should I fire my TA?

[Colo Cruiser]

I booked my transatlantic on the Emerald that I am leaving on in a couple of weeks way back in May of 14. When the anniversary sale came out with the on-board credit and free specialty dining I contact my TA and got the promotion. Took her less than an hour to get back to me and I had a $200 OBC, a free specialty restaurant visit and a small price drop on top of it all. Wasn't a problem at all so I'm puzzled as to why you had such a saga. Glad it all worked out for you in the end :)

 

 

Because you were very lucky.

[custompcsys]

Because you were very lucky.

 

I wish I would have known, I would have gone out and bought a lottery ticket too :D

[cruzsnooze]

Yes, except the TA said that 3 different people insisted I didn't qualify for what I wanted to do. I don't think a conference call would have helped unless we worked our way "up the ladder".

She finally solved the issue by just doing it herself. I guess TAs have more access to the bookings than we do.

Are we really sure your TA actually called Princess? I seldom use a TA because I want control over my own booking for the reasons you just experienced.

[custompcsys]

Are we really sure your TA actually called Princess? I seldom use a TA because I want control over my own booking for the reasons you just experienced.

 

Agreed that the control is nice, especially since i am a control freak when it comes to any kind of travel, but I am not willing to pay for it. My TA consistently gets a better price than I can get direct and they usually have some sort of perk like an OBC to add to it. And, she is very good, I have no worries.

[Carla3]

I have always booked all my travel myself online, cruises, flights, hotels etc. Earlier this year I tried to give a travel agent some business by asking her to find me a Panama Canal cruise. I do not like to fly and if necessary keep the flights as short as possible (3 hours is about my limit on a plane)I have an unusual request as I asked her to investigate if I could cruise the Panama Canal out of L.A and return back to same port. I was open to back to back cruises and two different cruise lines if necessary. I Also told her I wanted a mini suite, so I presume her commission would be good. After a couple of days she told me it was not possible and I would have to fly home from Florida. A few weeks later, after doing my own research, I found princess has a 19 day cruise out of L.A that returns to L.A. I booked myself and got the free drinks package promo. I also downloaded the SHIPMATE app which will email me if there's a price drop. So I'll stick to being my own agent [emoji12]

[Colo Cruiser]

I have always booked all my travel myself online, cruises, flights, hotels etc. Earlier this year I tried to give a travel agent some business by asking her to find me a Panama Canal cruise. I do not like to fly and if necessary keep the flights as short as possible (3 hours is about my limit on a plane)I have an unusual request as I asked her to investigate if I could cruise the Panama Canal out of L.A and return back to same port. I was open to back to back cruises and two different cruise lines if necessary. I Also told her I wanted a mini suite, so I presume her commission would be good. After a couple of days she told me it was not possible and I would have to fly home from Florida. A few weeks later, after doing my own research, I found princess has a 19 day cruise out of L.A that returns to L.A. I booked myself and got the free drinks package promo. I also downloaded the SHIPMATE app which will email me if there's a price drop. So I'll stick to being my own agent [emoji12]

 

 

 

Did you book the Island 19 day PC cruise for Nov 2016?

[Carla3]

Did you book the Island 19 day PC cruise for Nov 2016?

 

 

Yes I did! And really looking forward to it!

[Retiring cajun]

Carla3, well played![emoji4]

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes I did! And really looking forward to it!

 

 

Come join the roll call.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2211977

Edited September 13, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[eandj]

I have always booked all my travel myself online, cruises, flights, hotels etc. Earlier this year I tried to give a travel agent some business by asking her to find me a Panama Canal cruise. I do not like to fly and if necessary keep the flights as short as possible (3 hours is about my limit on a plane)I have an unusual request as I asked her to investigate if I could cruise the Panama Canal out of L.A and return back to same port. I was open to back to back cruises and two different cruise lines if necessary. I Also told her I wanted a mini suite, so I presume her commission would be good. After a couple of days she told me it was not possible and I would have to fly home from Florida. A few weeks later, after doing my own research, I found princess has a 19 day cruise out of L.A that returns to L.A. I booked myself and got the free drinks package promo. I also downloaded the SHIPMATE app which will email me if there's a price drop. So I'll stick to being my own agent [emoji12]

 

If this was a cruise specific agent, you SHOULD be disappointed. She wasn't ready to work for you. We use a cruise specialty agent. With many cruises booked on more than a couple lines, the agency's familiarity and dealings with the cruiselines results in lots of pricing breaks and perks. Glad you found what you want yourself. Have a great cruise.

