Thoughts about method of booking NCL cruise (PCC or travel agent)?

[Sundiego]

On 5/12/2023 at 1:17 PM, RocketMan275 said:

You've found a good one.   I'm amazed at those on this board that try to convince me that my TA doessn't really give me an 8-10% discount.  

I don't know why there's so much criticism of @RocketMan275 method. I do the exact same thing. My TA discounts the fare (especially for Princess cruises). Sometimes the larger "umbrella agency" she works under has free gratuities on top of discounts. She can quickly view any casino perks I might have and applies them. She ensures the Veteran perk gets applied. If we want to upgrade as prices start dropping after final payment, she willingly helps with that. If I need to reach her, I usually just send a quick email and she gets back to me quickly. Someone on this site gave me the name of my TA about 5 years ago and we use her for every cruise, regardless of cruiseline.

 

~Denise

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

The same price/cost you used for your 8% savings.

By that do  you mean the 'price/cost' you would get from the cruise lines?

[9tee2Sea]

I get calls constantly from people telling me they are my new PCC ( can I believe them?).  I just book myself online thru the cruise website.  I will call and talk to someone if I need something clarified, or help getting it booked.  I really see no reason to have a PCC, they are there at first, but then somehow vanish after getting the booking.  FYI, Im Sapphire on NCL, so I am not new to cruising and al the perks.  Jus my opinion, like some have said, they have great PCC's, but I don't.

[FLAHAM]

I have had my PCC for several years and she is a gem.  If her phone is busy, she typically calls me back within minutes.  Adds, arranges and deletes things upon request.  Nothing is too complex for her.  If she doesn’t know an answer (rare), she calls me back within an hour.  She once set up a 6-cabin group with complex needs for me just the way I wanted.  Once mailed me a full set of Latitudes pins through Saphire.  Has gotten me reservations for “sold out” restaurants and entertainment.  A great PCC is the way to go. I keep her (magnetic) business card on the side of my microwave.  However, I make my own air and hotel reservations.

Edited May 14, 2023 by FLAHAM

[MoCruiseFan]

6 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I've never had to make more than one phone call to resolve an issue.  Usually, one email does it.

My TA will match any offer from a legitimate TA.  she will match any NCL offer plus discounting it by 8%.  And this only takes one email.  

 

 

Uh huh.  I bet she cannot touch the deals I get.  Let alone flying r/t for $12 per person on any flight I take or paying no more than $15 a night for a room at a local Hilton when I fly in to my cruise destination a day early  (The MIA airport blue lagoon is really nice BTW).  Enjoy your measly 8% discount.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

 

Uh huh.  I bet she cannot touch the deals I get.  Let alone flying r/t for $12 per person on any flight I take or paying no more than $15 a night for a room at a local Hilton when I fly in to my cruise destination a day early  (The MIA airport blue lagoon is really nice BTW).  Enjoy your measly 8% discount.

Are we talking about deals that are normally available to the general public?

[itsnotjustme]

On 5/12/2023 at 1:47 PM, Lottosal65 said:

Do any of you have preferences one way or the other, and why?

My preference is TA, but admittedly I have never used a PCC.  Why:

 

• Extra perks not available direct from NCL such a prepaid gratuities or OBC.
• Typically, 7 airline miles/$ of cruise fare (excludes taxes/port fees, FAS gratuities) when using a credit card associated with the airline
• TA has provided great service.  For example, helped me rebook that last cruise twice as fares dropped, then upgrade to a suite.  TA also offers advice on room location such as what is on the deck above....

 

Given the airline miles are valued at about 1.25 cents each, 15,000 to 50,000 miles (depending upon fare) can be significant.  On our last cruise, the miles covered 2 tickets to the departure port in Europe.

[Lottosal65]

Thank you to everyone for weighing in, there is a lot of info to consider in this thread. A new detail to add: my inlaws have decided to come as well after talking with my spouse about the trip. We've decided to book our air on our own since we'll have to be fussy about our flights (inlaws aren't in great health and in mid-80s), but have reached out to a TA to see if they'll help booking the cruise - perhaps we can access some incentives. Thanks again, and I'll keep reading this thread if anyone has some additional insights to share. 🙂 

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Lottosal65 said:

Thanks again, and I'll keep reading this thread if anyone has some additional insights to share.  

One more thing.  While enjoying your cruise,  you can ask your fellow passengers what TA they use and why.  You might find a really good TA that way.  One that will give discounts, etc.

