Why Use a Travel Agent?

[petesweet]

I'm confused. I see discussions about travel agents on this board--some good and some bad--and I wonder why you need a travel agent. If Royal Caribbean does not offer reduced prices through a TA (which I am told is the case), why not just deal directly with Royal Caribbean? Is it because you get special perks through a TA? I never have, but it may be because we just get the cheapest cabin. I think I'll not bother with a TA again. I do all the work anyway. I'd be curious about the pros and cons. Thanks.

[EggDropErin]

I don't get special perks, but we've used our TA for years. I trust her and like dealing with someone who is a bit more local. If a problem arises, I can go to her office or call her and she can spend the time on hold on the phone instead of me! :)

[BethV114]

I use a TA I found online. They deal exclusively in cruises and I've developed a good relationship with one particular agent there. He has really gone to bat for me in the past and his agency often offers little bonuses like pre-paid gratuities or OBC's. It's also nice to always be able to deal with the same person, which isn't the case when booking directly through Royal Caribbean, and I can occasionally get a better rate through the agency if they book group space. Finally, if something goes wrong, I'll have someone to stand up for me and work it out with Royal Caribbean, rather than having to deal with it myself. That's why I stick with my TA.:)

[Sue L]

1. I check for price drops everyday, no TA is going to do that

 

2. I keep control of my reservation

 

3. I can call RCCL directly and get any quick questions answered.

 

4. I don't have to wait for someone to get back to me

 

5. two times I used one, they were totally incompetent and screwed up a lot of things.

 

6. for a real con of using a TA, read this current thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=630589

[springtxbill]

I call my TA and tell her exactly what I want and she sits on the phone with RCCL to get an answer rather than me.:)

[Harley-Davidson_Family]

I would say it depends on the TA. We booked our Liberty trip through Royal directly and after we made the final payment with Royal I looked around for a TA that would offer me the best OBC. It was no risk to me because I already paid my trip off with Royal and I received a $275 OBC.

 

I say it depends on the TA because I know of one TA that my MIL booked our NCL trip through that she flat out refuses to give anything other than the rack rate for the cruise. Talk about a scam! She "says" it is their group booking rate but I know for certain, with out a doubt that the rate is no different than NCL. Problem is that my MIL thinks that this TA can do no wrong and wouldn't take advantage of her. Oh, please! If I were paying for it the TA would so be out of there!! :mad:

 

So bottom line is do your homework and watch out for yourself because only you can fully have your best interest in mind!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

This always turns into an argument as some people think they know more than a good TA. The bottom line is: they don't. A good TA will have connections with the line...let's say RCI. When trouble happens...as it often does...you will have an expert who can solve the problem/s for you. I will never book a cruise without my TA. He has given me many perks over the years...perks that I never would have gotten by booking direct. Booking direct with the line does not get you access to group bookings...and that is really where you save money. Booking direct does not give you automatic OBC's...my TA always does. The biggest problem is finding a really good TA. You usually hear about the horror stories...you rarely hear about the good things.

[Bobal]

Well I'm not sure if this is because I'm in the UK but we booked our last cruise and our next 2 through a UK travel agent who specialise in cruises and in every case saved several hundred pounds (and even more dollars ;) ) through the TA and - I have to say - had a much more pleasant experience than speaking to the arrogant people on the end of the phone working for RCCL in Britain :rolleyes:

[gnparend]

We have not used a TA in many years and book Cruises, Air, Hotel online or with a phone call. Over the years the industry has improved both reservations online systems and customer service. Granted now you may have to hold for 20 minutes with some, hence prefer the online with RCI. The TA today must have a difficult time and they may someday go the way of the dinosaur. For the novice the TA may provide the expertise the novice lacks.

 

Booking direct I have more immediate control 24/7 (most of the time). When the price dropped on our SJ trip as soon as I saw the price dropped 10 minutes later at 9:30 PM at night I called & saved $500. I assume most TA are not available after 5 PM and weekends. I ahve also seen TA's charge a fee to make changes or even cancel. When the Airline dropped a return non-stop I was able to call and have another flight arranged even though the price was higher but at the same rate. If the TA makes the arrangements they have to make the changes.