[ChiefBoats]

We just made our final payment for our November cruise and our TA called and had them re-price the booking and we saved another $200 and received additional OBC. Our TA does this every time we make our final payment and we normally get a reduction in the price.

_______________________________________

Island Princess 2008 Alaska, Island Princess 2009 (B2B) Alaska, Royal Princess (Old) 2010 Alaska, Golden Princess 2011 Alaska, Coral Princess 2012 Panama Canal, Star Princess 2012 Alaska, Island Princess 2013 Alaska, Crown Princess 2013 Western Caribbean, Caribbean Princess 2013 Western Caribbean, Royal Princess 2014 Eastern Caribbean, Royal Princess 2014 New England, Emerald Princess 2014 Western Caribbean, Emerald Princess 2015 Western Caribbean, Ruby Princess 2015 Alaska

[Colo Cruiser]

However most promos are lost with a fare change.

[Mapu]

I think your TA should call Princess again and talk to a supervisor. The casino rate and the 3 for Free are combinable. You might have to pay $34.00pp (difference between $1005 and $1039) more, but you would still be ahead. :rolleyes

 

You should do exactly what CruzinNoony says.

[GolfMom321]

We had trouble with our TA and fired him. We had Princess move our two future bookings back to Princess. It was very easy to do. The TA sent us a nasty note when he found out. Too bad.

 

How did you go about doing this? We are seriously considering doing the same thing! Our TA has dropped the ball a few too many times. (altho she did redeem herself somewhat on one upcoming cruise...)

[satxdiver]

How did you go about doing this? We are seriously considering doing the same thing! Our TA has dropped the ball a few too many times. (altho she did redeem herself somewhat on one upcoming cruise...)

 

I contacted Princess and told them what I wanted to do. They told me to send them a letter asking that all future cruises I had made a deposit as well as the FCC that I currently held be moved back to Princess from the TA. Be sure to fully identify the cruises (ship, booking number, sail date etc) or the FCC (ID, name and effective date). I did not have to identify the TA or provide any reason. We had booked the cruises and FCC in both our names so we both signed the letter. The letter was sent to Customer Relations at Princess. It was actually very easy to do. The TA found out when Princess yanked the cruises from him. He was not happy but then neither were we with his services.

[JF - retired RRT]

I found princess has a 19 day cruise out of L.A that returns to L.A. I booked myself and got the free drinks package promo. I also downloaded the SHIPMATE app which will email me if there's a price drop. So I'll stick to being my own agent [emoji12]

We are going on the Pacific on 12/17/15 and returning from FLL to LA on 1/3/16.

Originally we were going to take Cunard back. But there was a long wait between ships. Once I realized we could do it all on Princess, we switched. Can't wait.

Edited September 14, 2015 by JF - retired RRT

[JF - retired RRT]

If this was a cruise specific agent, you SHOULD be disappointed. She wasn't ready to work for you. We use a cruise specialty agent. With many cruises booked on more than a couple lines, the agency's familiarity and dealings with the cruiselines results in lots of pricing breaks and perks. Glad you found what you want yourself. Have a great cruise.

Yes, she is with a med. size agency that specializes in cruises. Used her several times with no issues before this.

[GolfMom321]

I contacted Princess and told them what I wanted to do. They told me to send them a letter asking that all future cruises I had made a deposit as well as the FCC that I currently held be moved back to Princess from the TA. Be sure to fully identify the cruises (ship, booking number, sail date etc) or the FCC (ID, name and effective date). I did not have to identify the TA or provide any reason. We had booked the cruises and FCC in both our names so we both signed the letter. The letter was sent to Customer Relations at Princess. It was actually very easy to do. The TA found out when Princess yanked the cruises from him. He was not happy but then neither were we with his services.

 

Thanks! We may be doing this.

