How To Find A Good Travel Agent

[HBDave]

I've been on numerous cruises over the years with most of them being booked by a Mom and Pop Travel Agency or directly with the Cruise Lines. Now that I'm retired, I'm looking to do numerous cruises in the near future and prefer Celebrity. I'm trying to figure out how to find a good Travel Agent with a working knowledge of Celebrity Cruises. Most of the online travel sites seem to be more of a brokerage firm that routes you to one of there independent agents. It's luck of the draw what you'll end up with. I know TA recommendations are not allowed on Cruise Critic, but is there a site with TA reviews or some other methods to find a good Travel Agent. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. 

[5waldos]

I have the same set of questions- I had a TA that I ended up with after booking with her, thinking I was talking to a cruise line rep. She was okay but now has retired. I like being able to do a lot of it myself, but also like the extra benefits of an agent- whether it be OBC or special excursions or what have you.  

[WestLakeGirl]

Perhaps go elsewhere, off Cruise Critic, since not all websites have the same rules

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Perhaps go elsewhere, off Cruise Critic, since not all websites have the same rules

Do you have some suggestions of other websites?

 

The best way I've found is recommendations from other cruising friends.

[diesel1973]

I have used various TA's in the past and can't find a decent one. Last one I booked gave me the runaround about refunding me for a cancelled cruise for 1 1/2 yrs.. Finally was able to talk to the cruise line direct and got my refund in 2 wks. So much for TA's !

[wrk2cruise]

It's hard to find one who is the right match for a travelers requirements.   As Linda said it's best to discuss with cruising friends or with people you may meet onboard.  Just remember your requirements may be different than someone else.

 

[Redtravel]

Good luck.  A good agent is vital to making your cruise experience good.  Talk to friends. Recommendations are important.  Call and talk to an agent.  An good agent should take time to know you. A short call can be helpful to you and the agent.  Any agent that strictly deals online and will not take a call is to be avoided.  Before contacting a new agent, look at fares on the direct cruise line website and also on the travel agency’s website. Some agents are really knowledgeable. Sadly, some agents are clueless.  

[TeeRick]

Try using this resource for cruising.

 

https://cruising.org/en/find-a-travel-agent

[Denny01]

I agree that the On Line ‘TA’s many times are what I call Booking Agents, not Travel Agents or Travel Advisors, which I think is what you are looking for. Once they got you booked, thats as far as their ‘help’ goes. And Yes, many along with me, have booked on our own, used an 1-800 or On Line, and booked directly with a Line. My advice is the same a most of the above - talk to friends in your area and find a local professional TA. 

 

My TA has access to ‘deals’ I dont even know exist. When posters complain about how long it takes them to get through to a Cruise Line rep they booked with directly, I just say: “I call my TA and they answer on the 2nd ring”….and they are the ones who have to go through that hassle, especially these last few years with all the cancelations and changes. 

 

Heck, one time I had to change a cruise to another and I knew I’d lose a few hundred, my TA reminded the Line that I booked with them Many Times and did they really want to stiff me  because I was moving to another date/itinerary? they didn’t charge me. Another time I was flying to NY with a huge storm hitting it - my TA had me set up before our flight from Ireland landed on a flight that got out just prior to the airport closing. 

 

Enough. Check with friends - see if local TAs are giving talks on cruising and go to a few to see how they work - check with your local Chamber of Commerce……

 

Good luck and that is a good idea to move to a TA.

 

den

[39august]

Ask questions of a prospective agent. Should be available weekends as well as week days. Should NOT charge change or cancellation fees. I got my very good TA by recommendation from a cruiser acquaintance and by asking questions. 

[Jeremiah1212]

Talk to people who have similar travel styles. If you really want personal attention you probably need to look into Concierge Travel or Luxury Travel agents. Their services may not be free or without fees if you are wanting them to do a lot of the legwork. The big guys with the discounts are mostly call centers reading from scripts or the website just like you can. You get their pricing but that's it. 

[cruzzzinma]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Do you have some suggestions of other websites?

 

The best way I've found is recommendations from other cruising friends.

I agree with Happy Cruiser 6143. Talk to cruise friends. I found my current agent after getting a recommendation from a woman I connected with a roll call. We had a lot time to visit on private excursions in New Zealand.

[Cruise Gopher]

Agree with others, a good agent will take time to listen to you and ask questions about your likes etc so that they can get a good idea for what to recommend.

 

The smaller agencies often times are backed by very large Travel Agency conglomerates and so they will have access to groups rates, on board credits, and more. 
 

🛳☺️

[Wineaux007]

Shop around until you find a TA that's good for you.

 

 

[HBDave]

Thank you everyone for your input. Since I've done many of my bookings on my own in the past directly with the Cruise Lines, I'm pretty good about my upfront research. By the time I call, I already know the ship, itinerary, date, cabin category and cabin number I want. After reading lots of Cruise Critic posts about OBC, incentives or upgrades that a good TA can provide, I thought I should look at my options. It appears that the cruise lines do a pretty good job at price control, so I'm really just looking for the extras a TA can provide. 

[cachouonacruise]

I have been extremely pleased with my TA. She is working for a well known travel agency and has saved me money time and time again.

