Booking Shore Excursions while using a TA?

[rbp3072]

I've never used a TA for a cruise, (only once when I flew with a co-worker/friend for a personal trip to Prague....which was awesome)...anyway....

 

If I transfer my upcoming cruises to a TA, (whether it's a full-service 'Brick & Mortar' that I'm looking at, or simply a 'Big Box Member' place), how do shore excursion work?

 

I understand that since I haven't made final payment, I can transfer everything over and get any OBC/perks the TA is offering, I'm basically just paying them now. I am highly interested in this, as the Big Box has a very hefty OBC for my upcoming TA. It is VERY generous, haha.

 

But, can I still log in in to HAL and purchase my shore excursions? Or can I log in, but just not buy them, and have to tell my TA what I want? Or can I not even log in and see what excursions they have once I transfer it over to a TA?

 

I'm not sure even a hefty OBC is worth it if I have to give up being able to log in myself and at least see what's out there and read the reviews on HAL.

[Vict0riann]

We use a travel agent, and we always book our own shore excursions, both before the cruise and while on board. Occasionally, our TA has inquired if we want a HAL transfer, but other than that, she has never mentioned shore excursions, wine or spa packages, etc.

[jtl513]

We also use a TA and book our excursions ourselves. To find out what excursions are available you don't even need to be booked. Start doing a dummy booking and when you get to the point where it shows the itinerary, above the Day and Date columns you'll see a View Shore Excursions blue button. Click that and you get a pdf showing actual prices. Of course if you look at a cruise too far out it will generally not be ready yet.

 

To book one, just log into HAL, go to My Account > My Reservations > Purchase Excursions

Edited May 15, 2014 by jtl513

[summersigh]

We always use a TA.

Once you have a booking number (and paid a deposit) go to the tab on the HAL site FOR BOOKED GUESTS - you can book any excursions, drink packages, spa etc etc on your own (which to me is a lot more fun than having my TA do it) :D

[CruiserBruce]

Using a TA or not doesn't impact how you book excursions. As mentioned above, once you are booked, have your booking number, and the excursions are available, you can book them at the HAL website.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We use a TA for booking only the cruises.

Everything else I do -- book airlines, book hotels, limos. etc.

On HAL site I book our excursions, specialty restaurants, alcohol for the cabin, etc.

[Big Al B.]

We also use the TA for booking cruise, air, etc., but do our own shore excursions. She is one I have used for years and I think either there is no commission on the excursions or if there is, she gets it due to booking being connected to her. I remember I did ask her and she said go ahead :).

[OCruisers]

You book your shore excursions when using a TA exactly the same way you would not using a TA. :)

LuLu

[rbp3072]

Thanks much everyone! I will definitely be transferring over my future bookings to get some extra OBC applied. Yay me!