TAs with no phone service

[rocktheboat]

I have read many posts about online TAs who don t have phone service.
I want on a cruise on April 4, 2004, we checked in at the costa deck and was sent on our way. My daughter in law is not a US cit and only has a green card. Right before we boarded the ship she had to go to immigration, they looked at her ticket and asked her to go with them, they claimed she was not on the ship manifest. She told them we were waiting for her and they asked all of us to come with them. They took us to a room and keep us there for over an hour and would not let us leave and would not tell us anything. I didn t know what to do so I used my cell phone and called the on line TA I used(thank goodness they had phone service). I told the person who answered what happened, she told me to hold on and she called Costa, within 5 min a Costa rep was there with a copy of their manifest and we where on our way. This was not Costa's fault, but they couldn t stop saying how sorry they were. When the cruise was over and we got our final bill each of our cabins had a 150.00 credit.
My point is, what would I have done if I used a TA who didn t except phone calls.
Don t you worry about something going wrong and not having anyway to contact the TA that you used. I just booked a dec cruise on the vos with the same TA but saw that the price was about 30.00 cheaper pp with another online TA who does not have phone service. After what happened I don t care how much cheaper they are, no phone no sale.
Has anyone else had a problem at the port and couldn t get in touch with their TA.

[hdawson]

Rocktheboat. I'm with you. I want a [I]real[/I] TA that I can [I]talk[/I] with and one that will go go to bat for me when something goes wrong. I know some are comfortable dealing with any kind of agency that promises cheaper prices but for me, nothing beats personal service. Good service by a business is an investment in future business sucess. For those that book soley on price alone are not worthy of a good TA's extra effort since as soon as someone else offers $20 cheaper those clients go somewhere else, and accept even less service.
Recently I had checked the fare on a HAL cruise on their website. Out of curiosity, I also asked for a quote from [I]the[/I] email only agency and they quoted $5.00 higher than HAL. Strange. Now that agency is no longer selling HAL cruises. The cheapest fare may not be the best value.

[This message was edited by hdawson on 04-23-04 at 07:02 PM.]

[Desertbelle]

Our first two cruises were booked through a TA in our home town. She was very good, seemed to get good prices for us and was pleasant to deal with. BUT, she was not always available. There were times when I would call and she would be out of the office, or on the other phone, or off for a few days, etc. On at least one occasion I called after business hours and was met with a phone answering machine informing me of when normal hours are.

It was very fortunate that your TA was available at the very moment you needed her....but what if she was off that day and her phone answering machine on?

I have booked a cruise with one of the internet, email only sites, and my email was answered within minutes on most occasions. It wasn't a perfect arrangement, but then neither was our first experience.

Currently we use an online TA who also has phone contact, but I prefer to email her whenever I can. It's so much more convenient....I can get up in the wee hours of the morning and send off a question, go back to bed, and when next I check me email there is a reply.

Again, I am glad that your problem was remedied...and with a nice credit too! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Now that I have said all that, here is my question to you rocktheboat. Why would you come to the RCI forums to report this??

Margie

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[rocktheboat]

First, I used a TA who had 24 hour service.
Second, I came to this board because if you read my post I just booked a RCCL cruise.
Third, I was reading another post on this board about TAs, so just thought I'd ask if anyone else ever had a problem at the port.
Did you think there was a hidden message in my post, did I say something bad about RCCL.
I was just wondering if anyone had problems with TAs who don t have phones.

[hdawson]

Margie. Why not? The question is not cruiseline specific. It's a question about who to book with and why and comfort level. BTW. As for a TA being on the phone or away from their desk, there are usually other personnel available that can help. The TA could be on a ship's inspection in order to be of more service to their clients. Or heaven's forbid on a cruise vacation. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[cruisinfanatic]

Actually, you're very lucky your TA was there on a weekend. All your TA did was call the cruiseline. Something you could have done too.

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[FlorenceItaly]

Pardon my intrusion on this thread, but I have been wanting to get ahold of [B]hdawson[/B].

How was your HAL cruise?? Did I miss the review?? I am very interested in ALL aspects both good and bad [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]. How was it traveling solo, as I will be traveling solo in June?
Thanks.

Marie
[email]ExaltingHim@cox.net[/email]

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

Carnival Miracle -February 2005
RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

[hdawson]

Marie. Sadly, upon my return from Vegas I got very sick and had to cancel. I'm convinced it's the recirculated cabin air on airplanes.
Still recovering. Soon will be looking for a fall or winter cruise.

[Smiles]

I think folks should do whatever makes them feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable with no phone contact, by all means don't use such a service. Until a few years ago, I had only used a local TA. Guess what? Besides booking with her, I never called or talked to her either.

