footballmomof4 Posted May 31, 2007 #1 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I have appreciated reading everyones advice on this site over the past few years. My family has cruised about 6 times we usually wait until a few months before we leave and find a good deal and then book it. However, my sister is going on a cruise with her married children next Feburary and this has snowballed(sp) into a big extended family reunion. It should be great but I have a few questions as to if we are doing it the best or most inexpensive way. So any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. We have booked about 10 rooms this was done about 2 months ago. My sister called princess directly and we have the rooms reserved. I thought I have read on this board that it is better to transfer it to a TA. Is this possible and what are the benifits. We also may still need to book 3 or 4 more rooms. It didn't really seem like they were offering any discount with this size of group. Also is it true that if the price drops before we pay our final deposit that we get that price reduction. Also we may need to switch some names of the cabins is this possible? Also if we do switch the reservation to a TA is there any advice on if you would go with someone local or over the internet. I know(or think I know that you can't advertise here but what are some things to require from a good TA. Hopefully this makes sense. Thank you for any advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meemeec Posted June 1, 2007 #2 Share Posted June 1, 2007 If I were you I would definitely get in touch with a travel agent. With that many cabins the TA should be able to get a "group" rate. I am pretty sure that with every 8 cabins booked there is one cabin free so that could also save your family some $$'s. Plus the cabins could be held for a time and the names could be changed/added sometime before final payment is due. Good luck and it sounds like you are all going to have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salimandar Posted June 1, 2007 #3 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I would go with a Travel Agent if I were you, especially with a large group things can get a little hectic. This way the stress of handling everything is off your shoulders and in the hands of someone who does this for a living. Its nice to speak to the same agent whenever you call or go in which you would not get booking through Princess. You may not get a group rate but you may get special amenities for you group like shipboard credits etc. I would look for a larger Travel Agency ( a national brand or a cruiseship agency). Hope this helps and I havn't broken any rules!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAAmerican Posted June 1, 2007 #4 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Where is Your Location? Which ship and trip? Be very careful once you have a TA handle the changeover..how about if you do not like the agent(s)? etc... Does anyone from your group travel frequently ? Do they work for a Fortune 10 firm? Do any of there firms your group works for/with have a working relationship with Carnival (Parent Firm) CCL/CUK:NYSE/LSE Shareholders do get nice benefits too.. Dollars are what count in any business and speak volumes. Use your bottom line as leverage... $$$ ___________________________________ X I have appreciated reading everyones advice on this site over the past few years. My family has cruised about 6 times we usually wait until a few months before we leave and find a good deal and then book it. However, my sister is going on a cruise with her married children next Feburary and this has snowballed(sp) into a big extended family reunion. It should be great but I have a few questions as to if we are doing it the best or most inexpensive way. So any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. We have booked about 10 rooms this was done about 2 months ago. My sister called princess directly and we have the rooms reserved. I thought I have read on this board that it is better to transfer it to a TA. Is this possible and what are the benifits. We also may still need to book 3 or 4 more rooms. It didn't really seem like they were offering any discount with this size of group. Also is it true that if the price drops before we pay our final deposit that we get that price reduction. Also we may need to switch some names of the cabins is this possible? Also if we do switch the reservation to a TA is there any advice on if you would go with someone local or over the internet. I know(or think I know that you can't advertise here but what are some things to require from a good TA. Hopefully this makes sense. Thank you for any advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongerob Posted June 1, 2007 #5 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I have appreciated reading everyones advice on this site over the past few years. My family has cruised about 6 times we usually wait until a few months before we leave and find a good deal and then book it. However, my sister is going on a cruise with her married children next Feburary and this has snowballed(sp) into a big extended family reunion. It should be great but I have a few questions as to if we are doing it the best or most inexpensive way. So any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. We