Book direct or through travel agent?

[brillohead]

8 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

 

In the US it appears they did change the policy of getting OBC if the price drops after final payment.  Now it seems they only offer upgrades if the price of a higher category is the same as what you paid (per my TA and his attempt to get me OBC with price drop after final payment).

Yes, that was part of the Cruise With Confidence program (getting OBC for price drops after final payment).  

[MCC retired]

I don't see as many postings stating "I want to own my booking and don't care about TA offerings", since the Pandemic disruptions. Lessons learned by some.

Horror stories on hold waiting for cruise line reps. 

 

[Ret MP]

11 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

I don’t recall that, but I know CC doesn’t allow recommendations of TAs.  I assume because they sell or have some connection to sales of cruises and don’t want the competition.  And they don’t have pm functionality here either.  It’s a great forum, but the prohibitions on some info and just general over moderation of some content, and often disregard of the bullying is not appealing, imo.  And probably why a fair number of cruisers are not joining roll calls here anymore, and have moved to other platforms.  There is no roll call for my upcoming cruise in a month — never seen that before.

I believe this cruise social media forum is the largest, excluding Facebook (which I left about a year and a half ago).  I don't agree with some of the moderation in here, just like I didn't agree with the moderation in another social media site/forum and recently left, it was totally one sided.   In here, I've already been given a "REMINDER" for an opinion I gave and a few threads have been either locked or deleted.  So, you/I kinda have got to go with the flow and navigate around the moderation Bots or individuals. 

[moposh]

I book direct.  I use my RCI cc and get points and then if I want to use my points towards the cruise.  I like being able to have control over my reservation.  I don't really know what the advantage is of having a TA book it.  

 

We were going to do a Celebrity Cruise through AAA and booked through AAA.  I don't really think there was any advantage though.  Cruise was cancelled as it was 2020.

[3kidsncats]

2 hours ago, TwoWestAussies said:

It appears that TA's in the US are different to here in Australia, I have spoken to a few so called Cruise Specialists here in Perth, I knew more than a couple of them, they either quoted the same or actually higher than I was able to get booking direct with RCL.  When asked if the price of the cruise drops after booking; will they be able to get the lower price for me, I was told point blank by a couple that RCL no longer does that and it cannot be done - this is false.

Also, as you said, our TA's here charge a couple of hundred for even the slightest change - so even if you did make a small saving on the initial booking - this will be quickly eaten up should you make any changes or you miss out on any credits should the price drop.

If the price drops after final payment, they will not obc you for a price drop, and if you want to upgrade direct they charge more than the going rate — I recently inquired on my upcoming cruise, and the two categories I was looking at, one was selling for LESS than I had booked, they wanted $100 total for that one, and $250 total for the other (difference between what I had already paid, and the current fare for the upgraded category was $50 total).  This new policy went into effect in March of this year.  What it taught me, when booking RC, is I will wait until the last minute, or close to, to book anything.  We are at the point of just doing budget, non-bucket list cruises so it’s not an issue to just book great deals on short notice.  Re-pricing is an option I prefer to have if booking in advance, and as far as I know, the other two lines I book with still offer it.  Admittedly, I haven’t double checked, but will if I’m looking to book.  

[3kidsncats]

28 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

I believe this cruise social media forum is the largest, excluding Facebook (which I left about a year and a half ago).  I don't agree with some of the moderation in here, just like I didn't agree with the moderation in another social media site/forum and recently left, it was totally one sided.   In here, I've already been given a "REMINDER" for an opinion I gave and a few threads have been either locked or deleted.  So, you/I kinda have got to go with the flow and navigate around the moderation Bots or individuals. 

Moderating is hard work, and it’s fairly impossible to do it with out some bias.  I have just noticed over the many years that I’ve been here, that some members are allowed to behave in a way that others are not — when really no one should be allowed, imo, to bully.  I, sadly, lean towards dishing it back if bullied, so I try to practice self moderation.  I’ve never gotten a reminder, but have definitely been in threads that got “cleaned” or locked.  I’m ok with that to an extent, as long as it is applied equally.

[Ret MP]

30 minutes ago, 3kidsncats said:

Moderating is hard work, and it’s fairly impossible to do it with out some bias.  I have just noticed over the many years that I’ve been here, that some members are allowed to behave in a way that others are not — when really no one should be allowed, imo, to bully.  I, sadly, lean towards dishing it back if bullied, so I try to practice self moderation.  I’ve never gotten a reminder, but have definitely been in threads that got “cleaned” or locked.  I’m ok with that to an extent, as long as it is applied equally.

Being retired Military and Law Enforcement, accuracy and truth mean a lot to me.  I see a lot of points of view post about a specifically prohibited point of view items/subjects.  However, I can't point out the "FACTS" with links to the "FACTS" in fear of censorship.  This is a privately run company and they have every right to restrict whatever they want.  But, I think it should be equally applied.  

Edited September 27, 2022 by Ret MP

[neverbeenhere]

I've been spanked many many times here on cruise critic, even if I thought all my comments were insightful, they thought the comments might be inciteful. (However, I've spanked a few on a forum that I monitor) It's their playground and they get to make the rules.

