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I Usually Book Directly W/ Princess. This time though...

LastUsernameEver

By LastUsernameEver,
in Princess Cruises

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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted

 

The couple of times that a cruise companion talked me into using a TA, I had already done all the research, knew what cabins were available as well as exactly what cabin we wanted, etc., etc., etc. She only had to input the info into the computer to earn her commission. The first time we used her, she gave us a free specialty meal (total cost to her: $50); a few months later we used her for the second time, for a significantly longer and much more expensive cruise, and we got zilch from her.

 

Actually total cost to her was probably $0.

 

When TAs book a group of cabins they get amenity points they can use to provide amenities to the booked passengers.

 

Your TA probably used amenity points to provide the free specialty dining room meals, so it was really Princess providing the meals via the TA.

 

(Actually, your TA could have used the amenity points instead to increase her commission by $50, so in a way she did pay for your meals.)

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blkspy

blkspy

Posted
Posted
Me, too. I usually save 10% or more, get OBC, and she'll go to bat for me and rebook at a lower price or get me a promotion if I'm eligible. I never, ever book directly. Always with a TA.

 

I have the opposite experience. I Always get free Upgrades...2 months ago on a Regal sailing I received 4 upgrades....inside guarantee to a Deluxe Balcony with a sofa. This is a $$ savngs for me, along with OBC. IMHO Money is Money.

 

TA or Princess. The bottom line is book when you see your price. OR your Value (perks). TA or Princess, whomever gives you your Happy Price is the one to choose.

 

I Always book directly with my Princess Consultant.....Either way, as long as you are Happy with the price you pay.

 

Happy Holidays Everyone

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pthjudy

pthjudy

Posted
Posted
I have the opposite experience. I Always get free Upgrades...2 months ago on a Regal sailing I received 4 upgrades....inside guarantee to a Deluxe Balcony with a sofa. This is a $$ savngs for me, along with OBC. IMHO Money is Money.

 

TA or Princess. The bottom line is book when you see your price. OR your Value (perks). TA or Princess, whomever gives you your Happy Price is the one to choose.

 

I Always book directly with my Princess Consultant.....Either way, as long as you are Happy with the price you pay.

 

Happy Holidays Everyone

Good morning, Roland. There are many types of cruisers: they range from people who book with a TA and never look back to those like you and I who know that no one can advocate for us better than ourselves. I now believe that each cruise should be booked cruise by cruise, depending on the cruise line, cost, and closeness to sail date. If the cruise costs a lot of money, it can be advisable to book with a TA, after researching the best deal of course. If the cruise is inexpensive, booking direct is probably the best idea. I will not use a Princess TA again. It is easier for me to call any customer service person to make a change. Every person has their own idea on the best method of booking. What's important is leaving for a cruise happy that you are going and satisfied in the route you took to get there. Happy holidays!

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blkspy

blkspy

Posted
Posted
Good morning, Roland. There are many types of cruisers: they range from people who book with a TA and never look back to those like you and I who know that no one can advocate for us better than ourselves. I now believe that each cruise should be booked cruise by cruise, depending on the cruise line, cost, and closeness to sail date. If the cruise costs a lot of money, it can be advisable to book with a TA, after researching the best deal of course. If the cruise is inexpensive, booking direct is probably the best idea. I will not use a Princess TA again. It is easier for me to call any customer service person to make a change. Every person has their own idea on the best method of booking. What's important is leaving for a cruise happy that you are going and satisfied in the route you took to get there. Happy holidays!

 

Amen :)

 

Happy Holidays

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sunsetbeachgal

sunsetbeachgal

Posted
Posted (edited)

The majority of my Princess cruises lately aren't all that expensive, and for these I book directly then sometimes turn it over to a TA before final payment. Some are those email specials and literally I have picked up the phone, called and gave them my credit card. I find it just easier, I like having control if the price changes, if subsequent promos are announced, and cabin choices, and if I am giving up a small amount of credit or a bottle of wine, then so be it!

 

For my river cruises which are more expensive I use a TA who has experience in river cruises.

Edited by sunsetbeachgal
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shepp

shepp

Posted
Posted
I have the opposite experience. I Always get free Upgrades...2 months ago on a Regal sailing I received 4 upgrades....inside guarantee to a Deluxe Balcony with a sofa. This is a $$ savngs for me, along with OBC. IMHO Money is Money.

 

Congrats! You always get free category-to-category upgrades by booking with Princess, not just insignificant moves like IF to ID? Wow. Because in many years on this board, the consensus has been that nobody knows the Upgrade Fairy's secrets. Apparently she likes you very much.

 

Booking through my TA, I was comped an inside-guarantee-to-balcony upgrade on the Royal's sold-out inaugural Transatlantic. Since then, booking thorugh the same agency, I usually end up with the category I booked. Was the Royal upgrade because I told Princess it was my honeymoon? Did the Upgrade Fairy decide she liked my TA, then subsequently withdraw her affections? Or was it dumb luck? Ah, the Mysteries of Santa Clarita!

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Musky Ike "Live from...." Rare

Musky Ike

Posted
Posted (edited)
Sorry, didn't finish. Does Princess notify TA's when an upgrade or up sell is available? Maybe I am just one of those people that never get the upgrade ferry.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yes, any upsell notification would go to the TA. Your TA may not let you know. This is one of the few potential issues of booking with a TA. I will take the known discounts and OBC over the unknown odds of missing an upsell offer.

