TrinaLC Posted August 7, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Use a TA? Well seasoned cruiser but never sailed Seabourn. We are comfortable doing research, selecting stateroom etc, but are there pricing or other advantages to using a TA? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheWonderer Posted August 7, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Although I can't comment on Seabourn, since my first experience is in about a month, in general a good TA is worth it. Here "good" means someone familiar with the line and the ships. Ideal is first-hand experience. Such a TA will not book you into a cabin with problems (and most ships have them). They often end up being cheaper then "rolling your own" because of the on-board credits they offer. And since you are their customer, any advice they give you will not be influenced by the desire of the cruise line of make money. The rules of this board means I can't recommend my TA, although I would love to, but they are not too difficult to find with TripAdvisor etc. Incidentally I support the policy of this board about recommending TAs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naata Posted August 8, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 8, 2018 In my view a TA is a real benefit, as long as they are good. I hae used ours several times in negotiating with Seabourn with a positive outcome. Go direct Seabourn or online then there are risks .. in general, with airlines, tour packages, our great agent has saved us money and aggravation!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLgemini Posted August 8, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I just used a TA for a Seabourn 10-night Canada + New England in two months time and received an additional $200 onboard credit and $1,250 travel reimbursement coming or going from the ship. All Seabourn was offering was $100 onboard credit. Plus my TA will continuously monitor for last-minute price drops. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bestie098 Posted August 8, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Not to mention virtuoso perks. If you pick a virtuoso agent. And don’t forget the referral coupon thread. Lastly, they can confirm and guide you in cruise selection. It’s not like you pay them. Cruise booking commissions are significant and you can choose between Seabourn or a TA having the cut and service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillylovesseabourn Posted August 8, 2018 #6 Share Posted August 8, 2018 To add, you won't get the referral credit if Seabourn are offering an OBC deal, as you can't have both credits together,so make sure you take up the most valuable credit, usually the Seabourn offer one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Dan Posted August 8, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I would never book directly. My TA can offer the very best service at no cost to me, and usually great perks as well! It took a lot of frog kissing before I finally found my prince! Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinaLC Posted August 8, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Referral credit? I’ll have to research that but if anyone wants to give a quick summary ... Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinaLC Posted August 8, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Best way to find that prince since can’t recommend on this board? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mraven Posted August 8, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Referral credit? I’ll have to research that but if anyone wants to give a quick summary ... Sent from my iPad using Forums Read the sticky thread at the top of the Seabourn forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkmiausa Posted September 20, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 20, 2018 As far as booking directly with the company I inquired about the cruise from Montreal to Miami and they told me it was sold out yet when I checked with travel agents they have plenty of inventory why would Seabourn on the telephone say it was sold out and not book us direct?Now they will have to pay the agent the commission as well as give $1000 onboard credit which wasn’t advertised on the Seaborn website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Fulham Posted September 20, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Because agents put some form of hold on a number of suites for their own clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markham Posted September 20, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 20, 2018 BTW, if you are talking about the Odyssey’s Nov., 2019 transatlantic it is not ending in Miami no matter what Seabourn staff or TAs say now. The cruise that follows is out of Sint Maarten, hundreds of miles from Miami. That’s where the transatlantic ends and the next cruise starts, same day, which is a day later than the “arrival date” now showing for Miami. I know this because I am booked on both the transatlantic and the follow-on Sint Maarten to Sint Maarten 2 week cruise. The paperwork on the transatlantic is wrong and will be replaced when Seabourn finally gets around to it. Weird but true. Happy and healthy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalliowner Posted September 20, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 20, 2018 My Agent answer the phone promptly, gives me a good discount, deals with problems and keeps me up to date on any changes . None of which I get from the Seabourn office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adoctor Posted September 20, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 20, 2018 $$$$ plus all the other services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdnycruiser Posted September 22, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 22, 2018 Because some TAs guarantee to sell x amount of suites on a cruise,they get incentives to do so. Some of those incentives may be passed on. I always use a TA,and have never been disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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