Rare vacationlover_mn Posted September 25, 2019 #1 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Haven’t used a TA in years... if I book a cruise using a big box, I can still manage most elements of my cruise in the planner, correct? I’d only need to call the big box if I wanted to change rooms, or cancel, correct? Thx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dplusd Posted September 25, 2019 #2 Share Posted September 25, 2019 You can plan your cruise using the cruise planner the same as you would if booked direct. Correct about going through the TA for changes to your reservation such as changing rooms, cancelling, repricing or making payments. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridgemama Posted September 25, 2019 #3 Share Posted September 25, 2019 First time using an on line TA and probably my last. I like to be in charge of my cruise and yes I can reserve things on line in the cruise planner but I have to call the TA for everything else. Phone calls, emails not being responded to in a timely manner. Maybe I just have the wrong TA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 25, 2019 #4 Share Posted September 25, 2019 11 minutes ago, blueridgemama said: .... Maybe I just have the wrong TA. That would be my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilyclub Posted September 25, 2019 #5 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Yeah, been using an internet agency, but price drops and getting obc are a pain. Booked with Royal, when I got a decent agent on the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 25, 2019 #6 Share Posted September 25, 2019 1 hour ago, blueridgemama said: First time using an on line TA and probably my last. I like to be in charge of my cruise and yes I can reserve things on line in the cruise planner but I have to call the TA for everything else. Phone calls, emails not being responded to in a timely manner. Maybe I just have the wrong TA. It's all in the TA. I had a good one, but she left and her replacement was useless. So I started using one I met online. Best decision ever. Probably even better than my old one. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vacationlover_mn Posted September 26, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted September 26, 2019 (edited) I’m now torn about using a “regular” TA, or the big box one. At the big box, I’d get a gift card for the store, but it sounds like a regular TA will give me OBC? Edited September 26, 2019 by vacationlover_mn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bburk00 Posted September 26, 2019 #8 Share Posted September 26, 2019 I just moved one of our cruises over to a TA. First time to ever use one. When the genie sends out our preference sheet it will still go to us correct? I don't want it going to the TA and him losing it, not that he would, but just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted September 26, 2019 #9 Share Posted September 26, 2019 Lots of good and Bad. Going on Harmony next May, first time for us to just book with RCI on line, all other cruise trip have went with a Travel Agent. What I did not know is you can not pick your cabin on line with out a extra cost.With My Travel Agent we always picked out our Cabin day of booking.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamcruzin Posted September 26, 2019 #10 Share Posted September 26, 2019 17 hours ago, blueridgemama said: First time using an on line TA and probably my last. I like to be in charge of my cruise and yes I can reserve things on line in the cruise planner but I have to call the TA for everything else. Phone calls, emails not being responded to in a timely manner. Maybe I just have the wrong TA. That was my experience with my Warehouse TA. Never spoke to the same person who booked the cruise and waited a life time on hold the 2 times that I had to call. I only used them for $250 OBC and had to call 21 days before sailing to get conformation of the OBC. The other time I called was to find out what portion of the cruise would be refundable if I canceled so I knew what value to insure. Whoever I spoke to were very helpful but I wouldn't expect great service if something should have happened and I needed them to go to bat for me. Now after this Thomas Cook situation I'm more hesitant to use a TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilkySal Posted September 26, 2019 #11 Share Posted September 26, 2019 Yes, Iamcruzin, I had a similar experience with a big box TA and so was resigned to do my own until I was referred by a CC member to a TA in Ocala. She is handling our Aus/NZ cruise in February 2021 and, so far, she has been wonderful and available 24/7!! How she handles this trip will determine if we use her again! For right now, I couldn't be more pleased and look forward to working with her! The right TA makes a difference for sure!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 26, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 26, 2019 1 hour ago, bburk00 said: I just moved one of our cruises over to a TA. First time to ever use one. When the genie sends out our preference sheet it will still go to us correct? ... Correct. