TA or book direct?

[Lvntrvl]

If all things are equal, would you book directly with the cruise lines or use a travel agent? What are the advantages and disadvantages to each option?

[Jim_Iain]

I think it depends on the Travel Agent you are using.    You can book direct with Oceania and then transfer it to your agent and either have them service your booking our use your agent to service your agent.

 

I prefer to book with an agent knowledgeable in Oceania Product.   Many of these agents will also provide additional perks or on-board credit to obtain and maintain your business.  

I find it easier to just call or email my agent when there is a problem and let them fix the problem.  

[DENIE]

TA for us.  In the Mediterranean we had an issue come up with missing luggage on our flights and thought we would have to change our arrangements to get to the port to pick up our missing bag. Our TA was all over it, thought the bag was found and returned in the nick of time.  Ours also gave us her personal cell phone in case anything came up.

Edited February 6 by DENIE

[alcpa1]

I also recommend you use both with the understanding that your travel agent will handle almost all of the arrangements with Oceania. 

We often book onboard and transfer to an agent particularly familiar with Oceania. There are multiple agents like connoisseur agents and preferred agents who can guide your booking and also offer assistance and perks to enhance your cruise experience.

We have booked cruises with many different lines doing this routinely.

The one thing I would also suggest is avoiding group bookings. You should get this information from your agent. There are little things that could affect your fare and alterations to upgrades, price adjustments etc.

[Hlitner]

If "all things are equal" then you might concsider finding a different trave/cruise agent.  As a general rule, we expect to save 7-10% (overall) by using a decent cruise agent for any cruise line.  With "O" we can generally get pre-paid gratuities plus a generous on board credit by simply using any of our favorite cruise agencies.  

 

Also consider that when you book directly with any cruise line, you are simply one customer.  When youi use a decent cruise agency, that agency has some real clout if there are any issues with the cruise line.  

 

Hank

 

[MEFIowa]

Though do you intend to WATCH for the future SALES that may impact your cruise? You should. And what will your TA do if the price of the cruise is reduced significantly due to a sale? And not all will be happy with the reduction in price. Sometimes O can have massive sales that radically reduce prices (e.g., Cabin Upgrade Sales).

 

I book directly thru O using the same O rep. Have her ext. And I WATCH every sale. I use the SALE after SALE to start with a G or F to go to a C then to a B or A. I've paid about as much for my B or A as for the original G or F. The 10-night booking on Riviera in Nov 2023 was just $1749 PP for an eventual B3. And the eventual A3 for the 10 nights before that on Riviera only $1899 PP. From the 2023 Extraordinary Savings Sale.

[sunlover12]

Choosing a good travel agent can be a benefit. I've done it both ways. When we first started cruising we would book directly with Oceania.  We have now found a very good TA.  She is not only very responsive but she has also saved us $ in the form of pre-paid gratuities.  I wouldn't get complimentary PPG if I booked directly with O. I agree with Hank when he says that you're just one customer with the cruise line when you book directly with them.

 

Regarding the sales, I've said this before and I'll say it again.  They are quite limited.  None of the Oceania cruises I have sailed on have been included in any of the sales. Sure it's a way to save $ but you have to be quite flexible regarding which cruises and when you're willing to book. 

[Hlitner]

20 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

Though do you intend to WATCH for the future SALES that may impact your cruise? You should. And what will your TA do if the price of the cruise is reduced significantly due to a sale? And not all will be happy with the reduction in price. Sometimes O can have massive sales that radically reduce prices (e.g., Cabin Upgrade Sales).

 

I book directly thru O using the same O rep. Have her ext. And I WATCH every sale. I use the SALE after SALE to start with a G or F to go to a C then to a B or A. I've paid about as much for my B or A as for the original G or F. The 10-night booking on Riviera in Nov 2023 was just $1749 PP for an eventual B3. And the eventual A3 for the 10 nights before that on Riviera only $1899 PP. From the 2023 Extraordinary Savings Sale.

Fair question about price reductions.  When it happens (and we have had dozens of bookings over the years, with subsequent price cuts) it is just a quick/simple e-mail to our cruise agent asking them to check-out a repricing.  Depending on the agency (we have used 3 over many years) it takes anywhere from an hour to a couple of days to either have the cruise repriced (at the new lower price) or sometimes we will get a call-back or e-mail telling us of new options vis-a-vis lost or gained promotions.  Since we often have 4-6 booked cruises (with multiple cruise lines) it is convenient when we only need to send quick e-mails (generally to the same agent).   In the case of our upcoming O booking, we had made our original booking just before Simply More.

