daka Posted July 25, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I am frustrated and disgusted with any of the T/A's I've tried. How do you find a GOOD T/A who will help you, rather than finding all the info myself and giving the booking to an agent..... I know that posters cannot recommend...just let me know how you found your GOOD agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted July 25, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Recommendations by friends. There are good ones out there. Just ask your friends or people who cruise a lot on Princess and respect their opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted July 25, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Ask other cruisers. Do a search for one of the online bidding sites. Wait until a week or 2 before final payment and then switch to any TA you want for a trial run. If the TA is no good, he'll only have a week or 2 to show how terrible he is.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted July 25, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 25, 2017 If you lack a significant number of friends who cruise you could ask people onboard who they use and if they are good bad or indifferent. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted July 25, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 25, 2017 We have a good agent, but we do 95% of the research ourselves. We just tell the T.A. what we want, that way if we are disappointed it's on us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
octoberdana Posted July 25, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Our only experience with travel agents cost us money and tons of stress and frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted July 25, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 25, 2017 It is absolutely worth it to find a good travel agent. I do all my own research, but my TA is has access to higher people at the cruise line (meaning she can get a 'yes' when I can't) and is available to intercede for me -- with good phone and internet connections -- if something goes wrong. We just had to cancel an expensive hiking tour, and she bird-dogged the insurance company through the approval process. Plus I get a small rebate on every booking. Others have agents who may not give personal service like that, but who give 10% rebate. Either is better than leaving all the money on the table with the cruise line reps who can't do anything but book your cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 25, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I found my TA by asking people on cruises. When any one said they had a good TA, I asked the name, etc. I made a list. Work thru the list to find the best one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted July 25, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Found ours thru recommendation from cruising friend .She is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggfrmr Posted July 26, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Look for one who specializes in cruises and keeps their training up to date. One who really knows the cruise industry is invaluable. Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taters Posted July 26, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 26, 2017 For years I had a wonderful travel agent. Then she was promoted and she was not allowed to book anything for me after that. Good for her, bad for me! And THEN the agency she was with was purchased by one of those giant agencies and the service was painfully awful. I tried finding a good, local agency to use, but had a terrible time with incorrect bookings (wrong dates!) and no return phone calls, etc... After searching for about 5 years with horrible results, I started booking all of my cruises and travel myself and guess what? I've had NO more problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyweir Posted July 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I've found the Princess rep to be great. She got us better pricing and more perks than any of the TAs I checked with. I did use a TA for my royal Caribbean cruises as they did a better job than the RC folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pris993 Posted July 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I am frustrated and disgusted with any of the T/A's I've tried.How do you find a GOOD T/A who will help you, rather than finding all the info myself and giving the booking to an agent..... I know that posters cannot recommend...just let me know how you found your GOOD agent. Been cruising for 30+ years... now with the internet. a TA is of no value to me... I book my air, my own cruise directly... do hotels, insurance all myself... I am in control of all my bookings and prefer it that way. The days of a TA being of real ended 25+ years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Denmal Posted July 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I use the cruise consultant Princess assigned to me..she is great 🍸🍸. But I complete most of the research myself but she gets me better prices vs the princess web site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare trbarton Posted July 26, 2017 #15 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I'm aware that you can't post any travel agent information on CC. Is it allowed for me to post how to reach me so I can send them my travel agent information? That's how I found my agent, someone emailed me the information. Tom😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Flyer Posted July 26, 2017 #16 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I'm aware that you can't post any travel agent information on CC. Is it allowed for me to post how to reach me so I can send them my travel agent information? That's how I found my agent, someone emailed me the information. Tom Based on this CC statement from their guidelines (Advertising Is Not Allowed) that is not permissible to do. "This means you should not ask about someone's travel agent, nor should you respond in kind. Offering to email someone your travel agent's name or info is also not allowed, nor is asking members to email you for the information". http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailBreakaway Posted July 26, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 26, 2017 It is absolutely worth it to find a good travel agent. I do all my own research, but my TA is has access to higher people at the cruise line (meaning she can get a 'yes' when I can't) and is available to intercede for me -- with good phone and internet connections -- if something goes wrong. We just had to cancel an expensive hiking tour, and she bird-dogged the insurance company through the approval process. Plus I get a small rebate on every booking. Others have agents who may not give personal service like that, but who give 10% rebate. Either is better than leaving all the money on the table with the cruise line reps who can't do anything but book your cabin. Would you provide your TA through Private Messaging? Ours only offers small onboard credits. Rather have 10% off. Thanks! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 26, 2017 #18 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Ask around. Your friends, family, etc. may know or know someone who cruises to give you recommendations. Finding a good travel agent is worth the effort. (y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted July 26, 2017 #19 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Would you provide your TA through Private Messaging? There is no PM function on CC Based on this CC statement from their guidelines (Advertising Is Not Allowed) that is not permissible to do. "This means you should not ask about someone's travel agent, nor should you respond in kind. Offering to email someone your travel agent's name or info is also not allowed, nor is asking members to email you for the information". http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted July 26, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I think word of mouth is the best way to find one. That's how I found mine. I hate that I can't tell you there web site. If you see me on a cruise. I will be happy to tell you. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted July 26, 2017 #21 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I've found TAs through a website that lets different travel agencies compete for your cruise business. One of them was very good--but then his prices started getting worse and worse. I eventually switched to another agency and now I booked our most recent cruise through a third agency. I'll probably go back to the second agency when the TA I like there is available immediately. The reason I switched this time was that he was unavailable when I was ready to book. I like saving money over booking directly with the cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoWhiners Posted July 26, 2017 #22 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I'm aware that you can't post any travel agent information on CC. Is it allowed for me to post how to reach me so I can send them my travel agent information? That's how I found my agent, someone emailed me the information. Tom😎 People post their email addresses all the time, for many allowable reasons--coordinating a tour, sharing cabs, making contact because both in the same town, making pre-or post-cruise dinner plans, notes on blogs or other helpful info, etc. I am sure you have many questions/thoughts to offer, that may not interest everyone on a particular thread. Good luck ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted July 26, 2017 #23 Share Posted July 26, 2017 A cruising friend recommended his TA. Haven't tried but now have one in case I decide to shift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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