Prices..

[DaCruzNut]

The problem with these "simple" questions is, there is no simple answer!!

Your travel agent is supposed to watch the fares, and make sure that your interests are protected. I know, for a fact, that the TA I use, when I use her, does this.

If there is a drop in the fare, even a "special," or "new booking," she contacts the cruise line and does what she can. Usually, it's a refund, but, occasionally, an onboard credit. Just as good. It's usually a 'credit' when the line can't issue a refund; either a special price or less than 30 days prior to sailing.

Now, for the other side. Some TA's do not do this. There are several reasons. The first, and most obvious, is that their commission is based on what you pay. If they get you a refund, a portion come right out of their pocket. Some are just lazy; it's too much work to check the fares for all their clients on a weekly basis. And, some just don't care...

The only cruise line I book direct is Carnival, and I have a particular person I work with. He handles my bookings just like my TA

[Mebert]

You all are too funny. :grin: :grin: :grin:

[JDIDDY]

Great Question!

here's my reply.

1st its up to the client to moniter the pricing on their particular cruise, even tho the TA may say "I will moniter it for you" the TA cannot be held responsible if a rate lowers and for some reason did not catch it. Days off,vacations, work prevents a TA to moniter a rate code 24/7.

If a cruise line lowers a rate before final/penalty time your booking agent should be able to make a phone call, verify the rate code change and make the change. After Final payment~~~~~~~~~~~~~nope~~~~~as in Princess flash promo/ RCI and CEL happy hours/HAL 5 day flash and NCL no changes after final payment day

Even tho the res agent u called at the cruiseline said yes just have your tA call us no thats not the always the truth.

3rd always feel free to book with the cruiseline and call different agencies to see what their pricing is . When you get the discounted rate you wnat just have the agency take the booking over SAVE MONEY FOR YOR SEAPASS CARD

[JoeyandDavid]

well put JDIDDY

[JDIDDY]

Thanks Joey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cruisinmama]

Thanks everyone...it helps clear allot of confusion up..bottom line is you have to be on the look out either way...

Thanks for all your posts :smiley:

[JoeyandDavid]

a better way might be be "whether or not you use a TA take charge of YOUR booking and always verify"

[DaCruzNut]

I still say that, if you have the right TA, you need do nothing more than book the cruise and let the TA do the rest. I hev 100% faith in mine, and she has always watched out for my interestes, above hers and the cruise line's

[cruisinmama]

I think its much harder to find a TA thats willing to work that hard for a client unless they know you travel lots and its going to be good for them also..

All of this has been very informative :smiley:

[JDIDDY]

You are so correct, but in this day with the competion between agancies that option is hard to find so keep her. But then again thats why I trade online and rarely use a broker as I love to be in charge of my own money! By the way I am a TA but always reply as a consumer honestly. I always shop for best price no matter what the product