Advantages of travel agents?

[Flatbush Flyer]

I always have to chuckle when someone suggests that it is better for the customer/passenger to "own" their booking (vs using a TA).

Individual passengers are pretty much a fraction of a "rounding error" in a cruise line's "bottom line." On the other hand, your preferred cruise line's top selling TAs may book enough cruises to have the line's regional sales manager as a "speed dial." Whose phone call will get answered first with any issue being solved immediately?

Likewise, the concept of a PVP "working for you" is a fallacy. They're cruise line employees/contractors. They do NOT work for you.

Of course, the statement that it is "hard to find a good TA," sadly, is very true. Add to that the reality that the best of them prefer not to do booking on discount lines like Carnival is also true (meager commissions).

Nonetheless, doing your significant homework (see my previous posts on how to find a good TA), can save you hundreds to thousands (in commission sharing) on a longer or pricier cruise.

[John Bull]

My thoughts based purely on the fact that this question is in the "First-Time Cruiser" forum...............

 

A good cruise-specialist T/A can be a very good and knowledgeable friend for a newbie, can give you the pros & cons of different cruise lines for your particular party and circumstances, the pros & cons of different cabin grades and locations, of the different dining options, and of a dozen other aspects. Can explain what your on-board costs are likely to include & how they're paid for, can explain the processes and time-scales for boarding and disembarkation and tendering and a dozen other things that experienced cruisers don't even think about because they've long-since forgotten that these are things than newbies don't even know to ask about.

Kinda like taking your first driving lesson from a professional instructor rather than from a friend.

 

Financial pros & cons & freebies work differently in the UK, so I can't comment on those things.

But I do know that T/As in the USA seem to go to the wall quite frequently, and I'm not aware of any trade organisations equivalent to the Assoc of Britsh Travel Agents that safeguard the money that you hand over - so pay only by credit card. 

 

JB 

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I always have to chuckle when someone suggests that it is better for the customer/passenger to "own" their booking (vs using a TA).

Individual passengers are pretty much a fraction of a "rounding error" in a cruise line's "bottom line." On the other hand, your preferred cruise line's top selling TAs may book enough cruises to have the line's regional sales manager as a "speed dial." Whose phone call will get answered first with any issue being solved immediately?

Likewise, the concept of a PVP "working for you" is a fallacy. They're cruise line employees/contractors. They do NOT work for you.

Of course, the statement that it is "hard to find a good TA," sadly, is very true. Add to that the reality that the best of them prefer not to do booking on discount lines like Carnival is also true (meager commissions).

Nonetheless, doing your significant homework (see my previous posts on how to find a good TA), can save you hundreds to thousands (in commission sharing) on a longer or pricier cruise.

I have read many horror stories of passengers having difficulties with a booking and not being able to communicate with the cruise line because the TA owned the booking and the TA not being available (for whatever reason) to handle it. As many have said a good TA would always be available, but unfortunately many don't found out that they have a less than stellar TA until after they've booked the cruise. If the day ever comes where we book a pricier cruise then I'll find a TA. Until then I have no issues doing my own work.

[pacruise804]

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I always have to chuckle when someone suggests that it is better for the customer/passenger to "own" their booking (vs using a TA).

Individual passengers are pretty much a fraction of a "rounding error" in a cruise line's "bottom line." On the other hand, your preferred cruise line's top selling TAs may book enough cruises to have the line's regional sales manager as a "speed dial." Whose phone call will get answered first with any issue being solved immediately?

Likewise, the concept of a PVP "working for you" is a fallacy. They're cruise line employees/contractors. They do NOT work for you.

Of course, the statement that it is "hard to find a good TA," sadly, is very true. Add to that the reality that the best of them prefer not to do booking on discount lines like Carnival is also true (meager commissions).

Nonetheless, doing your significant homework (see my previous posts on how to find a good TA), can save you hundreds to thousands (in commission sharing) on a longer or pricier cruise.

 

Since the travel agent is paid by the cruise line, do they really "work for you" either?  

