Best gift from travel agent?

[geoherb]

A good price and good service are the best things I can expect from a TA. Unfortunately, the one I found that gave me both doesn't offer as good a price as he used to. I guess he built up his clients enough to where he doesn't need to compete so much on price.

 

Our latest cruises have been booked with casino rates at a great price. The TA I contacted for our upcoming cruise couldn't do any better on price but was able to kick in a little OBC. Every little bit helps.

[Flatbush Flyer]

The TA's commission is built into the price of the cruise that's quoted. Some TAs have such high volume that they rebate part of their commission to their clients and thus their clients pay less for the cruise. Other TAs spend part of their commission on "gifts" to their clients.

 

 

 

For our upcoming TransPacific (Sydney to L.A.), our TA is covering gratuities and adding $1000 in refundable OBC to the "O Life" perks provided by Oceania.

Depending on the specific cruise, we also have a second and third TA, each of which can bring something great to the equation.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[moki'smommy]

The other thing to be considered is how much business a TA does with a particular line. They all start with a certain percentage of the cruise fare (excluding taxes and government fees) as commission. Depending on how much business they do, they can add significantly to that percentage. So, a TA who books a lot with a given line has more to work with in giving you OBC or perks while still earning a living.

[Flatbush Flyer]

The other thing to be considered is how much business a TA does with a particular line. They all start with a certain percentage of the cruise fare (excluding taxes and government fees) as commission. Depending on how much business they do' date=' they can add significantly to that percentage. So, a TA who books a lot with a given line has more to work with in giving you OBC or perks while still earning a living.[/quote']

 

 

 

Yes, this is very important. One of the most important questions to ask a TA is whether they are a member of your preferred line's "top seller" club (e.g., Oceania's Connoisseurs Club).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[satxdiver]

Probably the best gift my TA gave me is when I told him goodbye and he sent me a nasty email in response. He never really ever gave me anything other than grief for being a pest and asking him to refare the cruises when I saw a price change. Now he does not have to be bothered anymore.

[ilovetexas]

1. Answer Phone Call

2. Looks up cruise price

3.Tells client the price, plus whatever perks.

4. If accepted.

5. Ask for:

Full Names, Birth Dates, Address, Phone Number, Dinner, Early, Late or Anytime Dining...Credit Card Info

6. Calls Cruiseline and makes the reservation, sends out confirmation's

 

So just how long does that take?

 

Jimbo:)

 

I'm a fairly new TA and if only it was that easy. I've had people come in and sit at my desk for FOUR hours while I walked them through everything (ships, itineraries, perks, etc.) - just to end up booking a cruise on the line they stated they didn't want when they walked in the door. They came back for well over an hour to look at shore excursions and before all is said and done, I'll spend much more time with them (which is okay because they're really nice people.) That's just one example of how I provide service to my customers. Luckily, I do it for fun not to earn a primary income.

 

I haven't had a reservation go as smoothly as your example yet; which I find odd since as an experienced cruiser I'm used to booking my own in the manner you describe above. I find flights, pre-cruise hotels that have fly, snooze, cruise or park and cruise options, shore excursions, travel insurance, answer passport/visa questions, deal with groups, and that's just the common stuff I can think of off the top of my head.

 

It's really a service for people who want to leave the details to someone else and ensure they are handled properly. Lower rates and/or additional perks are nice - but not what most people who use a travel agent are going for. I don't charge for my services, my commission comes out of the prices already charged by the cruiseline. I hope everyone can find a TA they like and provides them excellent service, it makes a vacation so much easier and more pleasant.

[Flatbush Flyer]

....It's really a service for people who want to leave the details to someone else and ensure they are handled properly. Lower rates and/or additional perks are nice - but not what most people who use a travel agent are going for.

 

Not necessarily.

There are many here on CC who are well traveled (cruise or otherwise), efficacious planners and use top selling TAs for their preferred line(s) for only two reasons: PERKS and PROBLEM SOLVING.

 

This is particularly true for longer and/or complicated itinerary cruises where commission sharing can mean $1000+ in refundable OBC/rebate and having their regional sales rep as a "speed dial" for issues are key things that will never happen for DIYers. Remember: that top seller TA may do a million $/yr of business with that line while a DIYer is a mere rounding error in the cruise line's bottom line. Who do you think will get results faster/better?

 

Like many others on CC, we generally have no need for assistance with air, hotels, transfers, insurance or much else in terms of planning/implementing a trip.

 

Nonetheless, once I've got everything laid out, I will ask (one or more of the three TAs we use) what I'm missing, what they'd do instead and what can they add to the value.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[bighairtexan]

As suggested in Flatbush Flyer's post, I got exactly a $1,000 OBC from my TA. 12 day Caribbean. On Celebrity. Royal Suite (which I don't usually book, but decided to splurge when the cruiseline itself was giving unlimited specialty dining, OBC, internet and gratuities).

