How did you book your Oceania cruise.

[computerworks]

...there are TA's who will rebate at least 10% of the commissionable value of your cruise and that can mean thousands of dollars back in your pocket and for some that is much better than OBC that may or may not be refundable...

 

If that is SOP...sounds to me that the commission rates are too high.:p

[computerworks]

Commissions to the better TA's are significantly more and almost double the 10% you would get back. Sure there are TA's that don't get the same commission but, you only want to deal with the better ones who do get that higher commission.

 

Is that really true?

[rallydave]

Is that really true?

 

Yes, no reason to not tell the truth. Takes some work to find those TA's but, they are out there and selling lots of cruises. And to your previous question, a good TA is worth their weight in gold and especially when they share their good fortune.

[ronrick1943]

And to your previous question, a good TA is worth their weight in gold and especially when they share their good fortune.

 

How true, but don't forget watch out for the bad ones that want to keep as much for them self as they can. And keep the honest--get everything in writing. Some will try to back out of what they told you----you want and need a TA that steps up to the plate.

Rick

[computerworks]

... especially when they share their good fortune.

 

I guess so.

 

Seems to me though, (if I had a rep who was consistently "buying" business), that their cost of doing business must be far less than what I am paying them.

 

Must be an easier business than some think. :p

[noraloui]

This has been an enlightened discussion for me. Other than doing a Google search, can anyone direct me as to the best way of finding a travel agent that specializes in Oceania.

[ronrick1943]

I guess so.

 

Seems to me though, (if I had a rep who was consistently "buying" business), that their cost of doing business must be far less than what I am paying them.

 

Must be an easier business than some think. :p

 

Think about it, most TA's you call with the information about the cruise you want. They call "O" and make the reservation. Whats the big deal---I'd call them booking agents at best. Ay least that was the way by "OLD" TA worked--never again.

Rick

[Cruseforme]

We actually had a local TA try to CHARGE US $75 for using them to book O years ago. I saw the receipt and immediately asked to see the owner. The owner ended up not charging us, but before final papers came, they removed their OBC from our account. I now warn others in our area about their practices.

[rallydave]

We actually had a local TA try to CHARGE US $75 for using them to book O years ago. I saw the receipt and immediately asked to see the owner. The owner ended up not charging us, but before final papers came, they removed their OBC from our account. I now warn others in our area about their practices.

 

A great example of why you need to get everything in writing. Had you had a written invoice showing the OBC, they would have not been able to remove it from your account. A simple comment to them about small claims court and it would have been back on your account.

 

And, perhaps another reason to deal with an out of town TA since either by snail or e-mail, everything would have been in writing.

[Cruseforme]

What's that old saying....fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me...agree completely, if it's not in writing it doesn't exist! I now demand everything in writing! Lesson learned.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Think about it, most TA's you call with the information about the cruise you want. They call "O" and make the reservation. Whats the big deal---I'd call them booking agents at best. Ay least that was the way by "OLD" TA worked--never again.

 

Rick

 

 

If you know what you're doing, the basic booking is a no-brainer. For a seasoned traveler, the value of the TA is related more to advocating for the better deal (which may not have been available to you -for whatever reason), handing issues with cruise lines that want to keep the top producing TAs happy and being an emergency travel planning resource should things go awry while you're on the cruise. And then, of course, there's the added OBC et al. perks.

[Carol From California]

We have an agent at Oceania who helps us book the cruise and then we immediately call our TA to take over the booking and she gives us a 12% rebate. We always book our air separately with mileage.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

This question is interesting....I really have to question these posts about TA's rebating back a certain percentage of the price of the cruise in the form of OBC....! I have yet to talk to anyone who actually has one of these TA's and I can not figure out how the TA can afford to give up so much commission...:confused:

 

And, yes, I have a TA who specializes in O and sells a lot of O cruises....so color me confused!

 

As others have said, these TA's do exist--I use one of them, although they rebate in cash, not OBC, which is way better.

 

Finding a good TA that specializes in premium/luxury cruise lines is not that difficult, you just have to do your own research and ask the TA's some questions. You want someone who is knowledgeable about the line. It would be nice to be able to get personal recommendations, and I'm sure most TA's will give these to you, but you can't get them here.

[Flatbush Flyer]

As others have said, these TA's do exist--I use one of them, although they rebate in cash, not OBC, which is way better.

 

 

 

Finding a good TA that specializes in premium/luxury cruise lines is not that difficult, you just have to do your own research and ask the TA's some questions. You want someone who is knowledgeable about the line. It would be nice to be able to get personal recommendations, and I'm sure most TA's will give these to you, but you can't get them here.

 

 

As I have said before, check the Conde Nast Traveler's occasional "best of ...." listings, which often include TAs. If you don't subscribe, google it.

[bitob]

And next time u cruise Oceania ask your fellow cruisers.

[hrprof]

Have always used TA - we are a bit fussy about our preference for deck 7 OS on R ships - we book on first day that cruise opens because those rooms go first - TA has always gotten them for us. We receive a "reward" in cash along with PPG and an OBC (not for AMEX Platinum)

 

We always do our own air - are conservative about transfer times, seating and airline selection.

[critics0001]

I have gotten the best deals on Oceania and other cruise lines using a website that provides multiple quotes from TAs. I get either a discounted fare, cash back and/or OBCs(some refundable and some not).

For Oceania I used the same agent for several cruises where I was made part of a group purchase. But on last two cruises the agency stopped booking groups and I got lower prices from other agencies.

I made the mistake of booking on board once with Oceania and then discovered that I got a better deal by over $1000, so I do not waste my time or theirs by talking to Oceania.

For another cruise line I have gotten the best price on 4 cruises from a different agent who specializes on that line.

I have never had a problem with any of these agencies, just a good deal.

[orchestrapal]

Have always used TA - we are a bit fussy about our preference for deck 7 OS on R ships - we book on first day that cruise opens because those rooms go first - TA has always gotten them for us. We receive a "reward" in cash along with PPG and an OBC (not for AMEX Platinum)

 

We always do our own air - are conservative about transfer times, seating and airline selection.

 

We do likewise, day one, and our TA who is an O specialist has always been able to get us the port side OS on deck 7, 7114 on the R ships. We have either been neighbors across the ship or go on different cruises.;)

[silkman]

We do likewise, day one, and our TA who is an O specialist has always been able to get us the port side OS on deck 7, 7114 on the R ships. We have either been neighbors across the ship or go on different cruises.;)

 

We also always request #7114 on the R ships.Requested it on day one for Insignia July 19 Iceland to Stockholm and it was already booked:( so we had to take 7119. Are either of you the culprits!

 

Richard

Edited April 14, 2015 by silkman
date ...the cruise is in 2016

[orchestrapal]

We also always request #7114 on the R ships.Requested it on day one for Insignia July 19 Iceland to Stockholm and it was already booked:( so we had to take 7119. Are either of you the culprits!

 

Richard

 

Not guilty, this time!

[hrprof]

Not Guilty - in 7119 on Nautica Cape town to Singapore in December.