TA is nonresponsive

[azldw]

This is the first big trip my new husband and I have taken together, and now all of a sudden the TA is MIA. I had a hard time even finding a travel agent, at first. The day I contacted this TA she promised to get back with me later in the day. It was during the 12/3-4 RCI WOW promotion and I explained that I wanted to take advantage of the promo, but didn't feel comfortable booking the entire trip myself - I will be flying into Barcelona from AZ, my husband will be flying in from Afghanistan, for the 10-day May 1 Brilliance of the Seas cruise. She did get back with me later - at 7:00 that night, and by that time I had already booked the cruise myself through RCI to take advantage of the promo. Still, she seemed to know what she was doing, and the quote she sent me was less than the rate I had been charged. She asked me to transfer my reservation to her, and that it would be best to keep the forward balcony cabin she had reserved, (I had booked an aft balcony) saying that my room was directly under the nightclub, and besides, she would try to get me nearer the middle of the ship (my first choice, as my husband has never cruised before). That was last week, I heard from her on Monday in response to a Saturday email I sent with questions about the flights, assuring me that she would get back with me later that day. I haven't heard a word since. My husband wanted us to book the trip ourseles and keeps asking me about the TA, so I may be jumping the gun, but I'm really starting to regret not just booking the entire trip myself, maybe through Travelocity or Amex.

 

Is this kind of turnaround from a TA the norm? Thanks for letting me vent!

[Jade13]

This is the first big trip my new husband and I have taken together, and now all of a sudden the TA is MIA. I had a hard time even finding a travel agent, at first. The day I contacted this TA she promised to get back with me later in the day. It was during the 12/3-4 RCI WOW promotion and I explained that I wanted to take advantage of the promo, but didn't feel comfortable booking the entire trip myself - I will be flying into Barcelona from AZ, my husband will be flying in from Afghanistan, for the 10-day May 1 Brilliance of the Seas cruise. She did get back with me later - at 7:00 that night, and by that time I had already booked the cruise myself through RCI to take advantage of the promo. Still, she seemed to know what she was doing, and the quote she sent me was less than the rate I had been charged. She asked me to transfer my reservation to her, and that it would be best to keep the forward balcony cabin she had reserved, (I had booked an aft balcony) saying that my room was directly under the nightclub, and besides, she would try to get me nearer the middle of the ship (my first choice, as my husband has never cruised before). That was last week, I heard from her on Monday in response to a Saturday email I sent with questions about the flights, assuring me that she would get back with me later that day. I haven't heard a word since. My husband wanted us to book the trip ourseles and keeps asking me about the TA, so I may be jumping the gun, but I'm really starting to regret not just booking the entire trip myself, maybe through Travelocity or Amex.

 

Is this kind of turnaround from a TA the norm? Thanks for letting me vent!

 

 

First of all, you can transfer the RCCL booking (only) to the TA to save the money, but do not let her talk you into a cabin that you do not want (note that we actually like forward cabins but have never been on RCCL). It sounds like the only other thing you need is the air which you should research on your own. Try kayak.com. Also post on the Cruise Air board with your dates and people on the board who have access to special software can tell you the route options and rates at the time of your request. The TA doesn't sound like the best one to figure out your air. Most cruise specialists only sell/make commission on the cruises. It is usually best to book air directly through the airline so if there is a problem you can go directly to the airline to resolve.

 

Post your Air routes on Cruise Air.

[Keith1010]

If you have not transfered the booking to her don't. Find a TA that you are happy with. If you are not happy now it will get worse not better.

 

By the way the most forward part of the ship is where you feel the seas the most.

 

I would find another TA. Good TA's add tremendous value and bad TA's can cause problems. Just like any profession there are all kinds. Talk to friends and/or family members who cruise and get a recommendation for a good TA.

 

Keith

[firefly333]

Im suspicious of how the TA managed to lower the price. As a rule RCL allows NO DISCOUNTING. So, unless they are a huge volumn TA and have some special deal or this TA added you to a group booking, the only other way she could have saved you money was to have moved you to a cheaper cabin.

