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Poor TA service

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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Posted (edited)
Some of those bigger type chains really go out of their way to push you the cruise line that gives them the biggest commissions or insentive's. So obvious that it's sickening (it's why I left them also).

 

Looks like you found yourself a good alternative.

 

Certainly for this cruise ;)

 

Your TA sounds like a real gem too.

 

Now I've found this website, where there is so much useful info and advice, a TA would have to be really spectacular to be of any use.

 

I tend to do most of our travel bookings myself, although I had to use a TA for our recent India trip. Our seven week UK and Ireland trip last year was a challenge, 30 separate acommodation bookings, plus flights, trains, a ferry, some pre-booked sightseeing, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and a special meal at a Michelin 3 star restaurant, mostly all done online with a few phone calls. Think I could get a job as a TA?

Edited by OzKiwiJJ
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Billy and Charlie's Mum

Billy and Charlie's Mum

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I also am very happy with my TA. I've gone through many of the main brands at one time or another - hopeless. Was recommended my current TA a few years ago. She is brilliant. A cruise specialist. 7 days a week, any time day or night. Immediate responses, or notifed of when if she is with a client. Always looked after with pricing OBC, extra little onboard gifts etc. Has her finger on the pulse and notified of any problems before anyone else hears of them (even before the cruise line notifiy's me again) etc. A smaller personalised boutique type service from a person who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the cruise industry.

 

Good TA's are out there. We can't promote them on the forum, but they are out there. Keep looking.....:)

 

Gee I wish I could find your TA. We just ditched our Aussie TA because the one we have dealt with for a few years left the company and we were handed over to the manager..... what a dill brain! Stuffed up a couple of cruises on us. We will not be going back and in actual fact we booked the last two cruises direct with Princess. I knew what I wanted so I just told them what to book, when to book etc. I can change my mind and give the booking to any TA I want in the future. At the moment I will leave it in Princesses hands though unless I find a really good TA in the meantime.

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Billy and Charlie's Mum

Billy and Charlie's Mum

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Certainly for this cruise ;)

 

Your TA sounds like a real gem too.

 

Now I've found this website, where there is so much useful info and advice, a TA would have to be really spectacular to be of any use.

 

I tend to do most of our travel bookings myself, although I had to use a TA for our recent India trip. Our seven week UK and Ireland trip last year was a challenge, 30 separate acommodation bookings, plus flights, trains, a ferry, some pre-booked sightseeing, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and a special meal at a Michelin 3 star restaurant, mostly all done online with a few phone calls. Think I could get a job as a TA?

 

Yep I do all our travel bookings myself... have just finished all the organising for our British and TA trips. Lots of tours, flights, car and B&B bookings apart from the cruise bookings. I love it!

 

Maybe we could set up a TA together? :D

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Kiwi Kruzer

Kiwi Kruzer

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As of 1 July this year you no longer need to be "licensed" to run your own agency.... so nothing stopping anyone :D:D

 

So we are in some very interesting times then....:D

that should open a tin of worms.

Even more reason for buyers to beware.

 

 

 

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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Yep I do all our travel bookings myself... have just finished all the organising for our British and TA trips. Lots of tours' date=' flights, car and B&B bookings apart from the cruise bookings. I love it!

 

Maybe we could set up a TA together? :D[/quote']

 

I suspect I'd go off the idea rapidly after the first client that wanted everything changed over and over. :D :p

 

But I do enjoy booking my own travel, it's part of the fun of the trip for me. Our UK & Ireland trip went very smoothly, we only had one disappointment - a tour in Ireland where they had lost our booking :( However we managed to see almost all the places we wanted to and had some amazing experiences along the way.

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Lanwood

Lanwood

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Yep I do all our travel bookings myself... have just finished all the organising for our British and TA trips. Lots of tours' date=' flights, car and B&B bookings apart from the cruise bookings. I love it!

 

Maybe we could set up a TA together? :D[/quote']

 

I can do tea's and coffee's....:D

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bronte2

bronte2

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We must be lucky as we have used the same TA for several years and are very happy with the service we receive.

