Snaefell3 Posted September 2, 2023 #51 Share Posted September 2, 2023 19 minutes ago, basor said: ⋮ Does it matter whose pocket it comes out of as long as it is in my pocket? ⋮ If it comes out of O's pocket, your TA isn't going to have to wonder if giving up part of their commission is worth it to get your business...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherd really Posted September 2, 2023 #52 Share Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Snaefell3 said: Having a TA's cellphone number who can smooth your way out of an issue a day's travel outside Timbuktu can be priceless -- if you often explore the desert around Timbuktu. 😉 As for OCCAP perks, remember: they come out of O's pocket, not the TA's. Yes, but they won't get into your pocket without a travel agent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agape01 Posted September 2, 2023 #53 Share Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) The only time when I got a huge discount on any cruise was on the Oceania Riviera cruise last Dec 22 from Rome/Civitavecchia to Miami. In that cruise, I was quoted rate was $6649. I was given a $1000 discount for early booking (no doubt that the cruise was 7 months away) a further bonus discount of $1500 and international savings of $822 for a balance of $3527/pp for a A3 concierge stateroom. On top of that, I had a separate bonus for OBC and a separate credit for shore excursions. This was when COVID-19 rules were more relaxed. So I am not sure whether did the discounts I got was due to the reputation of my cruise agency in my country or that was a promotion going on specifically for that cruise. Whatever it was, it was the best cruise that I had ever taken other than experiencing choppy wifi coverage, missing Antigua due to a minor glitch to the ship engine resulting in one of my shore excursions cancelled and experiencing heavy weather at Gibraltar that cancelled a shore excursion but was allowed to join any excursion that was happening that day. . Edited September 2, 2023 by agape01 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMHuntFerry Posted September 2, 2023 #54 Share Posted September 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, agape01 said: Whatever it was, it was the best cruise that I had ever taken. And that's what matters in the end! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted September 2, 2023 #55 Share Posted September 2, 2023 If you're new to Oceania here's some advice, read more, post less. You'll be amazed at what you can learn. This is not just for the OP. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agape01 Posted September 2, 2023 #56 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Just now, AMHuntFerry said: And that's what matters in the end! Realized that I missed putting in those details that I added in later. But La Reserve and other things made up for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dw64 Posted September 2, 2023 #57 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Question; are the walls metal in the cabin ? I like to use metal hooks to hang up schedule or hubbys hats.1st time O cruiser in Dec. Booked b2b. Looking forward to spreading my wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 2, 2023 #58 Share Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Snaefell3 said: If it comes out of O's pocket, your TA isn't going to have to wonder if giving up part of their commission is worth it to get your business...? I think some TA's get so many credits that they can offer perks to clients The Gratuities a pass through perk Those that belong to Consortiums pay a fee to belong to those organizations so giving perks & rebates may not go hand in hand People may get one or the other depending on the TA & source of the perk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basor Posted September 2, 2023 #59 Share Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Snaefell3 said: If it comes out of O's pocket, your TA isn't going to have to wonder if giving up part of their commission is worth it to get your business...? Or you receive both O pass thru perks and TA perks..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osandomir Posted September 2, 2023 #60 Share Posted September 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Snaefell3 said: If it comes out of O's pocket, your TA isn't going to have to wonder if giving up part of their commission is worth it to get your business...? There’s a way to get both - the O perks through your TA and commission share as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazznruby Posted September 3, 2023 #61 Share Posted September 3, 2023 Used to work with a TA whose company belonged to one of the larger, better known consortia. Usually received OBC and sometimes PPG. Customer service was generally good; in one case with one of their agents, not good. But I wanted to try another TA on the recommendation of someone here. (I think you know who you are, so thanks again.😊) Smaller agency that does not belong to any consortium that I'm aware of. As a result, with the four current, O bookings I've made with her, I've received very generous OBCs, but no PPG. Her customer service, however, is stellar. In the beginning, I thought twice about switching, since PPGs are really, really nice when you haven't yet reached that loyalty level. But in the end, I have no regrets. There's a lot to be said about the trade off being well worth it. And we don't spend thousands every year. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray4Fun Posted September 3, 2023 Author #62 Share Posted September 3, 2023 23 hours ago, ORV said: If you're new to Oceania here's some advice, read more, post less. You'll be amazed at what you can learn. This is not just for the OP. Heck,, look what happened when I asked! Great information,, 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherd really Posted September 3, 2023 #63 Share Posted September 3, 2023 1 minute ago, Ray4Fun said: Heck,, look what happened when I asked! Great information,, 🙂 The search function here leaves much to be desired and new topics drive traffic. It's all good to ask, even when it makes my eyes roll. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snaefell3 Posted September 3, 2023 #64 Share Posted September 3, 2023 23 hours ago, jazznruby said: ⋮ As a result, with the four current, O bookings.... And we don't spend thousands every year. With 4 current O bookings, should I tell them they must be? 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazznruby Posted September 4, 2023 #65 Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Snaefell3 said: With 4 current O bookings, should I tell them they must be? 