Me, I prefer to do my own research for the ship and location of the cruise myself--it's part of my enjoyment of the whole experience. And it's not some cursory research, but in depth researching and studying. When I've made my choice of what I'd like, I find it particularly foolhardy to pay for the services of a TA who I need only to book my cruise. I don't need hand holding. I don't need recommendations. I need the cruise and cabin I want at the best possible price. Guess what, the no phone internet agency to which you refer to has just such the prices!!! And moreover, they also have great service! More than one time Ray has responded promptly to my e-mail and given me service above and beyond anything that I could hope for from ANY agency.

So while your post sought dissatified customers, I thought I'd let you know that some of us are VERY happy with the service AND prices offerred by the no phone contact internet agency.

[FlorenceItaly]

hdawson - Oh, I am sorry to hear of your illness. I agree with the recirculated cabin air on airplanes, and that has happened to me before too!!!

Take Care.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

Carnival Miracle -February 2005
RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

[kc320]

smiles, I am with you! The first 7-8 cruises we took were booked thru local agencies who did nothing more than take my order. Except for the first 1 or 2, I did all the reseach & in some cases knew more about the ship and /or itenary than the agent. I finally decided if I was going to do all the work, I may as well book it at the lowest price I could find. So far the no phone agency has worked fine for us.

Sovereign Again
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[dougp26364]

rocktheboat,

There are definately situations where you should use a TA that can help you if there's a problem. Obviously, you have a condition (member of your traveling party who is not a citizen) that could, and did present problems.

Although I always advice that rental car insurance is a rip off, when I travel overseas I take ALL the protecection I can. I'm in a foreign country, it's questionable if my policy covers me in a foriegn country, I don't know the laws and I don't want any surprises. In the case of renting a car in a foriegn country, I don't want to take any chances I don't have to.

For a cruise however, I'm comfortable using an online TA without phone service. I bring enough documentation with me and have my cell phone. Perhaps one day I'll regret not having a TA but I've been taking care of my travel needs by myself and handling the problems myself for so long that I'm comfortable with my ability to handel issues as they come up.

Future cruises
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Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05
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Explorer OTS - Eastern Caribbean 11/04

Past cruises
Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03
Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02

[KellyJean]

Any TA who has no phone service whatsoever available to their clients doesn't need to be in business.

My clients know they have access to me at all times. Biz phone, cell phone and home phone!

Kelly

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Cruise Critic Partae Pirates Cruise
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Carnival Miracle 02/13/05
Sovereign of the Seas, Cabin #4057 - 9/21/03
Brilliance of the Seas, Cabin #8670 - 11/09/2002
Paradise, Cabin E194 - 09/01/2001
Atlantic, 12/1991

[Smiles]

KellyJean,

Some TA's with phone service, don't deserve to be in business either! The phone doesn't guarantee the service, the agent or the agency does! I'm glad your clients can call you. I think, however, you should think twice about putting someone else down to elevate yourself. Seems to me, only those who are low enough on the totem pole need to do so--and it speaks very lowly of yourself and/or your services. Good luck to you.

[KellyJean]

Smiles, I did not mean to put anyone down. I just don't see how anyone can survive in the business world with such limited access.

Maybe you should think twice as well before you put someone down. Like me, you don't know everyone's circumstances.

But let me clarify a little more simply.....any business relies on its customers and those customers. No business can survive without their customers.

Kelly


My Cruise Pics: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/kfrancis5"]http://community.webshots.com/user/kfrancis5[/url]

Cruise Critic Partae Pirates Cruise
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Carnival Miracle 02/13/05
Sovereign of the Seas, Cabin #4057 - 9/21/03
Brilliance of the Seas, Cabin #8670 - 11/09/2002
Paradise, Cabin E194 - 09/01/2001
Atlantic, 12/1991

[This message was edited by KellyJean on 04-23-04 at 10:31 PM.]

[Dolphins]

Ditto Smiles & KC320- Knowledgable cruisers who know exactly what they want appreciate the substantial savings they receive from internet bookers.

[hdawson]

Even a lowly can of baked beans in my pantry has an 800 number in case there are questions or problems. That's a buck investment. A cruise is usually thousands and for that much of an investment I want the availability of personal contact. BTW. How many are purchasing their cars online or auto maintenance contracts? I've taken 14 cruises in the last 8 or 9 yrs and still use a cruise specialist travel agent. Have a friend with over 60 cruises, some as long as 70 nites, who would never book without his agent. Actually that kind of loyalty results in being notified of the super specials based on the TA knowing his style and interest. I know alot of folks that have been on two or three cruises consider themselves experts but after 14 cruises I sure don't know it all.

