TA with Cunard experience

[Jack E Dawson]

We have a great Travel Agent who is hard working, a good communicator and sweats the details but he is not very experienced with the Cunard line so I'm not sure we are always getting the best deals and perks. Can anyone either recommend a good TA who has a lot of Cunard experience or how one would go about finding such a person? Many of our friends are avid cruisers but we are the only ones who have sailed on Cunard and even our experience is limited. So, when it comes to what to expect, there is probably a lot that we don't know that we don't know, if that makes sense. 

Thanks

Jack

[Host Hattie]

Unfortunately Cruise Critic does not allow TA recommendations.

[Jack E Dawson]

I get it, no problem. Instead of recommending a TA, can we focus on he process?

 

We have a great Travel Agent who is hard working, a good communicator and sweats the details but he is not very experienced with the Cunard line so I'm not sure we are always getting the best deals and perks. Can anyone recommend a good TA who has a lot of Cunard experience or how one would go about finding such a person? Many of our friends are avid cruisers but we are the only ones who have sailed on Cunard and even our experience is limited. So, when it comes to what to expect, there is probably a lot that we don't know that we don't know, if that makes sense. 

Thanks

Jack

 

 

[Host Hattie]

If you have a look at the main Cruise Critic site, there are some articles about choosing a TA. I can't post a link as my access gives me the UK version.

[MCC retired]

When contacting a Travel Agency ask if they have a TA that is a “Cunard Commodore” on staff .

They have completed many hours of training on the Cunard Product and will have the knowledge that you wish.

This is not to say that you are getting a better price than booking direct , but you should , as any TA is permitted to discount Cunard’s Best Current Rates .

 

 

Edited January 31, 2019 by MCC retired

[shippmates]

37 minutes ago, MCC retired said:

When contacting a Travel Agency ask if they have a TA that is a “Cunard Commodore” on staff .

They have completed many hours of training on the Cunard Product and will have the knowledge that you wish.

This is not to say that you are getting a better price than booking direct , but you should , as any TA is permitted to discount Cunard’s Best Current Rates .

 

 

TA's are not allowed to discount a cruise lines rate but can offer you a OBC, a dinner in a specialty restaurant, a bottle of wine.  When speaking with a TA make sure they do not charge you a booking fee, change fee or even a cancellation fee.

[MCC retired]

5 minutes ago, shippmates said:

TA's are not allowed to discount a cruise lines rate but can offer you a OBC, a dinner in a specialty restaurant, a bottle of wine.  When speaking with a TA make sure they do not charge you a booking fee, change fee or even a cancellation fee.

 Cunard , one of only a few cruise lines ( Princess and HAL are others ) is permitted to discount the best current Cunard rates . They just are not permitted to advertise those discounted rates . You must contact them .

Edited February 1, 2019 by MCC retired

[tv24]

Perhaps when you are on your next Cunard trip, you can have this conversation with your fellow passengers.  This is how we chose our TA.  We met some fellow PAX in the Commodore Club who raved about their TA.  We hired him and now we rave about him.  Perhaps you can raise this question at a Cruise Critic Meet and Greet.

[godfreyb]

Andrew Nelder, Maitre'd  (now retired) recommended a travel agent whom we have since used for cruises for 15 years.  The senior staff and especially the Hotel Manager will know.

[Bigmike911]

18 hours ago, Jack E Dawson said:

We have a great Travel Agent who is hard working, a good communicator and sweats the details but he is not very experienced with the Cunard line so I'm not sure we are always getting the best deals and perks. Can anyone either recommend a good TA who has a lot of Cunard experience or how one would go about finding such a person? Many of our friends are avid cruisers but we are the only ones who have sailed on Cunard and even our experience is limited. So, when it comes to what to expect, there is probably a lot that we don't know that we don't know, if that makes sense. 

Thanks

Jack

One recommendation I would make to you is to have your T/A contact Cunard and discuss the options that he or she has as a T/A on behalf of a client. When one calls Cunard, one of the (dreadful) phone options is for T/A's so I presume that the have a team to work with Travel Agents.