TA ghosting me?

[Margarita Jane]

I have booked many cruises with the big box TA.  In the last 6 months, I have found it impossible to get customer service from them. So much so, that I’ve started using another TA, even though I get less benefits.

 

My current problem is I am trying to upgrade and add Princess Plus to my sailing in 10 days. While onboard Regal recently, the future cruise person said I could do that, even though it was past final payment, but of course it had to be done through the TA (who I can’t reach by email or phone).

 

My question is - has anyone paid for an upgrade AND added Princess Plus onboard? I don’t think I will hear from big box before I sail ☹️.

[Steelers36]

3 minutes ago, Margarita Jane said:

I have booked many cruises with the big box TA.  In the last 6 months, I have found it impossible to get customer service from them. So much so, that I’ve started using another TA, even though I get less benefits.

 

My current problem is I am trying to upgrade and add Princess Plus to my sailing in 10 days. While onboard Regal recently, the future cruise person said I could do that, even though it was past final payment, but of course it had to be done through the TA (who I can’t reach by email or phone).

 

My question is - has anyone paid for an upgrade AND added Princess Plus onboard? I don’t think I will hear from big box before I sail ☹️.

IDK why a TA would turn down a sale for more $$$ which means more commission.

[CineGraphic]

Call the big box and ask to speak to a supervisor or another agent since yours won’t reply.

[dog]

Call & speak to another agent. Yours maybe off sick   Best to do it now  

[Tedferg]

I thought you could not ADD the Plus package. Plus is nor a feature as the PBP is. You need to re-book. By 'Upgrade' are you moving to a different cabin class?

[Coffeeluvr05]

8 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

I thought you could not ADD the Plus package. Plus is nor a feature as the PBP is. You need to re-book. By 'Upgrade' are you moving to a different cabin class?

Right, it's a different rate code or something like that.  So even if it could be done, it sounds like it would be a re-book situation.  Princess Plus is more of a perk included with the rate.  

 

The "perks" (PBP, Wifi, and crew incentive) included are able to be purchased separately though, which the OP should be able to do on their own through the cruise personalizer. 

[Margarita Jane]

I have tried to call, many times, but just get a recording to leave a message or email them. I have left voice mails. I have emailed. This is not the first cruise booked with them that this has happened. But I had this last one in the pipeline before I switched. 

 

I am trying to upgrade from a regular balcony to a deluxe balcony because DH decided he likes the love seat instead of a chair. 

[cr8tiv1]

Good luck with getting your needs met 10 days out.

 

I was told I could not add Princess Plus perks to my basic fare.  I would have to cancel and re-book in that category (different promotion number) at the higher fare.  I don't have any answers for you. 

 

With limited time, I don't know what your options might be.  Best case:  cancel for any reason and get back FCC and apply it to your new booking with Princess Plus.  Not sure this could be done in time for your sailing.

[Tedferg]

4 minutes ago, Margarita Jane said:

I am trying to upgrade from a regular balcony to a deluxe balcony because DH decided he likes the love seat instead of a chair. 

I think the cabin upgrade can be re-fared but Plus needs re-book. TBH I don't see why it should be this way.

[dog]

32 minutes ago, Margarita Jane said:

I have tried to call, many times, but just get a recording to leave a message or email them. I have left voice mails. I have emailed. This is not the first cruise booked with them that this has happened. But I had this last one in the pipeline before I switched. 

 

I am trying to upgrade from a regular balcony to a deluxe balcony because DH decided he likes the love seat instead of a chair. 

Call Princess and tell them you cannot get through and what you want to do 

 

ask for a Supervisor. Calling first thing in the morning when they start work has saved me from being on hold. 
 

otherwise, remember what a hassle this has been and never book with that TA again 

 

and in the past, I was able to add the package when I changed cabins. 

Edited January 12, 2022 by dog

[skynight]

Some have reported success upgrading their cabin by going to passenger services on boarding. Can't comment on adding the plus package. 

[franktown]

I had to re-book to add Princess Plus.  Wasn't a big deal for me as the price and perks were the same and hadn't booked EZ air.  Booked the same cabin after it was cancelled.

[spunks]

It wont help here, but in the future you might consider booking direct with the cruise line. Once you book with a TA you no longer own your own booking and the cruise line cannot talk to you. Good luck.

[Margarita Jane]

1 hour ago, dog said:

Call Princess and tell them you cannot get through and what you want to do 

 

ask for a Supervisor. Calling first thing in the morning when they start work has saved me from being on hold. 
 

otherwise, remember what a hassle this has been and never book with that TA again 

 

and in the past, I was able to add the package when I changed cabins. 

Good suggestion, I will try. They’ll probably tell me I have to work with TA, but it’s worth a shot.

 

I should have cancelled at 30 days out, but never thought it would be this difficult. I’m Elite on Princess and Elite+ on Celebrity, with a few others added in….so I have used this big box agency for a long time. But, I won’t use them again…

[paul929207]

2 hours ago, spunks said:

It wont help here, but in the future you might consider booking direct with the cruise line. Once you book with a TA you no longer own your own booking and the cruise line cannot talk to you. Good luck.

With all the problems people report trying to get thru to Princess, I am not sure that booking directly is the answer.

[seeyouinthesun]

I'm done with TAs. Not worth the aggravation.

[Steelers36]

22 hours ago, paul929207 said:

With all the problems people report trying to get thru to Princess, I am not sure that booking directly is the answer.

