What is the advantage of a PCC over TA?

[Hlitner]

We think the only advantage of a PCC is if you have too much money....and want to give it away :). It is always possible to get better overall cruise deals if you shop around the reputable large cruise agencies. On some of our HAL bookings we have saved in excess of $3000 (on a single booking) after factoring-in OBCs. Even on a shorter less expensive HAL cruise our savings will generally be at least 7% and often 10%+.

 

Hank

[TiogaCruiser]

Thank you everyone for your input. I travel solo therefore, price and cabin selection are most important to me. I would like some clarification on big box TA's. I know we are not allowed to recommend specifics, but i need help even knowing what big box TA groups are out there. Can some of you assist me with that info?

 

There's one we all have heard of headquartered in the Pacific Northwest ( kind of like HAL) which we call BigBoxco. I just joined and am using them for the first time. Got an incredible deal over Labor Day that was still a great deal with the single supplement. They also offer discounts on shorex. Without their pricing and the OBC I wouldn't be taking THIS cruise. And although I have talked to a different person each call, the customer service has been great.

[chisoxfan]

We don't use a PCC, we use a big box TA. Pricing is most important to us, we book the cabins we want so don't really care about upgrades/upsells. The big box TA's can get you 7-8% in OBC's, never heard of a PCC doing that.

 

Same here. We had PCC on NCL who gave us incorrect info. One had contacted us from HAL and pricing and assistance offered was nothing better than we could do ourselves. Frankly there was more sense of trying to sell us on a cruise (yes understand ultimately that is their job) than helping.

 

On X a PCC was going to upgrade us and it was only after doing my research (and booking) that I found the upgraded cabin had a known obstruction (window washing equipment) that was never mentioned.

 

We like the big box (warehouse in NW) approach, prices are upfront with additional ship credits spelled out. I am confident based on their reputation that should we have a problem it will be handled.

 

They are not on commission so seem unstressed when answering any questions. I had a few online TA experiences where if you weren't going to make an immediate booking they could not get off the phone fast enough.

 

We had one instance where they negotiated a nice reduction after final payment had been made.

 

Another point is PCC availability. Hassle to find a certain cabin available and wait for PCC who is on phone or off that day. JMHO

[bUU]

Our PCC's voicemail message says to press zero (I think) to get transferred to one of her colleagues who she says will be happy to help us make changes while she is unavailable.

[TiogaCruiser]

Reiterating what Chisoxfan said: their pricing includes the port charges and tax in the fare they advertise. It says so on the webpage, but I ended up calling to confirm that as the pricing was so much lower than HAL. And that didn't include the OBC which will be added onboard.

[RocketMan275]

We like the big box (warehouse in NW) approach, prices are upfront with additional ship credits spelled out. I am confident based on their reputation that should we have a problem it will be handled.

 

Have you tried to transfer a booking to them? I haven't but I'm curious as to whether they will accept it, etc.?

[RocketMan275]

We don't use a PCC, we use a big box TA. Pricing is most important to us, we book the cabins we want so don't really care about upgrades/upsells. The big box TA's can get you 7-8% in OBC's, never heard of a PCC doing that.

 

That big box TA is my backup. Normally, I use one of the TA I've found who discount Princess/Holland by 10%. I'd rather have the discount that the OBC.

 

Like you, we book what we want. We choose not to rely upon upgrades/upsells. We would rather pay the price than take a chance on sailing in a cabin that isn't what we want.

[meterman2]

Our one booking experience with a PCC was terrible. I guess some PCC's are better than others but I would recommend a PC any day...

[chisoxfan]

Have you tried to transfer a booking to them? I haven't but I'm curious as to whether they will accept it, etc.?

 

We have transferred several cruises with no issues. Be aware that cruiselines have adapted different time periods after booking where they will allow transfers.

An associate of mine had booked several cabins direct on a Disney Cruise and they would not allow a transfer because it was not in the window. He was afraid to cancel and lose his cabins was pretty upset about it since he would have pocketed around 1000 dollars. All of his last cruises have been through the big box store and he has been very pleased.

[RocketMan275]

We have transferred several cruises with no issues. Be aware that cruiselines have adapted different time periods after booking where they will allow transfers.

An associate of mine had booked several cabins direct on a Disney Cruise and they would not allow a transfer because it was not in the window. He was afraid to cancel and lose his cabins was pretty upset about it since he would have pocketed around 1000 dollars. All of his last cruises have been through the big box store and he has been very pleased.

