Are TA's Allowed to Discount Princess?

[karinad]

I know that RCC and Celebrity doesn't discount anymore, but I was wondering about Princess. It seems that the prices I've been seeing are no better then what my CC's price is. All the TA's are offering a small OBC, but nothing lower, even higher. There used to be a considerable difference, especially if there was a group.

 

So, what gives? It's not that Princess's prices are better then the rest of the cruiselines. It seems like the TA's could give around 10% OBC with RCC and Celebrity, not that with Princess.:confused:

[Cruise Junky]

Yes, TAs can and do discount Princess.

[caribill]

Yes, TAs can and do discount Princess.

 

All can. Some do.

 

And OBC is a form of a discount.

[paul929207]

Yes, Princess allows TA's to discount. Some do.

[bhopal21]

Yes, TAs can and do discount Princess.

 

Agreed. And if yours doesn't I would be looking for a new one.

 

Mike:)

[karinad]

Does anyone get the lowest price right away from their TA that they ALWAYS book with? I usually do that compete thing to see what lower price it out there. I then call my TA that I usually use. If she doesn't quote me that price, I feel that she isn't doing her best for me. I don't feel that I should have to play the price war with someone I have done business with. What do you think? Do you tell them you got a lower price, or just go to the one that gave the best price?

[cdngrl]

i talked to a ta this week from a well known agency. when i said to her that i know princess allows ta's to discount their cruises she said "well we don't, we don't raise the price either". when i asked why i would use their agency when its the same price as the princess website i got the old run around about service blah blah blah. i said thanks for the information. its too bad there are fewer good agents than bad out there.

[Toto2Kansas]

You should not have to present the TA you deal with other prices you have found, hoping they will meet or beat them. You need to keep looking until you find one that offers you the best price available to begin with. Many TA's out there do not discount Princess Pricing, even though it is within their means to do so, and that is their choice. Sometimes it can be a long process finding the right TA that both discounts and has great service, but they are out there. And they discount the price right from the start, plus often add other incentives such as shipboard credit as well as other small gifts.

If you find a TA that quotes you the same price you find on the Princess website, thank them nicely and just keep looking as you haven't found what you are looking for yet. ;) Best of Luck!

[bucky7680]

On our upcomining cruise my TA's price was $300pp less than Princess Plus a $75 OBC pc.

[bhopal21]

On our upcomining cruise my TA's price was $300pp less than Princess Plus a $75 OBC pc.

 

The savings will depend on the category of cabin you book; but the percentage of savings should be about the same.

 

Mike:)

[GreySkies]

From what the TA said that I spoke with yesterday: This TA can't discount the trip as much as an online website did because the online site probably did a group booking and is now looking to sell those cabins. The TA also didn't charge a fee saying that the fee is actually paid to the company from Princess itself.

 

All of that said, I went with the TA because 1) Personalized service, 2) Open on weekends, 3) Gave tips on how to save some extra money like not using the transfer in Ft. Lauderdale, and 4) Cost was only ~$250 more than the least expensive online site. To me, all of the above was well worth the extra money because I know the TA will be available if there are any issues that come up.

 

GreySkies

[1 HappyCruiser]

I've been consistently using the same TA for the past 15 cruises & they've always had the best price. I also compare their price to local TA's & other online TA's & they've never been out-priced yet. They also offer cabin credit on most trips & as far as I'm concerned that's better than any cheap wine sent to my cabin or some useless travel bag that we've already got a closet full.

They can also keep they're coupon book with that special coffee coupon.

Give me cash up front & a decent price.

[bhopal21]

I've been consistently using the same TA for the past 15 cruises & they've always had the best price. I also compare their price to local TA's & other online TA's & they've never been out-priced yet. They also offer cabin credit on most trips & as far as I'm concerned that's better than any cheap wine sent to my cabin or some useless travel bag that we've already got a closet full.

They can also keep they're coupon book with that special coffee coupon.

Give me cash up front & a decent price.

 

I can't disagree with that.;)

 

Mike:)

[One4gip]

A good TA can really assist in making your cruise extra special and save you money as well. The TA we use specializes in Princess Cruises and recently was able to quote us a mini-suite that was $340 pp cheaper than Princess or any other Cruise Agent. We saved $700 total plus received $85 on-board credit, 2 coupon books, and a bottle wine.

[Lynda90]

From what the TA said that I spoke with yesterday: This TA can't discount the trip as much as an online website did because the online site probably did a group booking and is now looking to sell those cabins. The TA also didn't charge a fee saying that the fee is actually paid to the company from Princess itself.

 

All of that said, I went with the TA because 1) Personalized service, 2) Open on weekends, 3) Gave tips on how to save some extra money like not using the transfer in Ft. Lauderdale, and 4) Cost was only ~$250 more than the least expensive online site. To me, all of the above was well worth the extra money because I know the TA will be available if there are any issues that come up.

 

GreySkies

You should be receiving all that you mention plus a discounted rate if you are truly using a Princess, high volume TA. It's actually to your benefit to find a TA with a group booking as they can get you the best rate, obc and other perks. "Cost was only $250 more...", and that doesn't tell you something?? To each his own, but you could be doing a lot better. Also, I have no idea what "fee to Princess" your TA is talking about. Shop around!

