PCC, Travel agent, or other?

[tstahl]

I'm a big fan of calling up my PCC to book a cruise.  I'm curious what benefits and reasons others have for the way they book.  What's everyone's preferred method for booking a NCL cruise?  Do you use the NCL website, travel agent, PCC, or something else?  

[www3traveler]

I use a local travel agency that has been in business for many many years.  All of the agents are certified through a trade associationas Certified Travel Consultants.   I always book a cruise as part of a larger package: flights, any hotels needed (pre and post), ground transportation and most importantly travel insurance.  He handles any and all issues that may occur.  He has re booked flights and hotels before I even knew there was a problem.  For an over 70 something widow, it works great for me.
 

[wcook]

I book directly. I like controlling my reservation. But that’s just me; to each their own. 

[itsnotjustme]

I book through a travel agent because they provide additional perks.  Specifically:

 

• Airline Miles: Typically, 7 miles per $ of cruise fare.
• OBC:  Sometimes
• Pre-paid gratuities:  Often (normally not combined with OBC)

 

This agent does charge $24.99 per cruise, but the perks are well worth it.

[MNcruisingcouple]

I use a large online travel agent because of the extra perks.  For our last two cruises we received approx $250 in OBC and free gratuities. The agent we use has been really good about getting us a great room, too.  Several time we've been able to get large, angled balconies.

[complawyer]

i go to the ncl website, check what's available, decide what i want to do/where i want to go, cabin # and then i call casinos at sea to book.

 

i also go on aarp travel/expedia to check flights. when i see the airlines available to travel, i go on their sites to book. finally, i will go to booking or hotels. com to decide what hotels i want to book.

 

google is a great help in finding out how far  the port is from the hotel and vice versa.

 

if you dont want to get to the departure city early, there is also a website with shuttle info from the airport to pier and vice versa, or pier to hotel

 

by now, i'm sure you got the point that i like to do all the paper/ground work by myself. 

 

i used a pcc for about  3-4 years until she drove me crazy.

 

one day out of shear frustration, i called CAS andfound out i had great offers my PCC never even mentioned. that was the last time i used her services. im not knocking her, i just get better deals through CAS

[phillygwm]

6 hours ago, complawyer said:

i go to the ncl website, check what's available, decide what i want to do/where i want to go, cabin # and then i call casinos at sea to book.

 

...

 

one day out of shear frustration, i called CAS andfound out i had great offers my PCC never even mentioned. that was the last time i used her services. im not knocking her, i just get better deals through CAS

I do exactly the same.  In fairness to your PCC, s/he can't see your CAS offers.  But you're right, nothing can touch my CAS deals and my friends who book separate cabins through my CAS rep get 10% off their fare.

 

I will say that, in the past, I felt my CAS reps were "no frills."  They were OK to book the cruise but never provided contact information or post-booking support.  You needed to call CAS for any changes/support and the hold times can be horrific.  I've found that has changed more recently and have gotten good support (email or phone) from the person who booked my upcoming sailing so I've made inquiries on other cruises through her.

[FreestyleNovice]

US based online TA most of the time. Better prices than European travel agents.

They seem to have the lowest prices (equal to the cruise line) but with more OBC.

 

I like it to be a  smart cruiser.

[RocketMan275]

I use a small business TA whom I've never met.  A poster on CC recommended her and I've used her ever since.  She is certified.  She has cruised about every ship, every line.  Best of all, she discounts the cruise line price by 8%.  

[rxlowry]

TA.  It’s like leaving free money on the table to not.  This cruise we got free service charges.  Last cruise, extra OBC.   

[tstahl]

thanks for the replies.  I've always looked up what i wanted on the NCL website then called my PCC to book.  I will have to check out using a travel agent next time to see if the perks are worth it for me.

[julig22]

Another option is to book through the NCL site and transfer the booking to a TA.  I think you have 15 days to make the transfer. There's a form you have to send to NCL.

[ColeThornton]

24 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Another option is to book through the NCL site and transfer the booking to a TA.  I think you have 15 days to make the transfer. There's a form you have to send to NCL.

 

14 days if outside of final payment date.

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Direct_Guest_Reservation_Transfer_Form.pdf