Dott Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Hi All, This is my 1st time cruising and using a travel agent. So when we booked we didn’t get a specific travel agent. It’s we get whoever when we call the 1-800#. So when we initially booked it back in May it was 1 price, and then I just re-prices it via the RCL website and it’s actually lower. Does the TA have access to the lower prices? Do most people only have 1 specific TA that they use directly vs a 1800#? Does the RCL price guarantees apply when booking through a TA? Any other advice when booking via a TA vs myself? and are TAs actually responsive? I haven’t gotten a call back and have had to call in myself over the last 4days to actually get anything done on my account. Just wondering. thanks in advance! Dorothy Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 A TA will have access to the lower price and still can do the Best Price Guarantee. cruisellama, FManke, Neesa and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 I think you'll find this article helpful: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation FManke, Sharla and Reigert2008 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 19 hours ago, Dott said: Hi All, This is my 1st time cruising and using a travel agent. So when we booked we didn’t get a specific travel agent. It’s we get whoever when we call the 1-800#. So when we initially booked it back in May it was 1 price, and then I just re-prices it via the RCL website and it’s actually lower. Does the TA have access to the lower prices? Do most people only have 1 specific TA that they use directly vs a 1800#? Does the RCL price guarantees apply when booking through a TA? Any other advice when booking via a TA vs myself? and are TAs actually responsive? I haven’t gotten a call back and have had to call in myself over the last 4days to actually get anything done on my account. Just wondering. thanks in advance! Dorothy Welcome to the blog Dorothy! Happy Cruising! Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 Welcome Dott! I do my own booking and anytime I find a deal I call Royal and receive the discount. But that's just me...my family and friends tell me I should have been a travel agent because I am constantly finding new deals and saving money! However, I am retired and am able to so 'sale checks' whenever I feel like it. Many of the members of this forum use TA's and are very happy with their service. Perhaps it's just a personal choice?? Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 Don't get caught up on cruise prices when deciding on a TA. The value of a TA comes after you book. I would imagine there's quite a spread of people who book on their own vs. people who rotate TAs (especially the ones that give a part of their commission as OBC) vs. people who have a single trusted TA. And of course there's a wide spread in quality of TAs. Some have their TA license and do it as a side gig, so they aren't always responsive. Okgladgal, Matt, CruiseGus and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis Kari Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 I have had one of those call the 1-800# agents before and the service was horrible. I tried to get a price reduction once and never got a call back from the message I left. I would definitely go with one particular agent if you go the TA route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 3 hours ago, Curtis Kari said: I have had one of those call the 1-800# agents before and the service was horrible. I tried to get a price reduction once and never got a call back from the message I left. I would definitely go with one particular agent if you go the TA route. I would use an individual specific TA, mine rarely doesn't respond the same day and when that happens it is normally because I had enough specific instructions, requests in my email that when I here back the next day the action is completed. As Smoky said a lot of "The value of a TA comes after you book". To that I will add if your first cruise a good TA can really help with information and coaching you to make a choice that will suit your desires. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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