Bad TA Experience or "If it ain't broke ..." :(

[serendipity1499]

Heather..So sorry to hear about your problem with the new agent..I believe we transferred our Prinsendam booking (this April) to your old on-line only agent...We seem to be having good luck with them but just want to double check if we have the right one..

 

Have been trying to access your e-mail in your signature, but it comes up No Contact Info..I was able to pull up your WEB shots, but still can't find your e-mail..I'm probably doing something wrong..

 

Would you mind e-mailing me at serendipity 1499 at yahoo.com

 

(no spaces in the address)

 

Sorry for the inconvenience & Thanks so much..Betty

[HeatherInFlorida]

I will email you, Betty, but my email is in my signature, not my profile. Just give me a second to go there and I'll email you. My address for anyone not enabling "signatures" is HeathersIsland@aol.com. I have to say I've been getting a lot of email today from all of you so bear with me!:o

 

KK, I understand your point of view. But whenever I recommend my agent I always make it clear that this is MY experience and mine only. Further, explain that my TA is not for everyone. You really have to know exactly what you want ... there's no guidance given. In fact, their website even has a stipulation to that effect right there for everyone to read.

 

So far, luckily (and I can't tell you how many people I have referred over), no one has written me saying they've had a problem. So that's "a good thing":)

[serendipity1499]

Thank you Heather..Betty

[flashdog_1]

if you don't run into glitches, probably any agent is okay, but we all know that errors are made, we have to cancel or change the date of the cruise etc. so it's important to know what penalties we will incur if any changes have to be made.

 

As far as the errors that agencies or cruise lines make in the spelling of your name, it happens. One agency who advertises on cruise critic put my maiden name (which is shown as my middle name on my passport) in the last name box along with my last name. It complicated our cruise/air reservation and it really complicated getting frequent flyer miles etc. (which was resolved 6 weeks after the cruise) but they did let me thru security at the airport and on the ship without question.

 

A cruise line mistyped my daughter's name (Teresa) into Tersea and the agent I'd transferred the booking to said it was obviously a typo and I'd have no problem. She was correct but I worried over it until boarding.

 

In both cases the agent said they'd not reissue the tickets, so there was no fee, but COUNLDN'T I been denied boarding because the name didn't match?

 

We do not have a common last name. Maybe that's why it all worked. But if you were a Smith or Jones etc. and they had the wrong first name on the docs, I bet there'd be a problem.

 

BTW there are several on-line agencies that do not do telephone, but will email. And yes, they all say there'd be a higher charge if you used something other than their software to book (or one even says they won't book you at all unless you use their software). They've told me in email that the reason they can give either a much lower price or lots of perks is because they are a bare bones agency, and depend on volume sales.

[FlorenceItaly]

I did not book my 30 day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise with my first choice travel agent. She was $800 MORE, and I am already paying alot with the solo supplement. I had to go with the best price. I have used this internet agency before, and this particular agent, but they are not my first choice.

I was willing to pay about $200 more with my first choice agent, but $800 is just too steep. I am hoping for the best.

 

Marie

[HeatherInFlorida]

Marie, that was my problem exactly and my only excuse for switching. $900 is a lot of money. My regular TA tried to meet it, but couldn't. He said he could not understand how the other agent was able to do it.

 

So had this not come up, I would have stuck with the "other" one for that amount of money. But things happen for a reason and in the end I'm back with my preferred agent on what promises to be an amazing cruise, I think. And the best news is the cost is almost identical to the Volendam cruise I was originally on.

[kryos]

It's the be careful part this is tricky. It's also if the price is too good to be ture part.......

I've said this on these boards before, and I still hold true to it ... basically you pay for a cruise exactly what the next person pays regardless of who you book with. The cruise lines have to charge the same price to each agent. Sure, a certain agent may have group space which is a little lower, but then the agent will use those "bonus" berths to generate more revenue for the agency, not for the client.

 

If you book through a discount agency, you may get a slightly lower price. However, you will usually not get the "bennies" such as vouchers for wine, shore excursions, photo gallery, etc. ... stuff you may then have to turn around and buy once onboard. If you book through a brick and mortar agency, you may pay slightly more for the cruise, but then you will get the vouchers and possibly onboard credits.

 

I actually tested this theory out on my recent Amsterdam cruise simply by talking with various people. Some of them booked through internet agencies and got nothing ... zip ... in the way of onboard bennies. Others booked through their hometown TA and paid a bit more, but they got free Pinnacle Grill dinners, spa credits, etc. I'd bet the value of what they got equaled the higher amount they paid for the cruise. Still a couple of others booked directly through HAL, and they surely paid more than both groups of passengers already noted. However, not only did they get the vouchers for different things, but they also got nice shipboard credits to boot. Again, I'd bet the value of the bennies equaled the additional amount they paid.

 

I always say you get what you pay for. If you pay more, you'll get more benefits. If you pay less, you'll receive less in bennies too. I've booked cruises through two different agencies ... one brick and mortar that specializes in HAL (thus I book my HAL cruises through them because they can "negotiate" things on my behalf) and another big discount online agency. I'll be honest, I get great service from both ... prompt responses to my phone calls and emails, quick handling of any problems, the works. But with the HAL specialist, I get wine in my cabin and all sorts of nice "enjoy your cruise" touches. With the online agency, I get slightly lower prices on cruises, but about all I can count on in the way of an "enjoy your cruise" bennie is a bon voyage email a couple of days before I leave, followed up by a "welcome home" email when I return. In the end, I am probably paying close to the same amount for a cruise booked through either one of them.

 

So, if someone tells you "I got this cruise dirt cheap," unless they booked it at the last minute ... as part of a cruise line "distress sale," don't believe them. They're paying the same as you ... based on level of accommodations, of course.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[FlorenceItaly]

is an internet agent, but always available by phone, it is my choice. She is an independent agent with a large on-line cruise agency. While I have received going away gifts from her ( a nice plate of chocolate dipped strawberries) I don't think my gifts from her would make up the $800 difference. She was less than HAL, as HAL was $500 more than her quote, making the one I booked $1300 less than HAL. I adore the agent I am speaking of. She is available 24/7, literally. I've always gotten a prompt response from her. I must say, I did not give her an opportunity to match the lowest quote I got, as I was afraid I might offend her. I had to assume she was quoting me her lowest price.

 

 

Marie

[Aussie Gal]

Heather,

 

I am sorry to hear about your troubles with the internet agent. Awhile ago you recommended to me your original agent, though as yet I haven't used them.

 

It is funny, that when money comes into any equation, we always want to try and get the best deal and often we forget the good service that we have received from our original agents/dealers etc. It is not only when we buy travel but any sort of purchase we make. eg. cars, furniture etc.

 

We should just occasionally stop and think about the service we have received in the past and weigh that up with the reduction in the price. Often it is not a huge amount and therefore it pays to stay with the trusted agent and receive the service we are used to.

 

Though unfortunately for you, your troubles have been a good warning to us all.

 

 

Jennie