Do I need a travel agent to book a cruise?

[culpeppd]

My husband and I have been on three HAL cruises and I have always booked them via a phone call and used the agent that happened to answer my call. I see many people reference "their" TA and am wondering if I am missing out on something. Do you use the same HAL agent when you book or do you use an outside agency to book? Which is better?  

[oakridger]

Hi @culpeppdand welcome to posting on Cruise Critic!  You can get assigned a Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC) at HAL who will be your personal point of contact or use an outside travel agent (TA).  I prefer to use a GOOD outside TA because they can offer additional perks such as onboard credit or maybe gifts for your cruise such as bottles of wine, flowers or specialty dinners, etc. A TA should also give you assistance with information or help with issues if something about the cruise goes sideways. The TA is going to do any legwork needed which is what they get their commission for!!

 

 There are others that prefer a PCC so I will let them answer why they choose that method of booking.

 

~Nancy

Edited January 16, 2023 by oakridger

[shack]

You don't, but I have for 25+ cruises with many, many lines going all over the world -- with the same TA.  Never disappointed.  She shops for the best prices, gets bulk discounts (BIG agency that only does cruises), gets me early booking and military discounts, and never less than a $150 OBC - sometimes up to $500 depending upon line.  Loyalty and return business get rewarded - and take a lot of stress out of cruise shopping.  One man's opinion.

[Florida_gal_50]

I’d love to use a pcc but I’ve been told that if you have any trouble you are on your own or deal with the front desk.  I’m speaking trouble like cancelled flights booked through hal.  The ta’s that I’ve used so far have given me a tiny amount of obc or nothing.  Then they complain if I want to make changes.  So far, not very impressive.

[culpeppd]

Thank you for the information! I'm going to check with an agency that I used professionaly several years ago and see how it goes. We are planning on a seven day Carribbean cruise in February but are also interested in an European cruise later this year. The European cruise is what we really need help with since it will be our first trip to Europe.   

[REOVA]

6 minutes ago, culpeppd said:

Thank you for the information! I'm going to check with an agency that I used professionaly several years ago and see how it goes. We are planning on a seven day Carribbean cruise in February but are also interested in an European cruise later this year. The European cruise is what we really need help with since it will be our first trip to Europe.   

Make sure they are experienced in cruises (and better if familiar with HAL) not just a generic travel agent. They should be your advocate in getting upgrades, benefits and even price reductions as they occur. I do all my own research on itinerary and cabin and then have a TA book to get additional credits/benefits. But our first GWC I did this and used a large national travel agency that had no clue about the cruise I was booking. What should have been a short visit to have them book my cabin and cruise took 3 hours to undo what they messed up. I no longer care about upgrades or having TA track anything (I can do that) so I go with best deal (price/rebate/credit). 

[Mary229]

A good agent or PCC is a great partner, a bad agent is a nightmare.  If you have someone you enjoy working with or a person who has good referrals by all means use them.  At worst the price and experience will be the same as you find on your own.

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

I’m working with an “experienced” ta as we speak.  She’s a cruise specialist according to her card.  She came highly recommended.  I did screenshots of absolutely everything I wanted. Had everything in the email she could want or need.  She ignored 90 percent of what I said and did the booking in usd?  There is no way I could have made it easier.  I’m just better off using a pcc warts and all.

[REOVA]

Just now, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m working with an “experienced” ta as we speak.  She’s a cruise specialist according to her card.  She came highly recommended.  I did screenshots of absolutely everything I wanted. Had everything in the email she could want or need.  She ignored 90 percent of what I said and did the booking in usd?  There is no way I could have made it easier.  I’m just better off using a pcc warts and all.

Yeah, some of them think they know best and just "trying to help" 🙄 My TA now is just a ticket taker, so much easier and less hassle. Repeats what I ask for, reads the booking back and sends email detail. Done. 💯

[dockman]

Lots of people want to book via a travel agent and have the agent rebate a big hunk of their commission to them as an OBC or other "gift".  Then of course if problems occur they expect the agent to take care of everything for them....happens every day. 

 

A travel agent is paid a commission by the cruise line to deal with the customer and handle any problems.  However, often at clients insistence,  many travel agents get caught up in rebating their commissions to get the booking that when the xxx hits the fan they have neither the staff nor inclination to spend hours dealing with it because they gave away their commission which was the pay they get for dealing with problems...then a lot of their customers get angry because they get lousy service.

 

Or people book direct with the cruise line, have cruise line staff answer their questions and spend time on the sale....then before final payment the client turns the booking over to an agent who then gets a nice commission even though they have done nothing in way of service.  Then the xxx hits the fan and the customer calls the cruise line to help them.  The cruise line says that is now your travel agents job to assist you as we pay them a commission to do so and the clients get mad at the cruise line.

 

Yes there are some travel agents who can get extra perks from the cruise lines as they have group space and big volume.  Shop around a bit.  But if you are booking with a travel agent who is giving you a big rebate most likely they are giving up a big chunk of their pay....so if that is the plan keep in mind that was your choice and don't expect the agent to then bend over backwards when and if you need some actual service as you took half or so of their "pay".

 

There are good agents who understand service.  There are clients that understand that good service often comes at a price.  If you expect top notch service at rock bottom prices you may not be that happy with the outcome.

[DAllenTCY]

A "professional" travel agent in my humble opinion is one who will provide you with necessary minimum requirements for a particular cruise.  For instance....citizenship documentation, possible vaccination, visa, entry form needs, confirmed flight, and hotel reservations.  They should be ASTA certified at a minimum.

 

Shortcomings, are those new to the industry who may or may not be directly employed by a cruise line nor have extensive cruise personal experience.

 

Example:  Cruises to the Hawaiian Islands requires proof of citizenship.  Please do not offer a driver's license at check--in and tell me that your travel agent told you that you do not one to cruise to Hawaii.  

I do not accept that you were told on the phone that you don't need acceptable document.

 

As your PCC or agent how many cruises they have taken and on which lines?

 

There is a huge difference between veteran cruisers and those who only have brochures to hand out.

 

My personal opinion does not reflect that of either my current employer, past employer, or future employer.  

 

David

 

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

You've had lots of good advice here, but to find the names of 'good' travel agents you will have to wait until you are onboard and can ask fellow passengers.  It's totally verboten to name, or hint at in any way, travel agents on Cruise Critic.  And since people are already getting tempted, this thread is locked.