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Topic: Travel Agencies

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 06-29-2000 04:19 PM

There was a topic a while ago about how people book their cruises, and I think that most of you said travel agencies. I was just wondering what sort of travel agencies you use. I would tend to use Going Places here, which is a nationwide chain which is part of Airtours, and specialise in the Airtours group, strangely enough. Most travel agencies here are part of the UK travel groups : Lunn Poly and Thomson, Thomas Cook and jmc holidays, Going Places, and Carlson WorldChoice which I think is part of the First Choice group. They all are good enough, but tend to offer holidays with their own operator. There aren't too many indepant agencies left. I was wondering what the system is like in the USA and Canada, and elsewhere in the world. Are y'all happy with the service recieved, and are you all given personal attention.

Thanks,
Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

wendymike_uk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1302

posted 06-29-2000 05:56 PM

Paddy there are still quite a few independent agencies in the UK and some deal only in cruises, the hard part is finding them. We used to book with nationwide chains but changed to the independents quite a few years ago and have found that their level of cruising knowledge seems to be better. Some agencies advertise their sites on Teletext but others we heard about by word of mouth.

Posts: 21 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 06-30-2000 08:25 AM

Paddy,

I gave up on local TA's. Service was worthless and prices too high. I have used the internet my last two cruise, and got the best price. I did shop around and get quotes from local TA's also, but the prices were much, much better on the internet.The service was ok, and no problems.
The cruise I am taking next Feb is a goup cruise I found on the net and there is a coupl from the U.K. listed as part of the group. ( I do not know how this works, or how anything is handled)

[This message has been edited by gizmo (edited 06-30-2000).]

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 06-30-2000 08:54 AM

I fired our local TA when I ended up doing the majority of the research myself. She would not check up on things for me and then she screwed up the name on my wife's ticket and left her maiden name on it. To top it all off she said it was supposed to be that way. I had airline ticket agents and even the cruise ticket taker questioned me on this. I need another TA. I don't like making my own reservations. I like holding someone else responsible for it. I've also tried these Credit Card TA services. What a joke they turned out to be. I'm snake bit.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 06-30-2000 06:23 PM

For cruises...people should stick to Cruise-only agencies because they (most of the time) know what they are talking about and can get you the best deals. You can find cruise deals on the internet, but then you loose that personal service that a good cruise agent can give you and you may only save a couple of $$.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 06-30-2000 07:07 PM

I spent about a year after early retirement in a travel agency in Canada. This is what I learned and my conclusions.
The travel business at the retail end is very cut throat and in some cases very unethical [come-ons and the like]
For the small agency it is a continual battle to keep ones head above water. Gross margins on cruises are about 10% unless you can direct more business to any one line. In this case you may get up to 15% gross.
Consider, for a $2000 booking, gross is $200, from which you have to deduct overhead [occupancy, heat, light, power, computers, salaries, taxes etc]
The only answer is volume. Get them in , book them and blow them through. Keep counselling to a minimum. This takes too much time. Chances are that if you do a reputable job for a potential client that they will walk away and using your information book online or with an agency who"s counsellors would have difficulty describing a hole in the wall. For the individual saying that travel Agents aren"t much good, then they should probably look at themselves as part of the problem.
My suggestion is to do your own research. Get all the brochures that you can and study everything, including the fine print.
Also read reviews on Cruise lines, but try to figure out the reviewers backround as you can do here. Some people are chronic complainers [myself excepted unless unruly kids are invoved]
Bear one other thing in mind, if an agent books you a $200 airline ticket, the maximum he will get is $20.00 after you have changed your mind umpteen times and he or she has had to be pleasant and smiling through the ordeal.
I am not in the business any longer.

[This message has been edited by topgun (edited 06-30-2000).]

