albie

I’ve several different travel agents who’ve helped me on past trips (some from FlyerTalk). Now I’m looking at booking a cruise, and trying to figure out the best way to book. I think the best option for booking is going to be with a travel agent (vs online), but is that right? And assuming so, what suggestions do folks have for picking the best TA for the job? Are there big differences in what they can procure / price?

If it matters, I’m looking at either a Royal Caribbean or Regent Mediterranean cruise for 2023, probably a suite (or two cabins) - we’re a family of 5.

YVR Cockroach

As for TAs depends on how much handholding you need. Those who need minimal amounts (e.g., "just book the cruise forus, we'll handle everything else") use certain OTAs to get rebates and discounts on generous commissions). Cruisecos are still very dependent on TAs for distribution so booking direct withe the cruiseco gets you absolutely nothing.

That said, your geographic location may limit your choices of who you can book with. Cruisecos can and do practise geographic discrimination .with different fares, different booking and refund conditions, different inclusions and exclusions based on market, and supposedly/reportedly may enforce this at boarding. A few examples are deposit on cruises for U.K. residents are non-refundable in general while they're refundable for most cruises for U.S.-based (or purchasing) customers. Cruises marketed to Australians often come with gratuities included (otherise it's ~ USD 15 pp pd).

mahasamatman

There is one (small) advantage, and that's not having to deal with a middleman if you want to make any changes.

freecia

+1 Always good to know your locality and potential agencies cancellation and refund policies.

If you do decide to go with an agency based on online reviews, do check their recent reviews and even e-mail/call them with a few questions to make sure they're fully operational since your booking is next year and you may want to make a few changes (cabin location, schedule change, price drop if it can be matched, etc). I'm in a bit of a limbo as the big box cruise agency's customer service department I used in the past seems to be greatly reduced or not responding, even as "usually lower effort" customer. Fortunately, the booking was made with a minimal deposit & final payment is still a month away since I opted for full cash refunds & reduced the number of future cruise bookings I had in 2020 (good job lowering stress, past me!). The cruise line's customer service was helpful & appropriately staffed with options.

ETA more recent thread with question about booking with TA for benefits vs direct:
Booking advice - Celebrity cruise in May

Not being disparaging, just an observation that these past few years have been tough on some businesses so I'd do an extra check or two of the TA's current service levels before making a booking over a year out. I'm "usually low effort" but rely on the TA & the agency's volume, relationships, and time to help contact the cruise line if needed if something larger needs to be changed. This can make me a somewhat expensive customer as the agent often doesn't earn more commission and instead relies on my repeat business for the agency as a whole. It's ok that not every online cruise agency wants to earn on my future cruises, especially if they're running extremely lean in customer service, but I probably would have more stress if this was a family cruise with kids needing more info or something changed in the booking.

YZF_Elite

I tend to book direct with cruiselines or use Costco when they offer cash cards for booking.

chris_grr

We have a cruise booked with Costco right now. Its very hard to get anyone on the phone. Often when you call, you get a recording saying they are too busy and you get disconnected, no queue.
I have had to call them several times and its been pretty frustrating, and typically every time I call, they put me on hold to call Royal Caribbean, something that I cannot do myself because I booked via Costco.

I also have a cruise booked via CruisesOnly and it has been a delight to work with Kevin over there. Much easier compared to Costco, and better benefits compared to booking direct.

YZF_Elite

What some ppl recommend is booking through costco or whoever you want to get the best benefits, then transferring the reservation elsewhere after. I tend to book my trips the week of, so I seldom need to ever contact someone after I book.

YVR Cockroach

The only way that works is booking with the cruise line then transferring to a TA. Doesn't work TA to TA. At any rate, Costco gift cards seem to be a pretty paltry amount. Maybe good if you're buying a cruise where the NCCF is very high proportion of total fare.

YZF_Elite

I agree that is the case now. At one time they were quite appealing, around $300 for a balcony stateroom on a mainstream line. No more, now it's like $40 at times.

wharvey

Does anyone have a recommendation for a TA that gives higher "rebates" or "on board" credits for NCL cruises? I am looking at a June 27 cruise from Port Canavaral.

FFMilesJunkie

Before I started my own home based travel agency, I used Crucon for the mass market lines. They give 10% of the commissionable fare as on board credit. They have some promos that expire tomorrow. https://crucon.com/norwegian.htm

freecia

See my upthread comment about a big box agent seeming to be running very slim in customer service department. They're the big box agent. Again, not a call out as I've been happy in the past, but more acknowledgement that the last few years may have resulted in changed business tactics for some travel companies. Possibly good for very close non-refundable booking in where you can select all options at time of booking.

I've also read some other comments about Costco Travel Customer Service being hard to get ahold of recently. Again, maybe for close in bookings and YMMV for further out if you'll need service.

VacationsToGo is another which offers close in booking deals.

