Thread: Convince me

why it's better to book through a TA than through the cruise website.

Absolutely it's better to book with an agent that to use the cruise lines directly or through their websites.

And yes, I'm obviously prejudice on the matter, but knowing what I know, if I weren't in the business, I would always use an agent and especially a cruise specialist.

First is the service difference. CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association) that we all belong to, put out something I thought was very revealing; more than 95% of the time when you call the cruise lines or an online site, the people you talk to work in a call center, have less than 6 months experience, and have never even seen a ship, let alone been on a cruise or to any of the ports. So obviously, they can't be of any assistance should you have any questions or need any help. Keep in mind that the cruise line person represents the cruise line, not you. Whereas an agent represents you and this can be invaluable should you encounter any problems.

Second is the price difference. Almost always, an agent will charge the exact same amount as the cruise lines. But sometimes they will have a group onboard that can get you a lower price or onboard amenities that are not offered by the cruise line. Plus, anything the cruise line is offering, the agent can always offer and sometimes more.

Lastly, if the price goes down, do you honestly think the cruise line is going to call you and let you know? An agent has your best interest at heart because they want you happy - they want your repeat business and they want your referrals.

Bottom line is that there are absolutely no benefits to working with the cruise line and all the benefits working with an agent. Plus, they charge nothing for their services, so it makes sense to utilize their expertise for free. They've been on the various cruise lines, the various ships, and to the various ports. As I said, their assistance can be invaluable.

It's like anything else in the world; if you're an expert at fixing a car, then you don't need a mechanic.

But hey, if you like talking to a computer, then by all means book with one. Personally, I prefer to talk to a real person who can help me when I need it.

Pete

I am not prejudiced and I will always use a TA. The cruiseline works for the cruiseline and my TA works for me. Some cruiselines do not allow deals But most TA's will give perks, and if I want to change lines or ships or cabins it is painless. My TA is priceless with the service I recieve.When you find a TA you can trust, not just looking for comission it doesn't get any better than that. Always ask if there are fees involved for canceling, changing anything. If they charge, move on till you find one that doesn't.

Jac .... Will not try to convince you. If you're happy with the way you're booking cruises, continue what you've been doing.

Can only said our TA takes care of any questions and problems we've ever had.

Finding and establishing a good relationship with a TA who actually cares and knows what you want and your replete business is a big plus!

Our TA is always a bit less expensive that booking directly directly through the cruise line.

If you need to be convinced you probably never will be though I think Pete, Sue and LuLu are on top of it. And I would also add that using a LOCAL travel agent you are helping to grow the LOCAL economy which helps a whole lot more people in your area than sending all your money off to some uncaring giant corporations whose loyalty will always be to their investors and not you.

OK, so a TA will never charge more than I will pay if I book direct and will refund my money if the line reduces prices? I'm still skeptical -- no one works for free. I consider myself pretty computer literate, and often shop on-line with no problems (yet). Really, what can a TA do that I can't do myself? I have trouble finding time in my schedule to visit my broker twice a year -- can TA work as well by phone or email? If so, why would I need a local one?

How do they help if I'm using miles or hotel points?

Jac I also do all the work then bring it to the TA but the TA does all the work with any changes I may want to make. They get comission on the cabin(s) and each upgrade from inside is more money. Repeat business is very welcome. Also TA's recieve the changes, new itineraries in spring and fall before the cruiselines release to the public. So if the TA knows your preferences they can get what you want, even holding a group of cabins and start a group, not your group but you are in it, through the agency to get lower pricing and if enough people book, an OBC.

I usually book through a TA but my last cruise I booked direct with Cunard as they had a special offer on. As Pete has said the cruiseline look after themselves a TA looks after you becuase they want your business again.

Originally Posted by Vette73

OK, so a TA will never charge more than I will pay if I book direct and will refund my money if the line reduces prices? I'm still skeptical -- no one works for free. I consider myself pretty computer literate, and often shop on-line with no problems (yet). Really, what can a TA do that I can't do myself? I have trouble finding time in my schedule to visit my broker twice a year -- can TA work as well by phone or email? If so, why would I need a local one?

How do they help if I'm using miles or hotel points?

I didn't say they will 'refund' you the money. If the cruise line reduces their fares, which sometimes happen when they're not selling real well during low traveled times, an agent will get the reduction for you. However, this must be done prior to the final payment due date. So they don't refund anything, they simply get the total amount reduced so your final payment will be less.

By the way, any offers or specials offered by the cruise line can also be offered by an agent.

And you don't need to visit your local agency. For example, I have clients literally all over the world (Australia, South Africa, England, Poland, Amsterdam, etc, etc). Most of them I've never talked to on the phone. In today's electronic environment, they recognize the benefits of utilizing an agent and understand it's quicker and easier to send emails when questions arise. Of course, that's not to say they don't call me if they need something right away, but lately, that's an unusual situation.

But we get paid a commission based on the cruise price (not the total price) of the cruise. Most reputable agents do not charge any additional fees, while some will charge a booking fee, cancellation fee, or change fee.

As I said, if you pay the same rate to book with the cruise line (who will only look after their best interest), as you would booking with an agent (who has your best interest at heart), and the agent can offer additional services, advice, and sometimes better pricing, then it makes sense to support a small business who works for you.

I get calls all the time from people who had a problem booking through the cruise line or through an online site and they are frustrated with trying to deal with them. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do as they have to work with the people who booked them. If you have a problem and booked through a reputable agent, they have contacts and resources not available to you that they use to help solve those problems quickly and appropriately.

But it's like one person said, if you need convincing, then you probably won't be no matter what anyone has to say about it. Simply stated, you should not need to be convinced when it's obviously just a better way to conduct business.

Majority of our bookings are made in the USA even though we live in UK. We use USA TA and the Auction I have mentioned is a TA in its own right. We have telephone connections, and speak to people.

The Auction one, we can bid or buy, we cruised to New York two years ago, and we had arranged our flight home with them using Air India, a very cheap flight. Leaving the ship at New York we had a shock when we found Air India was not flying any more to UK. Visited the offices in Madison Avenue and return flights were arrange inside half an hour with Delta at no extra cost.. This company has been very good to us over the years.

A USA TA we also use, always give us a phone call before the cruise wishing us well,a nice gesture, and we always get on-board credit with them.

If an offer by the cruise line is outstanding the naturally we will use them.

Latest cruise had an email two days ago from a well known UK TA connected to a large airline. As taxes are rising at an enormous rate to leave UK (ask Char) airfares are really expensive. We were offered a cruise with Flights from London to Miami, Barcelona to London, all transfers and one night in Howard Johnson Miami Beach Hotel. The extras I have mentioned are virtually free, Took less than a minute to make a decision.

At the end of the day its your decision how you book your vacations, if you were paying UK prices you probably would not use either. This why Pete has stressed that fact.