Thread: Transferring a reservation for OBC

Hi folks,

New here. Last cruised in 1987!! Going in April on FOS, and I booked direct with RCCL.

I am now reading that it is possible to transfer the reservation to a TA and get benefits like OBC etc.

I see that there is a for to fill out on the RCCL website.

How do I go about finding a TA that will work with me on this?

Originally Posted by entropy

Hi folks,

New here. Last cruised in 1987!! Going in April on FOS, and I booked direct with RCCL.

I am now reading that it is possible to transfer the reservation to a TA and get benefits like OBC etc.

I see that there is a for to fill out on the RCCL website.

How do I go about finding a TA that will work with me on this?

There are many TA's that are regular valuable members of CruiseLineFans.. just take your pick.... I believe most will be able to help... a good knowledgeable TA is worth their weight in GOLD!
BUT please remember a couple of things..
1) as far as OBC there is no guaranteeing there is OBC available from the cruiseline for your particular cruise.. a TA may at their option issue you a OBC as a way of saying thank you for your booking but that would come out of their commission.
2) RCI has placed into effect no transfers from the cruise-line to a TA after the booking is 60 days old.

Joseph

By the Way.. Welcome to CLF great cruising information without being "critical"

Welcome to our friendly cruise community!

We have several member TAs here who could serve your needs. Just look at some of the posts in this Ask a Travel Agent forum for names... and send them an email asking what they could do for you. You'll never know unless you ask!

Joseph has said it very well. Unless the cruise line is offering OBC or unless an agent has a group where OBC is included, all OBC comes out of the agent's commission.

First and foremost, you never want to book directly with the cruise line - you'll be dealing with someone who works in a call center and has never been on a cruise, knows nothing about the ports you'll be visiting, and can't offer you personal service. An agent, on the other hand, works for you, not for the cruise line, so they have your best interest at heart. Sometimes providing a good service makes up for trying to find someone willing to give you some of their commission. For example; when you go to get your car fixed, do you ask the mechanic for some money back? How about your dentist? Or your lawyer? They all provide a service just like an agent and you utilize their services based on your trust and working relationship with them. You don't ask for cash back from them, so keep this in mind when dealing with an agent. If they are providing a good service to you, then they should get paid for it just like everyone else.

But again, if an agent has a group or if the prices come down, they will do their best to see to it you get any benefits they can for you. And should you ever have any problems, they are there to help you, which can be invaluable.

Pete

If and when you transfer your booking, make sure the TA has no additional fees or charges.
Many on line agencies are also just call centers and have booking and or cancelation fees.
I for one charge no fees and will refund your entire deposit if you need to cancel before final payment.

Reggie

I was just thinking abt this, and here is a thread abt it! On another site there was a thread about what was the biggest amt of OBC one has received....alot of posters were mentioning they rec'd OBC from cruise line AND from their TA.....
Interesting..I just booked with a PCC thru NCL...is there a time limit from time of booking to transfer to a TA?
I guess I have some searching to do around here!

First, booking through the cruise line is never a good idea. The main reason is that most of the time the people you deal with work in a call center and have never even been on a cruise. So they can't help you with any questions you may have about the ship or the ports of call. Plus, they only represent their cruise line and cannot offer information about other cruise lines for you when considering different cruises.

Also, any OBC offered by the cruise line will be offered by an agent. Plus, an agent may have a group onboard and can offer additional onboard credit.

As for a time limit, you must transfer your cruise to an agent prior to the final payment due date.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

First, booking through the cruise line is never a good idea. The main reason is that most of the time the people you deal with work in a call center and have never even been on a cruise. So they can't help you with any questions you may have about the ship or the ports of call. Plus, they only represent their cruise line and cannot offer information about other cruise lines for you when considering different cruises.

Also, any OBC offered by the cruise line will be offered by an agent. Plus, an agent may have a group onboard and can offer additional onboard credit.

As for a time limit, you must transfer your cruise to an agent prior to the final payment due date.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Another good reason is that the cruise line agent works for the cruiseline and a travel agent works for you. If there is a problem with the booking or with the cruise itself the travel agent will support you far more than the cruise line employee.

RCCL has imposed a 60 day limit after direct booking to transfer to a travel agent and the others will probably follow suit. Regardless, as Pete said, the transfer must be made before final payment.

Reggie

Thanks for all the great info! Much appreciated...Our first cruise with Disney, it was kind of last minute and we used our vacation club points....NCL to Alaska we booked directly with NCL...no PCC...I made more than a few changes on cabins...but thats it...this time...the PCC booked it...they really pushed their travel protection which is outragous...I used Access AMerica I think last time, price was reasonable.

Originally Posted by dsangus

Thanks for all the great info! Much appreciated...Our first cruise with Disney, it was kind of last minute and we used our vacation club points....NCL to Alaska we booked directly with NCL...no PCC...I made more than a few changes on cabins...but thats it...this time...the PCC booked it...they really pushed their travel protection which is outragous...I used Access AMerica I think last time, price was reasonable.

Good job! Purchasing the travel insurance through the cruise line is almost always a bad idea. We have a contract with Access America and we've been very happy with their policies and their customer service.

Pete