Do you still use a travel agent?

[fishmaniac]

Back in the day before the internet, I can see how "human" TA's were necessary. But with online sites as well as booking direct available, I don't know why you would even use one now.

 

Are there advantages for using a TA? Do you get better prices? Perks?

 

Thanks!

[LHT28]

When things go wrong your TA is more helpful in getting things resolved than some internet based sites

[Beachgirl6479]

In the past, I've always gone directly through the cruiseline, Carnival. With this cruise, I wanted to stay on a budget, so I explored more options, including using a TA. The TA offered me not only a better price, but also a $200 OBC. Using a TA can have it's perks, but when I used the Carnival PVP in hte past, it seemed a little more convenient.

[janetz]

Yes, I use a TA...She is the best! :p

[cruiseladytx]

I don't use my TA for any cruises leaving from the US but for any European/Scandanavian cruises, I always use her. I like having someone to contact when something goes wrong so far from home.

 

Several years ago, I sailed the Regal Princess transatlantic, Copenhagen to New York. This was the infamous virus cruise. We missed 3 ports and arrived in NY a day early. Here we were in the middle of the Atlantic and my TA had already changed my hotel reservation and rearranged my transportation to the hotel and got a message to me on the ship. Saved me alot in internet and phone charges.

 

Jana

[Ocean Gypsy]

I book all my own business travel and the lion's share of my personal travel. But I do use my TA for international travel and I've been very happy with this arrangement.

[Warmer Climes]

Cruise #1 an #2 I used two different TA's. #1 was ok but didn't act like he was very interested in our business (6 people on a 6 night Voyager-class RCL ship, three cabins- go figure!) and #2 was a disaster. She booked the wrong cabins for us and wouldn't find out the cruiseline's policy on non-custodial minors- told me to call an attorney! So I booked #3 online and no problems yet- I have my fingers crossed.

 

I said I wouldn't use a TA again but a friend told me to try a woman in a neighboring town and she has been FANTASTIC and I booked Cruise #4 with her! Great advice, prompt answers to every question and she loves to cruise and is a cruise specialist which makes a tremendous difference. If you had asked this question before I dealt with her I would have said that there was no reason to use a TA but the price she got us was cheaper than the online site and she gave me excellent advice about cabins and what cruise would fit our needs.

[xcgsailor]

Booked 4 cruises with a TA...No problems with any of the 4...Decided to try

direct with the cruise line and the airline this time...Didn't want to go through a middle man (on line site), so I went directly with the cruise and airlines on line...No glitches at all...Prices were the same as my TA could have gotten...

:D

[kitty9]

Have used the same TA for the past 20 years. I get on board credit, paid gratuities and on some cruises, a free cocktail party and a free shore excursion. His prices are exactly the same as the cruise line's price.

[rkacruiser]

Most certainly I would use a professional travel agent, one whose name I know and one that I could directly and quickly contact if the need arose. Too much money is at stake on a cruise vacation to use a nameless, internet-based individual, no matter how well intentioned they may be. Problems and complications with reservations and travel arrangements arise and I want someone to whom I can turn, quickly, that has the experience to resolve whatever situations may occur.

 

I have used for all 29 of my cruises locally based agents. Because of reputation and the recommendation of good friends whom I have met through cruising, for the first time, I have chosen to use an agent and agency two-thirds across the country from where I live for the 2008 Holland America Grand World Cruise. Why? Very good group rates, experienced and professional escorts, a "free" pre-cruise hotel stay and bon voyage dinner, parties aboard the Amsterdam, a shore excursion package that may be as good as HAL's and at less cost, and their many years of experience dealing with world cruise issues as well as their connection with HAL.

[newmexicoNita]

Back in the day before the internet, I can see how "human" TA's were necessary. But with online sites as well as booking direct available, I don't know why you would even use one now.

 

Are there advantages for using a TA? Do you get better prices? Perks?

 

Thanks!

Prices are often controlled by the cruise line, thus there is no differences; perks, depending on the agent, I always give something, but that is just me, the best you can ever ask for is great service. Just remember, if something doesn't go according to plans an agent can be invaluable. NO, they can't control everything, but they can do more as a group than a person can do by him/herself. BTW, sometimes you do get better prices, but more times than not, no. NMNita

[dforeigner]

It depends on the situation. I always use a regular TA when doing something new.

[paul929207]

I always decide in advance the cruise I want (ship, dates, cabin catef=gory, etc.). I go to the cruise line site and a number of internet TA sites and check the price. I call my local TA and give her the lowest price. She always matches or beats it, sometimes with a better cabin.

 

I just feel better dealing with someone I know.

[spongerob]

I rarely need an agent any more. The only time I would need one would be for some of the very exotic itineraries where visas and other such unusual steps must be taken. Even then, with CC, you can usually find someone who knows what to do and can provide advice.

[8 Bells]

Not since Al Gore invented the internet! :D :D :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have used the same human TA for over 20 years.

[alphakitty]

I tried a couple of different TA's and never found one that did anything I couldn't do on my own. I prefer to have control over my booking. I never got a perk from a TA or any kind of price break, so I dont' really see the incentive for using one.

[petel]

Stopped using the TA when I found out about the LA.

[Grandpaul]

The best thing my TA does for me is she finds me good deals that I normally wouldn't find. That's her job, not mine. She knows exactly what cruise lines, itineraries and rooms I'm looking for. Why should I do the work when she can save me a lot of time? She also knows if the cruise I'm looking at is out of the ordinary and might be a little hectic like being a theme cruise etc. That's what she gets the big bucks for. And sometimes chocolate covered strawberries after a great cruise.

[fishmaniac]

Stopped using the TA when I found out about the LA.

So what's the LA?

 

And can anyone recommend a good TA?

 

Does it matter if they are local or not? Plus or minus'?

 

thanks again!

[isujim]

ALWAYS........use a local TA...........she has booked our last 11 cruises......great service.......can really take on the cruiseline if necessary and has GREAT COFFEE.......:)

[blindrid]

Didn't answer the questions above as I use a "human" TA over the internet. Normally found through cruise compete or similar.

[mamaofami]

I just booked a cruise with a human travel agent at American Express. Not only did I get a Holland American user discount, but also a discount to American Express. I saved about $280 over what was posted on line by some of the cruise agencies and the price was less than if I had gone with Holland America direct.