Canadians booking online ?

[YYC F/A]

Quoted above:

Supporting local Canadian jobs and businesses. Again, some people don't give a rats tail and would happily take even a $50 extra credit via booking in the US - but don't forget that when you support a Canadian owned and operated business, you are helping your home town economy, jobs, and money that goes back into YOUR local economy from that agency, through taxes, through spending etc.

 

 

In today's economy you have to go with the best price whether it be American Dollars or Canadian Dollars

Well I saved $300.00 on my booking with a US internet based cruise company and on top of that received a $225.00 US on board credit.

I did take that to a travel agency in Canada and they said book with them. They couldn't even come close to matching or even offering something half way decent incentives.

I am an ex travel agent to so I do know how to book. However I always purchase my own air, and I also purchase my travel insurance in Canada.

 

It is fine to say help the Canadian Economy, but travel agents in Canada do not offer zilch. I was once one and the agency has strict rules to follow.

 

My advice is for people to book for the best price. Deals are out there.

 

"Travel Agents in Canada do not offer zilch" - nothing like a nice blanket statement based on your experience with one local TA. :rolleyes:

 

As a former TA you will no doubt be aware that Celebrity has a no discount policy. Therefore I'm surprised your pricing was $300 lower for cruise only booking with no air by booking via a US online agency.

 

Travel Agents that discount the base cruise price or provide credits or amenities over a certain amount face having action taken against them by RCI/CEL/AZA including being put on stop-sell status.

 

For what it's worth, the agency I work for offers a best price guarantee for cruise packages from Canada including flights etc., and yes, that guarantee includes total price vs. online agencies.

 

The deals are out there (in Canada). You just have to find them.

 

If you are just booking cruise only, no air, no hotels, and don't really need the assistance of a TA as you already know your ship, sailing, cabin - then yes - booking online may work fo you. With regard to the TA that told you to go book online: The 'half decent incentives' that the stingy Canadian TA wouldn't offer - those would have come directly out of the pay of the TA and/or travel counsellor. When you book online you usually get a far more basic level of service, mostly automated, so they can afford to work for very little return.

 

Notwithstanding that, if you are needing more complete help including air, pre-night hotel, advice etc then a full service TA or a Canadian TA may still well work out better for you overall. Many Canadian TA's have access to cruise air pricing that you can't get booking direct with the airlines or online which offer significant savings. This more than offsets the extra credit you may get from an online US agency, and those US agencies do not get the same Canadian contract air rates. So you have to compare total price to total price and do the math. A lot of people don't realise this in the rush to get an extra Shipboard Credit.

[Loulounic]

Ultimately everyone has to decide what is important to them.

 

Most good cruise specialist agencies in Canada like the one I work for offer various benefits, some offer OBC, some offer reduced rate air, some offer special pricing via groups they have etc. Most will also offer the opportunity to book in either USD or in CAD at your preference - something the US online agencies cannot offer you. Certain Canadian Resident targetted promos can only be booked in Canada and not via US agencies.

 

Ultimately though, you have to decide whether it is worth it to get say $100 more OBC by booking online in the US than you would get through a local agency in Canada. Some things to consider are:

 

 

• CAD vs USD. There are many cruises where the CAD rates are only a few dollars more than in USD so with 15% exchange right now plus credit card conversion fees - it can be quite significantly cheaper to book in CAD when you do the total math. the 2 or 3% your card issuer charges over regular Forex rates and for their conversion - on a cruise purchase that could easily eat away at that extra $100 or so credit
  
• Consumer protection. As others have mentioned, whether it is TICO in Ontario, or the BC registrar, or even just Canadian consumer protection laws (remember the fuel surcharge and how it was not enforceable retroactively in Canada?)... do you know the laws of the state where the US online agency is registered?
  
• Agency practices/financial standing. Does your US online agency charge your card and then at a later date send money to the cruiseline. If so, what happens if they run into finanical difficulties? There was a large US online agency that folded just a few months ago - yet people so quickly forget it seems!!! Most consumers were lucky in that instance as many of the cruiselines absorbed the monies paid by the customer but not remitted by the agency. The cruiselines won't do this forever though, and some consumers did still lose out significant sums of money.
  
• Supporting local Canadian jobs and businesses. Again, some people don't give a rats tail and would happily take even a $50 extra credit via booking in the US - but don't forget that when you support a Canadian owned and operated business, you are helping your home town economy, jobs, and money that goes back into YOUR local economy from that agency, through taxes, through spending etc.
  

