DunwoodyDad Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 Hi all, We just got off the Harmony yesterday ... awesome time. We booked for summer 2018 while onboard at the NextCruise desk. My question is... should I have the reservation transferred to a travel agent? Is there any advantage to doing this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 I personally do always. First I'll mention you don't get any better deal or sale or whatever by not using an agent. Royal Caribbean will actually actively encourage you to use an agent. Their main reason is when you need to change something or you have a question you go to your agent first and it helps reduce the load on their customer support staff. Its also similarly the reason I use an agent. Anytime you call Royal Caribbean they've got hold times and need to verify your account, etc. With an agent its typically a quick phone call or an email and if they can't answer your question then they'll get back to you. They're also very familiar with the ships themselves and can give you good recommendations. If you are interested in getting an agent I'll plug the agent I use. Her name is Michelle Cunningham from MEI Travel. Michelle has been outstanding for all the cruises we've done through her. I typically book a my next cruise on board at NextCruise and later have her make tweaks to the reservation. bcarney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 I personally do always. First I'll mention you don't get any better deal or sale or whatever by not using an agent. Royal Caribbean will actually actively encourage you to use an agent. Their main reason is when you need to change something or you have a question you go to your agent first and it helps reduce the load on their customer support staff. Its also similarly the reason I use an agent. Anytime you call Royal Caribbean they've got hold times and need to verify your account, etc. With an agent its typically a quick phone call or an email and if they can't answer your question then they'll get back to you. They're also very familiar with the ships themselves and can give you good recommendations. If you are interested in getting an agent I'll plug the agent I use. Her name is Michelle Cunningham from MEI Travel. Michelle has been outstanding for all the cruises we've done through her. I typically book a my next cruise on board at NextCruise and later have her make tweaks to the reservation. I'll add an endorsement for Michelle, too. I've referred a couple of friends to her and have received rave reviews. She's also been able to get us discounts or upgrades I didn't know we were eligible for and even told us about a loyalty match program on another line. bcarney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestingBird Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 Just started using a TA. I did all the research on what rooms I wanted and she was able to get them. When the newest OBC offer was posted by RC I texted my agent and she was able to get it added on, while I went about my work day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 10, 2017 Report Share Posted April 10, 2017 I always use a travel agent. Here's a good overview why you should too: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/06/15/why-first-time-cruisers-should-use-royal-caribbean-travel-agent tkltomp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck49 Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 We were on our first Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the LOTS last month and followed everyone’s advice and booked our next cruise while onboard. We booked a seven-day on the Symphony of the Seas for July 2018. My wife and I are not big gamblers but received a certificate for a discount on our next cruise, so when I got home I called the number and to my surprise received a $2500 discount on the SOTS booking. My question is should I still follow the advice of everyone and transfer the reservation to a travel agent? And the second question is, we are Hilton Honors Gold members and has anyone transferred their reservation to Amex/Hilton Honors travel agents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 Yes, I think it's always a good idea to transfer to a travel agent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godukes_2017 Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 After transfer to an agent, can you still access all of your reservation information on the RC website? Such as, excursions, drink packages, documents needed to print to take onboard, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 1 hour ago, godukes_2017 said: After transfer to an agent, can you still access all of your reservation information on the RC website? Such as, excursions, drink packages, documents needed to print to take onboard, etc.? Yes. The only thing you cannot do is change or cancel the original reservation. But anything in the Cruise Planner is still available to you. tkltomp and godukes_2017 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkltomp Posted May 7, 2017 Report Share Posted May 7, 2017 Yes, I'm with Matt, transfer to a TA. My MEI TA always checks my reservations when the new sales are released. I love those emails letting me know she got a cheaper price and/or some OBC. JLMoran, Matt and DocLC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godukes_2017 Posted May 8, 2017 Report Share Posted May 8, 2017 Was kind of worried about doing so. I watched my first RC Blog live video last week, and having since transferred my booking to MEI, I have been blown away by the service received just in a few short days. They've already saved me money on what I had booked. I like still being able to access my documents, and book excursions, etc. They truly do look out for any way possible to save you money, or get you hooked with some OBC. I'm a customer for life. WAAAYTOOO, DocLC and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 8, 2017 Report Share Posted May 8, 2017 51 minutes ago, godukes_2017 said: Was kind of worried about doing so. I watched my first RC Blog live video last week, and having since transferred my booking to MEI, I have been blown away by the service received just in a few short days. They've already saved me money on what I had booked. I like still being able to access my documents, and book excursions, etc. They truly do look out for any way possible to save you money, or get you hooked with some OBC. I'm a customer for life. I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you for supporting our sponsor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascruisin Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Just FYI, I called and tried to move my booking to a TA and was told that in order to move my cruise it has to be within 60 days of when I booked the cruise and it can't be paid in full. I booked my cruise in January so I was unable to move it even though my cruise isn't until December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 That is too bad you waited over the 60 days. Just remember next time to call right away when you get home. My TA books my Casino Royal cruises. She said Royal wants the TA to handle the casino bookings. The casino rate is really discounted. Candie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestingBird Posted May 16, 2017 Report Share Posted May 16, 2017 8 hours ago, megalodawn said: Just FYI, I called and tried to move my booking to a TA and was told that in order to move my cruise it has to be within 60 days of when I booked the cruise and it can't be paid in full. I booked my cruise in January so I was unable to move it even though my cruise isn't until December. I did the same thing. My agent told me she gets more perks/pay/etc if she does the entire booking, versus a transfer. So, since we couldn't do the transfer anyway, she just started over for me, and I cancelled my original. Now, I ended up paying a little more for the one she booked, but it wasn't enough to make me not want to do it. She was stoked for the business (she's new to being a TA) and gave me the same OBC that RC was offering so I'm happy she can deal with everything now. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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