Is it better to book with Celebrity directly vs. travel agent?

[verga]

Last year, we booked with a travel agent. 3-4 weeks before the cruise departure date, cruise price dropped to a very low low price. This is very common when the ship is not full. We were not able to get our cruise price reduced because per our travel agent, we were already in the penalty period.

 

If we had booked directly with a Celebrity Travel Specialist, would we have enjoyed the price reduction during the penalty period? Probably not if the special reduced price is for NEW bookings only. So, are all price reduction during the penalty period for NEW bookings only?

 

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

[Leejnd4]

With respect to price reductions that occur during the penalty period, it truly doesn't matter if you booked with Celebrity directly, or with a TA. Such price reductions are for new bookings only.

 

Price reductions DO often happen before the penalty period. In these cases you CAN re-book and get the price drop. And again it doesn't matter whether you used Celebrity or a TA. However, in these days of ever-increasing fuel surcharges, you have to be careful to watch out for that. If you cancel and rebook to get the lower price, and the fuel surcharge has increased since you originally booked, you'll have to pay the higher fuel surcharge. It may still work out financially to do so, but it's just something to watch out for.

[hugsthecat]

You will probably as many people who will say use a TA as there are people who will say book directly. If you have a good TA use them.Let them do the work for you.Make sure they know what you want.I booked a cruise through my TA and later the price went down.My TA was aware of it and got me the difference.

Yes you cancel and rebook..but as said above beware of the fuel charge.Also remember you may not get the cabin you want back.

 

Michael

[Conrycol]

If you book directly with Celebrity and the price drops on your booked cruise, all you have to do is call Celebrity and they will give you the lower price. You don't have to re-book. They'll even do this if the price drop occurs after final payment. The only time you wouldn't be able to do this if they are running a special price for new bookings only.

[Leejnd4]

If you book directly with Celebrity and the price drops on your booked cruise, all you have to do is call Celebrity and they will give you the lower price. You don't have to re-book. They'll even do this if the price drop occurs after final payment. The only time you wouldn't be able to do this if they are running a special price for new bookings only.

 

I believe this would hold true even if you booked with a TA. I don't recall seeing price drops during the penalty period that are NOT for new bookings only, but if there was one, I believe you could get it whether or not you were booked through Celebrity direct or through a TA.

[chessbriar]

They have had price drops after final payment in the past that were not for new bookings only. If a Senior or Resident special pops up, that is not for new bookings only. If they just drop the price, that is not for new bookings only. Happy Hour specials and Xciting Deals are for new bookings only. It all depends.

 

We had booked a CC cabin for a cruise. The price dropped for a 2C cabin for a savings of $800, I was given the discount during the penalty period and later upgraded by X to a 2B.

 

With regard to agents, there are some who do not want to give price drops. It lowers their commission. They figure the customer doesn't know better. They are being short sighted. Is the savings of commission on one cruise worth losing the potential business from that person and those they may have refered to you? I don't think so.

[Leejnd4]

 

With regard to agents, there are some who do not want to give price drops. It lowers their commission. They figure the customer doesn't know better. They are being short sighted. Is the savings of commission on one cruise worth losing the potential business from that person and those they may have refered to you? I don't think so.

 

I fully agree. And I don't necessarily trust the TA to stay on top of things and let me know if there is a price drop. Consequently, I believe it's important to continue to watch your cruise pricing in case a price drop occurs - and if one does, insist that your TA get it for you. Any TA who would deny it to me would lose my booking - and my future business.

 

I was under the impression that price drops that were NOT for new bookings only were rare - but apparently not! So I will be sure to watch for them during the penalty period more closely in the future. :)

[mmp13]

We always use a TA. Have experienced price drops on every cruie in the past. Have not had a problem getting them before or during the penalty phase. ONly new booking price drops do not apply. Unfortunalely, this years cruise price seems to be sky-rocketing. Luckily we booked very early and started with a great price. I like having a TA because if there is a problem they will do battle with the cruiseline so I don't have too! ( just be sure you have a good agent!)

[DC2OC]

I have received a senior discount after final payment.I was also able to Switch to a SS from CC after on a GTY Suite after final payment.If it comes up on the Celebrity Main booking page you should get it.One exception would be when its marked 'for new bookings only'................Frank

[Sky Sweet]

I have booked our last four cruises directly throught the cruise line and prefer to do it this way, but that doesn't mean it is best for everyone.

 

It works well for us because I enjoy taking the time to do my own research, having control of our bookings, and don't mind resolving issues on my own. However, I am the same way about other aspects of my life, as well.

 

At the same time, if a person doesn't enjoy these things, they are probably better off using a TA.

[halbfl2]

Also, don't forget that your TA wants to build a relationship and book further business with you. Frequently they will at least give your a voucher for a bottle of wine or an OBC for something. I'm not sure that you will get this if you book directly w/the cruise line. Why wouldn't you take advantage of a TA?

[rjg41]

FACT: You can get NO BETTER price, amenity, price reduction deal after final payment by booking directly from Celebrity than you can get from a TA. In other words, you can ALWAYS get at least the same deal from a TA as you can from a Celebrity representative, without exception.

 

However, the opposite is not the case. You can get a better deal from TA than from Celebrity. Booking with a TA might get you on-board credit, amenities from group space, special package pricing that only TA's have access to. Celebrity can offer NONE of these.

[verga]

Thanks to everyone for all your input. I was serioulsy considering booking with Celebrity directly for our cruise in Oct 08 but decided to book with our regular TA who gave us $$$ traveller's chq instead of OBC. We have a good relationship with our TA so requesting for a price adjustment would not be a problem.

 

I wasn't too sure if cruise price reductions are only offered to new bookings during the penalty period. Thanks to your input, I now know to be more vigilant in checking for price reduction that we can take advantage of.

[Moeve]

Some posters on these boards are generally abit unrealistic about what a TA can do for them. A single TA will have many passengers - sometimes several hundred on as many different cruises at any given time. It is absolutely impossible for them to check each and every booking even once a week (and as you know specials sometimes pop up for different cruises for a couple of hours and are then gone again). The trick is to stay on top of the rates yourself and then if you see something you think MAY apply to you then call them and let them do the rest.

[verga]

Good point Moeve. What websites should I be checking for deals?

 

I found this one from reading this forum and have bookmarked it. Any others?

 

celebrity deals - http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/exciting_deals/

 

Thanks in advance for sharing.