 

We went up to Grand Ole Opry labor day weekend. Other friends made arrangements thru a TA. We found we had better seats 8 rows back vs their seat which were 17 rows back & to the side. They called the opry who told them call TA, they called the online TA but couldn't change because it was a group seating. End result was it cost them 25% cancellation fee and they booked seats with us. It was worth the cost to them to be closer.

 

No saying TA's are bad just I like the control over the bookings and judge I can now do a better on my own at my liesure from home. Early on we used a TA and we were very comfortable with her but as the industry changed she left the business and we never found another one liked. A TA (for us) is more like you personal friend not a business aquaintance. We learned and now do all our on booking.

 

Now a confession, we are using a TA to help us with a trip next year but thats because it will be our retirement trip and we are taking 4 months to go around the world starting in the S. Pacific. They do have some connections we don't have.

[Cuizer2]

I'm confused. I see discussions about travel agents on this board--some good and some bad--and I wonder why you need a travel agent. If Royal Caribbean does not offer reduced prices through a TA (which I am told is the case), why not just deal directly with Royal Caribbean? Is it because you get special perks through a TA? I never have, but it may be because we just get the cheapest cabin. I think I'll not bother with a TA again. I do all the work anyway. I'd be curious about the pros and cons. Thanks.

 

My first cruise was purchased for me. My next five cruises I did not use a travel agent. However, I am starting to get interested in more exotic and unusual cruises, and the knowledge of a travel agent in these cases is worth its weight in gold. There is no extra cost for using a travel agent, and I enjoy being able to verify things with someone who knows more about cruising than I do. Also, I want someone with some influence with the cruise line just in case something goes wrong. And though I have made it clear that it is his service that keeps me coming back, the on board gifts that my TA provides is a nice plus.

 

On my last cruise I wanted a cabin that is very hard to get. There are only four on the ship and they sold out in the first hour of the first day that they became available. Since I myself was on a cruise that day, I could not have obtained one of the Royal Family Suites. However, my TA was able to get it for me. It was nice having all six people in one cabin. The extra size (both inside and the balcony) and the second bathroom was nice also.

[vermonter16]

My TA was 1 of 100 nominated to be Godmother of the Liberty. Ok, she didn't get it. But she deals with Royal and Carnival all the time. When a problem happens she knows exactly who to go to. Royal messed up our onboard credit recently and she was the one who got to duke it out with Royal. She also got us an ungodly amount of credit and reduced rate for a change in our sailing date. I certainly couldn't have done that on my own. I have no pull - she however sells a lot for them - she does.

[OnceAMarineAlwaysAMarine]

The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) has an accreditation program for travel agents who want to specialize in cruises. They can earn either ACC (Accredited Cruise Counsellor) or MCC (Master Cruise Counsellor). I make sure that any travel agent I use has earned his MCC. These accredited agents have extensive knowledge of the cruise industry and cruise lines. You can visit the CLIA site at www.cruising.org. I find it hard to believe that a generic travel agent who is not intimately familiar with cruises can provide the best service and those may be the ones who do not track prices closely and insure that you receive any and all price reductions prior to your cruise date.

 

I am now using the same travel agent for all of my cruises. I found him online when I first used an online site where agents competed for your booking to find the lowest rate for one of our cruises. He is an MCC and is very knowledgeable and helpful. He always gets me the reduced rates whenever there is a price reduction, he always provides an OBC and he contacts Royal Caribbean with any special requests we have (and so far they have all been honored).

[lvtotrvl1]

It is an individual's option.....I am a TA and business , if anything is getting busier and busier. Many people have had bad experiences with some large online agency, so decide to try a trusted name. Good rates and good customer service will bring repeat customers to any agency. Many clients do ot want the hassle of all the follow up etc...they are too busy, they want someone else to handle everything. For someone who has cruised one cruiseline many times, they probably will be fine dealing with the cruiselines direct. A good cruise TA can compare all the cruiselines for you if you need the information. A good travel agent can get you price drops etc, since they have special dept's to talk to at the cruiseline. A good agent can help in case of an emergency, more than the cruiseline can. A TA works for you....the PVP etc works for the cruiseline. And keep in mind, the PVP's etc are the lower paid agents that you will find have a couple weeks of training (mainly on the systems) and very little if any actual cruise experience. These positions are also extremely high turnover positions.