 

A TA can give you OBC or other inducements to transfer the booking to her, but shouldnt usually be able to offer a discount. Ask how the TA was able to discount your booking.

[Jade13]

If you have not transfered the booking to her don't. Find a TA that you are happy with. If you are not happy now it will get worse not better.

 

By the way the most forward part of the ship is where you feel the seas the most.

 

I would find another TA. Good TA's add tremendous value and bad TA's can cause problems. Just like any profession there are all kinds. Talk to friends and/or family members who cruise and get a recommendation for a good TA.

 

Keith

 

Keith, that is a good point and I should have posted the same advice. I was trying to say that the cruise could be transfered while the booking of the air can be worked out separately, with or without a TA's help.

[Jade13]

Im suspicious of how the TA managed to lower the price. As a rule RCL allows NO DISCOUNTING. So, unless they are a huge volumn TA and have some special deal or this TA added you to a group booking, the only other way she could have saved you money was to have moved you to a cheaper cabin.

 

A TA can give you OBC or other inducements to transfer the booking to her, but shouldnt usually be able to offer a discount. Ask how the TA was able to discount your booking.

 

I always thought the same for RCCL and Celebrity but when I asked earlier in the year was told that they are allowed to do so with group bookings. Perhaps that is the issue with the cabin in that it has to be one already purchased by the TA? Pushing one towards a certain cabin vs staying where they are until if/when a midship one became available seemed curious to me.

[azldw]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I've always handled my own reservations in the past, but because this trip involved the international flights, and hubby is flying in from Afghanistan, I thought a TA was the best way to go (visions of my husband being stranded somewhere in the Middle East because of my travel arrangements). I've got a call in to the TA and will keep you posted on the response.

[wrp96]

I don't think I would trust that TA. Keep your reservation with RCCL. The nightclub on Brilliance of the Seas is on Deck 13 - there are no passenger cabins above deck 10. Now perhaps she meant your aft cabin was ABOVE a lounge area which the ones on deck 7 are, but I would still take an aft cabin on deck 7 on the Radiance class over any other cabin. The cabins on deck 7 hear little to no noise from that lounge area.

 

If she is promising a lower rate than booking directly with RCCL, then most likely she is putting you into a group booking. I would be extremely cautious of a TA that put you into a group without your knowledge. The other possibility is that she is quoting you a rate on an E balcony cabin (most of the forward balconies are E1s or E3s) instead of the D1 aft balcony you've already booked. E cabins are smaller than D cabins, so you wouldn't really be "saving" anything by booking with her because you'd be getting a smaller cabin.

[azldw]

I had already transferred my reservation to the TA last week, at the TA's request. What are my rights at this point? The TA has put off reserving flights, saying that she wanted to hear back from her wholesalers, even though my husband found a flight on his own, and I forwarded it to the TA last Friday and on Saturday sent her a suggested a flight for me that arrived in Barcelona near the same time. Yesterday she admitted that she couldn't beat the price, as her wholesalers don't do international flights.

 

Wait! it gets worse.

 

At this point, I have NOTHING in writing that shows we're actually booked on the cruise. Yesterday she emailed me an invoice that she swears she mailed out last week, along with a screen print of a confirmation from a website called cruisingpower.com. The price on the quote does not match the screen print. According to the RCI website, neither I, nor my husband, have a reservation.

 

Wait! it gets worse.

 

The TA is heading out to her daughter's college graduation today and won't be back in the office until next Wednesday. In response to my request that I work with another agent, she wrote "I will be available by email and cell phone ?!?!?! Even though she volunteered on my first call to her that she has multiple agents working for her. (I'm looking very naive and stupid, huh?)

 

For the record, she did finally volunteer information on the fuel surcharges, stating that she was working with RCI to get our refunds in the form of OBC.

 

Okay, what are my options at this point? Ideally I want my original reservation back, but I know that's not going to happen. I booked my reservation when I did, to take advantage of the WOW promotion. I checked the cruise on the RCI website last night and the price on this cruise has now increased considerably. I realize we can cancel, and start all over, but it doesn't seem right that I should have to pay a higher price and forfeit the promotion because of this TA. And I would not look forward to having to share that with my poor hubby back in Afghanistan.