[dougp26364]

I think it all just depends on your level of comfort. Some people like, need or want the service of a full service TA, others perfer to do it themsleves and save the $$.

For the difference in price I was able to book another 3 night cruise. I've used TA's in the past and found that for us, it's not been worth the extra $$. I've always been able to handle the problems that have come up easier than relying on a middle man to speak for me. What can I say, I'm a hands on type of traveler.

Every form of booking has it's niche. I've seen complaints about EVERY form of TA on these forums. Those with "24 hour" service and those that are online only. I've also seen many posts of satisfied customers for BOTH types of TA's.

So pick your poison. If it had been us with the problem of the OP, I would have done what their TA probably did, I'd call the cruise line directly to find out what the problem was. The difference is there wouldn't have been a middle man doing the work for me. But like I said, I like to do it myself. That way I know what's been done and I'm not sitting there wondering what, if anything, is happening.

There's room for both types of service. Purely online services are IMO a niche market that serves that niche well. They deserve to be in business and will remain in business so long as their client base knows what to expect and is satisfied with that.

Future cruises
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=CD20CD&cdt=2005;01;14;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05
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Explorer OTS - Eastern Caribbean 11/04

Past cruises
Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03
Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02

[madforcruising]

I dealt with a local TA for many, many years. I´m really loyal to her and booked all my vacations with her, not only my cruises. When I started to go on my own vacations (not longer with my parents) back in the late 80´s the Internet was just at the beginning and not as common as it is today. There was no way of thinking to book any vacation online for me.
Over the years as I got more experienced myself on vacations and on the Internet I always informed myself more and more before booking.
Thinking back I must say although I was always satisfied with the service of my TA, she had not much more to do then to book what I told her. Usually I gave her all the Information and all she had to do was simply to make the reservation. Most of the time I had to spend a few hours in her office to complete the booking.

Well over the last two years I got more and more better rates on the Internet. Last year she was able to give me an almost good price too, although it took her weeks to get this price. I still booked with her because of my loyalty and because I was a little suspicious booking with an online agency I don´t know and I can´t speak with and that is across the Ocean.
To shorten an already long story, this year the difference was tremendous and I almost saved 40% compared to the local TA´s price.
So I gave the online Agency a try. So far everything went very smooth. The booking took me just minutes and they responded usually in minutes (longest reply 2 hours - still fast in my eyes).
So far the cruise is not over and I can´t rate them for the overall experience but if everything is going on like it went so far it could be the local TA lost my buiseness.

One last note, the OP made the point concerning the availability by phone. My local TA is only available on buiseness hours (MO-FR 10:00am - 06:00pm, SAT 09:00am - 2:00pm)
and this is only if she is at the office. It´s more then likely especially due to time difference that my boarding time won´t match her hours, so this is not really a point to me.

Sorry for being so long and thumbs up that everythings going on smooth with my booking, waiting for my Docs [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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2002 - MS Columbus - Cruise to nowhere
2001 - Grandeur of the Seas Mediterranean and Transatlantic
2000 - Splendour of the Seas Transatlantic
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1999 - Vision of the Seas Panamacanal cruise
1998 - Vision of the Seas Transatlantic
1997 - Crystal Symphonie to Mexican Riviera
1996 - Delta Queen on the Mississippi
1995 - Legend of the Seas to Alaska

[cruiseladytx]

Two years ago, I started looking for a new travel agent. Mine had decided to retire and I didn't feel comfortable with anyone else in their office. After interviewing several agencies, I chose the one very close to my home. I like face to face contact, they have a 24 hr phone service and not only did I meet my agent, she introduced me to everyone in her office. She has always come very close to the lowest price I can find and both of us have seen price reductions.

My first trip booked with her went fine. The second was a different story. I was on the Regal Princess last August, from Copenhagen to New York, that came down with the virus. We ended the cruise 1 day early. When the first announcements went out, I immediately called and talked to another agent very early in the morning. By the end of the day, I had new hotel reservations in New York and they had changed my plane reservations.

This was the first time in 14 cruises that anything went wrong but I was very glad I had a great agent. She handled everything for me while I was stuck for 4 days on the ocean.

[img]http://images.flamingtext.com/clipart/names/gen/cooper/flaming-logo/70/Jana.gif[/img]

[izzyvet]

If there is a problem at the pier and you have an online TA with no phone service, it's not that big of a deal. The cruiselines have the number to the online TA I use. I made sure of that when I booked by last cruise with them. Not that we had any problems, but they could be contacted by phone by RCCL if necessary. Not a worry for me.

Izzy

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