Book direct or through Travel Agent?

[exlondoner]

I think the European air traffic controllers are likely to cause cancellations. Nothing actually to do with the UK as such, but could still be very disruptive.

 

Cunard might at least be more interested in getting you to the next port. Which is not a lot of help on a TA, I admit. I certainly wouldn’t want the M25 between me and Southampton.

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

I think the European air traffic controllers are likely to cause cancellations. Nothing actually to do with the UK as such, but could still be very disruptive.

 

Cunard might at least be more interested in getting you to the next port. Which is not a lot of help on a TA, I admit. I certainly wouldn’t want the M25 between me and Southampton.

Oh Ok - luckily we've done our jetting for this year various trips around Europe. Depends where the flights are from I guess - US/UK flights wouldn't be affected by European ATCs. 

 

M25 - exactly - live near Cambridge; not risking M25 on the day of a TA, or any cruise

[Victoria2]

8 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

No more issue than normal in the UK this summer is it?  The LHR security dispute has been settled

 

I think even if Cunard were organising my flights I'd still give it a couple of days spare*; in your scenario Cunard might just decide to compensate you and let the ship sail on.

 

(*surely no one flies the day of a cruise departure - I wouldn't dare not be close to Southampton overnight - even driving 100 miles on the day of a sailing would worry me too much...)

 

We always have wriggle room when flying in.

Funnily enough, I wasn't thinking of 'our' strikes but more EU air traffic control issues set to disrupt flights.

[Victoria2]

7 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Oh Ok - luckily we've done our jetting for this year various trips around Europe. Depends where the flights are from I guess - US/UK flights wouldn't be affected by European ATCs. 

 

M25 - exactly - live near Cambridge; not risking M25 on the day of a TA, or any cruise

You might be fine, but others might not be. Hence my post #48. That is this year but who  knows what disruption will be next year, and the year after and...

 

We will continue to book any flights through Cunard. Might be more expensive but not necessarily so in the long run.

[Winifred 22]

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

I think the European air traffic controllers are likely to cause cancellations. Nothing actually to do with the UK as such, but could still be very disruptive.

 

Cunard might at least be more interested in getting you to the next port. Which is not a lot of help on a TA, I admit. I certainly wouldn’t want the M25 between me and Southampton.

This was born out in April when the QM2 T A’s were cancelled those with Cunard booked flights were catered for by Cunard. Others had to rely on their travel insurance or failing that a credit card. 

[Winifred 22]

Just now, Winifred 22 said:

This was born out in April when the QM2 T A’s were cancelled those with Cunard booked flights were catered for by Cunard. Others had to rely on their travel insurance or failing that a credit card. 

Sorry this was in reply to Victoria2

[ratflinger]

6 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I don’t think there are any midship Q6s.

You are correct, Cunard would only offer a Q5, the TA website had a Q6 open also.  So the price difference was between a Q5 & Q6.

[MrsPeel55]

On 1/4/2023 at 11:11 AM, Victoria2 said:

Excellent way of booking if the cabin ''you'' want is available at the time. We used to do exactly as you described before our choice of cabins became more limited. Now we book on release.

 

Or we used to buy future credits to be utilised if the itineraries hadn't been released. Maybe one day those will be re introduced.

 

I thought we were going to book next on board...but when looking at the return crossing for next year, the Club Balcony (which we wanted for this) is sold out , am afraid if we wait until being on board (couple of month yet) the cabins we would like on balcony may not be available....so really thinking we need to find a good travel agent....

 

we booked direct with Cunard on the phone for our September coming one.... I thought who better than Cunard go give us all the proper info, but most of stuff that is vital to know I only know now because I found these boards by chance so, @DaisyUK if you can find a proper cruise TA, I reckon you will be better advised and looked after 🙂

[DaisyUK]

Since my original post, I have experimented and booked one cruise direct, another with our UK travel agent (not specialist Cunard) and another with a US agent. I liked booking direct because I could call direct with any queries but having said that it meant a long and frustrating wait while waiting to get through. The UK travel agent booking was fine, but it was long-winded/slow to get answers to queries. The US travel agent booking was our best experience but by then I didn't really have any queries so getting answers didn't apply. Generally, though, the US agent has been proactive, quick to respond and, best of all, they threw in a drinks package, gratuities and some OBC.  