 

Will RCI get involved in this? I got the TA's name from the website, she is a "Royal Caribbean Expert Plus." Would it do any good to call the local Better Business Bureau? CLIA?

 

Any and all help is appreciated.

[Keith1010]

OK. First, I would call RCL to find out what the process would be for you to move this reservation from this TA to another TA of your choosing. Each cruise line has a different process. In the end, this TA probably will have to sign off on it. Worst is you could cancel your cruise with the TA and start over.

 

But one caution. Some TA's, not many but some, will charge a cancellation fee so be sure you know this up front.

 

The key is don't panic. Get the facts. Start with RCI.

 

Keith

[Moeve]

Stop panicking!! It may not be sooo bad after all. For starters cruisingpower is RCCL 's very own agent booking site and if the booking is confirmed there you are ok.

 

Now what exactly is the problem with the price on the print off?? Is the price higher or lower than what you were quoted? I am not sure when your booking went thru but the cruisingpower site was still "charging" the fuel surcharge for a few days after RCCL announced they were doing away with this charge for the time being. This charge will manually be removed at some point - IF that is the case just keep an eye on it it willl evtl. be removed. Since you cruise isn't right now it isn't on RCCL top to do list right now - they simply having to deal with current cruises first.

 

Now if this isn't the case the only person who can help right now is the TA - who should be back in a few days right?

[azldw]

Thanks again to all of you for your help and suggestions. Yes the TA will be back in a couple of days. I was just very surprised that it's a week later and I still don't have confirmed reservations for the flights and hotels (assuming that the cruise reservation exists). I admit I did panic. It had been my idea to use a TA, rather than book everything myself, telling my new husband the advantage of working with someone who is familiar with cruises, booking international fares, European hotels and the like.

 

I assumed that the TA would provide information on our flight and hotel options, complemented by the agency's experiences and recommendations. I also assumed that a week later, at the very least we would have reviewed our hotel and flight options.

 

At this point, my husband and I are reviewing our options. Thanks again for all your help!

[Jade13]

Thanks again to all of you for your help and suggestions. Yes the TA will be back in a couple of days. I was just very surprised that it's a week later and I still don't have confirmed reservations for the flights and hotels (assuming that the cruise reservation exists). I admit I did panic. It had been my idea to use a TA, rather than book everything myself, telling my new husband the advantage of working with someone who is familiar with cruises, booking international fares, European hotels and the like.

 

I assumed that the TA would provide information on our flight and hotel options, complemented by the agency's experiences and recommendations. I also assumed that a week later, at the very least we would have reviewed our hotel and flight options.

 

At this point, my husband and I are reviewing our options. Thanks again for all your help!

 

 

This TA mainly just books cruises.

 

She admitted she does not have the ability to get any discounts on international flights, so if you can not move the booking (it may be more trouble) I would not use her for anything else at this point. I suggested you ask on the Cruise Air site regarding the flights to Barcelona. Have you done that? Also go to tripadviser.com to look at hotels. Your best prices in Europe may be paying the hotel in cash if you are looking for best price as many smaller hotels give discounts for cash and charge more for a credit card.

 

This agent has no experience on international flights and especially from Afghanistan. As far as "confirmed reservations for Flights" have you given her authorization to book those? Most flights these days at the better prices are full payment and are not refundable. A TA would want that in writing because once confirmed those flights are yours. I think you should book the flights on your own. Please go to Cruise Air and give specific info and folks there will give you better help than the TA.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=128

[Moeve]

You know I bet you won't find any TA who currently has really good experience with flights from Afganistan these days...... Is your husabnd with the military???

[azldw]

Moeve, He's retired military, working as a military contractor. He will actually fly commercial out of Kuwait or Doha.

[azldw]

Jade13 - I haven't authorized anything at this point. I booked the cruise myself through RCI, and transferred it to the TA at her request. Since then, all communication has been by phone, or by email. I haven't used a travel agent in years, what is the process? Is there some type of contract?