 

We mostly book on our own, but also do simple cruises.  We are trying a local agent for our current booking since we anticipate a few bigger cruises in the future and figured this would be a good way to try her.  So far we have been pleased (reduced deposit, extra OBC, caution about room location), but there have been a few small communication issues.

[Flatbush Flyer]

14 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

 

Since the travel agent is paid by the cruise line, do they really "work for you" either?  

Of course the TA works for YOU. While the cruise line may write his/her commission "check," the funds came directly from YOU.

If the TA fails YOU, you don't use them again; ergo, no TA income. 

If a cruise line's phone rep or PVP fails you, they still get paid (at least until they leave or are fired). 

The PVP is trying to keep their job. The TA is trying to keep their client.

[Heidi13]

4 hours ago, John Bull said:

Financial pros & cons & freebies work differently in the UK, so I can't comment on those things.

But I do know that T/As in the USA seem to go to the wall quite frequently, and I'm not aware of any trade organisations equivalent to the Assoc of Britsh Travel Agents that safeguard the money that you hand over - so pay only by credit card. 

 

JB 

Don't believe the US has similar safeguards, but we have a similar organisation in Canada - Association of Canadian Travel Agents. In addition, in BC we have a Travel Assurance Fund through BC Consumer Protection.

[sparks1093]

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Of course the TA works for YOU. While the cruise line may write his/her commission "check," the funds came directly from YOU.

If the TA fails YOU, you don't use them again; ergo, no TA income. 

If a cruise line's phone rep or PVP fails you, they still get paid (at least until they leave or are fired). 

The PVP is trying to keep their job. The TA is trying to keep their client.

If the cruise line cut the check then it didn't come directly from the passenger (just like I don't pay the commission to the car salesman, that's paid by the car dealer). It's not like a can book a cruise directly and have the fare reduced by the commission that is paid.

[Flatbush Flyer]

31 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

If the cruise line cut the check then it didn't come directly from the passenger (just like I don't pay the commission to the car salesman, that's paid by the car dealer). It's not like a can book a cruise directly and have the fare reduced by the commission that is paid.

Wow - so unclear on the concept.

 

No sale to you by TA = no commission= no TA business (nor commission sharing to you).

 

One might think that a cruise line would save money by selling cruises solely by itself and not giving part of your paid fare (I.e., YOUR money) to a TA as a commission.

 

But, it is fairly common knowledge that the savings realized by cruise lines due to their preference for TAs' sales (because the cruise line then has far less need for sales personnel, advertising, minutia, etc.) is far greater than sharing part of YOUR fare with them. 

 

Who writes the commission check is irrelevant. All that matters for us is that we get part of our payment back via shared commissions and we get far better service from a TA who the cruise line prefers to relies on to make them money.

 

[sparks1093]

24 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Wow - so unclear on the concept.

 

No sale to you by TA = no commission= no TA business (nor commission sharing to you).

 

One might think that a cruise line would save money by selling cruises solely by itself and not giving part of your paid fare (I.e., YOUR money) to a TA as a commission.

 

But, it is fairly common knowledge that the savings realized by cruise lines due to their preference for TAs' sales (because the cruise line then has far less need for sales personnel, advertising, minutia, etc.) is far greater than sharing part of YOUR fare with them. 

 

Who writes the commission check is irrelevant. All that matters for us is that we get part of our payment back via shared commissions and we get far better service from a TA who the cruise line prefers to relies on to make them money.

 

Wow back at you. Once I've paid a company money it is no longer mine. Do all of the verbal/mathematical gymnastics you want to it doesn't change that.

[Flatbush Flyer]

30 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Wow back at you. Once I've paid a company money it is no longer mine. Do all of the verbal/mathematical gymnastics you want to it doesn't change that.

That money certainly is YOURS until your contract has been completed as agreed upon. That is why there are courts should you ever require them to get YOUR money back if judged to be appropriate.

 

In any case: Use the right TA and get the cruise line perks plus cash back (and even the occasional unpublished partnership sales discounts). Use the cruise line and get only the cruise line's published perks while you wait "on hold" in phone calls with low level functionaries if you ever have a problem.

 

Yes- you do have to do your TA finding homework. But, nonetheless, opting for a good TA IS is kind of a "no-brainer" decision.

