PCC or TA?

[REOVA]

Just now, Mary229 said:

I quote myself only because almost immediately after I wrote this I received a new survey from HAL.  It seems HAL is asking this very question and quite a few questions about how to make it easier for me to book my cruises directly on the website with no assistance 

Hard to do when they only show non refundable deposit or HIA prices. 🤔

[REOVA]

On 5/31/2024 at 10:40 AM, chisoxfan said:

 During recent booking I made on MSC with a three decade TA who was experienced with the line I asked some general opinions on YC cabin locations and could not even generate a recommendation. 

Bottom line is to educate yourself through CC and internet.

 

Note: in fairness to T/As unless they specialize in a cruise line it is virtually impossible to stay abreast of the many changes in the Industry.

MSC is a whole different animal. 🤣 Things change (more than HAL) and their customer service is known to be terrible so you are lucky to find a TA that's willing to work on them. (Big Box won't) Takes too much time to deal with them but we definitely love the YC over HAL "suites". 

[AV8rix]

5 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I quote myself only because almost immediately after I wrote this I received a new survey from HAL.  It seems HAL is asking this very question and quite a few questions about how to make it easier for me to book my cruises directly on the website with no assistance 

Of course I can book my cruises directly on the website (anyone can) but my PCC has always taken good care of me so I want him to get his commission.  Of course, I'm one of the fortunate ones.  I've had the same PCC for 14 years and he knows my preferences well.  Hope I'm too old to cruise before he retires but if I lose him, I'll probably do it via the website or a TA or something.

[Mary229]

2 minutes ago, REOVA said:

MSC is a whole different animal. 🤣 Things change (more than HAL) and their customer service is known to be terrible so you are lucky to find a TA that's willing to work on them. (Big Box won't) Takes too much time to deal with them but we definitely love the YC over HAL "suites". 

I replied that the website is appalling and difficult. They had questions as to what would entice a person to consider booking on their own.  Of the multiple selections given I said better website, being able to more easily pay, advanced bundling and incentives.  Incentives were one of the survey allowed responses. 
 

Importantly the question was about willingness to book on the website without any assistance during the booking process.  It was most definitely not about using their PCC option 

[lakedweller64]

Just completed the survey. I find Hal’s website to be the worst of all cruise lines that I have used. Really hope they listen and make some changes.

[Mary229]

6 minutes ago, AV8rix said:

Of course I can book my cruises directly on the website (anyone can) but my PCC has always taken good care of me so I want him to get his commission.  Of course, I'm one of the fortunate ones.  I've had the same PCC for 14 years and he knows my preferences well.  Hope I'm too old to cruise before he retires but if I lose him, I'll probably do it via the website or a TA or something.

I only use a travel agent because it is my sister’s agency and I have an exceptional agent but I only use them for leisure travel with cruises and tours.   I booked my own business travel for 30 years by phone first then the internet.  I was exceedingly picky about my business travel.  I continue to manage all of my road trips 

[jlawrence01]

On 5/30/2024 at 3:05 PM, FlaMariner said:

It's a personal decision....but I use a TA...Why?

 

• It's a large purchase and I'd like to have an "agent" represent me and handle any issues.....and the agent has much more clout (company has lots of bookings) with the cruise line that I would booking it directly with the line (just today, she had to go deal with HAL over a refund they were late handling....she succeeded and I am grateful I did not have to deal with that mess).
• I use a big internet TA and when I compare prices with other TA's and HAL directly I always save some $$$
• I do not need/nor want to visit a TA in person (perish the thought).....Email is my preferred way and phone when necessary.....The big internet TA does a great job answering and helping....in a timely manner.

 

That is my point also.  The large corporate travel agents do a great job and are well versed on what needs to be done.  I try to work with the same guy each time.

 

I tried using an agent in person at the largest travel agency in the area.  She took the booking.  Once we received the confirmation, we could not get her to answer calls.

