Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach

Yes, but it's possible but also very unlikely that a local TA will be competitive (commission rebate and access to blow-out inventory). I'll admit the only B'nM TA I've dealt with is Expedia CCS and only because the cruises, repos, booked so cheap it was all NCCF taxes and fees. Just about the whole fare was "non-commissionable cruise fare" which means there's very little profit earned) and thus no rebates, OBC or anything to earn. I've shopped Costco travel for the same cruises and there was nothing to give away.

As an FYI, if you can get a TA to show you how much a cruise is invoiced at showing full fare and NCCF, see if NCCF is small relative to the whole amount. You expect a rebate.if so.

FWIW, Expedia CCS appears to be a franchise so the owners/franchisees have to make enough money to pay Expedia. In addition, the agents are independent contractors who essentially have to pay to train and make their money (and travel privileges) by not only booking enough cruises but selling ancilliary items such as flights, hotel, insurance, excursions, etc.

Be aware of the apparent deep discounts that are advertised for some cruises (usually the luxury/premium U.S market-oriented cruisecos). Whenever I look, these cruises always seem to be going at at least 60-75% off if not more. Mind you, I have heard that some people do want to get onto fully-booked cruises so bad that they'll pay full sticker (or very close to it). An old FTer I know once got a bump offer that included a full cash refund on his cruise (bought at a discount which was still not cheap by any means), a not-insignifcant amount of OBC, flight refund costs, and a choice of cruises, free.



For what the OP is looking for (even if they're open a closed-loop cruise), I'd highly recommend avoiding Princess. I don't think I would even go for a very cheap Princess repo cruise anymore. Those cruises also chug all the way south to Kiribati (or thereabouts) and back to comply with the PVSA.