 

I read many of the horror stories about TA's on this board, and many,many times, the problems are arising from an agency where they found the cheapest prices, more OBC etc...these agencies are in the business to sell volume (due to the disounting, they need to sell in great volume), not customer service. AS in everything ,you get what you pay for.

 

It is important that you fell comfortable with the TA you are woking with. If you don't feel like the two of you are "jelling", try calling someone else. My customers know they can call me with any questions,or if they see a price drop (way too many clients for me to check daily).

 

Whichever you choose, feel comfortable with your decision.

[Linda/Ohio]

I personally like the control I have when I book it myself. I have used agents in the past for cruises and land vacations--even used one last year to go to Turks and Caicos.

 

I like to scutinize and choose my own cabin based on my knowledge. I pretty much know what is acceptable to us. I prefer to book my own air--whether that is to use FF points or to get the exact times, airports and seats on the plane.

 

I really don't like the extra step of having an agent. I have to call them to have them change or fix things I can change myself. For example--seats on an airplane. We like to get exit row or someplace with a tad bit extra space. I can find that on seatguru.com. If a good seat opens--if I book the flight--I just go into my reservation at say Northwest or Delta and change it--right when the seat becomes available. If I use a TA Ihave to call her/him and have them do it. Sometimes they can't because it is listed as a bulk rate seat (not neccesarily cheaper). We travel often enough that we usually boook our own.

 

We opted for the agents last year--because we went to get brochures from them in the middle of a blizzard. I didn't get anything extra--other than lots of advertisements from the travel agency.

[nowornever]

Another perk - if your TA is a member of Virtuoso or some other group, you can generally get a hosted cocktail party & excursion on "Virtuoso" sailings & on many cruises a credit for spa, excursions, etc. Makes it worth it.

[petesweet]

Booking direct I have more immediate control 24/7 (most of the time). When the price dropped on our SJ trip as soon as I saw the price dropped 10 minutes later at 9:30 PM at night I called & saved $500. I assume most TA are not available after 5 PM and weekends. I ahve also seen TA's charge a fee to make changes or even cancel. When the Airline dropped a return non-stop I was able to call and have another flight arranged even though the price was higher but at the same rate. If the TA makes the arrangements they have to make the changes.

 

Very helpful answer. Thank you (and all the rest who have responded so helpfully). I have two questions.

 

1. How do you check for a price drop? Do you just go to RCCL website and make like you're making a new reservation? or do they have a place where they post price drops? or what?

 

2. I believe you can't give TA names on this board, but can you tell me what you mean by "online TA"? Do you mean like Travelocity? If not, how do I find such an online TA?

[karena1]

I have used a TA once and got totally burned (went bellyup and lost my deposit). I book all my cruises directly with RCI and book all my own airfare, hotels, etc.

 

Now, we are going to Punta Cana next year, and for that I have decided to try the TA thing again. However, I went to Trip Advisor and asked who others have used and found one that specialized in Mexico and Punta Cana. So I am hoping for the best. It is run by 2 women, so hopefully, that means personal service since it isn't a huge operation. Guess I will find out as the trip gets closer.

 

But for cruises, I like being able to call Royal any time like I did yesterday to get a new confirmation showing my shareholder credit. I like having my own control over the reservation and not having to call a third party every time I have a question or need something.

 

I am sure there are many great TAs out there, but the secret is finding one. And since I haven't found "that great TA", I will stick with booking my travel pretty much on my own. :o :o

[tripsrme]

My husband and I are at the stage in our life where we have the time, the freedom and the $$ to do some traveling. I would LOVE to find a TA that will care as much about my travel $$ as I do. I know referrals are not allowed here, I wish they were.

 

We work hard for our $ and want each trip to be as good as possible, so I do a lot of research (cc has been an invaluable resource), which is very time consuming, but the results are usually pretty good.

 

I don't understand why, if cruise lines are paying comm. to agents, (many who are doing nothing to earn that comm.) why they won't offer a discount-comm. to the individual who wishes to book their own trip.

 

I know that the Travel Agency business is hurting badly right now, mainly do to the internet, but maybe some of that is due to lack of service.

 

I planned a 10 day trip to Italy this year including air, rail, hotel, etc. myself using the internet and it's wealth of information. BUT, I spend untold hours in research. I would gladly have used a Travel agent if I

could have gotten the same results.