 

I have not had good experiences dealing with HAL and Princess directly.  I never get the information that I need.  

 

I will admit that I booked a cruise last night on the Carnival website and it was very simple.

[cccole]

We changed to a TA last year and are so happy.  The PCC is not available on weekends but my TA is.  If I have questions I know I will get answers and he responds any day of the week.  In fact, I met this TA on my first HAL cruise when we became friends.  He is now retired and a TA for luxury cruises.  We get extra OBC and he goes to bat when something seems awry.  I will never go back to a PCC. Have never done a big box TA.  There is a recent thread on CC where OP cannot get ahold of her PCC regarding a huge issue.  I vote for a TA.  JMO. Cherie 

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, cccole said:

There is a recent thread on CC where OP cannot get ahold of her PCC regarding a huge issue. 

There is a PCC operator that can and will take care of issues when the PCC does not answer or is theirselves on timeoff/vacation. That person in my experience is very competent and the actions required are seamless.

[chisoxfan]

13 hours ago, REOVA said:

We found long wait times with them and and not be able to call direct was an issue. I had to go to warehouse (even though they are separate) and complain and they had to look up the regional manager to contact someone to call me. Then the agent was not happy he had to call me. Last time the agent messed up my booking (even the person that corrected it said they must be new). My current TA is on vacation at times but either she or her team responds to text or messages. The ability to reach someone directly is great and the discount plus using box CC still gets the 2%

You are absolutely correct but they have improved since their 'dark days'. I was actually in touch with management regarding this (while I agree one shouldn't have to be talking to management I was impressed that high level managers contacted me and even offered direct contact info).... I won't go into the details but they have added staff etc. so my experience has crecently been seemless as far as waits. During those 'bad' times there were delays up to an hour! I did make some bookings with other agents at that time and really never found a better alternative. 

I have to say in 15 or so  bookings with the warehouse store I never encountered a 'mistake'.

I would  trade for the 'right'  knowledgeable TA and I think we would agree that in answer to the poster we recommend using a TA of some kind.

I will check two TA's before booking or transferring to the warehouse store. So far my benefits (not counting additional membership discount) have been better with the warehouse TA.

To me it certainly isn't the best of all worlds just a comfortable, workable solution.

 

 

[Mary229]

7 hours ago, crystalspin said:

There is a PCC operator that can and will take care of issues when the PCC does not answer or is theirselves on timeoff/vacation. That person in my experience is very competent and the actions required are seamless.

I tried to use two PCCs assigned to me and never received a single response.  Not even a peep.  On a casino deal the man taking my order said he could be my contact but he was not knowledgeable.  I will hang on to my agent until she fully retires then book on my own.  

[chisoxfan]

A quick comment on HAL Booking.....Club Orange does add a twist in my mind. I have experienced conflicting answers on CO availabiliy from PCC's and have even gotten different answers on the same day.....  My point being because of this on HAL I think I am simplifying my life by first securing a cruise with Club Orange through PCC and then transferring to TA.

[terrydtx]

19 minutes ago, chisoxfan said:

A quick comment on HAL Booking.....Club Orange does add a twist in my mind. I have experienced conflicting answers on CO availabiliy from PCC's and have even gotten different answers on the same day.....  My point being because of this on HAL I think I am simplifying my life by first securing a cruise with Club Orange through PCC and then transferring to TA.

We will only cruise on HAL with Club Orange added and my TA has never had any problem adding this when she books our HAL cruises. We also tend to book far out from departure dates when CO is still available.

[FlaMariner]

15 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Importantly the question was about willingness to book on the website without any assistance during the booking process.

 

I would be all "in" on this if, as referenced, the site was good........same for other TA sites....The booking experience online is still clunky for cruises...IMO.....And booking a cruise online really should not be that difficult.....self-service should be the best service w/booking a cruise.

 

In the meantime, it's an email to our big internet TA for a quote and then a response back asking her to "book it".

