Travel agent really against Carnival? New cruiser questions

[swedish weave]

You can't lose either way. It's what you personally want. I took a 10 on Royal this pass March, am booked on Royal again in October and booked on Carnival in December. As a solo cruiser at times Royal is an advantage because they only charge 150% ( same with Princess) if I book solo. Carnival and NCL will charge 200%. I enjoy both lines and look forward to Celebrity some day (RCI line). Good luck.

 

Are you saying that NCL is charging 200% for the solo cabins on the Epic ??? I haven't heard that, and frankly I don't believe it. Can you clear this up ???:eek:

[swedish weave]

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Quote:

Originally Posted by swedish weave

Many who post on CC say the cruise lines are similar and in many cases, Carnival is better. What are you actually getting for the extra money you would pay on RCI?

 

 

I believe that without exception, every main stream cruise line has found many ways to cut corners over the last 12 years at the expense of quality and making a cruise more than just a vacation. But I also believe that Carnival has been the leader in doing this trying to appeal to the mass, budget-minded market who in some cases, only view the ship as a conveyance to get them from port to port.

 

At the same time, the worst MDR food we ever had was on Celebrity and the absolute most enjoyable casino we ever experienced was on the Carnival Spirit. I believe that there are pluses and minus to every cruise line.

 

However we had friends who were travel agents and as far back as 2000, vowed they would not book passengers on Carnival for many reasons. Can you imagine how much time travel agents must have wasted dealing with the absurd fiascos Carnival created just this year with all their mishaps and cancellations? Who would waste their time with such an unreliable product and dealing with the aftermath of so much confusion?

 

Richard ------

I still don't know what RCL gives you that makes it worth the additional cost. Can you give me details ?

[missdebi]

We did a WDW vacation at Christmas with my DD and family this was booked through a TA because of a few perks that we received. While I was there making a payment we talked about cruises, I only book through Carnival now after finally figuring out I was not getting the best pricing from my TA, she was "floored" that we have only done Carnival she keep asking what do you like about them? We explained that we enjoyed Carnival and had been satisfied with our experience, she made it very clear that she was NOT a fan. It is truly a matter of opinion and choice. I will stick with Carnival and their PVP's as long as we can afford it and our expectations are met!

[C Cruise Dude]

Are you saying that NCL is charging 200% for the solo cabins on the Epic ??? I haven't heard that, and frankly I don't believe it. Can you clear this up ???:eek:

 

Epic is the exception, if you book other NCl ships, you pay 200% (double occupancy). If I understand correctly, maybe others can address it, Epic has a limited number of cabins for solo cruisers.

[firefly333]

Epic is the exception, if you book other NCl ships, you pay 200% (double occupancy). If I understand correctly, maybe others can address it, Epic has a limited number of cabins for solo cruisers.

 

On my cruise the insides are $699 pp for instance and the solo cabins, 100 s.f, for solos are $999 so, even if they dont charge a solo supplement, its still more than booking a regular rate if you are sharing a cabin.

[nycruiser80]

Travel Agents are salespeople. They are out to make money. Don't think for one minute they are there to help you out or get you "the deal"

 

This is 2013, and nobody needs them anymore...

 

 

I was a travel agent for 10 years and it is true all people in sales are out to make money including cruise lines and any business for that matter. If a business doesn't make money they can't operate. But being a former travel agent I can tell you that NOT all travel agents work on commission. In fact during my 10 years in travel I was a salaried agent. I sold cruises based on what fit a client. While many mass market lines are similar they are also different. When I worked as an agent I always would suggest certain cruise lines to certain people but I would book ultimately what the client wanted. Then again people who use travel agents many times are looking for suggestions not just deals.

 

Despite it being 2013 people do in fact use travel agents. During the last few years of my career in travel I worked for a luxury travel agency (again as a salaried agent). During my tenure there I learned a great deal about luxury travel and the luxury traveler. What I learned was that luxury travel agents are in very hot demand. People who fork over $300,000 for one Seabourn cruise do not want to arrange a trip on their own nor have the time to do so. The clients we had were CEO's, VP's and execs of companies as well as some politicians and celebrities (their assistants would work with us). And quite honestly these people do not hang out on cruise board such as this fine one (no disrespect to anyone, I hang out on here too). My point is the traditional local travel agency that sold any type of travel for bargain prices is out. Cruise prices are set by the cruise lines so whether you book direct or with an agent it is the same but many travel agents add goodies like OBC to sweeten the pot. What is in is specialty travel agents like luxury travel. I am still in touch with my former co-workers at the luxury agency I used to work for and they are swarming with business. In fact my former boss just opened a 3rd office in suburban NYC. The landscape has changed but travel agents are still around offering that extra back up you sometimes may need.

[Warm Breezes]

Hi,

We've taken one cruise last Christmas with Carnival on the Freedom and we had a great time! There were some things we didn't enjoy (Mainly the crowds at pools and really noisy in our room) however over all we had a great time! We're thinking of another cruise in 2014 and called the same cruise agent who helped us with this cruise and she is REALLY pushing Royal Caribbean over Carnival... I've been on their boards and website and I just can't see that it's worth $700 more... Just wondering what your thoughts are here? We're looking at the Dream or Breeze for Carnival 8 nights and Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean ship. We have 2 boys, ages 10 and 7 with my husband and myself. Thank you!!!

 

We would love to try Royal too....but you are having the same issue I have. Whenever we compare what the options are for the time and itinerary we want, Royal is too high to justify over our other options. With the options you have and the price difference it would be Carnival for me...especially since we haven't been on any of those ships yet so they would be a new experience for us on Carnival.

[Warm Breezes]

I know it is never about ME either. New clients do not know what they do not know. I never believe a customer knows what they want even when they say they do. Sales 101.

 

Wow....that would irritate me. I always know exactly what I want when it comes time to book my cruise. Someone trying to talk me into something else instead of doing what I wanted would lose my business.