Advice: Should I book with a travel agent vs directly with Princess?

[dog]

My long time travel agent in T.O. retired during the pandemic and I don’t recall getting emails or phone calls promoting packages etc while I booked through her.

Since then I’ve booked online and have had several voicemails and emails from Princess associates bothering me.  Recently, one sent me an email with my current Booking number.

Are those who book through a travel agent ( not Princess ) getting these annoying calls, emails?

[skynight]

I have never received any bothersome emails or phone calls on my current bookings.

I have 2 bookings b2b for Feb/Mar 2024 and 4 b2bs starting January 2025 that I originally booked in June 2024 through a T.A. The T.A. is close by. I sat next to her while she was on the phone with Princess. She was able to get right through and was speaking with someone in the U.S. There were some questions back and forth which I was able to answer. The entire process was efficient and I have a bunch of OBC.

Second part of the story. The cost in total of the 4 b2bs went down $5,600. Again I visited her. She got on the phone and all four bookings were re-fared with no loss of OBC.

I have no first hand direct with Princess experience, but I am satisfied with  using the T.A. I will mention that I did my own homework first. I knew what I wanted and the cost before I visited her.

The T.A. I'm using is also new for me. I had used the same T.A. since the 90s. But sadly that T.A. got very ill and had to give it up. 

[cjpj]

You'll get a whole range of responses. I personally prefer to go through a GOOD CVP.  Mine handles any issues - problems with flights, price drops, canceling and rebooting. Make sure you have your Princess account preferences checked with NO EMAILS. you'll still get some relates to your cruise - book your flights, book your excursions, book your dining, etc. but just a few.

[Wishing on a star]

The issue is finding a good TA, whether they are a Princess PVP or not.

We were completely disrespected and ignored and ghosted by our last Princess planner,  while still getting annoying auto-messages...   BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE NOW!!  CONTACT ME TODAY!!!

Ugggghhhh.

 

We are in the same situation as you...  finally found a TA we could work with, and she got promoted into a more management position.

So, once again,  NO decent TA to help us out.

 

I would give my eye-teeth if I could find some good tips on finding a good cruise TA.

 

Edited January 27 by Wishing on a star

[Wishing on a star]

As far as any other advantages...    I don't think that there are as many good discounts thru agencies right now.   For our next cruise, I have found, maybe a couple hundred bucks..  but they want an ridiculous deposit.

 

Princess has been offering reduced, $100.00 deposit per person...  And I would not want to go with any agency who wants two three times that of my money... 

 

If you book thru Princess, you can call or chat directly with Princess at any time.

No waiting for your TA to get back to you when they can.

Again, whether or not you are connected with a good rep, or a useless rep, is up to chance.

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, dog said:

My long time travel agent in T.O. retired during the pandemic and I don’t recall getting emails or phone calls promoting packages etc while I booked through her.

Since then I’ve booked online and have had several voicemails and emails from Princess associates bothering me.  Recently, one sent me an email with my current Booking number.

Are those who book through a travel agent ( not Princess ) getting these annoying calls, emails?

Over the last year, Princess future cruise consultants onboard are no longer Princess employees.  They work for a company that are basically contracted with Princess to sell their cruise packages.  They do have access to all of your bookings.  
So, I don’t think it matters if you book directly through Princess or not.  You are still going to get those calls.  I spoke with my CVP yesterday and she mentioned we would get one for every cruise we have booked.  😆 That’s a lot of calls!  I just tell them it isn’t really worth it for us as we very rarely stay in hotels as we tend to cruise out of our home port or fly short distances the morning of our sailing.  They don’t push.  I haven’t gotten any emails but also heard from my CVP that they are mailing out more promotions to qualifying passengers.  I think we haven’t gotten any because we have so many cruises already booked.  

 

[phabric]

I am from TO and use a TO agent.  I have not had any email or calls from Princess wanting my business.  I get emails from Princess about my future sailings.  I do get emails from my agent about sales from different cruise lines.

[Wishing on a star]

Skylight...

When you book online, and you do not have an associated Planner,  I think that you can/will get these messages.  If you have a PVP associated with your booking, then any messages should come directly from them.

 

[dog]

I am only interested in a TA outside of Princess, so no CVP or PVP, because these are the ones who are bothering me.

 

Also, I am Standard fare and probably get more then my share of these unwanted calls etc.

 

Would like to hear more from those who are using a travel agent- not an online or Princess affiliated one.

[DHP1]

I use to book online however, after Covid I change to my PVP because it much easier to get a hold of him to re-fare my cruise. I haven’t received any annoying e-mails or phone calls from others. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. 😀

Edited January 27 by DHP1

[WisCruiser2]

We had a wonderful TA that we used for years but I think she was winding down during pandemic, and then we moved. I had booked a couple cruises directly with Princess, then found a good TA through a friend. TA happens to be in Canada 🙂

I like that I can contact my TA directly, and he's very responsive in getting back to me. Also, the TA can handle things expediently - that's what they're paid for!

Edited January 27 by WisCruiser2

[Lady Arwen]

We tried several TAs in Toronto until we moved away in 2015.  Never successful with any of them.  They were all eager when we initially booked, but then they ignored us unless we pestered them.  The worst was a cruise only company who refused to discount our cruise $90.00 to match the Princess price!  They said it was because we had to pay extra for their expertise!  Bye bye.

 

i wish you luck finding a good travel agent.  I would check with family, friends, neighbours, coworkers to get recommendations.  Since we left Toronto we use the services of each cruiseline’s personal consultants.  So far, so good.

