Sea38

Project_gal I agree with your comment, the middle man needs to have some sort of benefit, I am just not seeing this now going through a UK Travel Agent

@hawkesbaynz I think your post has summed it up! Until something changes it’s not worth me trolling the internet and making phones for deals/discounts with UK TA’s as the discounts just aren’t out there for us folk. I need to amend a cruise that I have booked with a TA and I have been putting it off as once you have booked you have to leave a message then wait for someone to come back to you etc Then wait for them to contact the Cruise Line ask your request and then wait for them to come back to you, all this with no monetary benefit of booking with them. I must add that this particular TA is now adding a non refundable booking fee since I booked this cruise with them hence why this topic has arisen.

Just one more point to add, reward points etc (Virgin/BA) you can use to book flights direct with the airline, this adds to another reason why you would only need to book cruise only and then maybe a couple of nights pre-cruise booked on a cancellation policy up until 24 hours before check-in on a hotel booking website I just can’t find a reason to book with a TA at the moment like I have always previously done

Thanks for all your comments. The Penguins comments add to my case of how can TAs in the UK continue trading when offering no incentives. You can still cover yourself with ABTA/ATOL by following Penguins suggestion of booking a part package with the Airline. Especially since the pandemic it can be so difficult to get hold of companies via the phone, the extra hassle of the middle man just seems to have no benefit?

👋 wynnne yes around 5% has usually been about the norm but struggling to find even that for cruise only. As you advised maybe going further afield could be the answer. I’m just scratching my head wondering how TA’s will be able to carry on when they are no cheaper then going direct?

I have been searching actively with a view to booking a cruise, Celebrity top of my list but open to others. I have previously always used a TA, I myself used to be one so I am pretty good in finding discounts/deals. However due to only being able to find prices that match going direct with the Cruise Lines I am finding it difficult to find any advantage of adding a middle man (TA)? Am I missing something?!