Assign on board booking to a TA

[DomerCruisers]

My wife and I booked the 16 October Galaxy Exotic Mediterranean cruise on board on our last Celebrity cruise on the Mexican Riviera.

 

We do not want to use our last TA, and Celebrity said that we could assign the booking to another TA anytime before the cruise.

 

We would like to receive some "goodies" from the TA for the booking. How do we select a TA and bargain for some giveback for the booking? Should we cruise the internet, select some TAs, and ask for their best offers?

[cruisePRN]

I did exactly what you doing. Ask honestly the question what can i expect if I give you my booking. My TA offered a $25 per person shipboard credit. Where do you live? That may influence things?

[flashdog_1]

Cruise critic lists many on line travel agencies. Do a search on them (and bookmark them so you can go back easily). Some may offer free insurance as a routine thing (at least two of them do, or did, for Celebrity).

 

I used one agent who said he'd give the insurance, too, although it wasn't listed as a perk, just to get my transferred booking.

 

Sometimes they offer an onboard credit or spa credit or casino credit.

 

The travel agent I was using last time, who gave me nothing for the transfer said she'd give us a few bottles of wine. I think the free insurance would be a better perk.

 

You can also try your local bricks and mortar ta to see if they'd have any perks.

 

Just remember that after you transfer the booking Celebrity can't help you any longer and will refer you back to the ta.

 

Also, be sure to check to see if the ta has a different cancelation policy than the cruise line. There may be fines imposed if you cancel. With Celebrity direct you can cancel without penalty any time up until final payment.

[Gypsea]

Also, if the agent/agency you book with has a group to add your individual reservation to there will be obc's, wine or photos in many cases but sometimes the cruiselines do not offer these perks to the agent on every sailing. If not, most agents will be happy to kick back something good. After all, anyone searching for a new agent SHOULD likely be well received in the hopes that a good relationship will begin and be remembered.

[ocngypz]

If you booked your cruise while onboard and receive future onboard credit for doing so, if you turn your reservation over to a ta and they put you into a group, you will lose your onboard credit for booking onboard.

 

Any perks received as an individual reservation will be lost when your booking is converted over to the group side.

[Longboysfan]

My wife and I booked the 16 October Galaxy Exotic Mediterranean cruise on board on our last Celebrity cruise on the Mexican Riviera.

 

We do not want to use our last TA, and Celebrity said that we could assign the booking to another TA anytime before the cruise.

 

We would like to receive some "goodies" from the TA for the booking. How do we select a TA and bargain for some giveback for the booking? Should we cruise the internet, select some TAs, and ask for their best offers?

 

If you want you can email me at tom dot treimel @ aig dot com and I will give you my TA's information.

You can have the booking switched as you choose.

It is a little tacky to ask for things.

 

All I ever ask of my TA is to watch for lower prices.

[jsargent34]

I don't think it is bad to ask for things at all, it really is the only way to find the best TA's in the "uneven" plying field Royal and Celebrity have created!!! In any event feel free to email me at jsargent34@hotmail.com Pretty sure I could give you some ideas of freebies I've offered, I mean that most people look for in a good travel agency.