Do you book your cruise on your own, with a PVP or with a travel agent? Why?

[mindymariexxo]

mindymariexx - Congrats and it sounds like you've found a keeper (the PVP, groom to be too). :)

 

Thank you, I sure have! Just wish the wedding weren't so far away!!

[ohiowilly]

We have done both, but over our last 3-4 cruises, I've developed a working relationship with a TA. Pricing for the cruise itself is the same, whether you book directly or with a TA. Carnival, and perhaps other lines, don't permit discounting of fares.

 

The difference comes in the fact that TA's are free to offer OBC or other perks out of their commissions. Depending on the cost of the cruise, for a 7-8 day booking, we will typically receiving between $100 - $200 OBC from our TA.

 

For us, that is a significant benefit, and we're happy with the service that our TA provides. It's become an easy decision for me.

[cheermomof2girls]

We book through a PVP. I do the research ahead of time and know what booking I want, what room, etc and then call her to book. She use to call when I went on the website, but I just let her know that I look ALL the time, and I'll call or email her when I am ready to book.

 

I book through her and not myself for a couple of reasons. One being this way she gets paid on something I was going to book anyway- cost is the same to me. And she's super fast to handle any price drops, answers my random questions, etc. Even if my price drop is only $10, she handles it with the same speed as if it were a huge price drop.

[IPlayWithString]

I've always booked my cruises on my own, but I keep hearing about these fabulous perks and OBC when you book elsewhere.

 

How do you book and why?

 

Our first cruise, we went to a travel agent but found they wanted way more than what we were willing to pay. Also, the one we went to really wanted to talk more about the trips HE'D taken instead of telling us what we wanted to know. So off to Google we went and that was that.

 

Since then, we've booked with our PVP who has been super awesome. He calls when he knows it's getting to be the time of year when we typically cruise (Spring Break and the summer months), lets us know what's going on, gives us any new info we might need, specials, etc. He's always taken really good care of us and we'll probably continue to book through him. :)

[Flatbush Flyer]

I just tried a TA for the first time. She saved us $50 on our total booking. I am not sure it is worth giving up the control next time. Carnival's prices are low and the TA may not be the best benefit. It might be different for another cruise line

 

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

 

 

You've hit the nail on the head (or, at least, mostly).

Carnival's low end pricing provides little commission incentive for the best TAs, each of whom aspire to be (or maybe are) top producers for lines where the commission earnings are far more lucrative. Some cruise specialist TAs won't even handle a Carnival cruise unless it's a large group.

Even if the TA does do Carnival, the OBC they may add, which (across the industry) can average about 5-7%+\- of the commissionable fare, doesn't add up to very much.

Nonetheless, if your TA is a top producer for your preferred cruise line, their really consistent value comes through when your faced with a problem or snafu. After all, any cruise line is going to pay attention to someone who may book many many thousands (or millions) of dollars before it listens to you, the occasional passenger.

The other values of a top producing TA for your preferred line is that some of these lines do have occasional "special sales" held in partnership with their top producing agencies.

If the idea of added OBC entices you, you may want to start shopping for a really good TA. Often, folks who start cruising on bargain lines eventually move up to other lines with more to offer in service, quality and value beyond the cheapest fare. Having a great existing TA relationship when you make that move could save you significant money - like thousands in some cases. As for "controlling your booking": ultimately, it is the cruise line who "controls" your booking including things like cancellation penalties and post final payment price drop adjustments.

Edited November 2, 2016 by Flatbush Flyer

[Cruise-Crazy]

My PVP has worked well for my needs. Better dealing directly with Carnival.

[jimbri]

I do my own research. Sometimes I book direct with Carnival. If I am using my credit card points I go through the credit card company. First time I used my points I "bought" gift certificates from the cc company rewards program and then booked through Carnival and had to mail them the gc's. Too time consuming and I was worried gc's wouldn't get there. I don't even know if it's done like that anymore. I've never used a TA.

[simplelife]

I have used a travel agent when traveling with others. When it's just DH and me I usually book through the Website.

 

 

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[rjrpar]

on my own thru carnival, i never had a pvp assigned to me

 

i used a few travel agents and it was a headache/hassle for me. if there is any issues with your booking,the travel agent need to contact carnival instead of you

 

That is no issue if you pick the right TA. The online TA's tend to be better and can save you 10% of your cruise cost.

[ScottsSweetie]

Since we almost always are using a Hilton Honors certificate for $$ off our cruise total, we are required to use a particular agency.

 

Sometimes, if taking a 5 day pack-and-go at basement rates we won't use a certificate, but we will still book through the same agency in order to earn Hilton Honors points to be used for our next cruise.

 

This same agency also books for Marriott points, so for those of you who travel frequently this can be an awesome perk. We are cruising next week :p on a cruise where we booked with $250 off certificate. We have another $500 worth of points and we are just about to hit for another $125. Carnival Horizon, here we come! :)

 

If we were not using this system I would most likely use a PVP.