 

 

Use a travel agent, they offer the most benefits.

[JeffT237]

We are fortunate to be able to travel frequently and I book almost everything directly, with the exception of cruising.  I've used the same travel agency for the majority of our cruises now.  In our experience we have always had great service and communication, but the biggest pro is that we've always received a lower fare than the cruise line itself and in addition received OBC and other perks like vouchers for speciality dining.  It works for us, we have never had any issues with giving up control of our reservation as our TA has always been easy to contact and address any issues we have had, which in our years of cruising have been very minimal.  

[clskinsfan]

While the benefits a TA gives you are nice that is not why we use one. They are the ones who will be on hold with the cruiseline for hours if there is a problem. Not me. That alone is worth giving them my business. 

[Ret MP]

7 minutes ago, clskinsfan said:

While the benefits a TA gives you are nice that is not why we use one. They are the ones who will be on hold with the cruiseline for hours if there is a problem. Not me. That alone is worth giving them my business. 

I've never used a local TA, not that I haven't tried, always the big box TAs which give you the best OBCs, up to $1,500.00.  So, I'm not sure how the little local TAs actually work/treat you.  My experience is that you call your big box TA and wait in a que for them, just like calling Royal, and then you ask a question, of which they have no idea, and then they have to call Royal while you are placed on hold while they are on hold with Royal.  I find that TAs, I assume the same with local TAs, handle so many aspects of the travel industry, Air, Bus, Train, Hotels, Tours, Cruising, and on and on, they can not be expert in any one of them.  So, they have to call or make "stuff" up. In far too many cases, I've caught my big box TA saying, "I believe that.......".  No, I don't want an, "I believe answer", I want facts.  I've go too much $ invested in my cruising to get opinions.  I need facts.  I try to go into Royal's site to the FAQ and get the answer to may questions from the horses mouth.   So, if it wasn't for the OBCs, I definitely wouldn't use the big box TAs and  on my next cruise, I didn't use a TA and all is well because I was luck to get a Royal Phone Answerer that was actually good at Customer Service and knowledgeable.  

 

BTW, I've asked the TA to call me back when they get the answer from Royal and, in some cases, no returned call.  Calling direct to Royal, eliminates the middle wo/man and you are dealing with a person that only deals with Royal Caribbean related travel plans.  

 

So, I'm torn between the big OBC and dealing direct.  I usually go with the OBCs 🤢, I'm that cheap or just like good deals, $$$ wise.

[retired dude]

6 hours ago, brillohead said:

I will attempt to find out -- if you don't hear from me, please remind me by posting in our Roll Call thread!

thanks much. B&B in clearwater.

[Hammer61]

8 hours ago, TwoWestAussies said:

When asked if the price of the cruise drops after booking; will they be able to get the lower price for me, I was told point blank by a couple that RCL no longer does that and it cannot be done - this is false

Things do change but has been my experience with 3 of the 4 bookings we have that are booked direct that they can be changed to a lower fare if one is advertised! In the case of our Azamara booking the savings have been substantional, almost $1500 each but think there has been a big push by them to fill ships and show what the new owners are about, the RCI bookings it’s only been a few hundred on each, but as someone else has commented seems RCI no longer offer the price match/guarantee on new bookings, so that may not be the case any more.

 

The 4^th booking we have is through an agent but they were quite upfront that the price was set and cancellation charges would apply, but it’s also bundled with flights and hotels so a different kettle of fish so to speak!

 

If things have changed with booking direct and not being able to price guarantee should they drop prices or add promotions then looks like im back to using the TA on amore regular basis.

[Ret MP]

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/best-price-guarantee-policy

 

Spot a better price on your booked cruise?

Our Best Price Guarantee lets you take advantage of a better price within 48 hours from the time you booked— just give us a call or use our online form. You’ll receive the difference as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment.

For more information on the Cruise with Confidence Best Price Guarantee for sailings booked on or before March 31, 2022, that depart on or before September 30, 2022, click here.

[klfhngr]

On 9/26/2022 at 6:58 AM, tiwi said:

When you book a RC cruise do you go through them directly or do you go through a travel agent?  Are there benefits to travel agent vs. direct?  Been a few years since I cruised last.  

Thank you!

I'd stick to a reputable TA that will be there when you need them! I missed the ship once, and my TA made herself available on FaceBook to help me out! On her Thanksgiving night! I'll never forget this and have remained loyal to her, just as she was to me! Those big box travel agencies that promise you more OBC, or free this and that, they are NEVER available when you need them! Ask my sister in law that decided to go with one of these companies instead of my TA, and the cruise line didn't honor any of the gratuities or OBC that were supposedly FREE! I'm sticking to my TA!

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

If all goes well then booking direct might work for you.  It's when things go wrong that a good TA is worth their weight in gold.  We have used the same TA for 40 years.  We could have never gotten a cruise cheaper than what she got it.  Plus she always tossed in perks and great advice.  The agency was the largest cruise booking agency in northern CA for many years.  Twice, I had to call her at the last minutes when we had a death in the family just days before sailing.  She did everything for us and even got my FF miles back for me and I hadn't even booked airfare with her.  I would never book on my own.  Find a good TA and stick with them.    

