I Think It’s Time For a Travel Agent!

[BrianB]

It used to be much easier to call RC directly and have an agent make a change on a cruise when the price dropped. Once in a while, I’d have to call back and get a more knowledgeable agent to make the change, but usually it went pretty easily. Even after being put on hold for a bit.

Recently, it’s been much more difficult…and frustrating.

Yesterday, I received the email announcing a sale on cruises from Port Liberty. Many of them were cruises I already booked and some had very attractive price drops. So I did my thing and called.

I knew to call Club Royale for the cruises with a casino connection…either a casino group rate or applied certificate. But that became difficult when the agent told me that some weren’t really casino related unless there was a monetary discount applied on the confirmation page. When I called Loyalty, the agent told me they were casino related anyway and I had to call them. Even after calling different agents, I still got conflicting answers.

Then there was a new glitch…they couldn’t give me a correct quote because they had to call another department to remove my single cruiser discount, reprice the cruise, then put the discount back on. Even when I had the page on the website showing me the lower price for the same cabin category on the same cruise. The website applied the discount when I entered my C&A number, as usual, but the agent couldn’t apply it. That never happened before. That reminded me when I booked cruises onboard at NextCruise, they also couldn’t apply the single cruiser discount. It had to be applied by land side. I took the risk and booked anyway and the next day I received the new confirmations with the discount applied…but it was a bit worrisome.

Im guessing that due to such high demand, things don’t go as smoothly as they did in the past. But, I was never really on hold very long to speak with an agent so they weren’t too busy at the time. Eventually I was successful getting the reprices, but it was difficult.

Time to book through a Travel Agent from now on.

[JohnK6404]

My wife and I used to book directly through Royal when we first started cruising. As you mentioned, it used to be a pleasure dealing with customer service. We would call for a price adjustment and immediately get through. I'm not sure if was because we used to book refundable deposit fares (they knew I could just cancel and rebook), but CS could not be more accommodating. I would call during lunch in the parking lot and the call would literally only take 5-10 minutes and they would immediately e-mail me the revised reservation/invoice while I was on the phone. At that time, I did not understand the value of a TA.

We first started using a TA for the perks (group rates, rewards/gift cards, dining credits, etc.). However, between the pandemic shutdown and Royal's string of tech glitches, the TA was a HUGE blessing since they would advocate for us. They helped resolve a major Covid-related cruise credit issue and major issues tracking credits back to our CC!

We do book NextCruise while onboard (usually Book Later option), but we leave the reservation linked to our TA. Just something to consider... not all TA's are eligible or participate in the RoyalUp program if that matters to you. Our current TA does not, but we usually sail with family/friends and we book adjacent rooms whenever possible so we would feel guilty if we ever won! 

Enjoy your cruise!

[wordell1]

I used to book through the cruise line but now use MEI - which is a sponsor of this website.  It doesn't cost any extra to use a TA and it can save you a lot of aggravation.

The link for MEI is on the homepage of this website.

[Traveling Mike]

You can still do all your research and planning.  Be in control of all of your decisions but have a travel agent to help you with the issues.  I book 70% of my cruises with the cruise line but then move them to my travel agent (currently Costco travel) to help me with issues and give me a rebate.

[BrianB]

@Traveling Mike I heard, on these boards, lots of advice telling me to avoid the ‘big box store’ travel agents like Costco. That they were just interested in initial bookings and not good on follow-up or responses.

I'm guessing you have a contact person who actually monitors your reservation and gives you personal service. Sounds like you got lucky.

What you suggest is my plan….do all of my research and monitoring and then, instead of wasting time and effort, have a contact person that I could reach out to who would promptly take care of all those annoying follow-up details.

Plus, maybe get a better price or a few extras by using the TA.

[SMOKEY0202]

In this day and age, it's definitely worthwhile to use a travel agent.  You still can have the control to some degree to decision making etc however let agent deal with Royal on logistics with pricing, casino comps etc.  Ever since Covid, not sure if it's lack of training or communication or consistent glitches but it only took one time that if didn't have my agent i wouldn't have been able to resolve issue as easily.

With FCCs, i literally had my bookings with cabin poof vanish and my agent not only call Royal but if she had to get her BDM involved then that's what happened to get my individual cabin back at that rate with correct dollars of FCCs to the exact penny.

Honestly i don't have time nor patience to deal directly with Royal since it's become such a zoo.  Even recently at Next Cruise there was issue applying offers with solo and resident rate.  I could do it all on my end thru Royal website but Next Cruise couldn't.  I text my agent because wanted that sailing which had limited availability left and she said just book it thru Next Cruise to get perks with OBC and deposit considering long sailing and once she got it on her end would call to fix the problem.   

Not every agent will be right fit for you.  It's like finding a Dr.  One you might like and work well may not be right for someone else.  Don't think just big box agents like Costco only have deep discounts and perks.  Agents utilize systems that can have group rates and discounts.

In the end for me, i always know my agent is a text, email or speed dial away.

 

[ScottD]

On 5/4/2024 at 8:30 AM, JohnK6404 said:

participate in the RoyalUp program if that matters to you. Our current TA does not,

 I thought royal up just dealt directly with the passenger and travel agent doesn't really matter- the only time I've heard of Royal ups not being offered are when they are through the big companies like Costco. But I'm pretty sure all smaller\independent TA's would have no actual say in it whether you get one or not, and royal up would send you the offer either way since the TA has no real involvement in the bidding and upgrading process anyway.  

[smokeybandit]

I'm not sure why a small TA wouldn't participate since any upgrade still benefits their commission.