ETA: NCL TA OBC could be cashed out in the casino - cash out fee when I cruised with them several years ago. Any refundable OBC was via check & takes its own sweet time. RCL refunds via credit card if used as a form of payment at the end of the cruise. Probably had any left over credit posted at the end of the following week after disembarkation. Given this, finding a discounted NCL deal for 5-7% upfront or included gratuities on a 5 day cruise (spa cabin double occupancy pricing ~$2,400 incl tips & tax based on https://www.cruiseplum.com/cruise/US...2-06-27/5-days ) would be better than $180 OBC for me, if the OBC can't be used for prepaid gratuities (would need to double check). The ease of $155 for gratuities worth the $25 difference to me as it'd be used up front and I don't need to think about if the check came or cash it out. Others might want $180 for drinks/casino/onboard shopping/spa.

FFMilesJunkie

I think a lot of the problems with the big box or online agencies is trickle down from the cruise lines. Even phone lines dedicated to travel agents can have really long hold times due to understaffing at the cruise lines. We can do a lot online but sometimes we need to call just like everyone else. It ties me up for an hour+ just to solve a simple issue that can’t be done online. My clients are mostly friends & family and close referrals, but too much of my time is spent on hold with the understaffed cruise lines. For example, I’m putting together a group Greek Island cruise next spring on Virgin Voyages. An itinerary change this week causes the price to drop by $48 on all bookings. I was on the phone for 2 hours getting a handful of bookings repriced (because no cruise line will voluntarily save their passengers money!).

gretchendz

Like FFMilesJunkie I am a home based agent. I think it totally depends on you and what you consider the pain points, risks, and rewards. Using a TA is not for everyone. One size does not fit all and travelers nowadays have choices.

• Booking yourself directly with the cruise line gives you control over the booking if you want to make changes. The downside is you may be missing out on extra perks a TA might offer. Also, those of us who belong to large consortia sometimes have access to better fares. This is especially true if the consortia rates were reserved early and the cruise has proven so popular the cruise line has raised the price by the time you decide to book. So in that case we can save the client hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Also, as noted, when call times are high, the TA has to spend the time on hold. Finally, depending on the cruise line, the TA can go into their system and make some (but not all) changes quickly via computer. Personally, before I became a TA, I used to book myself, then find a TA who would give on board credit and transfer the booking to them. Like most Flyertalkers, I am a points and OBC junkie.

• Using a large OTA. This can often be the most lucrative for the client in terms of OBC as they operate on slim margins. However, as noted, service can be a lacking. You have lost control of the booking and may have problems getting your service requests met in a timely fashion. To say nothing of the rare event where the OTA closes up shop.

• Using a "real person" TA (whether brick and mortar or home based).
  • First time cruisers often have a lot of questions and need lots of advice! I'm working with a lovely person on a first time four day cruise. I have probably spent 30 hours with her (at least) for a $100 commission I'm not complaining because she will probably book with me in the future and recommend me to others. Plus I enjoy helping someone enjoy their travel more (My partner calls them my "charity cases"). Just saying she would never manage booking directly or with an OTA
  • Some people don't have the time or expertise. Obviously not applicable to most Flyertalkers, but:
    • Surveys show the average person who books themselves spends 30+ hours researching and booking. Some people are too busy or just don't know how to do it.
    • Expertise. For example, I book many Alaska cruises. I can tell people why they may prefer a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay and which lines do that and which side of the ship they want their cabin to be on. Also, some people look at an advertised price and don't realize the better value might be the higher priced cruise because gratuities, drinks, photos, etc.. I sometimes make them a spreadsheet to show the difference!
    • Like FFMilesJunkie I often spend hours getting clients' fares reduced if the price has gone down. Most independent TAs I know do that. LOL-not many professions spend hours trying to reduce their own income
  • Someone to fight for you. When Covid hit, most TAs spent hundreds of hours on hold or fighting to get our clients' commissions. In a couple of cases, I spent over a year getting people refunds for their "non-refundable" bookings. Because I belong to a large consortium, I was able to leverage some of the higher-ups in the organization to help me get the right outcome for the clients. I did this for free (canceled booking usually means no commission) but I am focused on great service to my clients. I am positive people who had booked through the cruise line or an OTA would have been told "sorry, nothing to be done."
  • Perks. Most of us will give extra gifts or perks. However, most of us can't or won't compete with a huge OTA.
  • Service. Most of us "sell" ourselves based on service.
  • We get to know you. One my best clients is a pediatrician and her family. Having worked with her awhile, I know what she likes. When a great European river cruise company started offering free cruises to medical professionals and others, I sent her an email about it. She was thrilled and would never have known about it on her own. She and her husband just returned last week and proclaimed it a "trip of a lifetime."

hedoman

I'm reading 10% in form of OBC. The max fare is probably about $1500 for that cruise if booking a suite. So maybe $25 OBC. Does that sound right?