happy2bee Posted August 4 #1 Share Posted August 4 I not used a travel agent in the past, but I think I will need one in the future. I also understand I cannot ask for a referral on this web sight. I would like to know how to find a good TA. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StollyBolly Posted August 4 #2 Share Posted August 4 I would ask friends who may have used one they like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted August 4 #3 Share Posted August 4 10 minutes ago, happy2bee said: I not used a travel agent in the past, but I think I will need one in the future. I also understand I cannot ask for a referral on this web sight. I would like to know how to find a good TA. Thanks My answer will surprise some, but we think the best way is to simply socialize on cruise ships and ask folks how they book their cruises. I used to joke that liking to share larger tables has probably saved us over $100,000. What we learn from fellow cruisers, over more than 50 years of extensive cruising, has saved us a lot of money. The bonus is that it also enhances our knowledge about which cruises. ships, and cruise lines to book and avoid. Also keep in mind that one person's good TA may not work for others. For example, we need no "hand holding" from our cruise agents, so our priorities for cruise agents are good service and the best overall deals. The deal thing is quite interesting because it is possible to save 7-10% + on many bookings by simply shopping around for the right agencies. On some of our longer cruises, the savings by using the right cruise agency can mean saving thousands of dollars (on a single booking) versus booking directly with a cruise line. We sometimes remind our favorite cruise agents (we currently have two) that our loyalty is only as good as the last deal. Hank 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted August 4 #4 Share Posted August 4 1 hour ago, happy2bee said: I not used a travel agent in the past, but I think I will need one in the future. I also understand I cannot ask for a referral on this web sight. I would like to know how to find a good TA. Thanks Howdy @happy2bee from a fellow Texan! Perhaps something in the following oldie but goodie Cruise Critic articles will be helpful: Finding a Cruise Travel Agent What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking a Cruise With a Travel Agent What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking With a Cruise Line Secret Agent Deals: How to Find Prices Cruise Lines Don't Offer How to Save Money on Your Next Cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Waltershipman Posted August 4 #5 Share Posted August 4 7 hours ago, Hlitner said: My answer will surprise some, but we think the best way is to simply socialize on cruise ships and ask folks how they book their cruises. I used to joke that liking to share larger tables has probably saved us over $100,000. What we learn from fellow cruisers, over more than 50 years of extensive cruising, has saved us a lot of money. The bonus is that it also enhances our knowledge about which cruises. ships, and cruise lines to book and avoid. Also keep in mind that one person's good TA may not work for others. For example, we need no "hand holding" from our cruise agents, so our priorities for cruise agents are good service and the best overall deals. The deal thing is quite interesting because it is possible to save 7-10% + on many bookings by simply shopping around for the right agencies. On some of our longer cruises, the savings by using the right cruise agency can mean saving thousands of dollars (on a single booking) versus booking directly with a cruise line. We sometimes remind our favorite cruise agents (we currently have two) that our loyalty is only as good as the last deal. Hank Great points Hank I have mostly been using although not totally exclusively a TA that was referred to me in the hall way on a cruise over 20 plus years ago 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted August 5 #6 Share Posted August 5 5 hours ago, Waltershipman said: Great points Hank I have mostly been using although not totally exclusively a TA that was referred to me in the hall way on a cruise over 20 plus years ago What if the OP or others has never been on a cruise? So that wouldn't work, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CDNPolar Posted August 5 #7 Share Posted August 5 Some cruise lines list accredited TA's in their sites. These would be TA's that have gone through their learning programs and are experts on the cruise line. This is how we found and used an Agent for our Antarctica Cruise. We found her listed on the Hurtigruten site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted August 5 #8 Share Posted August 5 7 hours ago, clo said: What if the OP or others has never been on a cruise? So that wouldn't work, right? Perhaps they get lucky and perhaps they don"t :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy2bee Posted August 5 Author #9 Share Posted August 5 Thank you to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted August 5 #10 Share Posted August 5 Finding a good TA is kind of like, and not like, finding a spouse. Like because when you find a good one you will know. Not like, because changing to a better TA is easy. 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ColeThornton Posted August 5 #11 Share Posted August 5 43 minutes ago, ldubs said: Finding a good TA is kind of like, and not like, finding a spouse. Like because when you find a good one you will know So, after several years the T.A. will start yelling at me and not let me go drinking with the guys? 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted August 5 #12 Share Posted August 5 We were at a street fair and a woman had a booth with a sign identifying herself as a TA .We went to speak to her and she said that for every cruise booked she gives a gift.We booked a cruise and received a travel bag.For our second cruise she gave us good quality binoculars .For our third cruise a good quality carryon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner15km Posted August 7 #13 Share Posted August 7 Click on DEALS at top of this page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayfairers Posted August 7 #14 Share Posted August 7 (edited) I googled my cruise name and picked the first 10 TAs that showed up in the search. Emailed them all and told them I was looking for a TA and asking them to send me their best package deal for the cruise. I emailed back and forth with them all paying attention to how quickly I got a response and compared the packages (cruise cost + perks). Then I called the ones that I liked the best and chatted. I picked the one that had a great package plus was very responsive and I connected with personally on the phone. Yeah, it took some time but I found a TA I love. Edited August 7 by Wayfairers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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