 

I'd also like to receive a very good price for "self service".

 

 

[Mary229]

6 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

I would be all "in" on this if, as referenced, the site was good........same for other TA sites....The booking experience online is still clunky for cruises...IMO.....And booking a cruise online really should not be that difficult.....self-service should be the best service w/booking a cruise.

 

In the meantime, it's an email to our big internet TA for a quote and then a response back asking her to "book it".

 

I'd also like to receive a very good price for "self service".

 

 

They mentioned Mariner perks as a possible incentive 

[cccole]

Isn't it great that everyone's opinion and experience is accepted on CC?  Different opinions give the OP good info.  JMO. Cherie  

Edited June 2 by cccole

[rover16]

Thanks much for the comments...A lot to think about.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

On 5/31/2024 at 12:24 PM, rodndonna said:

 

I don't understand your TA saying they can't give you Casino discount?

 

We just booked a Casino discounted cruise last week through a TA . When I go on any big on-line TA site and I add in my Mariner number as past passenger, I get my Casino discounted fares.

Not all of the Casino Discount Rates and Casino Offers are the same. Some are just added to your Mariner number giving a small discount and can be used if you personally book on line or if you use a TA, BUT there are some Casino offers that are snailed mailed, emailed and even handed to passengers while on board the ship that absolutely cannot be processed through a travel agent Unless that travel agent is doing an upsell for the passengers. Often these Casino offers are for a free or highly discounted category such as a verandah. If the passengers decides they want a higher category such as a Neptune Suite then the TA would be able to get commission on the difference. But if the passengers is just booking what their offer was through the Casino, HAL Casino will not pay them any commission and they actually do not even want to talk to a Travel Agent. Those offers can only be booked through a whole separate Casino Department division. Princess Casino offers are the same except even if the passengers is doing an upsell to a higher category that Casino Department will not allow the passengers to book through a TA they can only book through the Princess Casino Department.Of course through the Casino Departments there are no further discounts. . .

[crystalspin]

On 6/1/2024 at 6:47 AM, terrydtx said:

...For the same reason I would never buy a home from the seller's Real estate agent who works only for the seller.

 

On 6/1/2024 at 8:54 AM, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

...As a side note, when your TA gets you a sizeable refare, their commission gets cut proportionally...

It turns out that the buyers' realtor has no vested interest in getting you a better price, because their commission goes down, just like a private TA's. The advice in all of this discussion is that you must watch for decreases in fare to have them applied by whoever you book through! Not being one to tip the big-box or online TA (or realtor) hundreds of dollars...

[Mary229]

5 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

 

It turns out that the buyers' realtor has no vested interest in getting you a better price, because their commission goes down, just like a private TA's. The advice in all of this discussion is that you must watch for decreases in fare to have them applied by whoever you book through! Not being one to tip the big-box or online TA (or realtor) hundreds of dollars...

The difference being is the realtor knows they likely will never do business with you again.  A good TA knows she will see you again and may be able to groom you to accept higher costs for better amenities.  My TA gifted me a private driver for transfers 15 years ago and now we are hooked.  She did a few other things that enhanced her commission and also enhanced our experience.  One person might call it devilish yet another person might call it educating the consumer. 

[terrydtx]

10 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

The difference being is the realtor knows they likely will never do business with you again.  A good TA knows she will see you again and may be able to groom you to accept higher costs for better amenities.  My TA gifted me a private driver for transfers 15 years ago and now we are hooked.  She did a few other things that enhanced her commission and also enhanced our experience.  One person might call it devilish yet another person might call it educating the consumer. 

Exactly why I have used the same TA for 15 years. We get OBC, free gifts and great pricing when available. Best part is we buy our travel insurance through her vendor and have saved $1000's over the years in cost for better coverage than what the cruise lines offer. She also has turned us on to great private shore excursions companies that have also saved us tons of money. No cruise line PCC can do either of these.

Edited June 2 by terrydtx