Just some thoughts to consider when adding it all up.

 

I have not got into the greater debate about the change fees, cancel fees or service fees that many online agencies charge that are buried in the fine print.

 

 

Thanks for your input about the pros and cons of booking online.

 

Just to say that I am not talking $100, but more in terms of $557 OBC for Concierge or AQ class cabin, plus possible other additonal savings, as stated by this worldwide travel agency online and I quote:

Booking comes with a $486 OBC per Balcony cabin & $557 OBC per CC 2 or AQ cabin or SAVE this amount OFF YOUR QUOTE. Pay a reduced deposit and receive 15% off shore excursions booked on our site. Additional savings maybe available for Seniors, Residents of select states, Military, Police & Firefighters

[grammagrace]

I am really sorry but I just disagree with you. You must be an owner of a small agency.

You cannot find the deals in Canada, and for that reason, I, a former travel agent look to the cruise agencies in the United States of America. Yes, it is a shame I cannot book Canadian, but in today's economy every dollar saved counts. You can get much better deals, sad to say fellow Canadians, in the US. Once in a while you may hit on a deal in Canada, but if you are looking for savings, book with reputable on line agency.

 

One I booked with saved up major dollars and even sent my documents up by courier. That was excellent service.

 

I don't mean to insult Canadian Travel Agents, but we are all tied to our agencies and must follow the rules, or give up our commission. You know the way it works.

 

But folks, always book your insurance with either a Canadian Bank or Company. I book mine with my bank, because Travel Agents make a whopping 40-50% commission, and your rates at the bank are cheaper for the same coverage.

 

I know agents have to make a living, but lets be honest about things here.

[YYC F/A]

I am really sorry but I just disagree with you. You must be an owner of a small agency.

You cannot find the deals in Canada, and for that reason, I, a former travel agent look to the cruise agencies in the United States of America.

 

We check our rates with the online US agencies. Our air inclusive prices are lower than the online agency air inclusive rates. We actually guarantee that on any of our advertised specials, if the same deal (including any air/pre night hotel required etc. so that it is apples to apples comparison) are found cheaper, we'll match it and give an additional credit. So I respectfully disagree that you cannot find deals in Canada, but wish you well with your bookings in the US.

 

 

But folks, always book your insurance with either a Canadian Bank or Company. I book mine with my bank, because Travel Agents make a whopping 40-50% commission, and your rates at the bank are cheaper for the same coverage.

 

I know agents have to make a living, but lets be honest about things here.

 

RBC Insurance is sold through agencies, but also at the bank. The coverage available from the bank is not the same as the product sold by RBC via agencies - it is not nearly as comprehensive. So again, I must resepctfully disagree that you get the same coverage through the bank for cheaper. However, if you are comfortable with the lesser coverage, and happy with the price, then this may of course be the best fit for you (it's not for everyone).

[YYC F/A]

Thanks for your input about the pros and cons of booking online.

 

Just to say that I am not talking $100, but more in terms of $557 OBC for Concierge or AQ class cabin, plus possible other additonal savings, as stated by this worldwide travel agency online and I quote:

Booking comes with a $486 OBC per Balcony cabin & $557 OBC per CC 2 or AQ cabin or SAVE this amount OFF YOUR QUOTE. Pay a reduced deposit and receive 15% off shore excursions booked on our site. Additional savings maybe available for Seniors, Residents of select states, Military, Police & Firefighters

 

 

Thanks Loulounic for the example.

 

Just an FYI that if that agency is offering to deduct this amount off your quote, then it would appear that they are in breach of their sales agreement and the no discount policy with Celebrity Cruises, and as a result can ultimately be struck off as an approved agent and disallowed from selling Celebrity. Just a 'buyer beware' when dealing with agencies that are blatantly / fragrantly disregarding the cruiseline rules.

 

Agents are allowed to offer a gift up to a certain value of the trip, though even then it should not be explicitly monetized in advertising. Agents are not allowed to offer an upfront percentage discount like this. Whether you agree with that principal or not, those are the policies of Celebrity, along with Royal and Azamara.

 

Best wishes for a smooth transaction and a good cruise.