 

Thanks. I was just curious. As long as I'm booking Holland/Princess I will stick with my TA but if I wanted to book a different line, I would go to the the Big Box.

 

Sounds like the restriction is the cruise line and not the box.

[Ken the cruiser]

We now have a TA to help us with most the the cruises we book. However, I found out about cruise fish on another CC thread today which appears to let folks know as soon as a rate change is encountered on one of the major cruise lines they follow.

 

What we like about this service is that within a very short amount of time, it let's us know when a catagory price change occurs on many of the cruises we have booked. This way as soon as we get one of their email notifications, we can verify if it's worth changing our booking, then contact our TA. We'll still do our periodic checks, as that's still for us part of the fun of cruising, but this service looks like a pretty cool super cheap tool.

 

Has anyone subscribed to this service and, if so, was it helpful?

Edited January 22, 2017 by Ken the cruiser

[kazu]

We now have a TA to help us with most the the cruises we book. However, I found out about cruise fish on another CC thread today which appears to let folks know as soon as a rate change is encountered on one of the major cruise lines they follow.

 

What we like about this service is that within a very short amount of time, it let's us know when a catagory price change occurs on many of the cruises we have booked. This way as soon as we get one of their email notifications, we can verify if it's worth changing our booking, then contact our TA. We'll still do our periodic checks, as that's still for us part of the fun of cruising, but this service looks like a pretty cool super cheap tool.

 

Has anyone subscribed to this service and, if so, was it helpful?

 

I do belong to the "fishy" site and I got one savings.

 

It has some flaws though. We got deals with our Westerdam FCC, casino, etc and apparently another on the P'dam coming up.

 

So, if that happens you need to jot down the original price before any discounts to properly track it.

 

I do like the site though and for a matter of less than a $1 per cruise (bought the bulk deal), it's money well spent IMO. I already saved my subscription on one decrease in price ;)

[Ken the cruiser]

I do belong to the "fishy" site and I got one savings.

 

It has some flaws though. We got deals with our Westerdam FCC, casino, etc and apparently another on the P'dam coming up.

 

So, if that happens you need to jot down the original price before any discounts to properly track it.

 

I do like the site though and for a matter of less than a $1 per cruise (bought the bulk deal), it's money well spent IMO. I already saved my subscription on one decrease in price ;)

 

What we've done is check all the boxes. That way we know if the price goes up, down, disappears (usually when they're getting ready to send out upsells), and when they reappear (usually after they've finished processing upsells). But you're right, just because the price goes down, doesn't mean it's a better deal.

[ChinaShrek]

We think the only advantage of a PCC is if you have too much money....and want to give it away :). It is always possible to get better overall cruise deals if you shop around the reputable large cruise agencies. On some of our HAL bookings we have saved in excess of $3000 (on a single booking) after factoring-in OBCs. Even on a shorter less expensive HAL cruise our savings will generally be at least 7% and often 10%+.

 

Hank

 

Interesting. I was thinking of transferring a HAL cruise booked through my PCC to a local TA. The cruise will cost $3500 before taxes. The TA offered me $100 and said I was already getting a good rate. That's less that 3%. I'm not sure it is worth switching.

[Ken the cruiser]

Interesting. I was thinking of transferring a HAL cruise booked through my PCC to a local TA. The cruise will cost $3500 before taxes. The TA offered me $100 and said I was already getting a good rate. That's less that 3%. I'm not sure it is worth switching.

 

Just be advised if you decide to transfer your booking to a TA, you CANNOT contact HAL for ANY reason regarding that booking from that point on. So when you have a question pertaining to your cruise and you can't get in touch with your TA for whatever reason, you're pretty much stuck until you can either contact your TA or one of their associates who will, in turn, act as your proxy when talking with HAL.

[RocketMan275]

Just be advised if you decide to transfer your booking to a TA, you CANNOT contact HAL for ANY reason regarding that booking from that point on. So when you have a question pertaining to your cruise and you can't get in touch with your TA for whatever reason, you're pretty much stuck until you can either contact your TA or one of their associates who will, in turn, act as your proxy when talking with HAL.