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 06-30-2000 10:07 PM

Paddy – Barryboat-Ascendancy -gizmo and topgun:
We use a relatively small, very well established independent/family agency. I’ve called around some of the ‘chains’ but our guy’s prices are usually no more than $5 more. Many people do not seem to realize that discounts apply only to the cruise fare – Port and other taxes are not affected - it’s all spelled out in that FINE PRINT. Independents frequently have a ‘close affiliation’ with only two or three Lines and know their ships well. They can and will book any Line you choose but the price may not be as good.
‘Word of mouth’ is the best guarantee of good, reliable service and nothing beats talking one on one with a counsellor. Can’t see us ever using a Net agency for cruise or package travel.
Agencies can and do have a problem with 'maiden' names these days. It is mandatory that documents for all travel (other than domestic) be issued in the name exactly as it appears on the passport. Matter of fact, we're just completing a Cunard Guest Registration Form - it states, in bold type, 'please print your full name as it appears on your passport'.
I personally know 4 (second marriage) couples all in their 40's to mid 50's, - the wives choose to hold passports in their maiden name. Before someone asks - all are legally married - I attended two of the weddings!
Honeymooners and others in that situation must tell the Agent and carry a mini copy of the Marriage Certificate. Could be difficult for an agent to ask, "are your passports in the same name?"
Air of course is another ball game – oftentimes you can get a cheaper fare than that offered by the Line but, by the time you add taxes, baggage handling, transfers, etc. etc., there’s often not much in it. Here again, a good Agent can be invaluable.
None of this lets you the traveller ‘off the hook’ – you still need to do research and study the ‘fine print’.
There have been many changes since TOPGUN’s Agency days - on that $200 ticket (taxes are extra and non-commissionable) Canadian agents now receive only $10.00 with which to pay bills and the counsellor’s salary – one change or cancelling - the agency has worked for nothing. If you're a once a year flyer better you should book with the airline.
Don’t be too surprised if soon yor are advised that a $50.00 service fee is charged for all reservations - it’s credited to your account if you book and travel - non-refundable if you're on a ‘brain picking’ mission.

Happy cruisin’

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-01-2000 07:21 PM

All 3 local TA's I used were "Cruise Agents".
I think I am snake bitten like Ascendancy.
I remember when I was looking for a different line and stopped in a "Cruise Only" to pick up some brochures. I told her I had only sailed on the Norway and was looking for something more upscale. She recommended "Dolphin" line. After a 15 minute conversation with this lady, it was clear I new more than she did. She did not get my business. I did much of my research using the internet then picked HAL.
I always handle my own air. I like to choose my own flight. I do realize if something goes wrong I am responsible but there are many flights out of Atlanta to Florida and I like to leave the day before if at all possible. I already have my plane tickets for next Feb. (Spring break can be a problem).

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 07-04-2000 11:36 AM

On our last four cruises we have booked direct with the lines, on three different lines! We check the internet, check with the local TA then call the line they have really their own travel agents. When we had a question on our dining arangements the consultant hooked us up on a conference call with the person in charge of dining room seating, herself and us question answered and problem solved in minutes instead of days. Have not been able to find a local TA to give us this kind of service. We know whatr we want and where we want to go. This is not for everyone but it is for alot of us.
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 07-04-2000 06:52 PM

We booked our first cruise through a really small travel agency in a really small town (although you have heard of the town, if you're politically informed). The agent has done us a good job on about 6 cruises.

We've booked four through a cruise specialist, and those are the ones that have given us heartburn. So, don't assume your local "girl" can't do a good job!

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 07-05-2000 10:09 AM

Greens comments are correct, the small Agency often will offer you prices within a few dollars of the large one and will offer you service. Our Agency relies on repeat business and on recommendations, which I believe is the best advertising. Our Agents have cruised between them on over 60 cruises and have put themselves out to get their qualifications with CLIA and with the cruise lines if they are offering them. We believe service is No.1 and our clients are the most importantant people.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

cruisemamma
Just Boarded
Member # 1378

posted 07-05-2000 08:35 PM

I am a cruise specialist, and although I may not solicite business, I can tell you that many of us do work very hard for our clients, after all we are in a service business, if your agent isn't willing to do 150% for their clients, then it is time for them to find a new job! I am proud of the work I do for my clients, and I beleive that my repeat clients prove that!!!!! So PLEASE
do not lump all travel agents in the same category!

Posts: 9 | From: michigan | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 07-06-2000 08:04 PM

I agree about TAs 100%!

My TA works in a smaller agency in a small town a few miles from where I live.This gal has been my lifeline since I first started cruising in 1994.She goes over and beyond the call of duty and seems to know every angle there is to get me a great price etc. And she is well worth the miles I travel to her office to see her.And if I can't get to her office she will drive out to my home with my tickets etc,no problem and no added costs!

Her desk is always piled high with current bookings (clients)and she works like a demon,bless her heart. I wouldn't trade her for a million Internet sites.
After all,how else would I get to see her face light up as I walk through the door?

Go find yourself a knowledgeable travel agent who will go the extra mile for you and you will never have to worry.

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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