[C 2 C]

I used to have a Canadian TA who would offer to match, if he could, other rates that I found. Not once in over 20 bookings did he offer me a fantastic rate. Not once did he offer me as much as a bottle of wine. I did the "leg" work, found the best price and he booked it for us. On our final booking I found out that the agency was "bounced" from the RCI network and my final payment was not processed a week before the sailing... great service from a major Vancouver agency.

 

Recently I was able to buy a $5,000 gift certificate from a very large agency for $4,500. When I applied this to two bookings, I received a further OBC for $150 per sailing. No Canadian agency offers OBC similar to the agencies I now use. I book directly with X and shop around for agencies to take over my bookings for OBC. I book at least 10 cruises a year and no Canadian agency can or will match the incentives of the large agencies in the US.

I'm addicted to cruising and I want to take as many cruises as I can afford. I try to take advantage of every incentive offered by any agency.

I have heard that X will soon reduce the commission of bookings transferred to other agencies and that the size of OBC will then be reduced.

When that happens I'm sure my present methods will be altered but until then, I'm the cruiser, and my money will be utilized to get me on as many cruises as I can afford using any method offered by competing agencies.

[grammagrace]

In all respect, Travel Agents have to sell, its their business and their means of making a living. Us as ordinary citizens, look for deals. End of story.

 

Travel agents push insurance on you two reasons, 1. It really is a must these days and 2. They make a whooping amount of commission on it.

 

It is extremely cheaper and all you ordinary folk out there should look into it. It is the same coverage, no matter how a travel agent puts the spin on it.

I pushed it myself for the huge commissions. I am being extremely honest about this.

[YYC F/A]

I used to have a Canadian TA who would offer to match, if he could, other rates that I found. Not once in over 20 bookings did he offer me a fantastic rate. Not once did he offer me as much as a bottle of wine. I did the "leg" work, found the best price and he booked it for us.

 

It sounds as though you had already asked this TA to take a paycut/take a reduction in commissions by matching other 'rebated' or discounted offers you found elsewhere. Did you expect over and above the commission cut he had already given you to give you even more of a cut for a 'fantastic rate'? Perhaps he was already working for very little commission on your 'matched offers'? If he was giving you a big rebate, this could be why you did not get additional onboard gifts over and above the commission cuts. I don't of course know the specifics and if this was the case here, but just some things to consider?

 

 

On our final booking I found out that the agency was "bounced" from the RCI network and my final payment was not processed a week before the sailing... great service from a major Vancouver agency.

 

Was this because the agency was rebating/discounting on Royal? It's against the rules and if you are booking with agencies that are flouting the rules then its buyer beware.

 

 

I book directly with X and shop around for agencies to take over my bookings for OBC. I book at least 10 cruises a year and no Canadian agency can or will match the incentives of the large agencies in the US.

I'm addicted to cruising and I want to take as many cruises as I can afford. I try to take advantage of every incentive offered by any agency.

I have heard that X will soon reduce the commission of bookings transferred to other agencies and that the size of OBC will then be reduced.

When that happens I'm sure my present methods will be altered but until then, I'm the cruiser, and my money will be utilized to get me on as many cruises as I can afford using any method offered by competing agencies.

 

Ultimately, commissions are offered as a way of compensating and rewarding agencies for the work they do on servicing both individual bookings, and for the more general 'sales/marketing' efforts that they do (be it online, in the community, print etc.). Commissions were not designed to be used as a means to sell the cruiseline product cheaper than the price for which it was intended to be sold.

 

Discounting and rebating has become a huge part of the business, and unfortunately some online agencies are working on such low margins by doing so much discounting that they are 'close to the bone', and the failure of a large US based online agency a few months ago bears testament to that.

 

Cruiselines have been very good to date at absorbing the loss and maintaining bookings even if that agency did not remit the clients final payments etc. but it is understandable that cruiselines will look to take steps at curbing big discounting if it means that they then face taking a large loss when a big discount agency fails. I think that is why you may see some changes down the line.

 

I'm glad that the existince of agencies ready to give back their commission as a rebate has worked out for you and enabled you to take more cruises, but the sustainability of significant deep discounting (i.e. giving back almost all the commission and working on a very very small margin) has been questioned within the industry for some time now.

 

But we go off topic, I apologise.

[grammagrace]

yes I agree and it seemed at times I was working for peanuts, so I choose to stop working as a TA. But one thing for sure, people want deals today, they work hard for their money.