Travel Agent vs Booking with Regent Directly

[Kruz Guys]

Is there any true advantage booking a Regent cruise through a TA versus directly with Regent?

 

With other cruise lines I've usually booked directly. When I have used a TA, I didn't see any real advantage.

 

Perhaps Regent is different????? :confused:

 

Thanks.

 

Kruz Guys

Stephen and Tom ;)

[shemansl]

Regent has a new policy for transfers. Unless you booked this before the policy took affect, you need to transfer within 30 days. I have always booked directly with Regent and transferred just before final payment so that I could contact them directly if I had issues with my restaurant or excursion reservations. I can't do that anymore. I use a Virtuoso agent who gives me lots of nice stuff depending on the booking. They are limited to how much they're allowed to offer per Regent policy.

[Kruz Guys]

Regent has a new policy for transfers. Unless you booked this before the policy took affect, you need to transfer within 30 days. I have always booked directly with Regent and transferred just before final payment so that I could contact them directly if I had issues with my restaurant or excursion reservations. I can't do that anymore. I use a Virtuoso agent who gives me lots of nice stuff depending on the booking. They are limited to how much they're allowed to offer per Regent policy.

 

 

This is good information. Interesting about the limits placed on TA's by Regency. Thanks for sharing. :D

[WesW]

Kruz Guys/Stephen & Tom,

 

We are moderately experienced cruisers and DIY most of our cruise plans beginning with direct booking with Silversea or Regent (allows us instant selection of cabin availability) and the opportunity to develop a relationship with the SS and Regent pros and helps them by giving them credit for making a booking with a client. We've found they also give us heads up on impending sales, release of new itineraries, and help solve cruise line specific problems. We also do our own transportation/hotelarrangements (air, pre cruise hotel stay).

 

Shortly after our direct booking we have the SS or Regent pro transfer the booking to our TA at no effect to their commission. Thus, we now have good relationships with both a cruise line pro and our TA--we find this enables our pre, during and post cruise travel plans. We find having two pro's (Regent/SS, and our TA) to help us with cruise related ?, is simply invaluable.

[Kruz Guys]

Kruz Guys/Stephen & Tom,

 

We are moderately experienced cruisers and DIY most of our cruise plans beginning with direct booking with Silversea or Regent (allows us instant selection of cabin availability) and the opportunity to develop a relationship with the SS and Regent pros and helps them by giving them credit for making a booking with a client. We've found they also give us heads up on impending sales, release of new itineraries, and help solve cruise line specific problems. We also do our own transportation/hotelarrangements (air, pre cruise hotel stay).

 

Shortly after our direct booking we have the SS or Regent pro transfer the booking to our TA at no effect to their commission. Thus, we now have good relationships with both a cruise line pro and our TA--we find this enables our pre, during and post cruise travel plans. We find having two pro's (Regent/SS, and our TA) to help us with cruise related ?, is simply invaluable.

 

What a good idea. That may be the way we'll go this time around.

Thanks!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

TA's often provide cash rebates instead of obc's. This is a major advantage over booking direct.

 

The other thing is that a knowledgeable TA will steer you away from a bad cabin, while the cruise line itself might not, because it's trying to fill the ship.

[Host Dan]

A gentle reminder folks. Its against CC guidelines to specifically name a TA.

 

Host Dan

[nana541]

Oh my this subject has so so much info to be found on the Regent Boards....use the search function.....you will get a real education, and information that is valuable enough to pay for a nice vacation.

 

Bottom line book with a Luxury TA!! You will not regret the the time it takes to learn more, nor the effort to figure out who you should be booking with!

 

Oh and remember because of Cruise Critic rules we are not allowed to give the names of the actual TA's......you get to figure it out yourself! :)

[Kruz Guys]

I appreciate all of the information on TAs. Good stuff.

Thanks

[Host Dan]

To be SPECIFIC on CC guidelines regarding travel agent discussions on the boards:

 

There shall be no third-party recommendation (whether positive or negative in content) of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic. General discussions regarding the TYPE of AGENCY to be used to purchase a cruise will be allowed, as long as no recommendations for any source of purchase are posted.

Touting of your personal cruise agent or cruise line "personal cruise consultant" (or any other venue by which you purchase a cruise) is not allowed on our message boards. Postings that contain "tell them John sent you" will be removed without notice.

 

This means you should not ask about someone's travel agent, nor should you respond in kind. Offering to email someone your travel agent's name or info is also not allowed, nor is asking members to email you for the information.

 

Cruise Critic will remove violations of the "third-party recommendation" guideline without warning. Additional posts may result in permanent suspension of your posting privileges.

 

 

I hope this clears up any mis-understandings.

 

Host Dan

[Travelcat2]

Host Dan, are we still permitted to recommend consortiums?:confused:

[Host Dan]

Host Dan, are we still permitted to recommend consortiums?:confused:

Yes, consortiums are fine.

 

Host Dan

[nana541]

Didn't I say that.....