CruisingPhirstTime Posted May 23, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 23, 2018 My family is planning a reunion in the 2019/2020. We estimated we'll have anywhere from 15-20 staterooms. Besides the convenience factors, will working with a Travel Agent offer us any discounts or extra perks. Has anyone had any experience using a TA for a cruise, did you get a better deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted May 23, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 23, 2018 I get a discount and some on board credit every cruise I book with my TA. I would expect even more for booking 15 to 20 cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted May 23, 2018 #3 Share Posted May 23, 2018 My family is planning a reunion in the 2019/2020. We estimated we'll have anywhere from 15-20 staterooms. Besides the convenience factors, will working with a Travel Agent offer us any discounts or extra perks. Has anyone had any experience using a TA for a cruise, did you get a better deal? We generally take "longer" cruises of 3 weeks plus. The several TAs we use will always add significant "value" to the cruise line's best deal - often in the form of complimentary gratuities, onboard credit and/or rebates. On our preferred line/itineraries, this usually amounts to several thousand dollars in ultimate savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smplybcause Posted May 23, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 23, 2018 I'd use one because without one someone in the family will fill the organizer roll and have to deal with all that. Plus if you're not set on the exact cruise from the start, a TA would hopefully be familiar with lines that give offers to groups and other things for groups. Like I know one line that lets groups over 7 rooms pick two from a list of perks. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted May 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 23, 2018 Definitely use a TA, otherwise the "organizer" will drive themselves crazy trying to herd cats, and someone will end up not speaking to someone else. Shop around to see which cruise lines and TAs offer the best deal. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted May 23, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 23, 2018 Definitely use a TA, otherwise the "organizer" will drive themselves crazy trying to herd cats, and someone will end up not speaking to someone else. Shop around to see which cruise lines and TAs offer the best deal. Roz Definitely have a TA help you with this. If someone tries to do this themselves there are going to be some very hurt feelings between family members. Even doing this someone will announce that THEY could have gotten a better deal. Aunt Agnus is going to complain because Aunt Beatrice got a better cabin. (even though the cabins are exactly the same) Help as much as you can but have an escape route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted May 24, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Our family manages group cruises all the time. My wife and her sisters are experienced and know their stuff. They also enjoy doing it. I and my brother-in-laws know to stay out of it and follow instructions. :D. The latest is a fall Med cruise involving 6 cabins. So, clearly our groups are much smaller than what you are doing. I would think for the amount of cabins you are talking about you should receive some perks. Some (maybe all) lines provide customer support for group bookings. Maybe you could also check to see what they offer. At the end of the day, like others, I think a TA is your best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted May 24, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Definitely use a TA, otherwise the "organizer" will drive themselves crazy trying to herd cats, and someone will end up not speaking to someone else. Shop around to see which cruise lines and TAs offer the best deal. Roz +1 on this. If you try to organize it yourself, by the end of the planning process and definitely by the end of the trip, everyone will be hating each other and they will not talk to you for the next 10 years or so. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted May 24, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Use a TA, go thru the cruiseline’s Groups Department or even a cruise line’s planner. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizmark'sMom Posted May 24, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Yes, totally worth it. Not because you will save money, but because you will save your sanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted May 24, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Your answer will be revealed by simply shopping around. Contact several high volume reputable cruise agencies, tell them what you want, and tell them you are shopping among a few agencies for the most attractive deal. You can then compare the best overall deal to what you can get by booking direct with the cruise line. You will likely save at least 10% by shopping around versus what you get by booking direct. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted May 26, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 26, 2018 My family is planning a reunion in the 2019/2020. We estimated we'll have anywhere from 15-20 staterooms. Besides the convenience factors, will working with a Travel Agent offer us any discounts or extra perks. Has anyone had any experience using a TA for a cruise, did you get a better deal? We almost always cruise with groups and always use a TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z'Loth Posted May 26, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 26, 2018 15-20 cabins? For the sake of your sanity, please use a travel agent. They get paid to deal with headaches and chasing after people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted May 27, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 27, 2018 Yes' date=' totally worth it. Not because you will save money, but because you will save your sanity.[/quote'] Per above .... Absolutely! (y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryjaden Posted June 1, 2018 #15 Share Posted June 1, 2018 I always book directly with the cruise line myself...... Except the times we do our family cruise (7-10 cabins). For the sake of sanity and family togetherness, we use a TA. Let them deal with linking dining, getting payments, dealing with any hiccups on the way. It will make the cruise much more enjoyable for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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