New to River Cruise - looking for recommendations

[SbbquilterUT]

We love river cruising and do not miss the big shows in the evening as we are ready to wind down and enjoy relaxing with the new people we had met.  Really love being out and active (hopefully learning as well) early and are ready to turn in early some nights.  One caution - August is prime holiday season in Europe so as well as the possibility of hot weather, the crowds make travel less fun for us in that time period.  

[franski]

On 11/15/2022 at 12:22 PM, dacf said:

Gretchendz, I totally understand their position and yes I agree 100%, I would be upfront with them, however the two I spoke with both said prior to doing the research, there is a charge.   I think the charge is incorporated in the final cost if we go with them but if not then we lose the $200.  In response to your other post, I don't know what line that was, they never said.  

I find it odd that a travel agency would charge you for their service.  Maybe things are different in Alberta, but I work with a TA here (I live about 50 km east of Toronto) who does not charge for any "research" she does for me. 

 

Did you go with a Cruise specialist?  I wonder if they charge (my TA works out of a "generic" travel agency...).

 

Fran

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, franski said:

I find it odd that a travel agency would charge you for their service.  Maybe things are different in Alberta, but I work with a TA here (I live about 50 km east of Toronto) who does not charge for any "research" she does for me. 

 

Did you go with a Cruise specialist?  I wonder if they charge (my TA works out of a "generic" travel agency...).

 

Fran

I have never heard of a US travel agency that charges in advance.  Some of the el cheapo internet agencies charge for changes or cancellations – and I would never consider dealing with them.

[knoxclone]

Many travel agents are beginning to charge fees - often called a research fee or a service fee. That fee is then reimbursed or added against the total booking costs -so if they choose to book  - in the end there is no cost to the traveller.

 

It's a way to compensate the TA who may spend several hours doing research and legwork to put together any combination of  trip/cruise/land package (s) to present to client to review...  only to have the traveller take advantage of the TA's expertise and time..and go book it independently to save a few dollars after the research and planning work has been done.  

 

And yes, it happens more often than you would think.

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 hours ago, knoxclone said:

Many travel agents are beginning to charge fees - often called a research fee or a service fee. That fee is then reimbursed or added against the total booking costs -so if they choose to book  - in the end there is no cost to the traveller.

 

It's a way to compensate the TA who may spend several hours doing research and legwork to put together any combination of  trip/cruise/land package (s) to present to client to review...  only to have the traveller take advantage of the TA's expertise and time..and go book it independently to save a few dollars after the research and planning work has been done.  

 

And yes, it happens more often than you would think.

I wouldn’t object to that, as long as it is the only fee they charge. Especially since I do all my research before calling the TA. 

[Gretchendz]

On 11/24/2022 at 3:54 PM, knoxclone said:

Many travel agents are beginning to charge fees - often called a research fee or a service fee. That fee is then reimbursed or added against the total booking costs -so if they choose to book  - in the end there is no cost to the traveller.

 

It's a way to compensate the TA who may spend several hours doing research and legwork to put together any combination of  trip/cruise/land package (s) to present to client to review...  only to have the traveller take advantage of the TA's expertise and time..and go book it independently to save a few dollars after the research and planning work has been done.  

 

And yes, it happens more often than you would think.

 

 

This is very true. While there still many of us who still do not charge a planning or research fee, more and more are beginning to do so.  It's for the obvious reason that most of us cannot afford to work for free, and doing complex travel research can take many hours.  It is sad how often a prospective client asks a TA do all the research, then they book direct or elsewhere.  So the model that @knoxclone describes is becoming more common in the U.S.

 

However, for those of you who do all your research first like @Host Jazzbeau, know exactly what you want, and simply maybe want some extra perks, OBC, etc., there are still plenty of TAs who won't charge the fee.

[Canal archive]

Just one observation will the TA use their paid for by you research with another customer and charge them?

[knoxclone]

IMHO, most research is specific to the individual client's needs and requests, so I would say no.  

[Canal archive]

But what about those little snippets of info picked up they all add to the overall experience. I’m looking at it from a researchers point of view.

[knoxclone]

Hmmm...

While doing research, you always learn something new...and maybe while that little nugget of wisdom may be of vital importance to client A for whom you are putting together a proposal, it turn out to be completely irrelevant to clients B, C & D.  