[SimplyAlbert]

I'm also in the amazing TA category.  I've never used the NCL air program because I've been able to book flights independently for either about the same cost or less.  My experience has been that the price difference didn't make up for not being in control of my own flights.

 

We cruised the Breakaway out of New Orleans last February with our youngest and his girlfriend.  BOGO air would have been $600, plus $100 in transfers per cabin.  I was able to book it myself for $325/pp roundtrip.  We took a taxi to and from the airport and as I recall it was about $35 each way.

[Lottosal65]

22 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

One more thing.  While enjoying your cruise,  you can ask your fellow passengers what TA they use and why.  You might find a really good TA that way.  One that will give discounts, etc.

Great idea! We're talking right now with a TA my parents use, he booked our trip with them on another cruise line and they love him. So far, he's been great, but we'll see how this goes re: NCL. Asking others on the cruise is definitely something we'll do.

 

[RocketMan275]

3 minutes ago, Lottosal65 said:

Great idea! We're talking right now with a TA my parents use, he booked our trip with them on another cruise line and they love him. So far, he's been great, but we'll see how this goes re: NCL. Asking others on the cruise is definitely something we'll do.

 

Facebook is another option.  I'm not a fan of Facebook but some have stated that they were able to get information on TA there.

My favorite bit of advice about finding a TA is this.   When you first contact/meet a TA, look at it as if it were a job interview and the TA is the job applicant.  Ask him questions, lots of questions.

Edited May 15, 2023 by RocketMan275

[dmbcanada]

I used my NCL PCC for our next cruise as I thought they could provide me a better deal.  They didn't offer anything different from what was on the website and quite frankly was more of a salesperson than a travel consultant.  Did not find them friendly or helpful in anyway, quickly took my payment and that was that.   So next time will just book online through NCL or use a travel agency if they offer special perks.

[RocketMan275]

32 minutes ago, Lottosal65 said:

Great idea! We're talking right now with a TA my parents use, he booked our trip with them on another cruise line and they love him. So far, he's been great, but we'll see how this goes re: NCL. Asking others on the cruise is definitely something we'll do.

 

One more thing.  Many make the mistake of surfing the net looking for a TA.  Most cruise lines prohibit TA from advertising prices/deals that are different from the NCL website.  You have to call prospective TA and ask what they can do for you.  Some TA advertise 80% off cruise line prices.  But those discounts are based upon the brochure price, ie, window sticker prices, that were published in those fancy brochures cruise line mail out.  No one pays brochure prices.  What you'll find is that 80% off price is the same price on the NCL website.

Another thing. It takes a lot of work to find a good TA, especially one that discounts.  You have to ask  yourself if the work is worth the reward.  For example, while an 8% discount sounds good, if you're booking an inside it's not a lot of money.  If you're booking Haven suites, it can be a lot.

[pghflyer]

TA for booking a cruise, for sure YES.  I have never booked direct and get on average 7-15% of value (sometimes discounted rate, sometimes OBC, sometimes a mix or extra perks) that is extra and above what the cruise line offers directly.  This doesn't mean a travel agent like one may think of from the 80s....in most cases, this is just a different online website form, and I never talk to anyone just like if I booked direct.

[MoCruiseFan]

On 5/14/2023 at 3:24 PM, RocketMan275 said:

Are we talking about deals that are normally available to the general public?

 

 

Yes.  One just has to know the tricks and ins/ouys of variuos offers.  One VERY easy thing to do is get and use an airline and a hotel credit card.  I pay for everything I but with one of my points cards and then pay teh bill as soon as it posts to my account on line so no interest at all.  As a result I fly round trip for $11.20 per person on any flight and I frequently fly first class at that rate.  In addition I stay at Hilton hotels for $0 per night.  There are ways to get cruises at next to noting as well, but I can't give away all of my secrets... 🙂

[RocketMan275]

8 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

 

Yes.  One just has to know the tricks and ins/ouys of variuos offers.  One VERY easy thing to do is get and use an airline and a hotel credit card.  I pay for everything I but with one of my points cards and then pay teh bill as soon as it posts to my account on line so no interest at all.  As a result I fly round trip for $11.20 per person on any flight and I frequently fly first class at that rate.  In addition I stay at Hilton hotels for $0 per night.  There are ways to get cruises at next to noting as well, but I can't give away all of my secrets... 🙂

So you're using points to get these great deals?