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen411 Posted September 26, 2019 #13 Share Posted September 26, 2019 You should also check if your travel agent participates in the Royal Up program if you have any interest in that. i remember readings threads where people couldn't participate in Royal Up with one of the big box TA’s Outside that, having the right travel agent is a great benefit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted September 26, 2019 #14 Share Posted September 26, 2019 (edited) I just transferred my Alaskan booking that I booked direct with RC to a travel agent and I couldnt be any happier. I met her online in a Harmony of the Seas cruise group. Happens that we went to the same high school and she lives in the town in central FL that I grew up in. She was able to get almost 300.00 knocked off the price by putting us in a group booking and she also gave us an onboard credit. She is excellent and constantly monitors price drops as well. I will book through her from here on out. Edited September 26, 2019 by ryano 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri914 Posted September 26, 2019 #15 Share Posted September 26, 2019 16 hours ago, John&LaLa said: It's all in the TA. I had a good one, but she left and her replacement was useless. So I started using one I met online. Best decision ever. Probably even better than my old one. When we cruise next time I'll do the same thing. Met one on line that was extremely helpful. Unfortunately for me, i'm outside the window allowed for transfers for my upcoming cruise, but i'll def use him next time! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridgemama Posted September 26, 2019 #16 Share Posted September 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said: That was my experience with my Warehouse TA. Never spoke to the same person who booked the cruise and waited a life time on hold the 2 times that I had to call. I only used them for $250 OBC and had to call 21 days before sailing to get conformation of the OBC. The other time I called was to find out what portion of the cruise would be refundable if I canceled so I knew what value to insure. Whoever I spoke to were very helpful but I wouldn't expect great service if something should have happened and I needed them to go to bat for me. Now after this Thomas Cook situation I'm more hesitant to use a TA. Question about OBC with the TA When I have booked direct my OBC is listed on my RCI account page so that I can use it to purchase things in my cruise planner. It is not available online now in my account. I called and she said it would show up in my on board account on the 2nd day of the cruise. Does that sound right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 26, 2019 #17 Share Posted September 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, blueridgemama said: Question about OBC with the TA When I have booked direct my OBC is listed on my RCI account page so that I can use it to purchase things in my cruise planner. It is not available online now in my account. I called and she said it would show up in my on board account on the 2nd day of the cruise. Does that sound right? Correct, that kind of OBC won't show up early Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted September 26, 2019 #18 Share Posted September 26, 2019 14 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: Correct, that kind of OBC won't show up early Strange. The OBC I received from my TA is available for use immediately in my cruise planner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted September 26, 2019 #19 Share Posted September 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, ryano said: The OBC I received from my TA is available for use immediately in my cruise planner. That may have been pass through OBC from RCI. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glide_Path Posted September 26, 2019 #20 Share Posted September 26, 2019 If I'm getting between 8-10% in either instant discount, or in OBC by going through a TA, is that considered a good or fair amount? Sometimes the big box online TAs will run double OBC sales, I've gotten 15+% in OBC.... it's just such a pain when you need them to make any kind of change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 26, 2019 #21 Share Posted September 26, 2019 18 minutes ago, ryano said: Strange. The OBC I received from my TA is available for use immediately in my cruise planner. Sometimes the travel agent has OBC to give from a group booking perk and that OBC is really from Royal. That shows up in the Cruise Planner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 26, 2019 #22 Share Posted September 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, Glide_Path said: If I'm getting between 8-10% in either instant discount, or in OBC by going through a TA, is that considered a good or fair amount? Sometimes the big box online TAs will run double OBC sales, I've gotten 15+% in OBC.... it's just such a pain when you need them to make any kind of change. Sounds quite generous to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 26, 2019 #23 Share Posted September 26, 2019 6 minutes ago, Glide_Path said: ... it's just such a pain when you need them to make any kind of change. Not for us. It's actually easier than a direct booking. I send one email, takes me a minute, and the travel agent makes the change. No phone calls, no waiting on hold, no using Royal's website. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 26, 2019 #24 Share Posted September 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said: Now after this Thomas Cook situation I'm more hesitant to use a TA. I dont worry about that. Our payments go direct to Royal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted September 26, 2019 #25 Share Posted September 26, 2019 23 minutes ago, Glide_Path said: Sometimes the big box online TAs will run double OBC sales, I've gotten 15+% in OBC... On RCI? It's kinda hard for any TA to make money when the most they'll likely see from RCI in commissions is 16% and that's on the comissionable portion of the fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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