Trying to decide to book with a TA or directly with Royal

[ann4576]

We've only been on RC once back in 2014, Freedom of the Seas, looking to book IOS for May. Theirs 9 of us going from the ages of 14 to 48. We've always gone on Carnival and I would do the booking through them myself, what are your opinions on booking through a TA vs the cruise line? We'll need 4 cabins, 2 connecting and 3 cabins need to be near each other. The 4th doesn't have to be but it would nice if it was. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[h20skibum]

I would work with a good TA, and you may get a few more perks than what Royal offers.  If you are talking about May of this year, it may be difficult to find cabins that meet your criteria, depending on how full the ship is already.

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

I agree, always use a TA.  The price will be the same or better, plus when you have issues let the TA work them out and save you frustration.  I don’t recommend a big box TA, you won’t get the personal attention.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, ann4576 said:

We've only been on RC once back in 2014, Freedom of the Seas, looking to book IOS for May. Theirs 9 of us going from the ages of 14 to 48. We've always gone on Carnival and I would do the booking through them myself, what are your opinions on booking through a TA vs the cruise line? We'll need 4 cabins, 2 connecting and 3 cabins need to be near each other. The 4th doesn't have to be but it would nice if it was. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Check the prices on line then go to a TA who should be able to give you extra discounts and benefits out of their usual 10% commission.

A specialist cruise TA will have a lot more influence with the cruiseline than an individual booking direct.

[SuiteLady]

I like to book with Royal if there r any perks available, then switch to a TA to get additional perks!  

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

NEVER directly with any cruise company. Get yourself a TA that will work for you. Mine gets me deals and perks and obc that the cruise line does not offer. She also keeps an eye on the price. Has saved me thousands.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

3 hours ago, SuiteLady said:

I like to book with Royal if there r any perks available, then switch to a TA to get additional perks!  

A TA will get you any perks the cruise line is offering at that time.

[hal2008]

44 minutes ago, twodaywonder said:

NEVER directly with any cruise company. Get yourself a TA that will work for you. Mine gets me deals and perks and obc that the cruise line does not offer. She also keeps an eye on the price. Has saved me thousands.

 

Depends on the situation.

 

If you want to go on say Xmas cruise and every local or internet or bigbox TA indicate that it is sold out but RCL is willing to sell you cabin at fair price, then it is no brainer that you book at RCL directly.

 

in the last 25-30 years, have found that tradional TAs are mostly for people who prefer not to even basic research/followup (of course their chooice)

(and TA sometime add a layer of mistakes/complexity)

 

Bigbox works out for DYI guys as they get best rate AND perks

 

Direct RCL works out for VERY last minute crazy deals that none of the TA or boxstore can get you (this category if you can get it, beats ANY best deal bigbox can offer for any sailing on RCL)

Edited January 26, 2020 by hal2008

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

I have NEVER had any cruise line show the correct available cabins. My TA will get me a cabin they say is not available.

[hal2008]

1 hour ago, twodaywonder said:

I have NEVER had any cruise line show the correct available cabins. My TA will get me a cabin they say is not available.

 

Cruiselines holdback cabins for various business reasons and release it through different avenues. 

Same applied for airlines.

(Website showing seat not available and then given that seat through agent is pretty common)

 

It is the reverse situation.

When every TA or OTA or boxstore shows/claim that ship is sold out, RCL can and will sell you cabins when dealt directly (provided that they are not truely oversold)