[flip side of fifty]

Just to throw it out there :D:

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion (like the 3 for free) after you booked, but keep your lower booking cost you received originally?

 

My 2016 tour/cruise date to Alaska has the 3 for free promotion attached. My original booking was completed within a week of the 2016 open booking date and my total cost is less than the fare advertised now (my TA offered me the exact fare listed on the internet without any additional TA credits). Even when you add in the savings of gratuities and a specialty dinner it's still less so, of course, I would not switch out the reservations...... but, even with the risk of being called names on the board :eek:....

 

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion after you booked, but keep that original booking cost?

[nyc12345]

Just want to thank the OP for this post. I would not have thought that a promo like this is combinable with the casino rate. So I checked and indeed my booking would be eligible for this too. I am paying $26 more per person, but are getting prepaid gratuities and specialty dining credit. :D

 

As for TA, my TA didn't see this rate when I asked him to re-price, it's only after he switched me to the new promo did the reduced casino rate showed as combinable.

 

I don't think you can keep the original rate when switching to this promo, but I get additional perks/discounts booking through my TA, so I can't complain with this additional cost of $26 pp...

[Retiring cajun]

I booked a January on CB during a 3 day sale in July. Price went down recently, called princess. They lowered it. Asked if they would offer any perk[emoji15] nope!

[JF - retired RRT]

Just want to thank the OP for this post. I would not have thought that a promo like this is combinable with the casino rate. So I checked and indeed my booking would be eligible for this too. I am paying $26 more per person, but are getting prepaid gratuities and specialty dining credit. :D

You're welcome!:D:D

 

That is what I like about CC, I learn something everyday. And try to "give back" when I can.

[ASeaPrincess1]

Just to throw it out there :D:

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion (like the 3 for free) after you booked, but keep your lower booking cost you received originally?

 

My 2016 tour/cruise date to Alaska has the 3 for free promotion attached. My original booking was completed within a week of the 2016 open booking date and my total cost is less than the fare advertised now (my TA offered me the exact fare listed on the internet without any additional TA credits). Even when you add in the savings of gratuities and a specialty dinner it's still less so, of course, I would not switch out the reservations...... but, even with the risk of being called names on the board :eek:....

 

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion after you booked, but keep that original booking cost?

I had booked Alaska for May 2016 right before the All-Inclusive package was offered. I was able to get that package added and keep my original fare.

 

I also have a booking for Emerald for 2017 and was able to add the 3-for-Free promotion as well. The price of my category had gone DOWN by that time as well, so I am saving over $2,000 on that altogether.

 

You would likely have to pay the current fare if you added the promotion, but your TA can look into that. It might even be less than what you are paying now.

I know someone who got the promotion, and expected to pay an extra $200 (as the fare had gone up) but when the promotion was added, the fare had actually gone down, and she saved over $1,000 just on the fare alone....AND got the 3 for Free promotion.

 

Never hurts to ask! :)

[cactusrose]

Does anyone know if the 2 for free perks show up in your personalizer and if they do, where?

 

To the OP. I wouldn't fire your TA. Princess is notorious for giving out wrong information or looking at the wrong promotion. Unless your TA has not done a good job for you in the past, I wouldn't blame them for this. I don't know about you but there have been times in business where I've made mistakes but as long as I made it right I was forgiven. Sometimes the Princess CSRs don't have the authority or correct information to get it done. Sounds like you TA went to bat for you.

Edited September 15, 2015 by cactusrose

[RocketMan275]

Just to throw it out there :D:

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion (like the 3 for free) after you booked, but keep your lower booking cost you received originally?

 

Has anyone's TA been able to add on a promotion after you booked, but keep that original booking cost?

 

I haven't but I was able to get the promo for a insignificant increase. I booked a suite on Regal for Mar 17 on 21 May 15. My TA added the 3 for free on 26 Aug. Fare increased $50 PP but I got the suite gratuities $168 for two, complimentary dinner $50, and the $50 bottle of win. Net gain $168. This is in addition to TA OBC of $50 and over a 12% discount on the cruise fare. Once I factor in the military OBC, FCC, and stock, I'll have $350 OBC which should cover our drinks.