Benefit to booking through RC website or TA?

[FOURunderFOUR]

I am relatively new to cruising. I went once with my parents 20 years ago, and once with DH in 2001 (on Royal Caribbean). We were clueless then and just booked online without looking around. I have spent the past few days trying to read through some of these messages. I was convinced that Carnival was a cruiseline to avoid (based purely on "he-said, she-said heresay" but after reading several reviews here almost booked an 8-day on Miracle. However, we will be leaving 4 children under 4 1/2, including a 14 month old who is currently heavily dependent upon me for her liquid nutrition. I am not sure either one of us could survive 8 days without breastfeeding unless we manage some major weaning between now and then. So we are looking at a 5 day caribbean on the Navigator out of Florida. My question - I found a price, got some quotes on *************.com (which are identical to the royalcaribbean.com quotes) for a balcony cabin. So where is it in my best interest to book? I have read that on-board incentives can be much larger through agents. Is this limited to outside (i.e. NOT RCI) agents? If so, does it matter which agency I chose? How do I find out if I am getting the best deal. it seems they will all promise you the world online, but I do not know how to haggle, and do not want to get taken advantage of (or similiarly miss out on a good deal because I did not know enough to ask).

 

Thanks for your advice. I am so jealous of the number of cruises many of you have taken. We had so much fun on our previous cruise and look forward to having time and money to do it on a regular basis. I am feeling very guilty about leaving my kids, but I know the younger two will not even remember it, and I can not stomach the extra $1000's it will cost to pay for them to fly and cruise. I look forward to learning more about cruising, and maybe even meeting some of you on future cruises.

 

Thanks!

J

[pscan5150]

RCCL does not allow TAs to discount rates - that is why the fares will always match RCCL's website.

 

Main reason I book with RCCL's website: control of my reservation - I can make payments any time I want, see the remaining balance due, and if RCCL drops the rate, I can call and get it immediately adjusted with one of their "certified vacation planners" without worry if the TA was open/if the specialist who booked it was in and available/etc.

 

Main reason to use a TA: On longer cruises and/or higher tier rooms (i.e. balcony/GS/etc.), some have been known to give either an on board credit or small gift like a bottle of wine.

[magicolor_girl]

Generally I book with RCCL. The price is the same and I have total control over my booking. I can make changes myself just by going to the website.

 

This time around, my fiance booked with an online TA. The price was the same at the time. However this TA had a special to give onboard credit... and if you paid with Mastercard, another bonus gift... Two weeks ago, the online TA showed a resident discount that RCCL.com did not, so we saved $70.

 

However, I still find myself soooo annoyed that I have to call to change our dinner seating or call to move up a cabin category.

 

I suppose with the savings and the bonuses, a bit of time on the phone is nothing to complain about.

 

Basically those are the only things to consider when deciding between RCCL.com and randomTA.com - do you want total control over your booking or do you want gifts and bonuses? What's worth it to you? :)

[lvtotrvl1]

"This time around, my fiance booked with an online TA. The price was the same at the time. However this TA had a special to give onboard credit... and if you paid with Mastercard, another bonus gift... Two weeks ago, the online TA showed a resident discount that RCCL.com did not, so we saved $70.

 

However, I still find myself soooo annoyed that I have to call to change our dinner seating or call to move up a cabin category."

 

Not sure I see your point...from what you said, the TA did quite well for you....

[firefly333]

I booked with RCI when I was not sure about the date, but wanted to hold it. Later on I will transfer it to a TA for OBC. I asked them about price drops and they said they will give the price drops, whatever the policy of the cruiseline is. I dont see the disadvantage.

[wieslaw]

I do agree with others as far as having 'control' of your booking, and yes, there might be some additional perks if you book using a TA, ...... but if you choose to book using a TA - inquire what charges are there in case if you need to cancel the booking, some agencies will charge cancellation fee even if the booking is cancelled before final payment.

 

Wes

[magicolor_girl]

"This time around, my fiance booked with an online TA. The price was the same at the time. However this TA had a special to give onboard credit... and if you paid with Mastercard, another bonus gift... Two weeks ago, the online TA showed a resident discount that RCCL.com did not, so we saved $70.