 

Edited November 14, 2018 by Flatbush Flyer

[sparks1093]

40 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

That money certainly is YOURS until your contract has been completed as agreed upon. That is why there are courts should you ever require them to get YOUR money back if judged to be appropriate.

 

In any case: Use the right TA and get the cruise line perks plus cash back (and even the occasional unpublished partnership sales discounts). Use the cruise line and get only the cruise line's published perks while you wait "on hold" in phone calls with low level functionaries if you ever have a problem.

 

Yes- you do have to do your TA finding homework. But, nonetheless, opting for a good TA IS is kind of a "no-brainer" decision.

 

That does raise an interesting question- when does the TA receive their commission? Yes, now that you put it that way it is still technically my money until cancellation penalties kick in but it's not money that I have any real control over. In any event whenever I've checked with TA's online their deal is no better than the one that I get from the cruise line (of course I haven't checked every TA's offerings). If one is spending big money on a cruise then yes, I've seen some substantial deals from TA's mentioned here on CC. I don't spend big money on a cruise because I prefer to do other things during the year.

[donaldsc]

8 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Why in the world would you even think about doing business with any company if that is truly your view of them? That is mind boggling.

 

OP, having a TA can be advantageous as noted but it can also have a drawback and that's they own the booking, not you, so you cannot communicate with the cruise line if there is an issue. Of course if you have a good TA this isn't an issue, but finding a good TA can be a daunting task. Personally I've never found one that is worth booking with because of price breaks or perks because we don't get cabins that are that expensive and we would have to use an online TA (I'd want to sit down with them face to face if I could).

 

My view is that all the cruise companies are out to take advantage of you and to cheat you whenever they can.  If you make that assumption, a good travel agent can help you equalize the inevitable battle between the cruise company bean counters and you.  Of course, many TAs are totally useless and should not be used.  We have on who is really good and always fights for what she thinks that we are due.

 

You can call me cynical but I prefer to call myself realistic.

 

DON

[sparks1093]

14 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

My view is that all the cruise companies are out to take advantage of you and to cheat you whenever they can.  If you make that assumption, a good travel agent can help you equalize the inevitable battle between the cruise company bean counters and you.  Of course, many TAs are totally useless and should not be used.  We have on who is really good and always fights for what she thinks that we are due.

 

You can call me cynical but I prefer to call myself realistic.

 

DON

I think they are going to do their best to separate you from you money while you are onboard just like any theme park or other tourist attraction. If I felt that they were going to try and cheat me, which hints at illegality, then I simply wouldn't do business with them since there are other choices in life. Hearing about your troubles with an upscale line like Azamara is both surprising and troubling. With them charging as much as they do you would think they'd have it down to a science.

[Flatbush Flyer]

15 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

That does raise an interesting question- when does the TA receive their commission? Yes, now that you put it that way it is still technically my money until cancellation penalties kick in but it's not money that I have any real control over. In any event whenever I've checked with TA's online their deal is no better than the one that I get from the cruise line (of course I haven't checked every TA's offerings). If one is spending big money on a cruise then yes, I've seen some substantial deals from TA's mentioned here on CC. I don't spend big money on a cruise because I prefer to do other things during the year.

I haven't got a clue when TAs get paid their commissions. All I care about (pricewise) is that I get every possible TA published/unpublished perk - preferably as refundable OBC - on my invoice (alongside the cruise line's own perks). Note that I prefer refundable OBC to an initial  price reduction because I want to maximize my accompanying credit card point accrual.

 

While it is true that a 5-10% TA share of an inexpensive cruise's commissionable fare may not be sizable, it is still "cash in your pocket."

 

And, while it is correct that cruise line and TA published prices are most often exactly the same, recognize that there are other monetary incentives available via the right TA. When it comes to a TA's cruise pricing' bottom line, there's more than just commission sharing in the equation. 

 

For example, some TAs belong to travel consortia that have agreements with particular cruise lines (and/or have membership in a cruise line's "preferred partner" club) resulting in complimentary gratuities or a variety of "pass through" incentive funds (e.g., to cruisers new to that line) as well as unpublished cabin price discounts occasionally available in rotating "partner" sales.