I've had stellar service from that TA (they do only cruise bookings) over the 12 years I've booked with them. HOWEVER....The downside is that they do say they have a cancellation fee (not applicable if you rebook another cruise). Whenever I want any kind of change (dining, cabin location most especially) I call or email them and it's a done deal immediately.

So the service I've had has been w/o problem. I don't need a lot of hand holding. The cancellation fee does get my panties in a wad sometimes, but since I've only used it once in MANY cruises (and then rebooked another cruise shortly after, so it was waived), it hasn't been an issue... yet. When/if it does, I'll bite the bullet and pay it and gripe about it but remind myself of the literally many thousands of dollar in OBC, group booking rates, specialty dinners etc etc I've received.

[myfuzzy]

Probably the best gift my TA gave me is when I told him goodbye and he sent me a nasty email in response. He never really ever gave me anything other than grief for being a pest and asking him to refare the cruises when I saw a price change. Now he does not have to be bothered anymore.

 

I wonder if it was the same company that gave me the same shaft

[ilovetexas]

Not necessarily.

There are many here on CC who are well traveled (cruise or otherwise), efficacious planners and use top selling TAs for their preferred line(s) for only two reasons: PERKS and PROBLEM SOLVING.

 

This is particularly true for longer and/or complicated itinerary cruises where commission sharing can mean $1000+ in refundable OBC/rebate and having their regional sales rep as a "speed dial" for issues are key things that will never happen for DIYers. Remember: that top seller TA may do a million $/yr of business with that line while a DIYer is a mere rounding error in the cruise line's bottom line. Who do you think will get results faster/better?

 

Like many others on CC, we generally have no need for assistance with air, hotels, transfers, insurance or much else in terms of planning/implementing a trip.

 

Nonetheless, once I've got everything laid out, I will ask (one or more of the three TAs we use) what I'm missing, what they'd do instead and what can they add to the value.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You are correct. However, most people are not on CC, not even most cruisers are on CC. The general public sees someone else dealing with basic services (booking cruise, air, hotel, transfers, excursions, etc.) as a benefit as they are not used to, or have no interest in, doing it themselves. Plus, as you pointed out, when those occasional problems arise we are typically in a better position to deal with them. I'm glad you've found three people you trust to spot check your plans and see if they can add value.

 

Don't get me wrong, my clients (and I) like OBC, too! ;)

[Flatbush Flyer]

You are correct. However, most people are not on CC, not even most cruisers are on CC. The general public sees someone else dealing with basic services (booking cruise, air, hotel, transfers, excursions, etc.) as a benefit as they are not used to, or have no interest in, doing it themselves. Plus, as you pointed out, when those occasional problems arise we are typically in a better position to deal with them. I'm glad you've found three people you trust to spot check your plans and see if they can add value.

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong, my clients (and I) like OBC, too! ;)

 

 

 

"Some" TAs are in a better position to deal with things. Others haven't got a clue.

Folks who think they can't DIY (and then tap a TA for extra perks) need to dig through that box of old college books and reread "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[BethLSW]

Our first cruise my mom and I each got a $25 gift certificate to a local wine bar. Each cruise since then we have received the same, plus a bottle of wine on board. Not expected, but a nice treat!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[spookyfudge]

we get spending cash on our accounts and either bottle of wine or a special restraunt dinner, very nice!

[spookyfudge]

For our upcoming TransPacific (Sydney to L.A.), our TA is covering gratuities and adding $1000 in refundable OBC to the "O Life" perks provided by Oceania.

Depending on the specific cruise, we also have a second and third TA, each of which can bring something great to the equation.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

OMG i didnt get that from my agent on the same cruise :(

[Flatbush Flyer]

OMG i didnt get that from my agent on the same cruise :(

 

 

"Same" cruise" or "same itinerary" (on a different cruise line than Oceania [e.g., Princess])?

If you are on the same upcoming cruise as mine, you need to talk with that TA. Again, our TA's perks of $1k OBC and gratuities ($1368) are in addition to the "O Life" perks of $2k OBC, unlimited internet, airfare credit, et al.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Reina del Mar]

The days of TAs giving gifts around here are long gone. Good service is the best we hope for now. Reasonable knowledge often falls short too..but they are there as emergency contacts and someone to negotiate if anything goes wrong. That's the best we can hope for.......unless someone knows of an agency in South East Wales offering 'extras' ???

[TishBomb]

I think what most of the people on this forum don't understand is that 99% of all travel agents these days are home based and have their license held by a host agency. That host agency takes a good chunk of the commission offered by the cruise line until they start bringing in a lot of their own clients. We work just as hard for you as any other agent. I have a dedicated office in my home that is a complete separate wing of my home. I work nights, weekends and many times 7 days per week. And all those cruise companies you call and reach a rep there are home based as well. The days of the walk in travel agency are just about gone due to the high cost of rent and running your business. We don't get paid for any airline tickets we get for you either. So when a travel agent offers a bottle of wine it can cost them anywhere from $20-$40 a bottle depending on the cruise line. That comes out of their commission folks. When you are only making $30.00 on a $1,500 cruise there is no way to stay alive in the business. The commission split they get from host agencies that hold their license are 70/30 (host/travel agent). If they bring in their own client that has not gone through the host it's 80/20 (travel agent/host). So you can see we are not getting rich.

