What is the advantage of a PCC over TA?

[Ken the cruiser]

Well, once again you folks on CC have opened my eyes to yet another aspect of what you can and cannot do when you transfer your booking to a TA. Thank you once again for setting me straight.

[Cruise Junky]

I'm sure that's the same network, but a different TA.

 

Ever watch the movie "Casablanca"?

 

Lol. I use the same one.

[RocketMan275]

Well, once again you folks on CC have opened my eyes to yet another aspect of what you can and cannot do when you transfer your booking to a TA. Thank you once again for setting me straight.

 

I'm not an expert but I think there are two basic rules for what you have to do through a TA.

 

If you do a mock booking, you'll see there's a significant amount of information requested including how you want the beds arranged. I think if you change any of that you will have to work through the TA.

 

The second rule is any change that affects the TAs commission requires you work through the TA.

 

There's probably more.

[RocketMan275]

Lol. I use the same one.

 

They're good people. Never had any issues and they're a pleasure to work with.

[Cruise Junky]

They're good people. Never had any issues and they're a pleasure to work with.

 

Completely agree.

[Ken the cruiser]

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 ;)

 

If i might ask, what type of table requests do you make directly through HAL other than telling them whether you want fixed or open seating when you first book the cruise? For example is there a way to pre-book open seating reservations in the MDR before you board?

[RuthC]

If i might ask, what type of table requests do you make directly through HAL other than telling them whether you want fixed or open seating when you first book the cruise?

My friends and I request specific tables, by number. We list several choices, in order, and usually get what we ask for.

 

Two of us use scooters, so we need a nearby place to park, and a table we can get to without too much difficulty. Also, we want a table fairly near the door, in case we need to take a quick restroom break during the meal. We want to be within walking distance, just in case.

[Ken the cruiser]

My friends and I request specific tables, by number. We list several choices, in order, and usually get what we ask for.

 

Two of us use scooters, so we need a nearby place to park, and a table we can get to without too much difficulty. Also, we want a table fairly near the door, in case we need to take a quick restroom break during the meal. We want to be within walking distance, just in case.

 

That sounds like something HAL would do. They're pretty good about doing things like that. I take it you and your friends request fixed sitting when you book your cruise with either your HAL PCC or TA and at the same time put your special table location request in at that time.

[serendipity1499]

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.

 

Agree with you that it's probably is not worth switching.. But I will not use a local Agent because their rates are usually within a hundred dollars of HAL's Rate..

 

 

Did not post on this thread when it first started but have been periodically following it.. I'm retired from the Airline Industry & was able to book with our Friends who also are retired from the same company in October of 2016.. In that case we all used the same Agent for an Interline Rate.. Sorry can't discuss Interline Rates with non-Interline Employees..

 

 

Even though I'm retired, I don't get a pension as our company was a foreign carrier which only offered European Employees pensions.. You can see why the Fare is the most important aspect for us..

 

We normally do not use an Interline Rate because of the restrictions, but our regular Travel Agent we have been booking with for many years is based in Orlando, & has always given us a discount of 9% to 12% off the HAL rate.. His company advertised on Cruise Critic & we contacted him & asked for his rates..The last cruise we booked with our regular TA was in Nov. of 2015..He gave us 13% off the HAL rate on a 14 day cruise.. Our regular TA belongs to a large Consortium which often has groups on our cruises.. On our 68 day HAL Antarctica cruise we saved 12 & 3/4 % (over $8,000) by going through our TA instead of a HAL PCC.. We have a HAL PCC assigned to us, as we once received a phone all from her, but have never used her only because of the Fare which is very important to us.. We don't need a TA to help with problems or extraneous bookings which I can do myself..

 

My suggestion to those looking for a good Travel Agent would be look at some of the ad's & phone them to see what rates & services they will offer.. You have to interview them before you are ready to book!!

Edited February 1, 2017 by serendipity1499

[iancal]

We view buying cruises as a commodity item. Once we have selected the itinerary, the ship, and the sail date the only remaining item is price and service.

 

Our on line TA gives us excellent pricing, better than direct, and great service. We have never understood this better control of your booking argument as a reason to go direct. We have always had full control and even better access from a business hours perspective than we would from a direct booking with the cruise line.

 

We also view each booking as purely a commercial transaction. No different than using an ATM. We are not looking for a new best friend. We would never consider booking on line given the performance and user unfriendliness of HAL's web site. We feel the same about Celebrity's web site. Awful. Why reward either of them by booking on their respective sites. Not even a discount for doing so either!