[LittleFish1976]

On 1/9/2023 at 3:05 AM, LB_NJ said:

I think the prohibition only applies to travel agencies because Cruise Critic makes money from travel agencies through their find a cruise page.

Also, Tripadvisor is CruiseCritic's parent company - basically a travel agency.

[Victoria2]

MrsPeel55  DaisyUK

When I read posts such as yours, I just know how darned lucky I was to find my agent. I have recommended him to so many people who are equally delighted.

 

He doesn't undercut; he doesn't throw in extras but he is there, even when on his own holidays, to help and advise. He even advised folk who hadn't booked with him and were at their wits end trying to get closure from their own cancelled cruises over Covid.

 

I guess you could say we book high end travel but high end or the cheapest travel going, I can't think of a better person to look after our arrangements. I can't name him. I can't even give a clue as that's not in the spirit of this board but all I can say is, there are brilliant agents out there and one day, if we meet, I'll give you his name.

 

 

[DaisyUK]

That would certainly be interesting information to have Victoria2 - perhaps we will be onboard at the same time at some point in the future😊

[MrsPeel55]

52 minutes ago, DaisyUK said:

That would certainly be interesting information to have Victoria2 - perhaps we will be onboard at the same time at some point in the future😊

 

 

Travel agents info aside, since the 3rd day after I join the boards here, I have the same wish....  @Victoria2 you are a breath of fresh air, and would love to share a cruising experience in the same ship with you!!!! (and promise isn't because of the fridge fairy offerings either!.... LOL)

 

Maybe the three off us will be one day on board and can exchange info and experience, would love to meet you too @DaisyUK

 

[PSAdams]

On 7/10/2023 at 9:18 AM, NYCSev20 said:

I also booked direct with Cunard US and have booked the cabin that I wanted.  I origionaly contacted a Cunard specialist in the UK but was told due to cruise line and/or UK TA policies I could not be represented by a TA in the UK.  I am aware of the "Cunard specialist agency in Chicago" and I'm curious if anyone has any expierience with contacting them or another TA after booking and what any benefits their might be.  

I just contacted the specialist travel agency in Chicago and they can only take over direct bookings within 60 days. We didn't get into details of benefits, but talked a bit about the process for future bookings. There are benefits from their "V" status.

[NYCSev20]

21 hours ago, PSAdams said:

I just contacted the specialist travel agency in Chicago and they can only take over direct bookings within 60 days. We didn't get into details of benefits, but talked a bit about the process for future bookings. There are benefits from their "V" status.

Thank you.  I'll give them a call and see what, if any, benefits there might be. I'm spending a few days in Prague then taking a train to Hamburg for a couple days before boarding west bound TA, Oct. '24.  I have a solo cabin and I will be booking my hotels through miles so I don't think there will be much benefit for either of us.  This is my first and probably only cruise since my family is not interested but after reading these threads it seems that might change.  I've also decided to FedEx my formal/cruise cloths to my hotel in Hamburg saving me the trouble of traveling with an extra suitcase. 

[MrsPeel55]

32 minutes ago, NYCSev20 said:

 I've also decided to FedEx my formal/cruise cloths to my hotel in Hamburg saving me the trouble of traveling with an extra suitcase. 

 

this is GENIUS!!!!!! Thanks so much for the idea!!!!!! need to look into Royal Mail and private couriers but all our worries about flying with too much luggage would be gone if we can do this!!! 

[shippmates]

We used DHL to ship our luggage to the ship.  It was in our cabin when we arrived on the ship.  The only disadvantage is they have to pick your luggage up 7 days before you board the ship.

[MrsPeel55]

@shippmates thanks, yes, my first choice for private was DHL, looked it up, reasonably priced and arrives in one day from here, I actually put the hotel address not the port/ship, but doubt it will make much of a difference, the port is an hour from the city....

I only looked at 1 package of 10kg, thinking on sending the formal clothes only,  some of the heavier shoes, if they would deliver to the ship it would make it even better!!!! Need to call British Airways and see if/how much they would charge for an extra 23kg in the flight...we usually die it when we travel to South America and it is more or less same as DHL is charging for 10kg.... but then we would be dealing with 3 suitcases to check and the two cabin ones with me in the wheelchair.... but great to know they sent yours to the ship, that would make our life a lot easier....

 

Once again, I'm so very glad I found these boards, so many things I would have never thought of and you all are helping with!

 

!