[JohnK6404]

56 minutes ago, ScottD said:

 I thought royal up just dealt directly with the passenger and travel agent doesn't really matter- the only time I've heard of Royal ups not being offered are when they are through the big companies like Costco. But I'm pretty sure all smaller\independent TA's would have no actual say in it whether you get one or not, and royal up would send you the offer either way since the TA has no real involvement in the bidding and upgrading process anyway.  

38 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm not sure why a small TA wouldn't participate since any upgrade still benefits their commission.

Not all agencies participate... we have used Costco Travel and they do not participate or qualify with RoyalUp. We do not get the invitations to bid on RoyalUp.

Just putting it out there to check when you switch to a new TA if that matters to you. I don't know the mechanics/qualifications, but just make sure and never assume anything. 

[smokeybandit]

Costco isn't a small TA though.

[JohnK6404]

20 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Costco isn't a small TA though.

I know, I never made a distinction in the size of the TA. We can assume, but I've learned a long time ago to never assume anything in life... especially with Royal! 

Whether it's the TA's policy (likely) or something with Royal, it can't hurt to ask to play it safe if that program matters to you. I know Costco Travel does specifically state in their policy that they do not participate with RoyalUp or Celebrity's version MoveUp.

One of the reasons we may switch TA's down the road... hmmm...

[Sharla]

On 5/5/2024 at 10:06 AM, JohnK6404 said:

size of the TA

This is frankly how Costco can afford to give the huge rebates. I don't know why they don't participate in RoyalUp but the rebating is purely about volume. 

[Traveling Mike]

On 5/5/2024 at 4:08 AM, BrianB said:

I'm guessing you have a contact person who actually monitors your reservation and gives you personal service.

No I don't get that service but that is not what I need.  I agree to stay away from most big box companies.  Costco Travel is not for everyone but it is good for me.  I only need a company that is going to take care of my changes and problems.  I am on the computer every day so i do all the monitoring and personal service.  When I have issues Costco reps are paid by the hour so they will stay on the phone for days to make sure I am taken care of.  For someone like me it works because I get the rebate and I take care of the personal service.

[CruiseGus]

Note:  my understanding is that comp cruises through "Casino Royale" do not benifit your TA at all.

Correct me if imwrong

[Biaggio]

Usually book with Costco travel or directly through RCL. After reading these boards, I decided to get a quote from MEI. Costco came in, with rebate, about $350 less on a $3400 cruise. I went with Costco since I cruise a lot, know what I want, and have had good luck with Costco. I’ll stay with them. Also trip insurance with the Costco booking is about 50% less. 

[Sharla]

On 5/10/2024 at 7:26 PM, CruiseGus said:

Note:  my understanding is that comp cruises through "Casino Royale" do not benifit your TA at all.

Correct me if imwrong

Full transparency the commission is almost nothing on these. I prefer not to do them for clients.  We're hoping that will change in our favor eventually but at this point it's not worth my time to work on them.

[BrianB]

@Sharla But that’s only regarding a casino comped full cruise, right?

If I have a booked cruise that I did online or through NextCruise…or through a TA…and then I subsequently want to apply an instant rewards dollars off certificate earned in the casino…that cruise would still be eligible for the TA’s full commission? Also, if it’s a TA reservation, would the TA be the only one who could call to request the certificate be applied…as they now control the reservation?

I ‘dabble’ in the casino when I cruise and usually end up earning a dollars off certificate which I apply to one of my future booked cruises.

ps…sorry for all the questions. Not a newbie cruiser…not by a long shot…but a potential newbie MEI customer.

[Janeaharri]

We booked through Cruise118 for our last trip. We used to book directly through RCL but decided to get a few quotes from some T/A's after reading through some forums. Turns out their deal worked best for us. We made a great saving and had the most incredible trip. Would recommend!

[Sharla]

56 minutes ago, BrianB said:

@Sharla But that’s only regarding a casino comped full cruise, right?

If I have a booked cruise that I did online or through NextCruise…or through a TA…and then I subsequently want to apply an instant rewards dollars off certificate earned in the casino…that cruise would still be eligible for the TA’s full commission? Also, if it’s a TA reservation, would the TA be the only one who could call to request the certificate be applied…as they now control the reservation?

I ‘dabble’ in the casino when I cruise and usually end up earning a dollars off certificate which I apply to one of my future booked cruises.

ps…sorry for all the questions. Not a newbie cruiser…not by a long shot…but a potential newbie MEI customer.

It depends on the offer. Many times it will cut the percentage commission down to a flat commission of almost nothing even if you're paying almost full price. 

The TA would be the one to have to service it, which is why I say it's a lot of work for not as much pay off. Your best bet is to contact MEI and your agent can tell you based on the offer. 

[ScottD]

On 5/5/2024 at 9:58 AM, JohnK6404 said:

Not all agencies participate... we have used Costco Travel and they do not participate or qualify with RoyalUp. We do not get the invitations to bid on RoyalUp.

Just putting it out there to check when you switch to a new TA if that matters to you. I don't know the mechanics/qualifications, but just make sure and never assume anything. 

Yep- Costco is the one I specifically mentioned that doesn't participate... but I can't think of a reason a regular, home or agency based TA wouldn't allow it

[JFCruise]

IMO - it's worth booking with an agent just for the fact that if you have any request, question, concern...you can just shoot them a text or email and not have to listen to Pompeii on loop for 10 minutes.

[barbeyg]

19 hours ago, JFCruise said:

IMO - it's worth booking with an agent just for the fact that if you have any request, question, concern...you can just shoot them a text or email and not have to listen to Pompeii on loop for 10 minutes.

Not to mention the thousands of $$$ we have saved with group rates and/or shipboard credits.  Also nice to be able to cancel if something comes up and not lose our deposit.