Travel Agent question

[Corony]

So I know that we can't openly refer agent on this forum but I live in Canada and am looking for a new agent.  We are Platinum members on Seabourn and I do all of my own research and ask for nearly nothing from my agent.  When we booked our last trip of 38 days on Seabourn my wife went down to ask for help with her Indian visa and our agent declined to help her out which I thought was terrible.  I know there are good agents out there and I also know that there are a lot of agents that also give kickbacks.  I am just looking for someone that can help us out, has extensive Seabourn experience and will do a good job.  What is the easiest way for me to research an agent that can fulfill my needs.  We don't live in a large city and don't have great local access to agent.  Thanks in advance for any help on this topic.

[Cantara24]

In 2015 we moved from Vancouver to the east coast, our Vancouver agent was fully willing to continue our relationship long distance. We had no issues with our agent but we felt we should support local business and decided to find an agent in our new home. We researched a list of travel outlets that presented as cruise specialists and went on visits to interview a short list of 3. Our key criteria was experience with the premium and luxury lines, people who have traveled and cruised and had relationships with the cruise companies they supported.

Basically we found face to face meetings with good questions prepared in advance you will find someone who is a fit. They pay attention to you when they understand you will be bringing Seabourn business to them. We found a great agent.

Good Luck!

[LittleRedJohn]

You might just ask a prospective agent what they will do for you. My agent has worked hard on Russian and Brazilian visas for us. She was on the telephone to me when my flight from overseas landed many hours late in Chicago causing me to be stranded for the night. She has worked hard on a couple of travel insurance claims for me, and I've gotten appropriate payback from the insurance. She's a Virtuoso agent. You might consider one of those. They tend to be high end. I think the rule against recommending agents here is silly. The internet is supposed to be a free-for-all, with buyer beware. It would be nice to hear what other people think of their agents. LittleRedJohn

[SLSD]

I would also appreciate information on how to find the best agents.  We have been using an agent for our last three cruises--and have been generally pleased---but this last time our agent was not that helpful.  I waited and waited for information I needed--and finally reached out to other traveling friends for advice.  They gave the advice---I contacted their resources--and found what I needed.  In the end, it seemed that our agent was only offering extremely high end resources that were not what we wanted and was not listening to us.  We are still with this agent for our current cruise (upcoming in May) but I am reluctant to continue with them going forward.  I expect an agent to listen---and do their best to meet the criteria you outline.  

[Sunviking]

It is difficult to find a good agent, especially one who deals in luxury cruises. We found ours by asking a fellow passenger on a cruise. There are groups of like minded passengers on other websites and not all have a restriction about naming agents. You might try looking and asking your question there. We have found that our agent doesn’t have to be near where we live to give us excellent service. Whenever I have a question I either e-mail or call and usually get a reply w/i an hour or so.  Good luck in your search.

[Hoyaheel]

B&M TAs aren't an option where I live - never have been - so it's always been internet TA or direct booking for me. I do all my own research & planning (which I enjoy) so I really only use a TA to get $ (whether it's rebates, discounts, OBC -whatever) I too found the TA we're using now by asking on cruises and on other websites.....

 

[I still don't always trust what a TA tells me because I've read enough to know they're human - I read the fine print, I read message boards, I go to consular websites to figure out things like visas, etc]

[Host Dan]

When you find a good agent, hold on tight and don't let go!  It took me years to find just the right fit. A real person working for you 24/7 (Yes, was stuck at Chicago airport, flight cancelled at 10PM, agency took care of the situation, on the spot.)  I've also received numerous upgrades etc. and an agent that checks the fares daily, and lets you know when the fare drops.

 

Good luck!  Talk to fellow luxury cruisers!

[Corony]

Thanks for all the tips!  Good to see finding a great agent isn’t just a given. Dan I agree finding someone that does some volume with lulxury lines is important for us and I feel that it would fill some much needed gaps in our existing service. I also agree that having someone who lives close in this day and age isn’t a big deal. 

Thanks again everyone. 

 

[cece50]

We have used our Virtuoso affliated Travel Agent for many years to travel the world.  We just used her for our first cruise last year and using her again in our two upcoming bookings with Seabourn & Silversea.  As always, we find using her works to our advantage with upgrades, extras ( we were given a complimentary Virtuoso excursion on our Med cruise last May)....it was a great tour with a stunning lunch included.  She had her office in our hometown, but moved because of her husband's transfer to another city.  She handles everything for us via internet and never skips a beat.  Good luck in your search, but consider a Virtuoso agent who goes to all the trade events and works at having face time with representatives of all the cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, etc .....we found that aspect very helpful to us. 

[SLSD]

All good advice.  On our upcoming cruise, I will inquire about TAs that others are very happy with.  I will also look into finding a Virtuoso affiliated Travel Agent.