 

Needless to say, the ultimate savings all add up - even on an inexpensive cruise. BUT, folks really need to do their homework in finding the right TA (I and others on CC have often posted specific recommendations regarding how to do that).

Edited November 15, 2018 by Flatbush Flyer

[sparks1093]

3 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I haven't got a clue when TAs get paid their commissions. All I care about (pricewise) is that I get every possible TA published/unpublished perk - preferably as refundable OBC - on my invoice (alongside the cruise line's own perks). Note that I prefer refundable OBC to an initial  price reduction because I want to maximize my accompanying credit card point accrual.

 

While it is true that a 5-10% TA share of an inexpensive cruise's commissionable fare may not be sizable, it is still "cash in your pocket."

 

And, while it is correct that cruise line and TA published prices are most often exactly the same, recognize that there are other monetary incentives available via the right TA. When it comes to a TA's cruise pricing' bottom line, there's more than just commission sharing in the equation. 

 

For example, some TAs belong to travel consortia that have agreements with particular cruise lines (and/or have membership in a cruise line's "preferred partner" club) resulting in complimentary gratuities or a variety of "pass through" incentive funds (e.g., to cruisers new to that line) as well as unpublished cabin price discounts occasionally available in rotating "partner" sales.

 

Needless to say, the ultimate savings all add up - even on an inexpensive cruise. BUT, folks really need to do their homework in finding the right TA (I and others on CC have often posted specific recommendations regarding how to do that).

All well and good but how much legwork would/should one do for maybe an extra $50 obc? I am well familiar that TA's sometimes offer incentives over and above what the cruise line offers and that it is more than price but as I've said I've yet to find a TA offering anything more than what the cruise line is offering. I am an executive member of the big wholesale store and they do from time to time offer gift cards to the store for booking through them (plus the 2% back that I get with my membership) but unfortunately not when I'm booking a cruise. 

[Hlitner]

55 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

All well and good but how much legwork would/should one do for maybe an extra $50 obc? I am well familiar that TA's sometimes offer incentives over and above what the cruise line offers and that it is more than price but as I've said I've yet to find a TA offering anything more than what the cruise line is offering. I am an executive member of the big wholesale store and they do from time to time offer gift cards to the store for booking through them (plus the 2% back that I get with my membership) but unfortunately not when I'm booking a cruise. 

With all due respect, you need to expand your "shopping around" horizons :).  Try comparing a few of the high volume reputable online cruise agencies and you will generally be able to save about 7-10%.  As a simple example, on one of our upcoming cruises with MSC (in their Yacht Club) we were able to get a $700 OBC plus pre-paid gratutities (worth over $500) from one of our favored cruise agencies.  On our recent (2 weeks ago) Princess cruise we got $450 of OBC on a total booking cost of about $1800  (that is 25%)!  On one long HAL cruise our savings, when compared to booking direct, was in excess of $2500 (slightly more then 10%).

 

Does it really pay to shop around?  For those taking an annual 7 day cruise.in a low cost inside cabin..perhaps its not worth the effort to save a few dollars.  But for folks that do a lot of cruising it really adds up to thousands of dollars per year in savings.   For those fortunate to be able to take an expensive World Cruise the savings can easily exceed $10,000 on a single cruise.

 

Hank

[Flatbush Flyer]

59 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

All well and good but how much legwork would/should one do for maybe an extra $50 obc? I am well familiar that TA's sometimes offer incentives over and above what the cruise line offers and that it is more than price but as I've said I've yet to find a TA offering anything more than what the cruise line is offering. I am an executive member of the big wholesale store and they do from time to time offer gift cards to the store for booking through them (plus the 2% back that I get with my membership) but unfortunately not when I'm booking a cruise. 

I'm guessing that we belong to the same big box. We've done that comparison. It's not even close to what you can do on your own. 

Think about the math. Beyond the $50 OBC you mention (that's either an ultra cheap cruise or ultra cheaper TA👀), what would free gratuities be worth on a 10 day cruise at approx $15 pp/day double occupancy? That's $300. Got kids? Add another $150 pp. Rotating partner sale? Subtract another 5-15% from the cabin cost.