 

However, I still find myself soooo annoyed that I have to call to change our dinner seating or call to move up a cabin category."

 

Not sure I see your point...from what you said, the TA did quite well for you....

 

I believe I continued on to say "I suppose with the savings and the bonuses, a bit of time on the phone is nothing to complain about." and I summed it up by asking "what's worth it to you?"

 

Apparently, I'm not sure what's worth it to me. There are positives and negatives to everything... yes the bonuses are a positive, but not having the overall control over my booking that I'm used to is a negative. So I'm forced to give something up, but I get something for my trouble. I was just covering the reasons one might choose RCCL over a TA or vice versa. If you still don't see my point, I don't think I can explain it any better.

[jjb415]

I've booked both with a TA and with RCI directly recently. Last time an on-line travel agent offerd pre-paid gratuities, so I went with them. My questions and changes were handled promptly and effeciently by telephone, however, I agree with the post about having control over my booking on-line too. The extra value won out with the pre-paid gratuities this time.

[Tikibird]

I've booked both with a TA and with RCI directly recently. Last time an on-line travel agent offerd pre-paid gratuities, so I went with them. My questions and changes were handled promptly and effeciently by telephone, however, I agree with the post about having control over my booking on-line too. The extra value won out with the pre-paid gratuities this time.

I may have stumbled onto this same online travel agency. They are linked in the CC cruise agency page http://www.cruisecritic.com/shipshop/ (I think it is allowed to post a link to a CC page, not a specific agency)

 

I also stumbled onto another option. If you are a member of a frequent flyer or hotel program, they may have a cruise booking agency where you get points in your air/hotel program. One that I looked at seemed to give me full control over the booking, I could select a cabin and dinner seating online. I am not the sort to change my mind, I do my homework first, then book what I want from the beginning. I would have booked but I won't be able to pay the deposit until next month.

 

I am still trying to make up my mind between prepaid gratuities and the hotel (in my case) points.

[bobbyfk]

RCCL's price for us with discounts is: $6,555.48

 

with a online TA: $5,919.48. plus free insurance per cabin or $250 OBC

[Tikibird]

Sorry, one more dumb question. If you use an online TA, how soon do you have to pay the deposit after you book? I looked everywhere and couldn't find a payment policy page and since I am in Australia, it would be an overseas call for me to call this very large online agency in the USA.

 

I got to the page where you fill in your personal details after selecting a cabin and the payment page is right after. I am afraid to give my details when I don't know how soon they want the deposit.

[PSCruiser]

Bobbyfk - Hmmm, like to know the details - I haven't seen a discounted price for RC since their no discount policy started. Maybe a hint of what TA you're looking at?

 

Tiki - I think all TAs (and RC) need a deposit before you actually have a reservation and not just a 1 day hold. You haven't locked in a price until you've paid a deposit.

[CTCcruiserr]

I booked a JS for 30 Dec 07 cruise with an online TA - same price as RCCL - except the TA offers a $750.00 OBC - he has been very responsive - no fee for cancellation or changes and will accept any drops in price or coupons with the understanding that the OBC would change somewhat as his commission would be effected. I see no downside to using an online TA as they offer substanial discounts in some form or other over booking directly. I used another traditional TA for years until I realize she or her agency was making over $1000 per booking (I book suites) - my new TA is willing to settle for 2 to 3 hundred dollars per cruise.

[tracey980]

I personally like to book with the cruise line directly. No middle man to deal with, when I need something I just call the 800 number.

[bobbyfk]

Bobbyfk - Hmmm, like to know the details - I haven't seen a discounted price for RC since their no discount policy started. Maybe a hint of what TA you're looking at?

 

Tiki - I think all TAs (and RC) need a deposit before you actually have a reservation and not just a 1 day hold. You haven't locked in a price until you've paid a deposit.

i would like to tell you but I don't think its allowed on the boards

 

drop me an e-mail and ask me again: bobbyfksd at gmail dot com