😉 Yep, knew somebody would infer that...but guess what? As I said, we don't spend thousands every year. I'm thinking of those who do multiples every year. Been cruising since 1995. Some years, none at all; some years, one; some years, maybe two. Just so happens that next year we have a Caribbean B2B and then a transAtlantic late in the year. And one booked in April 2025. After that, who knows?? But thanks for your concern. Bottom line... the amount of business one does with a particular TA should not determine the level and quality of customer service one receives. If it does, time for a new TA. Edited September 4, 2023 by jazznruby 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEFIowa Posted September 4, 2023 #66 Share Posted September 4, 2023 14 hours ago, jazznruby said: ... As I said, we don't spend thousands every year. I'm thinking of those who do multiples every year. Been cruising since 1995. Some years, none at all; some years, one; some years, maybe two.... Bottom line... the amount of business one does with a particular TA should not determine the level and quality of customer service one receives.... If you talk to a potential new TA you're going to give them your travel business history. And you spend a lot just on cruises over time. And there is more to spending than just the cruise. See airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotels, and more. So that gets ADDED to the spending done thru a TA. And in the REAL WORLD, just as with casinos & car salespeople & realtors & other service providers, the amount of business one does with a particular TA is correlated with the level and quality of customer service one receives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted September 4, 2023 #67 Share Posted September 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, MEFIowa said: If you talk to a potential new TA you're going to give them your travel business history. And you spend a lot just on cruises over time. And there is more to spending than just the cruise. See airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotels, and more. So that gets ADDED to the spending done thru a TA. And in the REAL WORLD, just as with casinos & car salespeople & realtors & other service providers, the amount of business one does with a particular TA is correlated with the level and quality of customer service one receives. I just do not agree with you. Our TA does not book anything but the cruise. I do all the research, use miles for flights, book insurance independently, book hotels independent, cruise one time a year. She’s fantastic. she provides benefits financially and otherwise to book with her over what any cruise line offers directly. We had a TA many years back from a large consortium who did not offer us anything whatsoever. It was eye opening having conversations with fellow travelers on a cruise about how their TA’s offers so much. So I began my research. It took me looking and interviewing, so to speak. It was well worth my while to do that. Maybe it would benefit you as well to give it a try, until you find one yourself. I am sorry that you have not had those experiences, but it does NOT mean that many of us have not, as has been shared repeatedly here. Maybe, just maybe, you haven’t found the right TA, because they clearly are out there from reading these comments. Maybe there is more than what has been your REAL WORLD. That said, if you don’t want to believe it is possible, that is clearly your choice, but please stop the insisting that all of us who have this are not speaking the truth. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1985rz1 Posted September 4, 2023 #68 Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) 32 minutes ago, MEFIowa said: And there is more to spending than just the cruise. See airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotels, and more. So that gets ADDED to the spending done thru a TA. Not necessarily. Our TA is a cruise specialist who books only the cruise. We do our own pre- and post-cruise arrangements and book our own flights. She doesn't make a fortune on our bookings but is very responsive and generous with PPG (through her consortium) and with SBC or rebates from her commissions. And she has our back when issues appear. Edited September 4, 2023 by 1985rz1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazznruby Posted September 4, 2023 #69 Share Posted September 4, 2023 32 minutes ago, MEFIowa said: If you talk to a potential new TA you're going to give them your travel business history. And you spend a lot just on cruises over time. And there is more to spending than just the cruise. See airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotels, and more. So that gets ADDED to the spending done thru a TA. And in the REAL WORLD, just as with casinos & car salespeople & realtors & other service providers, the amount of business one does with a particular TA is correlated with the level and quality of customer service one receives. REAL WORLD FACT...You're just WRONG on all points. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snaefell3 Posted September 4, 2023 #70 Share Posted September 4, 2023 One more thought... "90% of everything is cr*p" -- Sturgeon's Law, propounded in 1957 I've not found TA agencies to be an exception. 😞 Looking again after my winner retired. I know what will be my second conversation topic on our next cruise. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted September 4, 2023 #71 Share Posted September 4, 2023 27 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said: One more thought... "90% of everything is cr*p" -- Sturgeon's Law, propounded in 1957 I've not found TA agencies to be an exception. 😞 Looking again after my winner retired. I know what will be my second conversation topic on our next cruise. 😉 Oy 😏 they are out there. Took me time and effort and it paid off. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazznruby Posted September 4, 2023 #72 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Another positive is that since some TAs (mine included) are very well connected to O and other lines, their insight and information are usually accurate and up to date. Comes in handy sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 4, 2023 #73 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Use the ignore feature & save yourself a headache 🤔 You can lead a horse to water but cannot force them to drink as the saying goes 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted September 4, 2023 #74 Share Posted September 4, 2023 17 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Use the ignore feature & save yourself a headache 🤔 You can lead a horse to water but cannot force them to drink as the saying goes So true 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJL2023 Posted September 4, 2023 #75 Share Posted September 4, 2023 18 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Use the ignore feature & save yourself a headache 🤔 You can lead a horse to water but cannot force them to drink as the saying goes But then we may miss an update on how the cookies are just absolutely delicious now!! Risk and reward required here!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now