Seabourn Commissions

[DUHCAR]

My TA wants to send commission rebate after cruise. On other lines we had it deducted from the final payment. Have things changed? When does Seabourne send out the commission to the agents?

[markham]

I have no idea how Seabourn's agent commission structure works and I won't ask. Nor would I want to hang about for any TA to get back to me after a cruise with some type of rebate either. I book, pay and cruise.

 

So what's new? And on a related note why not go to another SPECIALIST TA in your market and get a net price for the same cruise? Seems like a good time to consider switching and thereby retain control over your cruise expenses.

 

Happy sailing!

[DUHCAR]

The TA says that they don't get paid until the cruise sails, so I can see their point. But I agree with OP about getting things straight up front.

[dalliowner]

The other side is TA`S want full payment many weeks in advance but do not pay the cruise companies until much nearer departure.

[Bostonactor]

My travel agent takes my credit card number and I see on my statement that the charges, both for the deposit and the final payment, are made DIRECTLY BY SEABOURN. I never see what the commission is....that is strictly between Seabourn and my agent. What I get is a very handsome OBC from the agent. You should not be in the middle of this. If I were you, I would look for a high-end travel agent who deals only with luxury travel. They make the best deals for their clients and not just for cruises, but for hotels as well. I know, because we have one..... she takes care of every detail. When the price of our booking dropped twice, she obtained the new price for us immediately, each time. All I have to worry about is packing.

[wripro]

The TA does not set the final payment date. Seabourn does, usually 90 days prior to sailing except for longer cruises which are 120 prior.

[DUHCAR]

What I get is a very handsome OBC from the agent. You should not be in the middle of this. If I were you, I would look for a high-end travel agent who deals only with luxury travel. They make the best deals for their clients and not just for cruises, but for hotels as well. I know, because we have one..... she takes care of every detail. When the price of our booking dropped twice, she obtained the new price for us immediately, each time. All I have to worry about is packing.

 

I'd rather have the cash. I couldn't spend the 13% on board.

[wripro]

Duhcar,

 

You must be from the UK. No U.S. TA gets a high enough commission to be able to rebate 13%. Then again, your deposits are nonrefundable.

[Skeezics]

My agent sends a "reward" two weeks before sailing..amount is stated on my initial booking, as is the date for the rebate.

[Bostonactor]

I don't know the amount you pay for your cruise, whether or not it is discounted, nor the amount you receive back from your TA in cash, but the OBC was used, once on board, to refund back to my credit card ALL shore excursions for which I had prepaid, so shore excursions cost nothing. In addition, it also paid for a lot of laundry, which is nice on a 14-day cruise, plus spa treatments. I'd say that's a good deal.

[Love transatlantics]

i agree a price with Seaborn on board then my TA reduces the price I pay by 12.5 % and I get the OB 5%. I cant believe people pay the price Seaborn quote. True my deposit is non refundable ,but I do not book unless I know I will go, if I am ill and cannot travel my insurance refunds my deposit. I do not have to pay untill about 10 weeks before sailing.

[Roxburgh]

Duhcar,

 

You must be from the UK. No U.S. TA gets a high enough commission to be able to rebate 13%. Then again, your deposits are nonrefundable.

 

My TA received approximately 12% in commission from Seabourn for our last cruise. I know this because he accidentally sent me the wrong document ;) and the commission was stated on it.

[DUHCAR]

I'd rather have the cash. I couldn't spend the 13% on board.

 

I was kidding. I can only get 10% off with U.S. agencies and even less in Canada. Sigh.

 

Now I'm jealous of the UKers. They have the Spice Girls and 13% :-)

[Love transatlantics]

Now I'm jealous of the UKers. They have the Spice Girls and 13% :-)

 

 

You can have the Spice Girls with pleasure :)

[margbem]

Now I'm jealous of the UKers. They have the Spice Girls and 13% :-)

 

 

You can have the Spice Girls with pleasure :)

 

Agreed!

[FKGirl]

As a TA, I can tell you this: US agents don't get 13% on luxury lines like Seabourn (I have no idea what other happens in other countries), and the agency typically takes a portion from the agent. The commission is generally paid after the guests sail.

 

Also, I would not trust any agent that takes a payment and then pays the cruise line at a later date. I always pay the cruise line with the guest's credit card (so no money comes directly to, or through, me).

[Roxburgh]

As a TA, I can tell you this: US agents don't get 13% on luxury lines like Seabourn (I have no idea what other happens in other countries), and the agency typically takes a portion from the agent. The commission is generally paid after the guests sail.

 

Also, I would not trust any agent that takes a payment and then pays the cruise line at a later date. I always pay the cruise line with the guest's credit card (so no money comes directly to, or through, me).

 

In my own case, my TA was paid a 'Base' and an 'Override'. I have no idea what these terms refer to but the total amounted to around 12% of the cost of the cruise. My TA accidentally forwarded the agency copy of the guest confirmation which is how I know the numbers.

 

All payments to Seabourn were made with my credit card (or that of my wife).

 

Personally, I think it is a pretty good fee considering that I could easily do the whole thing myself. I would happily book direct if Seabourn was willing to offer me the equivalent of an 6% - 8% reduction plus the on-board discount.

