Educate me

[bayonne]

I’ve always booked directly with cruise line. I like checking prices, (yes, I admit it. I call every time I see a price drop). However, I see some travel sites offer the same cabin type with perks at the same or better price. Should I stay with direct calling or switch to travel site? If I switch, do I have any control in getting price adjustments?if I book a guaranteed cabin does direct bookings get better cabins? I’m a D+ and Elite on my usual lines. Part of me feels like I’m “cheating on my cruise line if I switch from direct calling “ I’ve turned to cruise critic because you always have the answers.

[Texas Tillie]

30 minutes ago, bayonne said:

Part of me feels like I’m “cheating on my cruise line if I switch from direct calling “ I’ve turned to cruise critic because you always have the answers.

 

Do you feel like you are "cheating" on Kroger's if you pay $1.79 for a can of Progresso soup when you can get the same soup at Walmart for $1.50??

[CruiserBruce]

This question, or close variants, is asked almost daily here. You always need to do your research. You probably could get it a cruise cheaper through some of the on line travel agencies. You might get better perks through those agencies. You won't get better room assignments if you book one way or the other.

 

You just need to research which is getting you the better price on each cruise you buy.

[bayonne]

Thank you 

[navybankerteacher]

You certainly should check your options every time you make any significant purchase.  If you find a knowledgeable travel agent you feel comfortable with, you can probably do better - certainly considering the perks which might be involved.

 

I do doubt some of the claims of some posters on these sites who talk about regularly saving hundreds or thousands of $ on their bookings by working with agents.  Some people “always win” in the casino also.

[cb at sea]

You may get a better price thru a TA, but you also give up the ability to make changes or requests directly thru the cruise line....you may incur "change" or "cancellation fees" thru a TA, as well.....so do your research and pick what suits you best!

[flamomo]

In my case, having a need to be able to personally maintain control of as many aspects of my travel arrangements as possible, making my bookings myself directly with the cruise line is the only way to go. I've tried using a TA a couple of times, but hate having to waste time going thru a 3rd party in order to get an issue re: the booking resolved or get an answer to a question or request refaring when the price drops, when I can just pick up the phone and call the cruise line and take care of it right now. In fact, both times a TA was involved, I did all the prep work on the details and then just had the TA finalize the booking with the cruise line. 

Edited August 24, 2019 by flamomo

[Joebucks]

I always shop around for everything I buy. Saves me a ton of money.

 

My cruise fares, I try to keep as cheap as I can. TAs aren't throwing any money at me for my off-peak season, interior cabin. For more expensive fares, you can get some great perks

Edited August 25, 2019 by Joebucks

[clo]

11 hours ago, fyree39 said:

The only perks I usually get are airline miles, which are multiplied up to 7 times

Do you have any idea how that's accomplished?  And when you write "airline credit card" do you mean something like Chase United?

[donaldsc]

15 hours ago, bayonne said:

I’ve always booked directly with cruise line. I like checking prices, (yes, I admit it. I call every time I see a price drop). However, I see some travel sites offer the same cabin type with perks at the same or better price. Should I stay with direct calling or switch to travel site? If I switch, do I have any control in getting price adjustments?if I book a guaranteed cabin does direct bookings get better cabins? I’m a D+ and Elite on my usual lines. Part of me feels like I’m “cheating on my cruise line if I switch from direct calling “ I’ve turned to cruise critic because you always have the answers.

 

Why do you feel that you are cheating your cruise line if you use a TA.  You must realize that the your cruise lines doesn't care two hoots about you and everything that they do exists to separate you from your money.  My attitude is that anything I can do to reduce the amount of money that I send to the cruise line is a good thing and any business for that matter and not a bad thing.  Brand loyalty and company loyalty is hogwash.  

 

DON

[clo]

2 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

Why do you feel that you are cheating your cruise line if you use a TA.  You must realize that the your cruise lines doesn't care two hoots about you and everything that they do exists to separate you from your money.  My attitude is that anything I can do to reduce the amount of money that I send to the cruise line is a good thing and any business for that matter and not a bad thing.  Brand loyalty and company loyalty is hogwash.  

 

DON

If I use a TA and the cruise line pays them a commission, would I be better off working straight with the cruise line.  I worked with them, got a nice fair and then a few hours later got an upgrade to concierge level.  I don't want need OBC. 

