Thread: So frustrated!

We've used a couple of TA's found here, in the past, but one semi-retired referring us to the 2nd. The 2nd expressed that she really couldn't do the best for us on the cruise we were looking at and said we should perhaps find a TA locally. We liked working with both.

So...we started our search for a local TA. I called around and explained what we were looking for. Most important to me was communication and being able to reach the agent, knowledge, helpfulness, and then reasonable pricing. After several calls, we chose a TA who expressed great desire in being our TA, assured us that he could be reached at anytime (except during church), and even gave me his cell number.

Now that we have booked our 14-day Trans-Atlantic cruise for this coming 11/3rd on the Grand Princess out of Southampton and paid in full for our airfare, I suddenly am having difficulty reaching him. I leave messages on the machine and with the receptionist. I email him and even resorted to calling the cell number. This has happened three times now since December. Each time his is very apologetic and has numerouse reasons as to his non-response.

We have never been to Europe and are arriving in Heathrow on 10/31/12. We have hotel reservations, using Marriott points, for one night in London and then wish to transfer to Southampton on 11/1. I'm not getting any help making plans for trsf from the airport to London nor London to Southampton, nor hotel accomodations once in Southampton.

He also assured us that his relationship with his Princess rep was such that he could have a future cruise credit applied to this booking, although we placed it after the original booking. We made the deposit, and one other, based on this conversation. The application of the FCC has still not happened.

Should and can I transfer the booking? Maybe I'm a pain of a customer and deserve this, but are there any agents out there that would like to give me their opinions / help? I'm soooo frustrated!

Sorry for the rant.

Not an agent, but....feel for you. Not sure where to lead you. Hopefully one of our great ta's will assist you here. Have patience.

Thanks, Hanna. Trying.....to have patience.

If you call and agent and you get voice mail once in a while, obviously that's not unusual. But a good agent will return your call as soon as possible. Same with emails; one should be returned normally with an hour or so, but by the next day at the very least.

Booking with an agent is always the best way to go as they represent you and are there to help you when needed. Whereas booking with the cruise line will result in you left on your own.

Unfortunately, there are alot of agents who love to talk the talk, but don't know how to walk the walk. And alot of 'travel' agents are not cruise specialists - they know how to sell cruises, but they've never been on one or only on a couple, so they don't have alot of personal experience to offer you and their expertise is lacking.

As for 'local' agents, in today's electronic environment, distance is sort of irrelevant. For example, I have clients all over the world, including one in South Africa who's been with me for more than 8 years and books 2 to 3 cruises a year. I actually got to talk to him for the first time last year and we had some good laughs. Until then and ever since, everything has been done through emails. Local does not necessarily mean good.

Bottom line is that a good travel agent is like a good accountant or a good mechanic; you have to feel comfortable using them and be able to trust them. If you don't like their work, you take your business elsewhere. And if you have to do this, it's not a reflection on you, it's a reflection on them. After all, it's your money and you should not have to worry about the service or lack of service you're getting. There are alot of good agents out there ready, willing, and able to assist you. If you're not happy, find a new one.

Hope this helps, but let us know how it goes and what you decide.

Pete

Well said Pete

And, I hate to say it, but if you have transferred your cruise to a TA, it is next to impossible to transfer it to someone else. Sorry.

I feel for you.

Originally Posted by nealberk

And, I hate to say it, but if you have transferred your cruise to a TA, it is next to impossible to transfer it to someone else. Sorry.

I feel for you.

Depends on the cruise line - some are much easier to work with than others.

I agree with the above poster who said that distance is irrelevant. I booked with a couple different agents before clicking with one and sticking with her for several years now. All were ones I found over the internet and haven't met in person. I hope things pick up with your agent!

Originally Posted by nealberk

And, I hate to say it, but if you have transferred your cruise to a TA, it is next to impossible to transfer it to someone else. Sorry.

I feel for you.

The booking has not been transferred, yet. I booked it originally with this travel agent. I'm just waiting to see what happens with the future cruise credit, that we discussed before I made it.

I've received some referrals for other agents and will be looking in to transferring. Seems to me we have lots more planning to do before this 11/3/12 cruise. Like hotel reservations, transportation from the airport to London, then tour/trsf from London to Southampton, and flights home from Ft. L.

It looks obvious to me the travel agent deceived the OP. Being a member of Cruise Line Fans helped me avoid hiring a bad TA. It was very easy to find a good one right here on CLF.

Thank God I quit going to Cruise Critic, where advertising in sigs is strictly prohibited.