 

 When Simply More came into effect, our cruise agent sent me a detailed e-mail about our various options (keep the old deal or change to one of the new deals).  In our case it made sense to change to Simply More since our price stayed about the same, we kept our generous OBC, and we gained the additional Simply More shore excursion credit.  As much as I do not not like cruise line shore excursions, if somebody is going to give me a big credit (without costing us more money) it was a no brainer.  None of this took more than a couple of minutes to read a few e-mails and we never had to deal with phone calls, hold times, etc.

 

Hank

 

 

[shepherd really]

I prefer dealing with a travel agent. 

 

A cruise line employee is working to maximize the cruise line's bottom line.  A travel agent works for his customers and can provide service and benefits including PPG and OBC that an Oceania employee cannot and will not.

 

Anecdote: My friend booked an Oceania Suite for a SA cruise that was cancelled in January 2022. I was booked in a B class cabin. While my TA got my refund from O almost immediately, my friend was ghosted by "her" Oceania Rep for a week and finally had to get a supervisor involved to help her.  

 

This isn't a close call. It's foolish to book directly with Oceania.

Edited February 6 by shepherd really

[MEFIowa]

26 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

... Depending on the agency (we have used 3 over many years) it takes anywhere from an hour to a couple of days to either have the cruise repriced (at the new lower price) or sometimes we will get a call-back or e-mail telling us of new options vis-a-vis lost or gained promotions.  Since we often have 4-6 booked cruises (with multiple cruise lines) it is convenient when we only need to send quick e-mails (generally to the same agent)....

In the real world, no one denies that golden wheels get polish and squeaky wheels sometimes get grease. There are "whales" in casinos and with TAs. We're neither. I've booked 5 cruises with O "cruise only", the first off of the 2021 Presidents' Day Sale and we've cruise fine on 4 of them for 40 nights (just finished 20 of them off Riviera as a B2B) and we do our own air fare and excursions and bring our own alcohol on board (so no drink packages). The 6th is SM without airfare. So 5 & 6 will be a 2024 B2B on Sirena.

[MEFIowa]

26 minutes ago, shepherd really said:

... This isn't a close call. It's foolish to book directly with Oceania.

So far 40 nights without a hitch for us "cruise only" since 2021. With 20 more nights booked for 2024. All without a TA. But we're retired educated adults who have travelled. And we enjoy saving money doing our own cruise sales, airfare, excursions, alcohol, etc. Tried the TA route once, but they just weren't interested in the non-whale business (and I watched their videos about the various cabins & ships as they touted their relationship as a big O cruise TA company!).

[shepherd really]

40 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

So far 40 nights without a hitch for us "cruise only" since 2021. With 20 more nights booked for 2024. All without a TA. But we're retired educated adults who have travelled. And we enjoy saving money doing our own cruise sales, airfare, excursions, alcohol, etc. Tried the TA route once, but they just weren't interested in the non-whale business (and I watched their videos about the various cabins & ships as they touted their relationship as a big O cruise TA company!).

You simply won't convince this also well educated, well-traveled person.  I choose to believe my own, personal experience over yours.    Enjoy doing things the way you choose.  I'll do the same, how about that.   

[Hlitner]

50 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

In the real world, no one denies that golden wheels get polish and squeaky wheels sometimes get grease. There are "whales" in casinos and with TAs. We're neither. I've booked 5 cruises with O "cruise only", the first off of the 2021 Presidents' Day Sale and we've cruise fine on 4 of them for 40 nights (just finished 20 of them off Riviera as a B2B) and we do our own air fare and excursions and bring our own alcohol on board (so no drink packages). The 6th is SM without airfare. So 5 & 6 will be a 2024 B2B on Sirena.

Whales?  Whales with TAs?  That is not how it work.

 

 Cruise/Travel agencies are simply agencies that make their money on commissions.  There is no "squeaky wheel" or "grease" but simply a business arrangement.   We have been told (by a HAL rep) that over 80% of all cruise reservations are made via agencies.  To make matters more interesting, many agencies are members of large "consortiums" with at least one of them handling over $1 Billion a year of bookings.  Many of us use agencies because we save money (7-10% is not unusual) when you factor-in On Board Credits, pre-paid grats,etc.  From my point of view, since we deal with so many different cruise lines (O is our 17th cruise line) there is no way I want to deal with each cruise line on an individual basis.