I can say that my clients that get that welcoming bottle of wine in their cabin always thank me and tell me it is a nice touch they were not expecting. We do not get to pick the quality of the wine, by the way. It's what the cruise line has on hand. So next time you get that bottle of wine at least remember your travel agent was thinking about you and was trying to say "thank you for your business".....even if you didn't like the wine.

[Coral]

I can say that my clients that get that welcoming bottle of wine in their cabin always thank me and tell me it is a nice touch they were not expecting. We do not get to pick the quality of the wine, by the way. It's what the cruise line has on hand. So next time you get that bottle of wine at least remember your travel agent was thinking about you and was trying to say "thank you for your business".....even if you didn't like the wine.

 

Why don't you just give them OBC so they can spend it on what they want?

 

My TA gives us money off of the cruise so I can then spend it on what I want (speciality restaurants, excursions, etc...). That is the best gift IMO. I think my TA realized years ago people don't want cheap bottles of wine, strawberries or pictures. We only get those if they are group amenities that her parent agency picked out.

[dickinson]

Besides $$ as OBC, the discount off the price of the cruise allows me to pay less in travel insurance because my cruise costs less!

[Flatbush Flyer]

We work just as hard for you as any other agent.

 

Lots of businesses these days use the "independent contractor" model (e.g., TAs, ITs, car services). But, like with any such services, the consumer "gets what they pay for."

However, I am not talking about the price "in money" we pay. Rather, I am talking about the price we pay in time and energy required to do the homework/research to identify the "best" whoever (e.g., TA, MD, CPA, driver, realtor) available to me.

That anyone in a service "works hard" is admirable. But, it is a cold hard fact of life that consumers are/should be most interested in the productivity of that work. After all, we "worked hard" for that money and, hopefully, we (should have) "worked hard" in identifying that most efficacious service provider.

The good news/bad news of ideal capitalism is that the "cream rises to the top." Of course, "cream" has an expiration date. So, the search for good cream and a great TA is always ongoing.

Personally, I would avoid any TA who is not already a top seller for our preferred line and/or who would not share commissions. Of course, that means I've got to get back to researching which TA will do our next cruise (or who will do our next home renovation or car repair or vacation rental....)

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jtdlmc]

I wish I could find a travel agent! I have emailed three different TAs looking for a booking for an Alaskan cruise. Two I have never heard back from after the initial email and the third took over a week to get back to me! These are actually TAs that work with a travel agency in physical offices not just online agencies. I have always booked directly with the cruise line but thought I would go with a TA this time as some have some really good incentives. I have done all the leg work, even gave them the ship and cabin category I want! Guess it looks like I will continue to book through the cruise line cause I am sick of wasting time ☹️

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Ofmyheart]

I wish I could find a travel agent! I have emailed three different TAs looking for a booking for an Alaskan cruise. Two I have never heard back from after the initial email and the third took over a week to get back to me! These are actually TAs that work with a travel agency in physical offices not just online agencies. I have always booked directly with the cruise line but thought I would go with a TA this time as some have some really good incentives. I have done all the leg work, even gave them the ship and cabin category I want! Guess it looks like I will continue to book through the cruise line cause I am sick of wasting time ☹️

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

I am in the same BOAT as you, I can't find a good TA. Had one but she never wanted to be bothered by a quick 4 day get away, even though I did most of the research. This is despite the fact that I was booking maybe 4-5 cruises a year with multiple cabins being booked!

 

I cont. to book on my own until I find a good TA.

[paul929207]

Here is how I found my wonderful TA.

 

When we started cruising, I decided to try to find a good discount TA. We sail with Princess, so the TA can give us a discounted price. So as we cruised, when someone said they had a good TA, I got the name and website for the TA. I built a list. When I was ready to book, I went down the list and asked for a quote. I looked over the list of responses. I called the one with the lowest price. She seemed competent and honest, so I booked with her.

 

The next time I repeated the process. But, the TA I booked with the first time was about $25 dollars higher than the lowest price. I decided to go with the one I booked with the first time. I have been with her ever since.

[Flatbush Flyer]

OP: do some research:

Start with most recent version of Condé Nast Traveler "best of ..." lists and contact their recommended agencies that specialize in cruising. Also look for often cited/quoted TAs in cruise articles in major newspapers with great travel sections (e.g., NY Times, SF Chronicle). And, if your college alumni association does travel, ask who is their TA (who may do individual bookings or point you in the right direction).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[MCC retired]

Don't be afraid to go with the Cruise Specialist TA's at the big online agencies (the ones that specialize in cruising ) .

Many work from home , are experienced ,available 7 days a week , trained and have the clout of agency sales volume .