 

It comes down to choice. Whatever floats your boat. The way we look at it is that the OBC's that our on line TA gives us equals about one free cruise for every ten or twelve that we book. Sure beats a medal, a questionable Mariner lunch,a lapel pin, or a discount on alternate dining venues. And you don't need to book direct to get those questionable rewards.

Edited February 1, 2017 by iancal

[kazu]

If i might ask, what type of table requests do you make directly through HAL other than telling them whether you want fixed or open seating when you first book the cruise? For example is there a way to pre-book open seating reservations in the MDR before you board?

 

You can request certain tables as Ruth has said. (Fixed dining)

 

You can't make any open dining arrangements with HAL. That has to be done on board to the best of my knowledge.

[RuthC]

I take it you and your friends request fixed sitting when you book your cruise with either your HAL PCC or TA and at the same time put your special table location request in at that time.

Oh yes. Fixed, main seating. Time to come in from the day, relax and unwind, clean up, and have a proper cocktail time before dinner.

Hate that rushing around an early dinner would entail!

Edited February 1, 2017 by RuthC

[kidlessatsea]

I called several TAs yesterday to inquire about my recent booking and was told it was "too early" to receive perks because no groups have been booked yet. I could cancel my booking and wait but then my cabin may not be available.

 

I also checked my local big box store and they do not offer OBC but a cash card that you get after you get back and the price was more than the HAL website by almost that exact amount.

 

Just stick with PCC and keep checking for specials?

[RocketMan275]

I called several TAs yesterday to inquire about my recent booking and was told it was "too early" to receive perks because no groups have been booked yet. I could cancel my booking and wait but then my cabin may not be available.

 

I also checked my local big box store and they do not offer OBC but a cash card that you get after you get back and the price was more than the HAL website by almost that exact amount.

 

Just stick with PCC and keep checking for specials?

 

Your TA isn't going to give you an significant break. They do get some points and some breaks by booking groups. You might get a bottle of cheap wine at best.

 

All I can tell you is to keep contacting travel agents until you find one who will give you a break. It should be clear from reading these threads that those TA do exist. Unfortunately, they cannot be mentioned by name due to the rules in effect at this website.

 

One thing I can suggest is this. On your next cruise, ask those you meet. Maybe they will be able to give you a name.

[kidlessatsea]

Your TA isn't going to give you an significant break. They do get some points and some breaks by booking groups. You might get a bottle of cheap wine at best.

 

All I can tell you is to keep contacting travel agents until you find one who will give you a break. It should be clear from reading these threads that those TA do exist. Unfortunately, they cannot be mentioned by name due to the rules in effect at this website.

 

One thing I can suggest is this. On your next cruise, ask those you meet. Maybe they will be able to give you a name.

 

Thank you. I did find a large agency affiliated with a credit card as stated above and I called a few other big agencies when I googled. I will keep checking around. Thanks again!

[Tampa Girl]

This is a good point. If you want your PCC to get full credit for a booking don't do it through online or use the 'regular' 800 number, do it through the PCC number. They are two different systems and bookings are not normally transferred. You can do it by cancelling an online booking and then calling your PCC.

 

Dennis

 

How do you find out who your PCC is? Since I have always chosen to ignore their previous letters, I think they have give up on me. We have always used online TA's and been very pleased. And, yes, we have received upsells through the TA's. My brother and SIL, who used an online TA recently, were most pleasantly surprised last Sunday when they checked into the NA in FLL and discovered that they had been upgraded (free) to an SB aft cabin. Talk about luck!

[RocketMan275]

How do you find out who your PCC is? Since I have always chosen to ignore their previous letters, I think they have give up on me. We have always used online TA's and been very pleased. And, yes, we have received upsells through the TA's. My brother and SIL, who used an online TA recently, were most pleasantly surprised last Sunday when they checked into the NA in FLL and discovered that they had been upgraded (free) to an SB aft cabin. Talk about luck!

 

Call the Holland number. They have a record in their computers. I too had forgotten who was mine but they were able to put me through to her.

[blizzardboy]

I've been using my PCC for a several years now. His knowledge of all things HAL has proven invaluable. We book early, so it's not uncommon for us to re-fare our booking up to 3 times before final payment date, if a better deal than we had at the moment comes along. My PCC's knowledge of HAL's Casino codes and compatibility with other promos has proved beneficial. Just prior to final payment, I have the booking transferred to our TA for an additional 9% in refundable OBC.

Edited February 2, 2017 by blizzardboy

[Sanger Cruiser]

I am looking for a PCC for our first Holland America Cruise. Who would you recommend?

[Randyk47]

I am looking for a PCC for our first Holland America Cruise. Who would you recommend?

 

Unfortunately it is against Cruise Critic board rules to recommend a specific person or travel agent.