[SRF]

You have to do your homework.

 

Some TA charge for name changes.  Some charge for price drop adjustments.  Some charge cancellation fees.

 

So, while you get more, it may cost you more than the basic price.

 

Shop around.

 

But yes, TAs can give you some benefits.  The TA I use, checks for price drops daily, and automatically gets them applied.  I get some OBC depending on the price of the booking.   And no additional charges.  And fast response.

 

 

[ducklite]

22 hours ago, cb at sea said:

You may get a better price thru a TA, but you also give up the ability to make changes or requests directly thru the cruise line....you may incur "change" or "cancellation fees" thru a TA, as well.....so do your research and pick what suits you best!

 

This!  Also if there is a change in your itinerary, it is the travel agent, not you that would be notified.  I've read some horror stories on these and other travel boards about people not notified by the TA before boarding an international flight to board a cruise that had been cancelled two days earlier, or similar. Or travel agents quitting an agency and no one takes over their accounts so getting cruise docs and such (which are mailed/emailed to the TA, not directly to you) forwarded becomes a fiasco.

[pris993]

We traveled for years with TAs handling cruise, air and hotels until the internet and airline policies changed everything.    Then brick and mortor TAs which what we used and preferred started charging for air ticketing and changes in travel arrangements.  After that I took over booking everything directly, air, cruise, hotels and insurance... never turned back.  Like being in charge of making my own arrangements.  I adjust arrangements with hotels and cruise lines when prices drop,  no middle person needed. 

[calliopecruiser]

On 8/24/2019 at 6:56 AM, bayonne said:

(yes, I admit it. I call every time I see a price drop)

That's something a travel agent can do for you......but a real travel agent, not a travel site with phone operators who fill orders but do otherwise little customer service.   I only use a travel agent for cruises, but I do appreciate the customer service aspect of it - telling me about price drops and other changes, and hopefully helping should there be a problem.  Although fortunately this second point (help) has never been needed, a friend has benefited immensely from travel agent help when a cruise line wanted to change their departure date.  I have benefited from the TA informing me of a price drop too.   Additionally, I benefit from 7% or 8% back in OBC, which I've used for shore excursions and gratuities - that's not an insignificant amount of savings. 

 

For my land trips, I like the research and planning, and like to be a little flexible in my plans, so I don't use a TA for those trips - but cruising involves so little planning, there's not much fun in the research and booking to savour. 

[Mike981]

I met a kind travel agent on my last cruise and she shared with me the travel agent she uses because she can't get a better deal herself. Yes it is a LARGE seller. I called this lead shortly after our trip this past January and I am very happy. Baring the four perks I received, the price for just my room is almost double today. And my perks are substantial.

We cruise the Caribbean in January on popular itinaries, so I never see a price drop.

[taglovestocruise]

On 8/24/2019 at 3:56 AM, bayonne said:

I’ve always booked directly with cruise line. I like checking prices, (yes, I admit it. I call every time I see a price drop). However, I see some travel sites offer the same cabin type with perks at the same or better price. Should I stay with direct calling or switch to travel site? If I switch, do I have any control in getting price adjustments?if I book a guaranteed cabin does direct bookings get better cabins? I’m a D+ and Elite on my usual lines. Part of me feels like I’m “cheating on my cruise line if I switch from direct calling “ I’ve turned to cruise critic because you always have the answers.

We sail Royal Caribbean usually, many times we book direct with the cruise line if there is a special offer or if bookings open a day or so earlier then the TA sites.  Always hang up the phone and then call our online TA to take the booking. No matter what the cruise line is offering the TA always adds Pre paid grats or added OBC and a specialty dinner.  Plus the TA always includes a $50.00 OBC loyalty bonus. If we see a price drop a quick phone call gets us repriced.  Have no need whatsoever to be in control of my booking, only the perks matter. 

[ashank1m]

On 8/24/2019 at 7:29 AM, Texas Tillie said:

 

Do you feel like you are "cheating" on Kroger's if you pay $1.79 for a can of Progresso soup when you can get the same soup at Walmart for $1.50??

It is more like, "cheating" on Kroger's if you pay $1.79 for a can of Progresso, when you use a manufacturer's coupon to pay $1.50 a can.