Downside to switching to a TA?

[NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope]

I booked cruise on line (Black Friday sale) I'm thinking about switching booking to local TA, more to give her the business than to get perks. What will I be giving up? Of course, final payment is this week, so I know I have to act fast if I'm going to do this.

 

[cruiserchuck]

The only thing you might be giving up is the ability to cancel or change your cruise without a fee.  Some travel agents have started charging a fee (in addition to any fee charged by the cruise line) for cancellations/modifications.  I recommend you make sure the travel agent you are planning to go with does not charge those types of fees.

[JimnKaren]

We have had our TA (a local woman) for 12 years or so. I like the idea of keeping the money in the community rather than in the pocket of some big-box store or the cruise line itself.

She used to give us little things like a bottle of wine or chocolate covered strawberries, but I told her to stop that and to keep her money in her pocket, we aren't changing.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel cruises after final payment. There was never a problem with our agent.

You might know that travel agents don't get their commission until the cruise is completed.

Jim

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just make certain that any perks you were to get from HAL -- I assume you originally booked through them -- you won't lose when you switch to a TA.

[NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope]

Thank you, all.

[Hlitner]

What you would be "giving up" is the ability to get perks generally worth 7-10% of your cruise fare by shopping around among some decent high volume cruise agents :).

 

Hank