[Jade13]

Jade13 - I haven't authorized anything at this point. I booked the cruise myself through RCI, and transferred it to the TA at her request. Since then, all communication has been by phone, or by email. I haven't used a travel agent in years, what is the process? Is there some type of contract?

 

I haven't used a TA for flights but was commenting on your

 

"I was just very surprised that it's a week later and I still don't have confirmed reservations for the flights and hotels".

 

Most recently I have used "Kayak.com" to research flights and then bought them on-line where you save the booking fees. Some (such as a recent LAN flight) offered a 3% discount for booking on-line. I do see that some airlines will place the flight to hold, usually for 24 hours. You can do the flights and hotels yourself (you were already giving the info to the TA), and it will be better for you.

 

The problem with trying to get the TA to give up the booking is that many will charge you a cancellation fee such as $25.00 to $100.00 per person.

 

Also, if you keep this TA make sure she has RCCL send you your boarding passes directly (or maybe they get printed on-line?)

[wrp96]

Just an FYI, most likely your TA is booking your flights through Cruise Air. If that is the case, you won't have your flight information until 60-90 days before the cruise.

[azldw]

Hello all! I received my first paperwork, an "Activity Summary" from the TA, showing a confirmed forward cabin, at the price she originally quoted. It also has her cancellation policy - $50 per person. She has not provided any additional services other than accepting the transfer of my deposit from RCI to her agency.

 

At this point, I'm ready to cut my losses, transfer my reservation back to RCI, and book the rest of the travel myself. That said I have a couple of questions

 

1) The cabin that she had booked is a forward cabin. My husband has never cruised, so I had originally booked an aft cabin. (The TA had said she should be able to get us an upgrade to a midship cabin - I'm such a sucker!) So... if I am successful in transferring this back to RCI, what are some hints and tips to monitor cabin availability to move to a different cabin.

 

2) The cabin the TA booked is evidently at a group rate, as the cabin price is less than what I had been able to reserve for the same balcony cabin. When this is transferred back to RCI, should I expect the rate to increase? Will it increase to the price it was at for the original booking, or to the new higher price?

 

Thanks again for all your help!

[Arwenmark]

Hello all! I received my first paperwork, an "Activity Summary" from the TA, showing a confirmed forward cabin, at the price she originally quoted. It also has her cancellation policy - $50 per person. She has not provided any additional services other than accepting the transfer of my deposit from RCI to her agency.

 

At this point, I'm ready to cut my losses, transfer my reservation back to RCI, and book the rest of the travel myself. That said I have a couple of questions

 

1) The cabin that she had booked is a forward cabin. My husband has never cruised, so I had originally booked an aft cabin. (The TA had said she should be able to get us an upgrade to a midship cabin - I'm such a sucker!) So... if I am successful in transferring this back to RCI, what are some hints and tips to monitor cabin availability to move to a different cabin.

 

2) The cabin the TA booked is evidently at a group rate, as the cabin price is less than what I had been able to reserve for the same balcony cabin. When this is transferred back to RCI, should I expect the rate to increase? Will it increase to the price it was at for the original booking, or to the new higher price?

 

Thanks again for all your help!

 

 

She may refuse to transfer it back and all you can do is cancel and rebook assuming you are outside the final payment window.

I would also tell her that you are not pleased with anything she has done and file a complaint with her superiors and with any travel board they may be registered with.

 

If you can transfer it back then yes expect it to go up in price. the cruise line can tell you what else is available and often if you go on the website and make like you are booking a cruise you can find what is available currently that way. Good luck

[megr1125]

you should probably just cancel it with her, and cut your losses....she will refund your deposit...less the 100 bucks cancel fee (i think)

 

i wouldn't hassle with transferring it BACK to RC>

 

now..she MAY have lost you the OBC you got booking during the WOW sale....you will pay the going rate.