But you can book directly using Princess.com.  No need to call unless have specific questions or issue to discuss.  

[Steelers36]

On 1/12/2022 at 2:56 PM, spunks said:

It wont help here, but in the future you might consider booking direct with the cruise line. Once you book with a TA you no longer own your own booking and the cruise line cannot talk to you. Good luck.

This is a common misconception.  I do NOT like not having control of all of our travel arrangements and never use a TA for anything other than booking a Princess cruise.  I am willing to give up SOME control over my booking in exchange for generous cash discounting. 

 

You can talk to Princess about any question or issue or request other than making a payment on the booking, cancelling the booking, changing cabins, or re-faring existing booking.  Pretty much anything else is no problem and don't let them deflect (I rarely have this happen - they only take exception if the discussion veers into the areas mentioned).

 

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, seeyouinthesun said:

I'm done with TAs. Not worth the aggravation.

I was almost in the same place some years ago as I was not finding the right TA that was going to do me any good.  If they aren't saving me money, what's the point?  I like doing my own travel arrangements.  But, I did find out the way to get several agencies to compete for my business and that led me to at least a couple of good choices.  You might hear of a good TA by happenstance from a fellow cruiser.  I'd at least be open to hearing about someone new and talk to them.

[brisalta]

On 1/12/2022 at 10:37 AM, Margarita Jane said:

I have tried to call, many times, but just get a recording to leave a message or email them. I have left voice mails. I have emailed. This is not the first cruise booked with them that this has happened. But I had this last one in the pipeline before I switched. 

 

I am trying to upgrade from a regular balcony to a deluxe balcony because DH decided he likes the love seat instead of a chair. 

 

Find out what time your big box travel agency opens for the day and call right at opening time.

[Tedferg]

4 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

I was almost in the same place some years ago as I was not finding the right TA that was going to do me any good.  If they aren't saving me money, what's the point?  I like doing my own travel arrangements.  But, I did find out the way to get several agencies to compete for my business and that led me to at least a couple of good choices.  You might hear of a good TA by happenstance from a fellow cruiser.  I'd at least be open to hearing about someone new and talk to them.

I remember our first cruise in 2008, I had no idea how things worked and went to the only travel agent in our small town. Our next cruise was 6 or 8 years later, and I had found Princess website, Cruise Critic, Private Excursions etc. I also got a recommendation for a TA from Cruise Critic and get discounted prices and OBC. I still do most of the legwork myself and enjoy doing it.

[spunks]

7 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

This is a common misconception.  I do NOT like not having control of all of our travel arrangements and never use a TA for anything other than booking a Princess cruise.  I am willing to give up SOME control over my booking in exchange for generous cash discounting. 

 

You can talk to Princess about any question or issue or request other than making a payment on the booking, cancelling the booking, changing cabins, or re-faring existing booking.  Pretty much anything else is no problem and don't let them deflect (I rarely have this happen - they only take exception if the discussion veers into the areas mentioned).

 

No misconception at all. And that generous discounting you talk about is the myth. We get the best discounts thru the Princess Casino. Even still , when they have a flash rate reduction( those happen more than you realize) they are capacity controled and you will miss it trying to contact the TA

[Steelers36]

8 minutes ago, spunks said:

No misconception at all. And that generous discounting you talk about is the myth. We get the best discounts thru the Princess Casino. Even still , when they have a flash rate reduction( those happen more than you realize) they are capacity controlled and you will miss it trying to contact the TA

I cannot argue about casino rates, but not everyone gets those.  And the discounting is absolutely not a myth (nor is it fake news).

[dog]

5 hours ago, spunks said:

No misconception at all. And that generous discounting you talk about is the myth. We get the best discounts thru the Princess Casino. Even still , when they have a flash rate reduction( those happen more than you realize) they are capacity controled and you will miss it trying to contact the TA

We’ve been fortunate to have casino rates giving us between $400-$600 off website rates per person. Not bad. 

[justafem]

11 hours ago, spunks said:

No misconception at all. And that generous discounting you talk about is the myth. We get the best discounts thru the Princess Casino. Even still , when they have a flash rate reduction( those happen more than you realize) they are capacity controled and you will miss it trying to contact the TA

 

Several of the "online" TA's give discounts off the casino rate too.  There's no shame in asking!

 

Our next cruise (2 weeks!) we got $300 off the casino rate, $400 in onboard and  $300 in casino cash by using an online TA.  I book the cruise through princess at the casino rate, then transfer to whichever TA gives me the best deal.  

 

We still have no idea how we're going to spend the $400 as we got the princess plus.  And there's NO WAY we could do specialty dining 7-8 times in a 10 day cruise and be able to walk off the ship. 

 

We've done this particular cruise multiple times before, no reason to even get off the ship, so no excursion costs. We don't need any more junk, nor do the (grown) kids need more junk. 

 

We'll figure it out, no way I'll leave a penny in nonrefundable credit.  

 

My gut tells me when the deal is the best it's going to get, price, perks and casino cash all play a part in my decision. The only time that we didn't get a pretty good discount was on our first cruise, before I knew about online TA's, sites where online TA's bid for my money, how to wait for the best deals (or NOT wait and get the best deal) and how to get onboard credit/casino credit. That first cruise was an EXPENSIVE lesson in how not to cruise!

 

On a side note, has anyone else noticed princess plus has gone up?  It was $40 per day and now is $43 per day. 

Edited January 14, 2022 by justafem