Does the TA kick-in Pre-Paid Gratitudes?

[caroak]

I was told by our TA that we would not be getting any pre-paid gratitudes on the Oceania cruise we just booked. We booked our last cruise on Crystal with the same TA and received pre-paid gratitudes plus an extra shipboard credit. I was under the impression that it was a perk from the TA or the TA's agency and not a perk from the cruise line itself. If that's the case, I would have to wonder why we're not getting any extras on this cruise.

[Mr_Cruise]

What an agency can get as amenities for their client's reservations on any given ship varies from departure to departure mostly at the discretion of the cruise line. There are a lot of rules and restrictions.

 

If possible perks are more important to you than other aspects of the trip such as the departure date or itinerary etc, then perhaps in the future you may want to start with asking your TA which sailings qualify for what extras.

[LHT28]

I am guessing that the TA does not kick in the Gratuities out of their agency pocket book ;)

So maybe an incentive from the cruise lines

[Archie's Mom]

I recently booked two O cruises. While looking around at different TAs, I noticed that one TA I had used in 2009 was offering shipboard credit and pre=paid gratuities for cruise A while my regular TA was not. But my regular TA was offering spa credit if I used a certain credit card. Neither TA offered anything for the second cruise, but I found an agent online offering gratuities and SBC. So if I know where I want to go and when, I have no problem looking for the best deal, interviewing that TA, looking at their bona fides and then booking.

[Dreps]

As was suggested by the various reponses, in general, TA-provided perks vary across cruise lines they book and across cruises for a given cruise line. That's why we choose to deal with a TA who always gives a minimum of 5% off the cruise line's "best" cruise fare and often additional perks, such as onboard ship credits (some of which may be tied directly to the cruise line while others are tired directly to the agency) and further discounts on escorted cruises. While it pays to shop around, I would qualify that and say that it is even more important to find a TA that is very familiar with the cruise line that you are booking.

[wripro]

It might also depend on the amount of the total booking as the agent's commission depends on that. The higher the amount the more commission he makes and the more latitude he has to give you prepaid gratuities.

[john2003]

I believe that the TA typically arranges a "group" on Oceania which then gives them pre-paid gratuities and perhaps other benefits. Oceania may not agree to the group, hence no prepaid gratuities. That is my understanding but I stand to be corrected!

[hondorner]

I believe that the TA typically arranges a "group" on Oceania which then gives them pre-paid gratuities and perhaps other benefits. Oceania may not agree to the group, hence no prepaid gratuities. That is my understanding but I stand to be corrected!

My agent has arranged my pre-paid gratuities on some cruises, and I have never been a part of a "group". On other cruises, he has provided shipboard credit, sometimes enough to pay for gratuities.

 

On the March transAtlantic I had to cancel 2 days before sailing because of a small stroke, I would have received prepaid gratuities, $950 in shipboard credit and a complimentary bottle of wine in addition to the champagne provided in Concierge class. Part of those perks were provided directly by Oceania ($500 of the shipboard credit), part were incentives Oceania provided to the agency, and part was from the goodwill of the agency.

[Dreps]

My only further comment is that one is not always aware if they are part of a "group." My understanding is that it does not have to be any type of formal "group." It just has to be a requisite number of clients.

[Paulchili]

My only further comment is that one is not always aware if they are part of a "group." My understanding is that it does not have to be any type of formal "group." It just has to be a requisite number of clients.

 

That is correct.

[PaulMCO]

And then some agencies give you a larger discount on the cruise itself rather than grats or OBC. Again it is the bottom line as far as total price.

[calvin81]

I would think it might vary based on how the TA's business is. My TA admitted that bookings were down this year because of the ecomony. The first cruise she offered us pre-paid gratuities ($300) and onboard credit of $200. This year was only an onboard credit of $200, which we'll use towards the gratuities (leaving the balance for us). She's been great in general and was very helpful last year getting a payment promptly from the trip insurance company after an illness onboard necessitated a costly trip to the ship's doctor. So I didn't look for a "better" deal. Perhaps her O bookings were down and they didn't extend the $300 to her, but I'm sure most TA's are struggling in this economy.