Best bonus you've got booking with a TA

[Royalpair]

On our Alaska cruise, it was our 25th anniversary. We booked a balcony, and brought our two children along. I thought we would at least get a small flower arrangement or a bottle of wine, but we got nothing. And frankly, we did most of the work up front, so I wasn't too impressed with her. We had to tell her about an offer that came via emial from RCI for an onboard credit.

 

This time we went with an online agent that was offering prepaid gratuities.

 

We plan on doing a European cruise in the next year or two, and will probably stick with online, unless someone points us in the right direction.

[DiamondPlusCruiser]

My TA will always send us something (except for the 3/4 night cruises on Monarch-- unless we book a JS or higher). We've gotten everything from free insurance, bottles of wine, Adventure Ocean packs for the kids, specialty restaurant and casino coupons, OBC's, free shore excursions, etc.

 

When my TA has group space he usually escorts and is available 24/7 to fix any problems, offer advice and assistance, arrange private shore excursions and host private cocktail parties.

 

But the biggest perk by far is he's very knowledgable and helpful. Never refuses price drops, coupons etc and is always in our court to resolve any issues. Best of all he gives us his cell # so we can reach him anytime if needed.

[dfishner]

Free excrusions twice and on our upcoming Marnier cruise paid gratuities which is a great gift. I fiqure anything they give me that saves us on out of the pocket expense is appreciated. I have only dealt with one TA from a large cruise company for over two years and she is awesome.

 

When we were on the Majesty we book the next cruise option and had it transfered to her. When we got home a couple of weeks later she called me and asked I have this next cruise option from RCL what do you want to do with it and where do you want to go? I told her to find me something for the eastern carib. 30 minutes later she called me back found us a great deal on the Marnier, aft cabin and included gratuities

[ajpack]

We just got home form Jewel cruise...got $300 OBC and a very nice upgrade from a guarentee balcony to an E3. On our South American cruise in 2009 we're getting $500 OBC for a D1 balcony.

[gerif]

Wow - we DEFINITELY need a new TA. The most we've ever gotten was a cheap bottle of asti spumonte (yuck) - and that was about 5 cruises ago. Last year, that TA retired, so we used another gal from the same agency - she didn't even offer us the $50 the agency was offering because of their recent move (I saw the coupons on her desk when we were making arrangements and asked). When I called to book this year's trip, I just called the agency and asked for any available agent - I know she was upset (she saw DH later), but . . . . I do all the legwork anyway.

[Bobblsc]

I know we cannot provide names of travel agents, according to the CC rules. However, I suppose it is OK to simply state that in recent years ours have been web agents. I assume that almost all those who have received significant gifts have also used web agents.

 

That is a shame, but we all weigh the benefits against the costs. I am still able to contact my agent by telephone or e-mail. For my next cruise I will have total OBC's of $650, $400 from my travel agent and $250 from the Royal Caribbean stockholder's credit. The larger amount is based on the dollar booking amount, and we have a suite. Unfortunately, I think the maximum from that TA is now reduced to $300.

 

I used to get travel insurance from another agent, but now prefer to wait until the final cruise payment to buy HTH insurance and still have pre-existing conditions covered.

 

Bob :rolleyes:

[lori450]

I received an upgrade from a balcony to a JS. We have never received any obc, excursions, insurance, etc. I didn't even know they did that. I have a vew TA for this cruise and I'm hoping she'll come through for us on an upgrade. A few people mentioned that having their TA onboard with them is good. What do they do for you? What would you need help with?? Ours will be on our cruise with us (the first time I've have that) and would like to know more about that.

Thanks

[sherry7]

We just got home form Jewel cruise...got $300 OBC and a very nice upgrade from a guarentee balcony to an E3. On our South American cruise in 2009 we're getting $500 OBC for a D1 balcony.

 

 

Wow, that's the biggest kickback I've ever heard of for a regular balcony cabin. I know we're not allowed to give specific name on this board, but was this a local agent or an on-line agent?

[ajpack]

Wow, that's the biggest kickback I've ever heard of for a regular balcony cabin. I know we're not allowed to give specific name on this board, but was this a local agent or an on-line agent?

This agent is located in Orlando, Florida..not an online agent. I can call him at any time...he even gave me his home phone number.

[NAHA]

Me too, Jenni. I have used the same TA for several years, sent him several clients (thousands of dollars) and even have my onboard bookings transferred to him. I've never received anything, but him telling me what a great client I am. I do all the leg work before I call...know what cabin I want, etc. Really, I am "easy money"!:D

 

I'm thinking 1-800-New-TA

 

Sounds like the same situation with me! Switched TA's for our cruise next spring though, getting $100 OBC, dinner at alternative restaurant on ship and some casino cash. In addition to what I get from RCI. 7 years with one TA and many referrerals, doing all my own research, I got a bottle of wine, once. You are right, "easy money".:( Well, they can't do it to ya if you don't let them......:)

[TomAndJane]

Booked a D1 Balcony and got $400 OBC. Not bad for the first time using them.

