Travel Agents

[Oldsalt]

Some people use Travel Agents (TA) when they book a cruise, I have been on several cruises and I have never used a TA, as I always dealt directly with the Cruise Consultants at the cruise line office, my questions are,..is it more advantageous dollar wise to go directly to the cruise line or use a TA, this also applies to booking your own air reservations.

[Mike M]

If you are not using a good travel agent you are probably spending too much and not receiving the service you want. It isn't always just the price you pay before your cruise but the service you get when problems occur before, during or after your cruise that makes a travel agent a "good one".

I know there are some worthless travel agents out there who give the rest a bad name. I've dealt with them and many have no idea of the product they are selling, the discounts available and they have never set foot on a cruise ship. The same goes for PVP's and Cruise Line Cruise Consultants.

Here is a good article that Kuki wrote on how to find the best price on a cruise.

Price Shopping? Pick Up the Phone

Take care,
Mike

[Oldsalt]

Thanks Mike, I have not had a bad experience with the cruise consultants but was just wondering about better deals. I will read the post that Kuki wrote.

[colorcrazie]

I use an agent for the cruise most of the time. But, I have always found better air rates on my own. Just my experience.
Marty

[HoustonTodd]

Originally Posted by Oldsalt

Thanks Mike, I have not had a bad experience with the cruise consultants but was just wondering about better deals. I will read the post that Kuki wrote.

On our previous cruises we have always done like you. We have 2 cruises coming next year and I've saved very easily over a combined $1000 by using a TA and booking my own air.

[Oldsalt]

Thank you all for your replies. Now I will go and hunt for a good TA plus do the airline booking myself.

[Manuel]

I have an excellent TA, ans sometimes she finds a better air package as well as saving us money on our cruises.

TM

[Russell in MD]

We have used the same TA for the last few years...>$12K total.

Im happy with him. One of the few folks I have talked with who know as much as I do.

R

[colorcrazie]

Russell,
You are very lucky. I don't mind a TA who knows less than I do, certainly don't mind one who knows more. But, my pet peeve are TA's who pretend to know it all and/or insist that I will not really enjoy my trip unless I spring for that higher category cabin, or whatever else they think they can sell me. Same for real estate agents.
I am such a pain, because I usually know what I want and what I can afford. It's my "job" to know.
Marty

[Oldsalt]

Remember the old saying, "Dont confuse me with facts I have made up my mind."

[JOYCEV]

the last time I used a TA for airfare she charged us $50 each and told us it was just a myth that airlines paid a commission. since there were 4 of us it raised our ticket price considerably

[Nurse Debra]

Just to add a different point of view from most posters here, please let my add my 2 cents worth.

I usually do not use a Travel Agent when booking a cruise or for the air fare. I also have never used the airfare provided by any cruise line. My experience has been that it is much easier to deal directly with the cruise line than going through a third party. The same goes for selecting airline prices and the departure times. This becomes especially important if there is any problem and you avoid the delays and usual finger pointing between the TA and the cruise line that ensues. I have yet to talk to a TA who said they had no knowledge of a place that I wanted to visit but have yet to find one who had the knowledge that they claimed to have. The problem is that no TA will admit to having no experience or no real commitment to doing a good job and that is where the problem lies. Finding a good TA would no doubt be a good thing, if you could find one, but I just never have.

The prices that I have found for cruises and air fare have almost been a lot less than going through a TA. One my last cruise I did find an online TA that was offering an onboard credit that would have made the price slightly lower, but I still went with booking direct through the cruise line.

Debra

[lulu48]

Originally Posted by JOYCEV

the last time I used a TA for airfare she charged us $50 each and told us it was just a myth that airlines paid a commission. since there were 4 of us it raised our ticket price considerably

Airlines no longer pay commissions to TA's so they charge you a fee to book also may charge you a fee if you cancel.

[lulu48]

We use a TA as she gives us pre paid gratuities or OBC.
I do book my own air or use a TA depending on the routing