 

One of my favorite cruise agents (she works for a high volume agency) has been in the business for 33 years!  That lady knows her business, has contacts at most cruise lines, and quickly handles our matters with no hassles, no time on hold, etc.  If I need to talk to her about various options, lines and ships, there is a good chance she has been on those lines/ships and also has gotten feedback from other clients.  Having been on far more than 100 cruises we neither need nor desire any handholding.  We do expect professionalism and generally save thousands of dollars, every year, because we choose to book with the agencies that give us the best deal.

 

Hank

 

 

 

[MEFIowa]

Just now, Hlitner said:

...  Cruise/Travel agencies are simply....

What each ONE is and isn't. For they are not uniform.

 

And thus we read here of people who either complain about their TA or want to find one of these mythical uber-O TAs but can't because they can't be named here. I've read repeated claims over the past few years here from O passengers whose TA wouldn't reduce a booked cruise because of a sale or who NEVER told them about the sale to begin with.

 

Please, get real. When a TA KNOWS you're going to spend a fortune with them or ALREADY have spent a fortune with them, they treat you accordingly.

 

AS I SAID, I did contact a rather famous O TA, that produces a ton of videos and makes a lot of claims about their relationship with O. When I told them what I wanted--a current ongoing sale price, cruise only, no drinks package, no excursions, no airfare--they all but tripped over themselves to hang up. They did NOT want that business. The real world....

[basor]

30 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

What each ONE is and isn't. For they are not uniform.

 

And thus we read here of people who either complain about their TA or want to find one of these mythical uber-O TAs but can't because they can't be named here. I've read repeated claims over the past few years here from O passengers whose TA wouldn't reduce a booked cruise because of a sale or who NEVER told them about the sale to begin with.

 

Please, get real. When a TA KNOWS you're going to spend a fortune with them or ALREADY have spent a fortune with them, they treat you accordingly.

 

AS I SAID, I did contact a rather famous O TA, that produces a ton of videos and makes a lot of claims about their relationship with O. When I told them what I wanted--a current ongoing sale price, cruise only, no drinks package, no excursions, no airfare--they all but tripped over themselves to hang up. They did NOT want that business. The real world....

So your opinion of TA's is based upon one experience with one TA... my experience, just one of many, is we book 1 cruise a year, not in a suite, no air and receive perks, excellent communication and happily rebook when a sale.   We found our TA many years ago by talking with fellow cruisers while onboard a cruise - not difficult and not mythical.

We understand your aversion to booking with a TA and I respect your choice that works for you but do not disparage others who also have found a choice that works for them..

[clo]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

As much as I do not not like cruise line shore excursions, if somebody is going to give me a big credit (without costing us more money) it was a no brainer. 

We also. Thanks.

[osandomir]

4 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Though do you intend to WATCH for the future SALES that may impact your cruise? You should. And what will your TA do if the price of the cruise is reduced significantly due to a sale? And not all will be happy with the reduction in price. Sometimes O can have massive sales that radically reduce prices (e.g., Cabin Upgrade Sales).

 

I book directly thru O using the same O rep. Have her ext. And I WATCH every sale. I use the SALE after SALE to start with a G or F to go to a C then to a B or A. I've paid about as much for my B or A as for the original G or F. The 10-night booking on Riviera in Nov 2023 was just $1749 PP for an eventual B3. And the eventual A3 for the 10 nights before that on Riviera only $1899 PP. From the 2023 Extraordinary Savings Sale.

What gets you an impression that a good TA can’t do the same with all that sales that you have mastered so well and then give you some more? Just so you know, some times there are also sales that Oceania makes available through the TAs only.

[ORV]

15 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

What each ONE is and isn't. For they are not uniform.

 

And thus we read here of people who either complain about their TA or want to find one of these mythical uber-O TAs but can't because they can't be named here. I've read repeated claims over the past few years here from O passengers whose TA wouldn't reduce a booked cruise because of a sale or who NEVER told them about the sale to begin with.

 

Please, get real. When a TA KNOWS you're going to spend a fortune with them or ALREADY have spent a fortune with them, they treat you accordingly.

 

AS I SAID, I did contact a rather famous O TA, that produces a ton of videos and makes a lot of claims about their relationship with O. When I told them what I wanted--a current ongoing sale price, cruise only, no drinks package, no excursions, no airfare--they all but tripped over themselves to hang up. They did NOT want that business. The real world....

Your stubborn refusal to consider what a TA could do for you money savings wise shows that no one really should take your constant advice that you repeatedly and repetitively post here. You are leaving money on the table with every booking. So if that works for you fine.  Your choice, it just invalidates your input on this subject. 