[Coral]

I will only use a Travel Agent.

 

If Princess has $100 deposits, so will my agent. Plus, my agent gets so many $100 deposits per year (though if you have a FCD that doesn't matter).

 

I don't get annoying emails or calls from my agent.

 

My agent's price is always better than Princess's and she can often offer other things (such as OBC, etc..). I also like her 3rd insurance (not sure if this would cover a Canadian). I have used my agent for 25 plus years and have no desire to use a call center or book online (though I am in IT so it is not that I can't do online). 

 

I think when you find a good agent, it is difficult to leave. Those who haven't found one may not understand this.

[dog]

I am leaning towards a local TA, but what if they go out of business and have your booking?

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, dog said:

My long time travel agent in T.O. retired during the pandemic and I don’t recall getting emails or phone calls promoting packages etc while I booked through her.

Since then I’ve booked online and have had several voicemails and emails from Princess associates bothering me.  Recently, one sent me an email with my current Booking number.

Are those who book through a travel agent ( not Princess ) getting these annoying calls, emails?

You know what I would say.  Find a good US TA that is with an online agency and gives a good cash discount off the cruise fare (the commissionable portion).  Should be able to find 12% or perhaps more if lucky. 

 

Ask around on a voyage or begin with looking into agencies that compete for your cruise business online and look for best price compared to PCL.

Edited January 27 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

I would give my eye-teeth if I could find some good tips on finding a good cruise TA.

Read my post above.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, phabric said:

I am from TO and use a TO agent.  I have not had any email or calls from Princess wanting my business.  I get emails from Princess about my future sailings.  I do get emails from my agent about sales from different cruise lines.

If you like them and like/need the service, sure.  But are they giving cash discounts off the cruise fare or just selling at PCL online pricing like virtually all Canadian-based agencies?

[Steelers36]

17 minutes ago, dog said:

I am leaning towards a local TA, but what if they go out of business and have your booking?

If they work for a major agency, the business thing shouldn't be much of a problem at all.  Also, all monies paid go directly to PCL and not to the agency.  Never deal with an agency that wants you to pay them.

[Steelers36]

18 minutes ago, dog said:

I am leaning towards a local TA, but what if they go out of business and have your booking?

Also, problem with local TA's - meaning Ontario for folks like you and me - is that they do not discount.  Certainly nothing like many US agencies.

[Sunwanabe]

Use a TA. Finding a great PVP is elusive.

[Coral]

31 minutes ago, dog said:

I am leaning towards a local TA, but what if they go out of business and have your booking?

I use a TA across the country. 

 

Even when I used a local TA - I would call. I do the same thing now. Most of our local travel agents have closed shop here, I can think of one but it is in a downtown location and not somewhere that is convenient for me to go. Especially when I can call or email my agent who lives on the other side of the US.

 

My agent does seem to have a lot of Canadian clients which makes me think Canadian agents don't discount as @Steelers36 indicated.

[cjpj]

2 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

The issue is finding a good TA, whether they are a Princess PVP or not.

We were completely disrespected and ignored and ghosted by our last Princess planner,  while still getting annoying auto-messages...   BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE NOW!!  CONTACT ME TODAY!!!

Ugggghhhh.

 

We are in the same situation as you...  finally found a TA we could work with, and she got promoted into a more management position.

So, once again,  NO decent TA to help us out.

 

I would give my eye-teeth if I could find some good tips on finding a good cruise TA.

 

Ask everyone you talk to on your next cruise if the have a good TA or CVP. That's how I found mine.

[dog]

I want a TA, face to face, meet the first time and follow up with phone & emails.

 

I am at the stage where I choose the cabin & fare I am willing to live with- so I am happy to get a price drop, but not counting on it.

 

What I’m trying to get away from are these annoying Princess afflicted people who are constantly after me for upgrades etc.  one even booked a cruise without me knowing  about it- until I saw it in my personalizer.

 

is there a way to unsubscribe from the emails or calls?

[muffydawg]

Prior to 2020 we booked through the TA associated with a major cc company and now book directly with Princess, either online or over the phone. I've not had annoying or bothersome emails from our Princess CVP and in fact prefer the emails (documentation) she sends subsequent to her proactive, customer service oriented phone calls.  On the rare occasion I called or emailed HER with a question I've received a call back within 24 hours, followed up by an email recapping our conversation.

[Coral]

9 minutes ago, dog said:

I want a TA, face to face, meet the first time and follow up with phone & emails.

 

I am at the stage where I choose the cabin & fare I am willing to live with- so I am happy to get a price drop, but not counting on it.

 

What I’m trying to get away from are these annoying Princess afflicted people who are constantly after me for upgrades etc.  one even booked a cruise without me knowing  about it- until I saw it in my personalizer.

 

is there a way to unsubscribe from the emails or calls?

I personally have found local agents provide less service (price drops, etc...). They are going to charge full price. Local agents also have more overhead (brick and mortar). The other thing I experience was after 2 cruises (in the 90's) I had more experience with cruising than my agent did. 

 

Most of our local agents may specialize in something like Disney vacations or Sandals resorts. I think you will find you know more about cruising than the person you are meeting with which makes the face to face un-necessary.

 

For cruises - I use a cruise only agent who knows her lines and ships (and has been on most of them or their sister ships). For other things, I find a specialist also. I don't want to use a general travel agent because in many situations - I have researched what I want and know more about the product than they do.

 

If you are willing to pay full price and book with someone who knows less than you - go local. I found that after I met my local agent once or twice, I was just on the phone with them. So being local wasn't that big of a deal.

Edited January 27 by Coral