After a less than stellar experience with a small TA who advertised themselves as a cruise specialist, promised everything and delivered nothing, we contacted one of the major on line agencies. I guess we must have hit the jackpot (sort of) as we have dealt with the same person ever since and she has been great. We do all our cruise bookings with her and sometimes overseas airline and/or hotels as well and there has never been a stuff up :)

 

Admittedly we know what we want, and in relation to land based travel, we have done our research but have found that the TA has come up with some good ideas as well, so when you are on a good thing we are going to stick with it :D

 

So there are good TAs out there - the problem is finding them!

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Pushka

Pushka

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I'm curious to know how TA's become a qualified Cruise Consultant. Given the huge range in cruise ship styles, and itineraries I'm not sure it'd even be possible.

 

I've previously booked with a couple who've advertised that qualification and pretty much gave up when I'd ask questions and they didn't know the answer. I'd get more help here on CC.

Edited by Pushka
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Guest012

Guest012

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So we are in some very interesting times then....

that should open a tin of worms.

Even more reason for buyers to beware.

 

 

Got it in one David.... come 1st July travel shops, without an agent we can call them that now, can apply to become ATAS accredited, if you meet the requirements that is, they state ATAS accreditation which is the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme "will set the benchmark for quality" and raise consumer awareness of the benefits of booking travel through an ATAS accredited agent, words like "professional conduct" and "business ethics"

also make an appearance:rolleyes::rolleyes: .........

 

but they still can't make the member buy insolvency insurance....:eek: and opening the industry up could mean we see "fly by nighters and poor business sense folks start up". When the travel compensation fund ceases 30 June we won't have the peace of mind knowing if the business goes belly up and our hard earned cash goes walkabout that we will have recourse...so maybe travel insurance policies could look at picking up the slack there....worth paying extra for in my opinion... :)

 

 

I see this accreditation as just another fee to pay for a symbol to stick on your website and stationery... I put back my own plans to start up because I knew things were changing big time, just as I qualified to become licensed:rolleyes:...my little personalize cruise service will wait a little longer until things settle down.......:D

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Kiwi Kruzer

Kiwi Kruzer

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Thats interesting about the Insurance Shiona.I can see that in the future when you apply for Travel Insurance, a new question may be asked ...

Who is your booking with ?

and then they will quote accordingly.

 

 

 

 

 

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Lanwood

Lanwood

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I'm curious to know how TA's become a qualified Cruise Consultant. Given the huge range in cruise ship styles, and itineraries I'm not sure it'd even be possible.

 

My TA was the state manager for Princess and Cunard for 20 something years before going into business herself. Since she has done over 40 cruises herself over the various lines, and continues to cruise the different lines regularly to ensure familiarity with all the products and itinerary's (not just expert in the booking systems). Obviously there's alot more she does to keep her finger on the pulse and up to date - but you don't need a 3 page essay. Very dedicated person to a niche market.

 

Which is a huge difference to young start ups in big travel chains pushing you what they've been told to without any real experience themselves....

(and balsing up your bookings in the process)....

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Guest012

Guest012

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Ah but at least you can say you ARE licenced and put the sticker on your paperwork... it might be the difference between getting a client and not. :)

 

 

 

Licensed means nothing come 1 July, it has been abolished...just like the Travel Compensation Fund...gone, kaput..

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

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I'm curious to know how TA's become a qualified Cruise Consultant. Given the huge range in cruise ship styles, and itineraries I'm not sure it'd even be possible.

 

I've previously booked with a couple who've advertised that qualification and pretty much gave up when I'd ask questions and they didn't know the answer. I'd get more help here on CC.

 

Some have specialist cruise agencies, and some are specialists within the business.

 

For example, most major lines have training programs and modules to complete to be accredited, and at certain levels, selling their products.

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Lanwood

Lanwood

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Licensed means nothing come 1 July, it has been abolished...just like the Travel Compensation Fund...gone, kaput..

 

Is that right? I never even knew what the Travel Compensation fund was?

I saw it on my TA's list of memberships/awards/certificates etc, but never got around to working out what it was.....

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

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I think that is better than only just meeting the regulatory criteria .

 

Pros and cons both ways. Being accredited gives you more knowledge of a cruise line than just having sailed a single ship.

 

Best is to have both.

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