[gailellen12]

I booked with an Oceania rep who then transferred my reservation to my usual TA. She offered me a 10 percent discount and additional onboard credits. Best of both worlds. 

[SATaxman]

I will have to ask more people on our next O cruise for a TA recommendation. Our first cruise in October we booked directly with O. Found a TA to book our next O cruise who said they are members of all of these O groups of top TAs. Very disappointed with the "perks" we are receiving. 

[edgee]

On 2/6/2024 at 7:05 PM, MEFIowa said:

What each ONE is and isn't. For they are not uniform.

 

And thus we read here of people who either complain about their TA or want to find one of these mythical uber-O TAs but can't because they can't be named here. I've read repeated claims over the past few years here from O passengers whose TA wouldn't reduce a booked cruise because of a sale or who NEVER told them about the sale to begin with.

 

Please, get real. When a TA KNOWS you're going to spend a fortune with them or ALREADY have spent a fortune with them, they treat you accordingly.

 

AS I SAID, I did contact a rather famous O TA, that produces a ton of videos and makes a lot of claims about their relationship with O. When I told them what I wanted--a current ongoing sale price, cruise only, no drinks package, no excursions, no airfare--they all but tripped over themselves to hang up. They did NOT want that business. The real world....

One TA you contacted and their treatment constitutes the "real world?". Seriously, in the real world there are TAs that DO give rebates and value amounting to 10% or more off the price of a cruise. Mine is totally up front and will give specifics to any potential customer who checks with them. They are one of the largest agencies out there and are very straightforward about it! Go ahead and pay 10% or more for your cruise if you wish, but many of us on CC will continue to contradict your inaccurate POV of the "real world."

[SATaxman]

2 minutes ago, edgee said:

One TA you contacted and their treatment constitutes the "real world?". Seriously, in the real world there are TAs that DO give rebates and value amounting to 10% or more off the price of a cruise. Mine is totally up front and will give specifics to any potential customer who checks with them. They are one of the largest agencies out there and are very straightforward about it! Go ahead and pay 10% or more for your cruise if you wish, but many of us on CC will continue to contradict your inaccurate POV of the "real world."

The TA I contacted and booked my cruise with was willing to release it to another agency who offered a lot of $$ in rebates. The cruise is in 2025, we were concerned about this and chose to not change. There would not have been anything in writing, the 10% would arrive within 2 weeks after our cruise. We chose to stay with the TA who offered us much less up front in OBC that shows up on our statement now. Do I feel foolish occasionally when I hear about some of you receiving the 7-10%? Yes; however, we made this decision and may choose to interrogate the "natives" on our next cruise to find a better deal. We are still looking forward to our 2nd O cruise in 2025.

[edgee]

3 minutes ago, SATaxman said:

The TA I contacted and booked my cruise with was willing to release it to another agency who offered a lot of $$ in rebates. The cruise is in 2025, we were concerned about this and chose to not change. There would not have been anything in writing, the 10% would arrive within 2 weeks after our cruise. We chose to stay with the TA who offered us much less up front in OBC that shows up on our statement now. Do I feel foolish occasionally when I hear about some of you receiving the 7-10%? Yes; however, we made this decision and may choose to interrogate the "natives" on our next cruise to find a better deal. We are still looking forward to our 2nd O cruise in 2025.

Agency I use sends rebate check out 3 weeks before the cruise and amount is written on their invoice they send me immediately upon booking.

[MEFIowa]

25 minutes ago, edgee said:

One TA you contacted and their treatment constitutes the "real world?". Seriously, in the real world there are TAs that DO give rebates and value amounting to 10% or more off the price of a cruise....

YOU left out a critical component, as people can read these boards for years, as I have:

 

"And thus we read here of people who either complain about their TA or want to find one of these mythical uber-O TAs but can't because they can't be named here. I've read repeated claims over the past few years here from O passengers whose TA wouldn't reduce a booked cruise because of a sale or who NEVER told them about the sale to begin with."

[MEFIowa]

27 minutes ago, edgee said:

... treatment constitutes the "real world?". 

And for me the "real world" STARTS with O's sales. That Extraordinary Savings Sale in early 2023 that was an absolute blow(!) out did NOT come from any TA. But from O. And that saved $$$$. As opposed to OBC or the like that are pennies on the dollar in many cases. My A3 on Riviera last year was $1899 PP for 10 nights and the B3 on her as the B2B was just $1749 PP for 10 nights. That's the "real world". Of sales.