[TracieABD]

I used to book myself on the Princess Website.

 

Finally found a great TA. She was able to discount our cruise just shy of $500 and we will receive an additional $100 in OBC for the cabin. Oh! and it was easier. Now that I am on file, a 5 minute phone call is all that I need to do. I like anything that will save me time and money!

 

That's it! I'm sold!:)

[karinad]

Yes, I think I'm going to do some shopping for a new TA! I don't need my hand held, or the cruise explained, etc. I know what I want when I call. I just want the best price. Right now, I have my cruise booked with Princess, my air is also booked to FLL. The reason I had started using her was because a few yrs. ago she did give me a better price right off the bat. Last June we had a 4 night cruise booked through her and had to cancel because of the death of my daughter very suddenly. The cruise was going in 2 wks. I booked the travel ins. on my own, but she did very little to assist with the cancellation of the cruise. I didn't hear a word from her after that. I guess there was no need.

[TracieABD]

Yes, I think I'm going to do some shopping for a new TA! I don't need my hand held, or the cruise explained, etc. I know what I want when I call. I just want the best price. Right now, I have my cruise booked with Princess, my air is also booked to FLL. The reason I had started using her was because a few yrs. ago she did give me a better price right off the bat. Last June we had a 4 night cruise booked through her and had to cancel because of the death of my daughter very suddenly. The cruise was going in 2 wks. I booked the travel ins. on my own, but she did very little to assist with the cancellation of the cruise. I didn't hear a word from her after that. I guess there was no need.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am also sorry that your TA did not step up and help out when the rest of your world was in turmoil. My heart goes out to your and your family.

[TravelinAround]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. I'm a TA and I'd much rather work with someone who truly needs my help rather be an order taker. My favorite clients are first-timers who have a lot of newbie questions.That said, you are more likely to get the best prices from an agency who does high volume Princess and books blocks of rooms. That's where the deals come from. We can book "groups" of cabins and then sell them to general public. With as much training as we have to do for each cruise line and each of their ships, it's no fun when the first thing out of someone's mouth on the phone is "what's the cheapest price you have"? I'm probably in the minority on this but I feel like TA's are for service, the Internet is for bargain basement deals.

[TracieABD]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. I'm a TA and I'd much rather work with someone who truly needs my help rather be an order taker. My favorite clients are first-timers who have a lot of newbie questions.That said, you are more likely to get the best prices from an agency who does high volume Princess and books blocks of rooms. That's where the deals come from. We can book "groups" of cabins and then sell them to general public. With as much training as we have to do for each cruise line and each of their ships, it's no fun when the first thing out of someone's mouth on the phone is "what's the cheapest price you have"? I'm probably in the minority on this but I feel like TA's are for service, the Internet is for bargain basement deals.

 

Actually, I prefer both: the best price and great service. I am hoping they are not mutually exclusive.:)

[greenbar]

I must be the beneficiary of a mistake or a very fine TA because I just booked a cruise where my price was less than 1/2 what the Princess site is showing for the exact same category of cabin. The cruise is about 11 months out.

[xeroxme]

This board is always great for advice and there is always some extremely experienced cruisers willing to point us in the right direction. That said I book directly with the cruiseline because I have not found a difference. These great TA's you speak of, will they be local TA's in your hometown or are the online agencies.

I hope this question is acceptable to be asked since I'm not asking for names.

 

Thanks again to you 40+ cruisers for all your post!

[Cruise Junky]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. I'm a TA and I'd much rather work with someone who truly needs my help rather be an order taker. My favorite clients are first-timers who have a lot of newbie questions.That said, you are more likely to get the best prices from an agency who does high volume Princess and books blocks of rooms. That's where the deals come from. We can book "groups" of cabins and then sell them to general public. With as much training as we have to do for each cruise line and each of their ships, it's no fun when the first thing out of someone's mouth on the phone is "what's the cheapest price you have"? I'm probably in the minority on this but I feel like TA's are for service, the Internet is for bargain basement deals.

 

Why would you want to deal with someone that doesn't know what they want rather than someone who phones you and says..Book this cabin, on this ship, late dinner, here's my money? Really? you'd pass that up? Yeah, I'd hate it when I get easy work :rolleyes:

[Coral]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. .

 

I disagree with you.

 

I am an experienced cruiser but I want a real travel agent (not an online agency) for her expertise and in case something goes wrong. I want a real person fighting for me.

 

My agent specializes in experienced cruisers so we don't need our hands held during the booking process (and she discounts her cruises) but I am not going to spend thousands on a vacation and not have a specialist in my court.

[Coral]

These great TA's you speak of, will they be local TA's in your hometown or are the online agencies.

I hope this question is acceptable to be asked since I'm not asking for names.

 

I use an agent who specializes in cruises and does high volume. She lives across the country from me but is very accessible via email or phone. I would not trust a vacation that I am spending thousands on to an online agency. If something goes wrong, I want a specialist to help me. I won't get that from an online agency. My agent discounts so it is like booking with an online agent but is a real person who answers her phone. Sort of like the best of both worlds IMO.