Holland America Alaska Cruise - Personal Cruise Consultant or Travel Agent?

[FirstTimeCruiser2024]

We are traveling for the first time on an Alaska cruise with Holland America. We had some issues with our assigned Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC), as they were difficult to communicate with, so we called in and requested a change to a new PCC. Our new PCC is very easy to communicate with, but we think she is providing us with some incorrect information, just based on reading HA forums and policies on their website. At this point, I don't know if we should try changing PCCs again or just look to transfer our booking to an outside travel agent. I know there is a limit of 60 days for transferring to a TA (correct?). Is there also a deadline for requesting a new PCC?

 

Since we are first-time cruisers and going with a group, having a reliable consultant is very important to us - especially for my parents, who have a lot of travel anxiety and need reassurance that they are doing things correctly.

 

Welcome anyone's feedback on this topic. If you think we should switch to a TA, do you have any recommendations of TAs who are experienced in HA Alaska cruises? Thank you!

[jhannah]

I recommend going with an independent travel agent. You'll get a better deal, with a lower price and/or some onboard credit. Try to find a TA who specializes in Holland America cruises. I believe you'll be glad you did.

[FirstTimeCruiser2024]

Just now, jhannah said:

I recommend going with an independent travel agent. You'll get a better deal, with a lower price and/or some onboard credit. Try to find a TA who specializes in Holland America cruises. I believe you'll be glad you did.

Thanks! Do you have a TA you can recommend?

[crystalspin]

5 minutes ago, FirstTimeCruiser2024 said:

Thanks! Do you have a TA you can recommend?

We cannot mention Travel Agents or Agencies on Cruise Critic. 

 

I'm not sure where people live that can find not only cruise specialists but ones that focus on HAL in particular! 

[FirstTimeCruiser2024]

1 minute ago, crystalspin said:

We cannot mention Travel Agents or Agencies on Cruise Critic. 

 

I'm not sure where people live that can find not only cruise specialists but ones that focus on HAL in particular! 

Thanks for the response! I didn't realize that was a rule.

[crystalspin]

16 minutes ago, FirstTimeCruiser2024 said:

We are traveling for the first time on an Alaska cruise with Holland America.

Forgot to say, welcome to Cruise Critic, to HAL, and to cruising!

[Mary229]

What misinformation do you think you are getting? The forum may be able to clear that up quickly.  You can change PCCs multiple times but once you switch to an agent it is difficult to reverse course.  Many of us recommend TAs but we have found our prince after kissing many frogs.  Since this is your first time out it may be better to stay with HAL and let us help you the spend some time carefully seeking an agent for the next cruise.