RCC & TAs & OBCs

[kike368]

my gf insisted that we use her travel agent friend and we received no obc or goodies. i had her call her friend and she hasn't returned the call.

 

i think we got screwed.

 

Might be time to invest in a new girlfriend! Lol

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I've used a TA for the last 4 years and happily satisfied. I wait for their 4 big sales though out the year, around the holidays and get not only obc's, but also on some cruises they offer prepaid grats and dinner for 2 at specialty restaurants. Recently called them to apply the 30/30 promo from RCL and reduced my cost dramatically on the Anthem (August' '16) and Navigator (Feb. '17.) Prices of cruises were sufficient that it did not impact the percs.

 

The only downside is the $50 per cancellation fee and since it is for the 2 of us this, hopefully, will never apply. On the other hand, I treated my kids to a cruise on Oasis for the upcoming Easter week. Since there are 3 small grandchildren, I booked directly with RCL as the circumstances were different.

 

If this is an online TA I think I know which one it is. I used them for a few cruises but stopped when there was a big price drop, after final payment, on a cruise we'd booked and we could upgrade to a GS for a few $$ more than our balcony. I could only deal with this agent and she wasn't available. Knowing how fast some of these rates come and go I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told, again, that I could only deal with MY agent.

 

In 2012 we were on a b2b on Radiance. My DF passed away on cruise 1 and I needed to cancel cruise 2. Cruise got cancelled, they charge me the $100 cancellation fee and then were hard to deal with for my insurance claim. Didn't tell me I was due back taxes/fees and I didn't know until the insurance company denied that in my claim.

 

Yes they have good perks and are good for someone who books and doesn't need any, or minimal service, after the booking.

[tinatark]

We got great promos on the 9/12 Oasis sailing from our Big Box store. Booked a JS and 2 Boardwalk view cabins - got $500 total OBC + free gratuities. We used a casino rate - called the casino dept, they connected to Costco and we booked.

 

Our friend booked using the long time AAA agent she has used for years... they were excited about the bottle of champagne in their cabin!

 

It didn't really bother me that I couldn't call RC - I didn't need them. I did watch the prices on my sailing and would have called to get a lower price if It had dropped.

[RocketMan275]

If any of you are willing to share the names of your agents or comparison websites via email ( davidjunk at gmail ), I would appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

David

 

David, what you asked is specifically prohibited by the terms of this website. I wish it were different. FWIW, Cruise Critic is owned by a corporation that is affiliated with a major travel agency.

Edited September 22, 2015 by RocketMan275

[nelblu]

If this is an online TA I think I know which one it is. I used them for a few cruises but stopped when there was a big price drop, after final payment, on a cruise we'd booked and we could upgrade to a GS for a few $$ more than our balcony. I could only deal with this agent and she wasn't available. Knowing how fast some of these rates come and go I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told, again, that I could only deal with MY agent.

 

In 2012 we were on a b2b on Radiance. My DF passed away on cruise 1 and I needed to cancel cruise 2. Cruise got cancelled, they charge me the $100 cancellation fee and then were hard to deal with for my insurance claim. Didn't tell me I was due back taxes/fees and I didn't know until the insurance company denied that in my claim.

 

Yes they have good perks and are good for someone who books and doesn't need any, or minimal service, after the booking.

 

I'm not sure if it's the same TA, but I can speak to any agent(s) when my contact is busy or out. Also, I'm able to speak to RCL reps for anything other than the booking itself. With regards to insurance, I had to deal with the insurance company directly, and over the last 3 cruises, I don't get travel insurance as I'm covered by my credit card co.