From my agent to Silversea agent?

[seaver]

I know you can switch from a Silversea agent to your own agent. But can you switch from your agent to a Silversea agent with a current booking?

Very frustrated with my agent with return calls and emails.

 

[ronrick1943]

4 hours ago, seaver said:

I know you can switch from a Silversea agent to your own agent. But can you switch from your agent to a Silversea agent with a current booking?

Very frustrated with my agent with return calls and emails.

 

I would think once you are using a n agent for a booking it’s would be hard to change out.  However that doesn’t mean you can’t find a new agent for your next cruise.  Just an opinion, I find using a good outside agent is much better than dealing with the details yourself.  If it’s a agent that’s books large amount of Silversea bookings, they will have much better clout to get something fixed.  Not to mention the additional perks.

[bitob]

You are stuck

Your agent will get the commission.

But assuming the SIlversea agents do not earn commissions, no reason you cannot switch.  Your agent just gets the commission for doing nothing.

[dawntrdr]

I am pretty sure that Silversea cruise consultants work on commission too.  One of my prior consultants made very clear that any OBC I got was a personal gift from him, and that comes out of commission.

[bitob]

if that is the case, there is nothing you can do other than to convince your current awful TA to give up his commission.

[Stickman1990]

47 minutes ago, bitob said:

if that is the case, there is nothing you can do other than to convince your current awful TA to give up his commission.

Or at the very least share some of it with you! 

[FLRI]

Sorry to hear that—quite frustrating. I doubt you can “reassign the booking.” But I can’t say that if you switch you will get better service from a Silversea sales rep. They are definitely commission-based, and basically one trick ponies that just sell the cruises. If you need more end-to-end and personalized service (i.e., transfers, hotels, knowledge about locations, info on things to do, insurance options, local contacts etc.) you are best with a full service travel agent. There are a some (like ours) that specialize in Silversea as well as other luxury cruise lines. There used to be a list on the website — under find a travel advisor — that listed specialists but they seem to have done away with that which in itself is interesting. We use a travel advisor but have gotten calls from Silversea soliciting our business directly — a bit of a NO NO! Of course they want to capture that revenue. But I won’t book direct because I need more than just booking a cruise transaction. And with all the complications and entry requirements I don’t think travel these days is DIY (do it yourself). Some people think they are eliminating the middle man and you get more inside info  and save more money booking with a Silversea rep but that is not the case at all. My agent knows more about what is going on than the people on the phone lines.

[Unibok]

Hi seaver,

You've gotten some good answers so far, and I'll just chime with a slightly different perspective. Unlike FLRI, my needs are pretty simple, so I've opted to work with SS directly. My first guy was AWESOME, and that relationship lasted several years until he left. The next guy was TERRIBLE, so I ended that one in a hurry (like, 2 months). I'm now with a long-time favorite of many SSers, and she is quite wonderful. I've been with her for several years and look forward to our long-lasting partnership. Again, it works for me because all I need is what she specializes in.

[A Tucson Guy]

As long as the original poster is aware that some independent travel agents will give you a large reimbursement of your fares. We are talking in the range of 6% +/-. That is worthwhile to me. 

[SSCAF001]

39 minutes ago, Unibok said:

Hi seaver,

You've gotten some good answers so far, and I'll just chime with a slightly different perspective. Unlike FLRI, my needs are pretty simple, so I've opted to work with SS directly. My first guy was AWESOME, and that relationship lasted several years until he left. The next guy was TERRIBLE, so I ended that one in a hurry (like, 2 months). I'm now with a long-time favorite of many SSers, and she is quite wonderful. I've been with her for several years and look forward to our long-lasting partnership. Again, it works for me because all I need is what she specializes in.

Just to clarify your answer the lady you are dealing with at the moment (long time favorite of many SSers, is an independent travel agent or a SS travel advisor? I deal with SS travel advisor since, as you, my requests are quite simple. Used to have a nice guy. But he left and I have had 3 new TA in just 6 months! Not impressed by any of them and I am desperately looking for a good one!

[Unibok]

1 hour ago, SSCAF001 said:

Just to clarify your answer the lady you are dealing with at the moment (long time favorite of many SSers, is an independent travel agent or a SS travel advisor? I deal with SS travel advisor since, as you, my requests are quite simple. Used to have a nice guy. But he left and I have had 3 new TA in just 6 months! Not impressed by any of them and I am desperately looking for a good one!

 

She is with Silversea. You might ask to speak with a manager, and request a new agent who has been with SS for a long time. When I requested my person, I had to tell the manager why I was unhappy with New Guy, and it was a useful conversation to have. I'm sure they would want to know that you've had 3 bad New Guys in such a short time, and that you will be better served by one of their long-timers.

 

Good luck!

[SSCAF001]

2 hours ago, Unibok said:

 

She is with Silversea. You might ask to speak with a manager, and request a new agent who has been with SS for a long time. When I requested my person, I had to tell the manager why I was unhappy with New Guy, and it was a useful conversation to have. I'm sure they would want to know that you've had 3 bad New Guys in such a short time, and that you will be better served by one of their long-timers.

 

Good luck!

Thanks for your answer. I wish I knew the name of your SS travel advisor! I will try to exchange with a manager in London. 

[Unibok]

SSCAF001: Best of luck to you! I believe the rules of this forum prevent us from giving specific names, or I would certainly share it with you. However, she probably covers North America and not Europe. Please do let us know how your inquiry turns out.