[Ret MP]

36 minutes ago, klfhngr said:

I'd stick to a reputable TA that will be there when you need them! I missed the ship once, and my TA made herself available on FaceBook to help me out! On her Thanksgiving night! I'll never forget this and have remained loyal to her, just as she was to me! Those big box travel agencies that promise you more OBC, or free this and that, they are NEVER available when you need them! Ask my sister in law that decided to go with one of these companies instead of my TA, and the cruise line didn't honor any of the gratuities or OBC that were supposedly FREE! I'm sticking to my TA!

The big box TA that I've traditionally used would send an advance payment to Royal via Credit Card within a day of embarkation, it would show up on our onboard account when we got there, never failed.  Which also meant that if we didn't use it all, we could cash it out at the end of the cruise.  

[Tree_skier]

The value of a good TA is fully realized when you have a problem or an out of the ordinary situation.  My TA is great.  I'll never go back to direct booking.

[Ret MP]

2 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

The value of a good TA is fully realized when you have a problem or an out of the ordinary situation.  My TA is great.  I'll never go back to direct booking.

Are you using a small town TA, Large non-big box TA, or a big box TA

 

Honest question:  If you are using a small town TA or a large non-big box TA are they available 24/7.  I know the big box TA I've used is available 24/7.  Never do you get the same TA twice when calling though, unless you get an extension # and then there is no guarantee that the same person will answer the phone, just a recording to touch 6 or 2 or whatever.  

 

I ask because most of us, I know I do, travel at all times of the day or night.  If you need assistance at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, is anybody going to answer the phone, other than a recording telling you to call back during business hours.

[Tree_skier]

53 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Are you using a small town TA, Large non-big box TA, or a big box TA

 

Honest question:  If you are using a small town TA or a large non-big box TA are they available 24/7.  I know the big box TA I've used is available 24/7.  Never do you get the same TA twice when calling though, unless you get an extension # and then there is no guarantee that the same person will answer the phone, just a recording to touch 6 or 2 or whatever.  

 

I ask because most of us, I know I do, travel at all times of the day or night.  If you need assistance at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, is anybody going to answer the phone, other than a recording telling you to call back during business hours.

I have emailed my agent at all hours of the day and night and never waited long for a response.  I have no idea what would happen if I called at 2am. Every call I have made was during the day and was answered by him personally. I usually communicate by email.  I don't even think I have ever needed to leave a voice mail.  His agency is only relevant in that it gives access to good group rates.  It is his service that is exceptional.  That service includes him, apparently, never sleeping. 

Edited September 28, 2022 by Tree_skier

[Ourusualbeach]

28 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

That service includes him, apparently, never sleeping.

Occasionally.🤣

[molly361]

9 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

I have emailed my agent at all hours of the day and night and never waited long for a response.  I have no idea what would happen if I called at 2am. Every call I have made was during the day and was answered by him personally. I usually communicate by email.  I don't even think I have ever needed to leave a voice mail.  His agency is only relevant in that it gives access to good group rates.  It is his service that is exceptional.  That service includes him, apparently, never sleeping. 

Well I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that emails their TA at all hours. As a matter of fact I just sent him one now😇 I have never spoken to him on the phone 

[Morecruisesplz]

On 9/26/2022 at 8:58 AM, tiwi said:

When you book a RC cruise do you go through them directly or do you go through a travel agent?  Are there benefits to travel agent vs. direct?  Been a few years since I cruised last.  

Thank you!

The lowest price and best cabin selection will always be with a TA if you find one who shares their commission as OBC and honors price drops. You can still find your perfect cruise, if you like and have a TA book it. Or, if you wish, you can book with Royal and then transfer to a TA for additional OBC, free specialty restaurants or free gratuities. Perk value max is a set % of cruise fare. But even if you are a cabin bargain shopper, $50 is still money!

47 cruises w/Royal and 3 booked.

[Ret MP]

My take from this discussion, ask the TA, large, small, or big box, if an urgent situation arises at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, will he/she or someone from the TA answer the phone.  

 

As stated, my usual TA (the A is for agency, not agent as you never speak to the same agent unless you get his/her extension #) is a big box TA and answer the phone 24/7.  I've never had an urgent situation so I don't know how competent or willing they are at handling urgent situations.  But, I've asked and they say they are a full service TA at any time of the day or night.  

[Morecruisesplz]

2 hours ago, Ret MP said:

My take from this discussion, ask the TA, large, small, or big box, if an urgent situation arises at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, will he/she or someone from the TA answer the phone.  

 

As stated, my usual TA (the A is for agency, not agent as you never speak to the same agent unless you get his/her extension #) is a big box TA and answer the phone 24/7.  I've never had an urgent situation so I don't know how competent or willing they are at handling urgent situations.  But, I've asked and they say they are a full service TA at any time of the day or night.  

We deal with the same person unless its their day off. In that case another agent answers or responds to email. We have even had the TA respond from a cruise to handle an issue.