll talk with another. He'll even change/fix cruises I reserved on my own. One of my cruises was the 11th version and at times I've emailed him with 3-4 changes on couple dif cruises and done within hr. 8 cruises planned next yr, will change cabins when better comes up or so my B2B are same cabin, when rates drop. Know there's good and bad VP & TA but I got a good one and more important I'm happy... Do whatever works for you..

 

Thank you. I ultimately decided to leave the cruise with RCI. I understand I am leaving money on the table, but, for various reasons I think this is best for me. Time will tell whether it ends up being the best decision. We will have to wait until 2020 to find out :).

[ericndeb]

How do you guys find TA where you get such great deals? I have used 2 (local not online) in the past and got the same exact thing I could book for myself. I would love to have someone I can be loyal to but so far mostly just book online myself.

[rjrice1]

Just goggle the cruise you are looking for. Can't say any names but sometimes those club stores (no names mentioned) offer deals.

 

 

How do you guys find TA where you get such great deals? I have used 2 (local not online) in the past and got the same exact thing I could book for myself. I would love to have someone I can be loyal to but so far mostly just book online myself.

[loman]

I use a ta through my credit card to get more travel points .

Problem is when I see a price drop I send an email or phone and my request is totally ignored.

I may have gotten a 300.00 reduction but I won't know for sure , so I will be booking direct from now on.

The points I got would never even get close to 300.00

When she calls for final payment I will definitely put her on the spot