have booked about 10 rooms this was done about 2 months ago. My sister called princess directly and we have the rooms reserved. I thought I have read on this board that it is better to transfer it to a TA. Is this possible and what are the benifits. We also may still need to book 3 or 4 more rooms. It didn't really seem like they were offering any discount with this size of group. Also is it true that if the price drops before we pay our final deposit that we get that price reduction. Also we may need to switch some names of the cabins is this possible? Also if we do switch the reservation to a TA is there any advice on if you would go with someone local or over the internet. I know(or think I know that you can't advertise here but what are some things to require from a good TA. Hopefully this makes sense. Thank you for any advice You can definitely switch to a TA at any time, no one at Princess will mind. It might help preserve your sanity. However, if the agent books you into a "group", you might not be eligible for price reductions. It depends how the group is structured. Sometimes TA's will get lower group rates based on current pricing at the time the group is formed, but that comes with restrictions. I believe that if a couple holding a cabin cancels entirely, you have to cancel that cabin then re-book under the new name. It sounds silly, and it is, and again perhaps a TA can help you with this. If I were you I would definitely get in touch with a travel agent. With that many cabins the TA should be able to get a "group" rate. I am pretty sure that with every 8 cabins booked there is one cabin free so that could also save your family some $$'s. Plus the cabins could be held for a time and the names could be changed/added sometime before final payment is due. Good luck and it sounds like you are all going to have a great time!It's one berth per 8 cabins booked, and it will be the lowest-priced berth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottoCruise Posted June 1, 2007 #6 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I have just booked my Family (9 cabins - 17 PAX) for Alaska Aug. 3, 2008. I used my TA I got her Agencies' discounted 'Group rate' plus 'shipboard credits' for each passenger -I also will have 1 free berth refunded to me for each 8 Dble. cabins booked (16 PAX) - The free berth will be an AVERAGE of $$ for all the berths booked (not the lowest priced berth! sorry SpongeRob) I also referred each of my family that had never sailed w/Princess before I booked, so, another $25 off Final payment to each new PAX , and $25 off for each new Pax to my own final payment. I also used FCC to book my cabin and 'Share the Wealth' certificates for everyone else .... they will each get the 'Share the Wealth' shipboard credits in addition to all of the above. My TA will refund any reductions in cruisefare until after Final Payment, as usual. I contacted Princess Group Dept. direct - under their group program you will get the free berth, and in addition upgrades from each category booked, also the FCC credits and Share the Wealth and referrals etc. -but at their cruisefares. The discounted Group rates offered for each category by my TA was much better . It was a 'no brainer' to go with my TA. Hope my experience helps.............. Renee (aka GotToCruise) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercedMike Posted June 1, 2007 #7 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I am pretty sure you have already found out that traveling with a group that size is full of headaches! You definitely need the services of a local full service TA who is a CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor. I hope you have recommendations from friends or co-workers who have a good one. If not, go to http://www.cruising.org/index2.cfm and enter your zip code. A good Travel Agent will guide you through the whole process. You should get a really good rate and good amenities. But there is a lot to be done, and a lot of people to keep happy. That is where the TA really earns their commission. My DW (who is a CLIA Master Cruise Counselor) occasionally books a group and takes the free berth as group leader. Every time after all the work is done she swears she will never do it again!!;) There is a lot to it. You will definitely need the help of your TA. Have a GREAT cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysgrandma Posted June 2, 2007 #8 Share Posted June 2, 2007 You need to make sure you can get amenities if they are still available - Princess stops group bookings at a certain time if the ship is quickly being sold out. Did Princess offer any amenities, such as a free berth or wine, onboard credit, etc? If not, call a local travel agent and see what they can do if you transfer the booking. And GET IT IN WRITING before you move the booking, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Caroline Posted June 2, 2007 #9 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Many of the larger online agencies that advertise with CC have excellent group departments. I've used a TA from one of them and found her help invaluable and they get better rates than some smaller agencies - volume.. Also with these larger agencies the extra berth is given back to the group.. the TA doesn't use it which is a plus if you have someone you'd like to give it to OR you can split it among you.. Did both when I was a TA but never took it unless I escorted the group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzzy Posted June 2, 2007 #10 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Okay. I am so confused. When you call Princess on the telephone are they not travel agents? Do they not work with you to accomodate your needs, make suggestions and try to help you out? I have never understood why folks do not use Princess directly. If you use a TA what more substanctive can they really offer? I want to know.