Thread: Transferring a reservation - what's the catch?

Hi everybody! I'm new here, although not new to cruising - my husband & I have just booked a cruise directly through Carnival for our 10th anniversary next year, but prior to booking, I'd been using Cruise Compete to compare various prices that were available. Once I booked with Carnival, Cruise Compete sent an e-mail saying to contact a certain travel agency, because they're certain they can get me a better price on the EXACT SAME cruise, same cabin, same everything - or else they'll be able to get me an onboard credit. And if they can't get me a better deal, they say they'll send a $50 gift card for either Target or Starbucks.

I haven't actually spoken with this travel agency yet - I've never worked with them before and don't know much about them. But I just wondered what your thoughts are on this? Husband & I are both extremely skeptical, and we wondered what are the dangers with this kind of deal?

Thanks in advance for your help!

First, welcome aboard!

I'm not a ta, but I haven't heard glowing reports about cruise compete. I always use a ta..never book online. I would suggest you contact a local ta and get a price from them.

I'll add my welcome to Hanna's!

There are a lot of reputable agencies who are members of Cruise Compete, so you have the good with the not so good.

Do your homework and find out all the info you can on any agency you are considering, whether it's an internet agency or a brick & mortar company. Make sure you can talk to them directly, not just by email.

The advantage of moving your booking to a travel agent is that you will probably get some kind of little gift and a lot of service that the "order takers" at Carnival can't provide. If you should have any kind of problem with Carnival your independent TA would go to bat for you.

Good luck!

N 2 CLF, .

Hanna and Char have provided some very helpful information. It's not difficult transferring a reservation from Carnival to an agent. You just need to be careful about who you transfer the booking to. And as was said, Cruise Compete has some good and some bad agencies, so you really do have to do your homework. It's best to get referrals from friends or family who have worked with someone and feel comfortable with them. You want somebody who will look after your best interest and not theirs, as in the case of book directly with the cruise line or with an agency who discounts.

With that said, Carnival requires everyone to advertise their cruises for the same price, so no matter how you book it, whether it be online, with Carnival directly, or with an agent, you will be quoted the exact same price. The difference is in wether the agency is doing any 'discounting'. While Carnival discourages discounting, they haven't banned it outright so there are some agencies that take advantage of that loophole to make a buck.

My best advice is book with an agent, never book directly with the cruise line. The cruise line will never call you up and tell you they found a special that will lower your rate. Someone who discounts cannot afford to find you a special since they have already cut their commission, so they are not going to spend the time and effort monitoring your rates. A good agent will monitor your rates and try their best to get you a special that will provide you a better deal - after all, it's in their best interest to provide you great service so you'll use them again and recommend them to your family and friends.

Pete

Thank you all so much for your input! Guess I really don't know much about how the travel industry works - now I'm even happier that I found this website! Looks like I've got a lot of research to do.

Thanks again, and happy cruising to all!

Welcome, Domino -
Just adding a note of agreement to previous posters. We always book through a TA... and as you can see from the number of cruises listed in my signature, We've cruised a few times...

I agree with everything that Pete said. The other advantage of booking with a TA, is that sometimes the agency that the TA belongs to has "blocked space" for certain cruises. This is space that the agency "purchased" in bulk. On occasion, TA's can book in to that space, and it is sometimes at a lower rate, and/or inludes some type of OBC or bonus.

In addition, as Pete has said, TA's will give a higher level of personal service, and will go to bat for you if you encounter a problem. Our business depends upon forming long range relationships with our customers.

Good Luck!

Booking direct with the cruise line is never a good idea. The vacation planner works for the cruise line, a travel agent works for the client. It's not hard to understand which one will be on your side if a problem arises.

Reggie