should I book online myself or wait for TA

[deltadinah]

I want to book a 2012 Pacific Coast cruise for 4 families. Already there are categories of verandah staterooms gone(we can get 7a, one 6a and the other 2 are 5c) and I am concerned that we will not be able to get early dining if we wait too long. On the one hand, if I book on-line there is a $25 on board credit, and if I go with a TA there is a min. $50 charge/rm. which might be worth it for peace of mind but my TA is not back from holidays until next Monday and I don't know if I should wait. Any feedback would be appreciated. Has anyone had any problems with ressie changes or whatever when they have booked on line. Can you still phone for help with an on-line ressie?

 

[KristiMc]

I would go with a different TA that does not charge you. Check out Dreams Unlimited that is advertised on here. They give you on board credit for booking with them.

 

[twindaddy]

I want to book a 2012 Pacific Coast cruise for 4 families. Already there are categories of verandah staterooms gone(we can get 7a, one 6a and the other 2 are 5c) and I am concerned that we will not be able to get early dining if we wait too long. On the one hand, if I book on-line there is a $25 on board credit, and if I go with a TA there is a min. $50 charge/rm. which might be worth it for peace of mind but my TA is not back from holidays until next Monday and I don't know if I should wait. Any feedback would be appreciated. Has anyone had any problems with ressie changes or whatever when they have booked on line. Can you still phone for help with an on-line ressie?

I am not clear on your post, a question:

Your travel agent charges you to book cruises? That is pretty unusual down here in the states, I might look for someone else.

You can atleast place a five day hold on the ressie for free online, then when the TA gets back in town, cancel the hold and book it with them. Most TA's can do this for you instantly, cancel hold and book with them.

As far as changes go, when you book online you actually have far more control over your reservation than with a TA. You can change pretty much anything, and yes the phone reps will still help you too. With a TA several kinds of changes have to go through the TA.

Hope that helps.

BTW, I see you are from BC, isnt this a lovely photo?

 

[deltadinah]

thanks for the picture twindaddy! you're not even from Boston!
Seriously tho' the info does help. I wasn't aware there could be a hold period. As far as the charge, I have been with this TA for a long time, the charges are only in the last couple of years and I thought it was everywhere up here since the travel agents have been struggling to compete with the internet and busineess has been down. I suppose I should check.

 

[twindaddy]

thanks for the picture twindaddy! you're not even from Boston!
Seriously tho' the info does help. I wasn't aware there could be a hold period. As far as the charge, I have been with this TA for a long time, the charges are only in the last couple of years and I thought it was everywhere up here since the travel agents have been struggling to compete with the internet and busineess has been down. I suppose I should check.

You are right, not from Boston, I am die hard Sharks fan, and since you eliminated us, I had to root for the US team. Sorry.

Anyways, if you have a TA you trust, stick with them. What kind of on board credit do they offer? Maybe you can negotiate a bit....

Are you super worried about your cruise booking up or filling up? You could place the hold, but you also could just wait until your TA gets back from holiday (or as we call it down here, vacation).

 

[mmouse37]

Is that $50 a cancellation fee by your TA? I have heard of TA's doing that but most TA's do not charge at all to use their services...that is the whole point...they get paid a commission by the cruiselines for bringing in the business.

MJ

 

[deltadinah]

No, it wasn't a cancellation fee. I booked our June Alaska cruise a year and a half ago, so I don't remember what it was for tho'. Actually I will ask again and maybe I will pay more attention this time!
It's not so much I am worried about it filling up, as that main dining will be gone - that would be a deal breaker. We would have to change dates. When checking on line, I entered in the 4 staterooms, then I did the dining and it said main dining not available , so I panicked. Later when I regained my mind, I entered each stateroom and dining, one by one and it was okay, but I am still leary. Would it accept my request for main dining if it were not available at that point? ( I figure the 'not available' was because there was 14 people in the 4 staterooms and they don't actually have tables for 14)
Twindaddy - my DH thought it was hilarious that you sent the picture

 

[twindaddy]

No, it wasn't a cancellation fee. I booked our June Alaska cruise a year and a half ago, so I don't remember what it was for tho'. Actually I will ask again and maybe I will pay more attention this time!
It's not so much I am worried about it filling up, as that main dining will be gone - that would be a deal breaker. We would have to change dates. When checking on line, I entered in the 4 staterooms, then I did the dining and it said main dining not available , so I panicked. Later when I regained my mind, I entered each stateroom and dining, one by one and it was okay, but I am still leary. Would it accept my request for main dining if it were not available at that point? ( I figure the 'not available' was because there was 14 people in the 4 staterooms and they don't actually have tables for 14)
Twindaddy - my DH thought it was hilarious that you sent the picture

Glad he liked it, how many cars did he overturn when the Nucks lost?

You know that it auto selects late dining when you book online, you have to go and change it to main dining.

No, it would not take it if it wasnt availabe. Maybe that many spots together were not availabe, but separate tables were?

 

[deltadinah]

I did change them to early from late and the last time i tried it accepted all. I called DCL this morning and she said it is better when booking 4 rooms to do it by phone - easier to personalize and adjust and link and all that and also the internet can be a bit finicky at times. So I took the plunge and booked everyone, even tho' one party is on holidays and doesn't even know about it yet! but we have a 5 day hold. I'm glad I did as we got early dining confirmed and there was only one 6a left which we grabbed. DH and I are good for 7a( cat 6a for 7a price room) and the others had to go with 5c - boo hoo
We won't get the $ 25 OBC but its a drop in the bucket anyway with what we are shelling out and at least I feel secure. Travel agents here ( at least Marlin) charges a prof. fee as they do not get paid for booking apparently - at least it is so little as to be meaningless they say . At $45 per adult that was $400 I have saved!

 

[woody73]

. . . I called DCL this morning and she said it is better when booking 4 rooms to do it by phone . . . So I took the plunge and booked everyone

I'm glad I did as we got early dining confirmed and there was only one 6a left which we grabbed.

Glad you got what you wanted.

Woody