Blah, blah, blah.....

 

[sparks1093]

9 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

With all due respect, you need to expand your "shopping around" horizons :).  Try comparing a few of the high volume reputable online cruise agencies and you will generally be able to save about 7-10%.  As a simple example, on one of our upcoming cruises with MSC (in their Yacht Club) we were able to get a $700 OBC plus pre-paid gratutities (worth over $500) from one of our favored cruise agencies.  On our recent (2 weeks ago) Princess cruise we got $450 of OBC on a total booking cost of about $1800  (that is 25%)!  On one long HAL cruise our savings, when compared to booking direct, was in excess of $2500 (slightly more then 10%).

 

Does it really pay to shop around?  For those taking an annual 7 day cruise.in a low cost inside cabin..perhaps its not worth the effort to save a few dollars.  But for folks that do a lot of cruising it really adds up to thousands of dollars per year in savings.   For those fortunate to be able to take an expensive World Cruise the savings can easily exceed $10,000 on a single cruise.

 

Hank

Next time I search I'll add "cruise line travel agent" to the search but we only take one cruise every year, year and a half and while we aren't in inside cabins we're in regular balconies.

[sparks1093]

1 minute ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I'm guessing that we belong to the same big box. We've done that comparison. It's not even close to what you can do on your own. 

Think about the math. Beyond the $50 OBC you mention (that's either an ultra cheap cruise or ultra cheaper TA👀), what would free gratuities be worth on a 10 day cruise at approx $15 pp/day double occupancy? That's $300. Got kids? Add another $150 pp. Rotating partner sale? Subtract another 5-15% from the cabin cost.

Blah, blah, blah.....

 

Probably the cheap TA piece. If I found a TA that included gratuities I'd jump at it, but we only take 7 day vanilla type cruises at the moment, Bahamas, Caribbean, etc. and all from the East Coast.

[MCC retired]

21 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

That does raise an interesting question- when does the TA receive their commission? Yes, now that you put it that way it is still technically my money until cancellation penalties kick in but it's not money that I have any real control over. In any event whenever I've checked with TA's online their deal is no better than the one that I get from the cruise line (of course I haven't checked every TA's offerings). If one is spending big money on a cruise then yes, I've seen some substantial deals from TA's mentioned here on CC. I don't spend big money on a cruise because I prefer to do other things during the year.

Comparing TA prices with Cruise Line prices online they appear the same deals . You must contact them .

Since TA's are not allowed to advertise their lower rates online , you won't see their Better Deals until you contact them.

[sparks1093]

Just now, MCC retired said:

Comparing TA prices with Cruise Line prices online they appear the same deals . You must contact them .

Since TA's are not allowed to advertise their lower rates online , you won't see their Better Deals until you contact them.

Then I'll miss out since I'm not likely to call a bunch of TA's looking for a better deal.

[Flatbush Flyer]

15 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Then I'll miss out since I'm not likely to call a bunch of TA's looking for a better deal.

create a single e-mail request and blind copy as many agents as you want. Not much work at all.

[Jgoodall08]

On 9/24/2018 at 12:27 AM, Hlitner said:

We use one of several high volume cruise agencies who have served us well over the years. Our norm is to get at least 7% and often 10%+ in savings with extra on board credits (OBCs) and other amenities. Since we book longer cruises our savings often exceed $1000 when compared to what we would spend if we book directly with a cruise line.

 

Hank

Can you tell me who you use some how?

[paul929207]

At least you know where to book in the future. You can't change the past, so just look forward to the future.

[AlanF65]

15 hours ago, Jgoodall08 said:

Thanks for replying! I’m bummed because I have two cruises booked with a travel agent (2 cabins for each cruise) and I did the online comparing of prices and got quotes with a lot more OBC than what my travel agent was giving me. 😞

Depending on the cruise line you might be able to move your cruise to a online TA if you haven't paid in full and if its within 60 days of booking, your OBC would move plus you would get any perks the TA offered.