[wwwmarge]

We also will get $200 OBC, gratudies paid, got a reduced deposit with the WOW sale.

 

This is a group booking (even though we aren't a group) and if the fare goes down and you ask for it we might lose some of the perks or all. :mad:

It's my understanding the price that I got for a O/V, on Jewel for March 30 TA was the best deal I can get.

The reason we get all these great perks is because we book from one of the biggest internet cruise dealers on one of the biggest sale days.

For those who have never gotten anything next time try the internet, get a price quote and then ask your regular TA if they can beat it. Hope this helps.

Marge

[mohavemommy]

Here are my perks:

 

1st cruise ~ nothing.

 

2nd cruise ~ postcard welcoming me home and reminding me to book with them again

 

3rd cruise ~ tote bag... zipper was broken

 

4th cruise ~ postcard again

 

5th cruise ~ offered me 2 bottles of wine... told them I don't drink it but they said they couldn't offer anything else. Brought them home and stashed them away. Took them to a Christmas party!

 

6th cruise ~ Booked it onboard and got an OBC from LA. Other bonus was talking to RCI whenever I wanted without having to wait for a callback from TA.

 

7th cruise ~ Ditto #6

 

8th cruise ~ Booked myself during RCI's reduced deposit/OBC sale in June. Sail in 3 mos. from now.

[polodad]

We are supposed to receive $400 OBC ($200) pp on our next sailing. My TA says their policy is 9% of ticket price back as OBC.

[CTCcruiserr]

I now book with an online company - book either OS or RFS when more than 4 of family is traveling - get from $650 - $750 OBC per cruise - have 4 booked for next year all with great OBC.

[Alexru12]

have used a travel agent for the first time for an upcoming group cruise, she is nice and all... so i thought of transferring january celebrity cruise, 2 cc aft cabins, over to her, asked her if i would keep the same cabins and price and what would be the incentive to switch? hint, hint, she emailed back that i would have a devoted ta, that would work hard for me. since i have allready made the booking and reservations for 4 people, don't see why i should transfer without some sort of incentive. or am i just being greedy?:cool:

[cruzinnluvinit]

have used a travel agent for the first time for an upcoming group cruise, she is nice and all... so i thought of transferring january celebrity cruise, 2 cc aft cabins, over to her, asked her if i would keep the same cabins and price and what would be the incentive to switch? hint, hint, she emailed back that i would have a devoted ta, that would work hard for me. since i have allready made the booking and reservations for 4 people, don't see why i should transfer without some sort of incentive. or am i just being greedy?:cool:

I think you are right on. You do all the work and she gets credit.

 

Linda

[breal6]

The best thing i ever got was a cabin on a sold out sailing. The TA had some blocked space and I was able to get on the cruise that RCCL said I couldn't.

[aqhacruiser]

I'm looking into booking either a balcony or a JS. Apparantly the JS is leaving more room for the TA to give perks for booking with them. If I book a balcony, they can give me $100 value and if I book a JS, they can give me around $500.

 

What's the best bonus you've ever got by booking with a TA? And what category was your cabin?

 

We have GOT to talk CS on the Oct. thread! LOL! Thatsa nice perk they want to give you for a JS:D

[yosh12]

have used a travel agent for the first time for an upcoming group cruise, she is nice and all... so i thought of transferring january celebrity cruise, 2 cc aft cabins, over to her, asked her if i would keep the same cabins and price and what would be the incentive to switch? hint, hint, she emailed back that i would have a devoted ta, that would work hard for me. since i have allready made the booking and reservations for 4 people, don't see why i should transfer without some sort of incentive. or am i just being greedy?:cool:

 

greedy

[CASkippr]

We received an OBC of $1650.00 for our upcoming cruise. This is pretty much what we have received (give or take a few hundred bucks) for our past few cruises. Needless to say, I LOVE our online TA!

[Little Elm]

Just booked a GS and got a $350.00 OBC

[Bobblsc]

We received an OBC of $1650.00 for our upcoming cruise. This is pretty much what we have received (give or take a few hundred bucks) for our past few cruises. Needless to say, I LOVE our online TA!

 

Oh, B. S. Gee whiz, golly, how do you do that?

 

 

Bob :p

[aqhacruiser]

We are supposed to receive $400 OBC ($200) pp on our next sailing. My TA says their policy is 9% of ticket price back as OBC.

 

Wow! I need a TA like this! I have a dozen cruises ( 4 are next cruises ) booked direct all in JS's and above and would consider transfering for OBC like this!

[CASkippr]

Oh, B. S. Gee whiz, golly, how do you do that?

 

 

Bob :p

 

Gee whiz Bob, do you need help doing the math?!?