Edited by Musky Ike
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shepp

shepp

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Posted
Sorry, didn't finish. Does Princess notify TA's when an upgrade or up sell is available? Maybe I am just one of those people that never get the upgrade ferry.

 

WhenI got a move-over offer, my TA let me know immediately.

 

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: I wold never book with a TA who charged a non-refundable booking fee or a cancellation fee.

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blkspy

blkspy

Posted
Posted
WhenI got a move-over offer, my TA let me know immediately.

 

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: I wold never book with a TA who charged a non-refundable booking fee or a cancellation fee.

 

I agree about the fee......

 

im a believer that nothing is ever totally random. Im always upgraded within my category because I book guarantee cabins. With the 3 or Free....you bolt to the top in that cabin category. I think a Princess Consultant can do so many extra things for you. The upgrade fairy isnt real.....but the people at Princess are. They say you cant make Restaurant reservations before boarding....well, for large groups, its possible.

 

Princess made a video of our October Halloween cruise of the Cruise Critic group....Its worth a look on YouTube.

 

Merry Christmas

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FlaMilkman

FlaMilkman

Posted
Posted
Sorry, didn't finish. Does Princess notify TA's when an upgrade or up sell is available? Maybe I am just one of those people that never get the upgrade ferry.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

My TA has let me know numerous times about potential upsells from Princess and other cruise lines. Additionally, the TA has a cruise fare tracker program that lets them know if the price of the cruise has dropped (usually before final payment).

 

I'm sure most TA's would let you know about upsells since their commission would increase if you accept the upsell. However, whenever there is a price decrease it also reduces their commission. My TA has told me that they feel ethically bound to let me know about a price reduction. Additionally they feel that a few extra commission dollars isn't worth the risk of losing me as a client. I wonder if every TA has that same mentality?

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easyboy

easyboy

Posted
Posted (edited)
Yes, any upsell notification would go to the TA. Your TA may not let you know. This is one of the few potential issues of booking with a TA. I will take the known discounts and OBC over the unknown odds of missing an upsell offer.

Right. Upsells are also offered to more passengers than the available cabins for upsell. TA may not notify their clients at once of the offer. Or the clients does not see at once the TA's notification. Such that when Princess is notified of intent, others may have already gotten the offer. Timing is of the essence too.

Edited by easyboy
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Musky Ike "Live from...." Rare

Musky Ike

Posted
Posted
Right. Upsells are also offered to more passengers than the available cabins for upsell. TA may not notify their clients at once of the offer. Or the clients does not see at once the TA's notification. Such that when Princess is notified of intent, others may have already gotten the offer. Timing is of the essence too.

 

If it is offered

 

If your TA does not pass it on

 

If is an offer you would except

 

Too may IFs too worry about it

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LastUsernameEver

LastUsernameEver

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Posted

The only upsell offers I've gotten over the years have not been that heavily discounted from what that category was selling for at that time. Like if I paid 1000 for a week in a balc and a Mini is selling for 1500 at that moment, my upsell offer to a mini would be like 350 additional. Maybe I haven't been that lucky...or maybe that's the usual discount for Upsells.

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nanabananna

nanabananna

Posted
Posted (edited)

First cruise to Alaska I booked myself. Which for my first cruise, ever, I think I did pretty well.

My next Alaska cruise and land tour I went with a travel agent. Had I know what trouble it was to use this agent I would have done it all myself again.

The agent I am using works part-time and different afternoons on different days. I have no idea what their schedule is bc it constantly changes. I call they are not in and I want to make a payment. I have to call back when this agent is in the office to make my payment. The office agents cannot take a payment for the agent I am working with. very frustrating.

I hear about perks other CC people are getting, even a small thank you is better than nothing. I get absolutely zero. Opps! take that back I did get 2 luggage tags with the company logo imprinted.

I even had the nerve to ask in person when I was making a payment, " would we be receiving any special OBC, or anything for that matter and the answer..NO."

 

Needless to say, I will be my own TA from now on. Guess I do not know how to find a good one. :eek:

Edited by nanabananna
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shepp

shepp

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Posted
Im always upgraded within my category because I book guarantee cabins.

 

Not to be argumentative, but the last couple of guarantees I booked, I ended up in the exact same category I booked. We'll see what happens for the January cruise.

 

I'm honestly thinking it's just the luck of the draw.

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blkspy

blkspy

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Posted
Not to be argumentative, but the last couple of guarantees I booked, I ended up in the exact same category I booked. We'll see what happens for the January cruise.

 

I'm honestly thinking it's just the luck of the draw.

 

I could give you my consultants name and contact info. Nothing to lose, having a conversation with her.....maybe alot to gain.

 

Maybe im just lucky. What ever the reason, I'm thankful for my Princess Rewards. Combine the Casino Rates with Casino Cash give backs , along with the combination of 3 for Free with the $1 deposits. Not to mention JetBlues recent sale of NY to Los Angeles round trip airfare of $128. Mexican Riveria cruises were basically FREE from the East Coast.

 

The Consultant who calls with the discounts bottom line....is worth her weight in gold. All that is needed is matching reduced airfare with her suggestions. It helps to be retired and free to plan.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Smooth Seas to ALL.

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