 

But, those "nuggets" will add to the overall knowledge and expertise and may benefit future clients.  I so would I guess it's just a matter of trust and personalities. And, many TA's will waive the fees,  but as @Gretchendz stated, TA's can't afford to work for free.  🙂

[Gretchendz]

On 11/27/2022 at 2:05 PM, Canal archive said:

Just one observation will the TA use their paid for by you research with another customer and charge them?

 

Well each TA has their own take on things. When I was very new, I never minded spending lots of time on the shoppers as I knew I was learning, like you say. 

 

However, things change fast in the cruise industry nowadays, especially since Covid.  So something I learned about a cruise line even a few  months ago needs to be re-researched because things are changing rapidly.  Certainly something I knew about a cruise ship in 2019 cannot be relied upon. So, it still amounts to spending hours of research for someone who may never book with me.

 

By the way, while we are on the subject, I am surprised how often people are not aware that with most lines, you can book it yourself as @Host Jazzbeau likes to, and then transfer the booking to a TA who will usually give you some OBC or whatever as a thank you.  Just beware there is usually a time limit for doing this, often only 30 days.  For the independent planner, it can be best of both worlds as you plan the exact cruise cabin, etc you want, but you can also can gain some extra perks.

[Got2Cruise]

Researching RC is easy. What is there for a TA to research that you can’t do yourself? RCs are set up to appeal to those who are not savvy world travelers. 

 

 

 

[TMLAalum]

31 minutes ago, Got2Cruise said:

Researching RC is easy. What is there for a TA to research that you can’t do yourself? RCs are set up to appeal to those who are not savvy world travelers. 

 

 

 

What appeals to me in using a TA as a “group” organizer is the details of each couples’ booking rest with her! As friends decide to come along, they call her to book informing her they are with the Framily group. 
 

We are DIYIng the pre and post cruise land portions and trying to navigate and book group rates for trains, etc. isn’t easy, but I doubt that it would be worthwhile for a TA to deal with it.

[Got2Cruise]

1 hour ago, TMLAalum said:

What appeals to me in using a TA as a “group” organizer is the details of each couples’ booking rest with her! As friends decide to come along, they call her to book informing her they are with the Framily group. 
 

We are DIYIng the pre and post cruise land portions and trying to navigate and book group rates for trains, etc. isn’t easy, but I doubt that it would be worthwhile for a TA to deal with it.

Sure. I can see that. But the basic research I like to do myself. I book with a TA myself for the incentives. 

[franski]

On 12/1/2022 at 10:18 AM, Got2Cruise said:

Sure. I can see that. But the basic research I like to do myself. I book with a TA myself for the incentives. 

I book with a TA to have that little bit extra piece of mind... someone to "have my back" as it were if things go sideways.

 

We did Peru and the Amazon with Avalon a few years ago.  Our flight leaving Toronto was quite late - and we missed our connection in Miami. (Actually, the plane was still at the gate - but the gate was closed....  so close...).  Anyway, by the time we made it to our hotel (air line arranged and paid for) it was almost 4 am.  We had another flight booked from Lima to Arequipa - for noon.  Obviously we weren't going to make that.  

 

A quick e-mail to our TA at 4 am told her about the issue - and asked if she could change our booking to the first flight the following morning.  She phoned me before 10 am - the flight had been changed, and the change fees charged to the credit card we had on file.  When we returned home, she had all the paper work waiting for us to claim the change fees, and the one night in the hotel that we missed. 

 

I always do my own research for river cruising - but always use our amazing TA for the booking. Even if she charged for her services (which she does not...) she would be worth it.

 

Fran

[Host Jazzbeau]

@franski's story is exactly why we use a TA.  The advice we get based on her cruising experience is the cherry on top, but the cake is knowing that she is available at almost all hours to take our problem and deal with it.  [That, and letting her sit on hold to deal with the cruise lines...]

[Roz]

On 12/1/2022 at 7:29 AM, Got2Cruise said:

Researching RC is easy. What is there for a TA to research that you can’t do yourself? RCs are set up to appeal to those who are not savvy world travelers. 

 

 

 

 

I consider myself to be a fairly savvy world traveler.  My reasons for river cruising and booking with a TA have nothing to do with an inability to do my own research.  As a solo female cruiser, I like the safety and security of cruising vs. just striking out on my own.  I also like being able to be with others and by myself at times, depending on my mood.  Not having to figure out each day how to get from Point A to Point B is a big plus to me.  I also like being able to essentially pay for 90% of the travel cost upfront, making it easier to budget my travel dollars.