 

That's simply incorrect. There are MANY THINGS you CAN contact HAL for regarding your booking. For example, you can book shore excursions. You can book specialty dining. Indulgences, yes, Reserve the Spa, yes. Order liquor for your room, yes. You can do online check-in. What you CANNOT DO is make changes that will change the TA commission.

[ChinaShrek]

Just be advised if you decide to transfer your booking to a TA, you CANNOT contact HAL for ANY reason regarding that booking from that point on. So when you have a question pertaining to your cruise and you can't get in touch with your TA for whatever reason, you're pretty much stuck until you can either contact your TA or one of their associates who will, in turn, act as your proxy when talking with HAL.

 

Thank you, I will keep this in mind. I was more interested in getting 10% or more of the cruise fare in OBC. If I am only going to get $100, I will probably keep it with HAL.

Edited January 31, 2017 by ChinaShrek

[RocketMan275]

Thank you, I will keep this in mind. I was more interested in getting 10% or more of the cruise fare in OBC. If I am only going to get $100, I will probably keep it with HAL.

 

You need to start looking for another TA. I would expect an absolute minimum of $300 OBC on a $3500 cruise. TA can also discount HAL cruises. I would expect to pay only around $3150 for that $3500 cruise, a 10% discount.

[kentuckycruiser]

Here's another tip. Bigbox can't hold a reservation. But I went online and held our cabins (which I think was good for 5 days??) then I called a special number I was given and asked to transfer those held cabins to bigbox. Hal asks for telephone number and I gave them the Specific number bigbox had given Me. Then I paid for it 3 days later with bigbox and got all their deals

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[RocketMan275]

Here's another tip. Bigbox can't hold a reservation. But I went online and held our cabins (which I think was good for 5 days??) then I called a special number I was given and asked to transfer those held cabins to bigbox. Hal asks for telephone number and I gave them the Specific number bigbox had given Me. Then I paid for it 3 days later with bigbox and got all their deals

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

One of the big box membership stores has a VISA credit card that pays 3% cash back on cruises. Just like getting a 3% discount.

[Ken the cruiser]

That's simply incorrect. There are MANY THINGS you CAN contact HAL for regarding your booking. For example, you can book shore excursions. You can book specialty dining. Indulgences, yes, Reserve the Spa, yes. Order liquor for your room, yes. You can do online check-in. What you CANNOT DO is make changes that will change the TA commission.

 

Yes, I stand corrected. You can book items online. However, you cannot TALK directly with a HAL representative if you have an issue you need resolved. You have to go through your TA.

[RocketMan275]

Yes, I stand corrected. You can book items online. However, you cannot TALK directly with a HAL representative if you have an issue you need resolved. You have to go through your TA.

 

You can also call if your prefer to book items that way. You can also call to resolve issues with those things. The things you cannot do are really very limited and probably aren't time sensitive. (Yes, I know about upsells/upgrades but those go through your agent anyway.)

[ChinaShrek]

You need to start looking for another TA. I would expect an absolute minimum of $300 OBC on a $3500 cruise. TA can also discount HAL cruises. I would expect to pay only around $3150 for that $3500 cruise, a 10% discount.

 

This was my first attempt to transfer a reservation and I will keep looking for a better TA. However, it is tedious. Usually, when I call a TA, I have to leave a message (no one ever picks up directly) and explain everything. Then, they call me back and ask for more information. Then they have to call HAL. All of this can take a day or two to accomplish.

[RocketMan275]

This was my first attempt to transfer a reservation and I will keep looking for a better TA. However, it is tedious. Usually, when I call a TA, I have to leave a message (no one ever picks up directly) and explain everything. Then, they call me back and ask for more information. Then they have to call HAL. All of this can take a day or two to accomplish.

 

You need to find a better TA. I will use one of two. Sometimes I do have to leave a message but usually they answer. Both are small businesses. First name basis after a couple of cruises. If I need to change something I'll just send them an email. For example, if I notice a price drop, I'll just email them and ask.

 

I don't deal with the big box agencies. Sometimes I might consider the big box member store, but they only give OBC and I can do better.

[kazu]

Yes, I stand corrected. You can book items online. However, you cannot TALK directly with a HAL representative if you have an issue you need resolved. You have to go through your TA.

 

 

Well, I respetfully disagee with that. You can send an e and it helps.

 

I also make requests for tables directly with HAL for dining and I have NEVER been told that my TA needs to make the request.

 

There are certain things your TA does and there are certain things I believe I don't need to labour my TA with ;)