Online or brick&mortar TA

[graygirl]

Have you ever booked with an online TA and later wished you would have chosen a local agency instead? I've only been on one cruise - we booked online - and Hurricane Irene caused all NYC flights to be cancelled the last night of our cruise. A friend told us (after the fact) that we should have booked with someone local who could have helped us get another flight. Seeing that everyone's flights were cancelled, I don't see how ANY agent could have done anything for us in such a crazy situation. There were literally thousands of people at la Guardia that day, all needing to get out by noon. So anyway, we are looking at cruising again this fall and I'm just weighing my options before I book. Online rates are much better than what a local TA is quoting and I like making my own arrangements. Just don't want to get an "I told you so" again if something should go wrong.

[MCC retired]

Many of those Online Agencies consist of homebased TA's who can do anything a brick and mortar agency TA can . Often working or have coverage

7 days a week .

They have the power of top producing agency with the personal service

of a TA assigned to you.

Always interview your agency/TA before ever booking.

[paul929207]

We use an online TA and have been very happy with the service and the cost.

[Flatbush Flyer]

We use a cruise specialist agency, which has a main brick and mortar location as well as a major web presence. IMHO, the bottom line big factor is whether your actual TA (I.e., the specific person in the agency) is a prime mover in that agency's status as a top producer for your cruise line of choice.

[taglovestocruise]

We always use a online TA, sometimes we book with the cruise line to get their perks and then transfer our booking to the online TA to pick up added perks. We had a transatlantic booked with a TA and used RCCL choice Air to book our flight from LAX to JFK to BCN in 2012 on American Airlines, we were notified by the airline the day before our flight that every thing was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy and there was nothing they could put us on until the storm passed. We called Choice air and within two hours we were booked on Air France LAX to CDG to Barcelona with no added charges or cancelation fee from American. You might consider using your cruise lines air program, we have used RCCL Choice Air many times and have found them to always have the absolute lowest prices on International flights. happy cruising

[Nic6318]

Have you ever booked with an online TA and later wished you would have chosen a local agency instead? I've only been on one cruise - we booked online - and Hurricane Irene caused all NYC flights to be cancelled the last night of our cruise. A friend told us (after the fact) that we should have booked with someone local who could have helped us get another flight. Seeing that everyone's flights were cancelled, I don't see how ANY agent could have done anything for us in such a crazy situation. There were literally thousands of people at la Guardia that day, all needing to get out by noon. So anyway, we are looking at cruising again this fall and I'm just weighing my options before I book. Online rates are much better than what a local TA is quoting and I like making my own arrangements. Just don't want to get an "I told you so" again if something should go wrong.

 

 

I think this would be one of those situations where what you really needed would be insurance. If you were not able to get to your destination your vacation plans would have to change but at least you would not be out the money.

 

I find that dealing directly with the companies involved has helped me over the years vs. a TA. I feel that they will try to help if they can because they know that they are talking to the customer. They don't have to bend the rules but I have found that if you are polite they often will.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I think this would be one of those situations where what you really needed would be insurance. If you were not able to get to your destination your vacation plans would have to change but at least you would not be out the money.

 

 

 

I find that dealing directly with the companies involved has helped me over the years vs. a TA. I feel that they will try to help if they can because they know that they are talking to the customer. They don't have to bend the rules but I have found that if you are polite they often will.

 

 

Interesting statement. If you're talking about airlines or hotel chains where you have significant loyalty points, I agree to leave out the TA. For a cruise however, I am sorry to say that it is extremely naive to think that a cruise company's phone answerer will ever compare favorably to that line's top producing TAs.