[djhsolara]

Its a trade off IMO and really depends on your situation and needs.

 

 

 

For me, I like my PCC since I tend to play the "upsell" game to get a better cabin. When you book through a PCC, HAL will send the emails offering upsells directly to you and you respond directly with the HAL department handling them - no TA in the middle to slow down the process (the good upsells go quickly as its first come first served basis).

 

 

 

Further, my PCC does not mind calling the upsell department directly to find out the status of upsell offers (when and if they will be offered). I doubt a TA can or will do this for you.

 

 

 

As to price, some TAs can get you a better price (including perks) than a HAL PCC, but you REALLY need to compare apples to apples when pricing out a cruise (you need to consider all the extras each source is providing).

 

 

I agree on your points here regarding upsells. Our PCC is wonderful and we feel that she truly works her magic for us each time.

 

I know people swear by TAs, but we have yet to find one that could get us better pricing.

 

With using the PCC, we feel like we are still in complete control of our reservation...which is our personal preference.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[crystalspin]

@SangerCruiser -- went to your blog but did not find a direct connection there. Did not know if I left a comment to a photo, would you be notified to go and read it?

 

Anyway, I'm not sure whether or not you can request a PCC (if someone *was* able to give you a name). As far as I know I was assigned one on the first HAL cruise I booked for myself; I suppose they take turns. I never returned her e-mails, but at some point I did save one of them. On Christmas Eve 2016, I tried to call HAL to cancel a cruise, the final payment date of which was December 26. I figured no one would be answering the phone on Christmas, but it did not occur to me that December 24 would also be unplugged! I was panicked, then I thought of that saved e-mail -- I called the extension given, no answer, I left a message and called the associate's number she gave (she was going to be out of the office until New Year's as I recall), and left a message there too. I then e-mailed her directly. On all of these messages I gave full cancellation details -- the four Mariner's numbers, two cabins, etc.

 

Monday morning first thing, I called, and as this was final payment day, I was transferred to a manager. Well! He was able to see that I had e-mailed my PCC on the last working day before the cutoff! and he honored my cancellation and just like that, $2400 appeared refunded to our credit card.

 

When we decided to book another cruise, you bet I contacted that PCC! Like djh, I had all the details figured out myself when I called her, but there is certainly no harm in having someone else on your team and there might be a lot of benefit.

[Randyk47]

I agree on your points here regarding upsells. Our PCC is wonderful and we feel that she truly works her magic for us each time.

 

I know people swear by TAs, but we have yet to find one that could get us better pricing.

 

With using the PCC, we feel like we are still in complete control of our reservation...which is our personal preference.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Funny thing is the two HAL PCCs I've dealt with have both told me they can't come anywhere close to matching my TA's typical 10-12% cash discount. I've never had the least bit of feeling I wasn't in control of my bookings but then again so much now can be done on line without ever talking to a PCC or TA. I wish I could share my TA with you but I can't.

[RocketMan275]

I agree on your points here regarding upsells. Our PCC is wonderful and we feel that she truly works her magic for us each time.

 

I know people swear by TAs, but we have yet to find one that could get us better pricing.

 

With using the PCC, we feel like we are still in complete control of our reservation...which is our personal preference.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

What part of your reservation are you giving up control over when you use a TA? If you're using a TA what are the specific things you no longer control?

[Cruising-along]

...

 

Anyway, I'm not sure whether or not you can request a PCC (if someone *was* able to give you a name). As far as I know I was assigned one on the first HAL cruise I booked for myself; I suppose they take turns. I never returned her e-mails, but at some point I did save one of them. On Christmas Eve 2016, I tried to call HAL to cancel a cruise, the final payment date of which was December 26. I figured no one would be answering the phone on Christmas, but it did not occur to me that December 24 would also be unplugged! I was panicked, then I thought of that saved e-mail -- I called the extension given, no answer, I left a message and called the associate's number she gave (she was going to be out of the office until New Year's as I recall), and left a message there too. I then e-mailed her directly. On all of these messages I gave full cancellation details -- the four Mariner's numbers, two cabins, etc.

 

Monday morning first thing, I called, and as this was final payment day, I was transferred to a manager. Well! He was able to see that I had e-mailed my PCC on the last working day before the cutoff! and he honored my cancellation and just like that, $2400 appeared refunded to our credit card.

 

When we decided to book another cruise, you bet I contacted that PCC! Like djh, I had all the details figured out myself when I called her, but there is certainly no harm in having someone else on your team and there might be a lot of benefit.

 

Yes, you can request a particular PCC, I have given our PCC's name to many friends. They just call and ask for her. It's a shame we can't name names here.

 

That's great that your story has a happy ending re your cancellation!