 

Now this is a bit of a rant ...... but ....... to date, I have used two different TAs to book Seabourn cruises. Neither have offered any real service other than acting as a middleman. The only benefit I have got from them is either a Virtuoso tour or some on-board credit. In one case, the TA screwed up some visas, charged me for the privilege and I had to fix the problem myself and at my own cost.

 

I would like to find a TA that is:

1) administratively competent

2) understands that I do care how much I pay for flights, transfers and hotels

3) is proactive when it comes to making recommendations

4) is capable of handling complex travel arrangements

 

For example, on my upcoming cruise in the Med, I was able to find business class flights to/from Europe plus flights in Europe for about $3500 cheaper than my TA was coming up with. That pays for my hotels in Venice and Istanbul (which I found myself with the help of the nice people on this board).

 

If the TAs cannot do the job then fine. Give me the commission and I will do it myself.

 

Rant over.

[DUHCAR]

I agree. I expect a good rebate as I do all the legwork myself now that we something called the Internet. All a TA has to do for me is book the cruise with Seabourn and write down my Visa number.

 

I'd love to be able to book directly with a cruise company and receive a discount. Instead the industry is going the opposite way by mandating that agencies only publish the full fares and restrict any rebates to 5%.

 

And I really don't know why agencies get 70% of the commission.

[Roxburgh]

I agree. I expect a good rebate as I do all the legwork myself now that we something called the Internet. All a TA has to do for me is book the cruise with Seabourn and write down my Visa number.

 

I'd love to be able to book directly with a cruise company and receive a discount. Instead the industry is going the opposite way by mandating that agencies only publish the full fares and restrict any rebates to 5%.

 

And I really don't know why agencies get 70% of the commission.

 

You know ..... this internet thing ...... it's never going to catch on :D:D:D

 

Copyright: the cruise industry.

[FKGirl]

In my own case, my TA was paid a 'Base' and an 'Override'. I have no idea what these terms refer to but the total amounted to around 12% of the cost of the cruise. My TA accidentally forwarded the agency copy of the guest confirmation which is how I know the numbers.

 

All payments to Seabourn were made with my credit card (or that of my wife).

 

Personally, I think it is a pretty good fee considering that I could easily do the whole thing myself. I would happily book direct if Seabourn was willing to offer me the equivalent of an 6% - 8% reduction plus the on-board discount.

 

Now this is a bit of a rant ...... but ....... to date, I have used two different TAs to book Seabourn cruises. Neither have offered any real service other than acting as a middleman. The only benefit I have got from them is either a Virtuoso tour or some on-board credit. In one case, the TA screwed up some visas, charged me for the privilege and I had to fix the problem myself and at my own cost.

 

I would like to find a TA that is:

1) administratively competent

2) understands that I do care how much I pay for flights, transfers and hotels

3) is proactive when it comes to making recommendations

4) is capable of handling complex travel arrangements

 

For example, on my upcoming cruise in the Med, I was able to find business class flights to/from Europe plus flights in Europe for about $3500 cheaper than my TA was coming up with. That pays for my hotels in Venice and Istanbul (which I found myself with the help of the nice people on this board).

 

If the TAs cannot do the job then fine. Give me the commission and I will do it myself.

 

Rant over.

 

Believe me, I get it. First I will tell you that an override is typically an extra commission that the agency receives for booking a certain number of cabins (of spends a certain amount, etc)... Anyway, to your points:

1) Most people are administratively incompetent, and TAs are no exception. That being said, there are still a few people who pay attention to details!

2) Regardless of how much money you have, or are willing to spend, you should always get the best deal for your circumstance. Period. (Understanding that the best deal may be more convenience, and therefore more money, or perhaps a slightly flexible schedule can save big bucks on pieces of the trip).

3) and 4) Well, I just agree with you...

 

For example, a client traveling on another cruise line is going to and from Rome, where the transfers are pricey due to the distance. I typically do not recommend going with cruise line hotels for pre- or post- because they are generally outrageous. In this case, the high hotel cost which "includes" transfers, air deviation, etc is slightly less than piecing it all together myself with a shared transfer. BUT, it is MY responsibility to find that our and do that legwork, not my client's!

 

The question of "rebating" a commission is also a sticky one... When I have clients traveling on the Royal Caribbean or Celebrity-type lines I generally give them a small token of appreciation as an onboard credit, but never promise anything specific ahead of time. Why? because often times the prices go down before final payment, so I will get them the reduced rate, thereby lowering my commission (to almost nothing, sometimes!). If I can do it, though, I always do!

[wripro]

There are mediocre singers and there is Renee Fleming. There are mediocre TAs and excellent ones who take care of one's entire trip. Most importantly, they are there to clean up the mess if anything should go wrong during the trip. You don't pay one penny more for your suite than if you were to book yourself so how much commission a TA earns is no one's business but his/her own imo. Would you go into Saks or Neimans and demand part of the profit they are making on a piece of apparel you are buying?

 

If anyone feels they are better off just booking on their own they should do so. I just hope they never need an advocate because if there is a problem whose side do you think SB will take? jmo.