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercedMike Posted June 2, 2007 #11 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Okay. I am so confused. When you call Princess on the telephone are they not travel agents? Do they not work with you to accomodate your needs, make suggestions and try to help you out? I have never understood why folks do not use Princess directly. If you use a TA what more substanctive can they really offer? I want to know.. Well, no, they are not Travel Agents. They are basically minimally trained order takers. IF you know exactly what ship, what date, what itinerary, what cabin and everything else, they will take your order. A well trained Travel Agent who is a CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor will first find out who you are and what you like, then discuss the options of several different cruise lines and itineraries to help you decide what is best for you, give you information about the different cabin categories, explain about a guarantee or a fixed cabins selection, explain the dining options, and do so much more. Then the TA will search for the best fares (which are NOT always the ones the cruise line direct offers), help you with pre and post cruise arrangements, discuss the advantages of cruise/air or independent air ... and on and on and on. And that is just for a single cabin booking. When you consider a group traveling together, things become that much more complicated and there is even more co-ordination to accomplish and options to consider. Booking a cruise for a group is not like ordering a magazine subscription -- or even choosing an airline flight. Believe me, you will be very happy to have a knowledgeable experienced TA in your corner. Have a GREAT cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAAmerican Posted June 2, 2007 #12 Share Posted June 2, 2007 T/A's are vital. We like to use a CLIA as well more ASTA t/a as that way we know they are fully bonded etc... It is hard for anyt T/A to make a great living anymore as with the Airlines doing it to them with a Royal Middle finger... We we book airlines I have the leg work done and/or do it then let my T/A book it so they get the commissions. :cool: Well, no, they are not Travel Agents. They are basically minimally trained order takers. IF you know exactly what ship, what date, what itinerary, what cabin and everything else, they will take your order. A well trained Travel Agent who is a CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor will first find out who you are and what you like, then discuss the options of several different cruise lines and itineraries to help you decide what is best for you, give you information about the different cabin categories, explain about a guarantee or a fixed cabins selection, explain the dining options, and do so much more. Then the TA will search for the best fares (which are NOT always the ones the cruise line direct offers), help you with pre and post cruise arrangements, discuss the advantages of cruise/air or independent air ... and on and on and on. And that is just for a single cabin booking. When you consider a group traveling together, things become that much more complicated and there is even more co-ordination to accomplish and options to consider. Booking a cruise for a group is not like ordering a magazine subscription -- or even choosing an airline flight. Believe me, you will be very happy to have a knowledgeable experienced TA in your corner. Have a GREAT cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLBlack Posted June 2, 2007 #13 Share Posted June 2, 2007 When I was looking for a T.A.- I went to the Princess site and got a list of there "gold star" folks- (first ones on thier list) in my area and close- that had taken the Princess training- then I had a list of questions- like how many bookings in a year- lots of questions on groups and etc- , are they on a first name basis with a Princess representive- then e-mailed it off to 3 and picked the most responsive. We have not gone yet- but so far have been very pleased with the response time- assitance with information- and coortdination with all the other members of the "group"- I would interview- either in writing or in person- you may not be "paying" the commission- but you are hiring them. Use the same skills you have if you hired anyone. I did this because I felt I had less than good results talking with the folks at Princess. They were nice- but did not seem to have handle on schedules and etc.- rlb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyscot Posted June 2, 2007 #14 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Is it for a wedding? Can't beat a traditional fiddle band. Oh I see............... Sorry. Hic :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.