 

that said, SOMETIMES military discounts come up ( i htink retired military people are eligible..and sometimes resident discounts come up. best way is to just play around on RCs website and do a pretend booking....if you see a lower price, call them and ask for a reduction. as long as it isn't for NEW BOOKINGS you can get a reduction/refund even after final payment. sometimes the sales they occasionally offer on tuesdays are NOT for new bookings, and sometimes they are...BUT you can get the price adjustment.

 

[they are called promowaves: save this link in your favorites so you can check it often...http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/promowave/RCL.pdf]

 

 

as for cabins, RC does NOT show all the cabins on their site. best is to call if you have a cabin number that you want. sometimes it is available, or they can wait list you! they only show a few in each category but there are LOTS more (sometimes)

 

again, check RCs site often..i check almost daily! (i am a little OCD with this!) when you rebook, look at the deckplans..and find something you like....then ask the agent if cabin xxxx is open. (i am really good at getting the cabins i love!!!)

 

hth...happy planning!

[Jade13]

Hello all! I received my first paperwork, an "Activity Summary" from the TA, showing a confirmed forward cabin, at the price she originally quoted. It also has her cancellation policy - $50 per person. She has not provided any additional services other than accepting the transfer of my deposit from RCI to her agency.

 

At this point, I'm ready to cut my losses, transfer my reservation back to RCI, and book the rest of the travel myself. That said I have a couple of questions

 

1) The cabin that she had booked is a forward cabin. My husband has never cruised, so I had originally booked an aft cabin. (The TA had said she should be able to get us an upgrade to a midship cabin - I'm such a sucker!) So... if I am successful in transferring this back to RCI, what are some hints and tips to monitor cabin availability to move to a different cabin.

 

2) The cabin the TA booked is evidently at a group rate, as the cabin price is less than what I had been able to reserve for the same balcony cabin. When this is transferred back to RCI, should I expect the rate to increase? Will it increase to the price it was at for the original booking, or to the new higher price?

 

Thanks again for all your help!

 

I assume all was paid by credit card, correct? Note if you cancel with her I would fight the $100.00 cancellation fee from her (might have to be done through the credit card company dispute process) because she won't transfer it back until you agree to the fees. The dispute would be primarily based on changing your cabin without your permission, and than others such as non-responsiveness (the reason you do not want to work with her, right?) I hope I don't get slammed by TA's on this board but the pushing of another cabin turned me off to this TA.

 

Also, ask for a military rate...

[Moeve]

I have to agree here cut your losses and cancel this booking and take it back to RCCL OR a good TA who specializes in cruises BUT do your own flights!!! This has never been so important as it is in the current environment. You can only collect on drops in cruise prices if you don't also have cruise air package.

 

The way I see it you are trying to get to your destination at about the same time as your husband. That however might not be possible since the flights from the US arrive in europe in the mornings and the far east flight often in the evening. The best idea would be to meet at the hotel you are going to stay in for the first night.

[Sarae]

Moeve, He's retired military, working as a military contractor. He will actually fly commercial out of Kuwait or Doha.

Does RCL have a military rate - if you have to re-book. the military rate has the lowest cost available. You would need a copy of his dd214 to register for the military rate.

[firefly333]

I assume all was paid by credit card, correct? Note if you cancel with her I would fight the $100.00 cancellation fee from her (might have to be done through the credit card company dispute process) because she won't transfer it back until you agree to the fees. The dispute would be primarily based on changing your cabin without your permission, and than others such as non-responsiveness (the reason you do not want to work with her, right?) I hope I don't get slammed by TA's on this board but the pushing of another cabin turned me off to this TA.

 

Also, ask for a military rate...

 

The Credit card company wouldnt have much of a leg to stand on, but they might write off part of the charge, and just say you got a credit for the charge, without saying it was from them. Dissatisfaction cases as disputes are pretty iffy. Im not sure based on what Iv read here that the cabin was changed without the OP's knowledge or permission. (I did disputes for a CC company).

 

I cant see this TA transferring the booking back to RCL either and just giving up the commission. Only time I hear of it is when the client is just a PITA. Sometimes its better to live with a bad TA and just never use them again if at all possible.