 

For example, the TA is big enough to have access to group prices. For some ships and on some cruises, they have rates that are better than what I found on internet. Meanwhile, although I also do my own watch on price drops, she, at times became privy to new sales and allowed me to benefit from them.

 

Just this week, my final payment was due today, she noticed that the Canadian Government Notification to avoid all cruises was downgraded. She notified me and the outcome is that I saved $900 on travel insurance.

 

She is very knowledgable, extremely patient to answer my million detailed question and reliable.

 

To add a cherry on top, I also end up receiving a small OBC amount ($50) for each cruise. 
 

So, all things considered, her accessibility, her rate watching and her ability to take the time to know me enough to know what kind of deal could be of interest to me and her professionalism, I am sold. Customer for life. 

[Wineaux007]

38 minutes ago, HBDave said:

Thank you everyone for your input. Since I've done many of my bookings on my own in the past directly with the Cruise Lines, I'm pretty good about my upfront research. By the time I call, I already know the ship, itinerary, date, cabin category and cabin number I want. After reading lots of Cruise Critic posts about OBC, incentives or upgrades that a good TA can provide, I thought I should look at my options. It appears that the cruise lines do a pretty good job at price control, so I'm really just looking for the extras a TA can provide. 

I always research ship/itinerary, etc., that you do, then I call my TA to ask if they have any specials/group rates.  On a recent booking, I got $500 less on my category than offered by Celebrity.  Also, love the OBC.  

[Cruise Gopher]

1 hour ago, HBDave said:

Thank you everyone for your input. Since I've done many of my bookings on my own in the past directly with the Cruise Lines, I'm pretty good about my upfront research. By the time I call, I already know the ship, itinerary, date, cabin category and cabin number I want.

You are a travel agent’s dream customer! 😁

[5waldos]

1 minute ago, Cruise Gopher said:

You are a travel agent’s dream customer! 😁

Now if we could only find the dream agent. 

[Denny01]

4 hours ago, 5waldos said:

Now if we could only find the dream agent. 

I did. 
 

den

[RollWave]

About a month or so ago I was in search of the same - a really good TA.

 

Covid, my bucket list, and possible travel in the post pandemic world made me realize that the best deal should now include the ability to obtain the most responsive personal contact. I enjoy doing my own research and am loyal to Celebrity but was at my wits end after hours upon hours of being on hold with various big box TA only to get through and not get the information I truly needed. Frankly, a gift card a few weeks after the cruise was not worth it!

 

I looked online for Google reviews and Yelp reviews. I reached out to a few local TA by email to get a feel for their responses. I found a really great local TA this way!!!! I emailed. The response came back to me within 24 hours....because this TA was on a Celebrity cruise at the time with a group booking. He offered to call from the ship. That was not needed so we schedule a time to chat when he was back.

 

So far I have booked a week cruise with Celebrity and a weekend with Royal. I have received very helpful information about cabins. For the Celebrity week long cruise we are not to final payment yet and he has re-booked twice to get us a better rate (I always thought this was a myth and never happened). 

 

Thus far I am very happy & comfortable with this professional relationship. 

 

 

 

 

[WestLakeGirl]

17 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Do you have some suggestions of other websites?

 

The best way I've found is recommendations from other cruising friends.

Places like yelp, for a start

[bigbenboys]

I've had the same TA for over 22 years. She is fantastic. I know she will retire soon. Normally I just email her what I want and boom it is done. She is on vacation with her husband in the Czech Republic for a month. Celebrity just announced Infinity will be in the Med year round. I did a quick look and saw that Infinity was to stop in Casablanca in Dec 2023. Last time I was in Casablanca was 2013. I decided to give a cousin a try. Well, it did not go well. I wanted a S1 suite 6122. I asked did you put a hold on the cabin she said no. I said the S1 are going fast. I ended up with a darn Aqua SS suite 6128 that cost $1000 more. I dont use the spa or the gym. I should have just booked the suite I wanted when I had the chance. lesson learned. I really dont want to be my own TA. Why should I let Celebrity keep the commission.

[Jim_Iain]

I would have to agree that the best approach would be to ask  for recommendations.   Having said that I had a great TA that went sour after 8 years and I really felt bad about some members that I had referred to her.   I believe she got into financial difficulties due to covid and stopped giving the OBC's that had been committed to at time of booking and would not answer e-mails about it.   My last bookings with her are the b3B I'm leaving on in April  -   she has been very attentive but I really wonder whether she will stiff me again. 

 

That's another warning,   when you transfer your reservation to an agent they have it for the life of the reservation unless they agree to turn it over to you  or Celebrity intervenes for lack of service.

 

We may all have a TA we like or prefer, but over time things happen so keep your ears open and be prepared to make a change if needed.  

[runningtide]

I have been very lucky with my TA. A glowing reference 10 years ago from a close friend led me to her. She’s based in Florida, and knows the cruise industry cold. I’ve done countless trips over the years with her and would never consider any other option. But as many have said, always look for solid recommendations. BTW… I did ask her a few weeks ago if I could share her name on another post on CC, and she said her policy is only recommendations to my friends. For what I guess are valid reasons, she doesn’t want her small firm advertised on CC.