 

The 3 times I have used a TA, they basically booked what I requested after my research. The bonus I got... from only one of them was a small photo album.

 

I really wish I could find a good TA.

 

ML

[Flaming Homer]

Everyone here seems to like or need to take control of your cruise bookings, so does anyone here "be" a travel agent ?

 

Bro-in-law travels a fair bit for work, I believe he pays $200 sign-up, $10 / month, and receive back 70%-80% of commission paid out to TA. Obviously that's zilch for flights, but hotel / car / cruise all pay pretty well, I think RCL pays 10-12% range, so he "saves" 7% - 9% on his own cruise bookings...

[mikedw]

AFter about 9 years in the travel industry, I was laid off and I've decided to go back to school and into another profession. I believe the days of the small mom and pop type travel agent are rapidly coming to an end. If I wanted to stay in this business I would have to commute to DC or Baltimore where the larger agencies are, but I've done that before commuting to DC for over 6 years and doing government travel and I'm not commuting that far anymore.

 

The main reason the cruise lines won't give you a discount if you book yourself directly with them is that they prefer you deal with a travel agent. If they had to handle all the bookings themselves, they would have to double or triple there reservation staff and that would be a major expense for them. By paying a travel agent 10-15% they know they have someone promoting there brand who they only have to pay if they book a cruise. I would say that probably 75% of the people that came into our office had no clue as to what they wanted to do so we could really feel them out as to what would best suit there needs.

[KeywestK]

This discussion typically will yield very passionate responses--both ways. Here's my take on it. When we first started traveling and cruising many years ago, TA's were the only way to go. There were no other options. With the internet everything changed. People now have information at their fingertips that previously just wasn't available. So now it really becomes an matter of personal preference. Some people like feeling taken care of and/or babysat by a TA. And that's fine. And then there are people, such as myself, who like to be in control, who like to have our own hand in all the research and planning, and are willing to do the work. And that's fine too. I know for a fact that the few times I've used a TA for my cruises that they DID NOT check prices every day to see if prices went down--I did that and called the TA to get my price reduced. Since RCI does not discount, then there is no reason for me to use a TA. There are no perks that they can offer that will offset my own control of my reservation and the knowledge that with one quick phone call that RCI will credit my account when the price drops.

 

Karen

[whogo]

 

2. I believe you can't give TA names on this board, but can you tell me what you mean by "online TA"? Do you mean like Travel**ity? If not, how do I find such an online TA?

Yes, we mean like them or anyone else that allows you to book on line. Many of the advertisers on these boards are online travel agents.

[mikedw]

This discussion typically will yield very passionate responses--both ways. Here's my take on it. When we first started traveling and cruising many years ago, TA's were the only way to go. There were no other options. With the internet everything changed. People now have information at their fingertips that previously just wasn't available. So now it really becomes an matter of personal preference. Some people like feeling taken care of and/or babysat by a TA. And that's fine. And then there are people, such as myself, who like to be in control, who like to have our own hand in all the research and planning, and are willing to do the work. And that's fine too. I know for a fact that the few times I've used a TA for my cruises that they DID NOT check prices every day to see if prices went down--I did that and called the TA to get my price reduced. Since RCI does not discount, then there is no reason for me to use a TA. There are no perks that they can offer that will offset my own control of my reservation and the knowledge that with one quick phone call that RCI will credit my account when the price drops.

 

Karen

 

I can tell you for a fact very few TA's will call and check on prices everyday. When you have 50-60 cruises booked for people it would take you all day to do that and you would go out of business because you wouldn't have time for new business. I know that if we had a client like that we would have probably let them go because of being a nusiance.

[leoandhugh]

Having taken in excess of 35 cruises, we choose not to use a TA anymore, because we know just what we want and what is available. We choose not to have a third party between us and the cruise line because we find that to be a hindrance rather than a benefit. Since a TA can't provide a lower fare, the most they can offer is some OBC or a gift. We prefer to do our own bookings, check for price drops and deal directly with the cruise lines. Could be that we never found just the right TA, but after that many cruises on several cruise lines, our knowledge at least equals that of most TAs:)

[petesweet]

What is the story about onboard credits and other gifts from TAs? Maybe only if you book expensive cabins? I usually book two (sometimes three) cabins, but always the cheapest ones. Should I expect a little gift of appreciation from my TA?