Cruise/travel agent question

[Churchladychurchlady]

Agree with others that TA should at least be helpful and not give you attitude. One point on her comment, "I can't be expected to know that"... it's not that hard to see the direction of the ship based on the itinerary (at that point you'd know what side of the ship is going to see coastline. I know the TA website is a little different than the one we look at, but it would take her two seconds to say - well, gee, I'm not sure, let me check for you, click the itinerary map and bang, there's the information.
Perhaps she was just having a bad day, but her attitude is worrying.
If it were me (and I'm a big wuss) I'd still call the Agency and ask to be matched to a different TA. While I'm not fond of the entitlement mentality, there are certain expectations that someone in the service industry is there to help. My TA bends over backwards to find information, help me find the best opportunities to make for the best vacation - not all are that amazing I'm sure, but there is a reasonable expectation of civility and helpfulness.
One question I would have though, if you were to decide to cancel and rebook with another agency are there any fees you might incur? Just something else to worry about...

 

[Sytrace]

Again, though, isn't the preferred side something the travel agent should be able to discuss with so I get a good picture of the pros and cons?

Yes, A TA should be able to research and offer recommendations based on many questions he/she has asked you to get a really good idea of what you are looking for in regards to your vacation.
For example, port/starboard cabins and placement of said cabin. Aft, mid, and forward are all very different parts of a ship in addition to just being port or starboard. Some folks love aft, some NEED midship and some like forward. Some like mid deck, some upper...all of these are important things to know when booking for a client. RESEARCHING is 95% of a TA's job when you hire them. If they don't know from experience, then there are all kinds of ways to get the answers for client and a lot of research involved.
So many things are just basic questions that require a simple answer from a client and from there the TA has the responsibility to find what you want and make sure that you are happy with it after the fact.
After the research, then the TA can make educated recommendations about what will fit.
Even if he/she has never set foot on a ship, all of the resources available to a GOOD TA who really cares about their client, is going to be easy to find and communicate.
I cruise a lot on Disney but a month or so ago, one of my clients sailed on Carnival. I went to the Carnival site and did research, took quizzes and tests to make sure I learned it and was able to book not only what she was looking for, but learned quite a bit in the process. Same with RC , Norweigien and Princess. (All of whom I have not sailed on, but have done really good research and passed their tests and requirements to sell their product.

Good luck, and I hope you can contact her supervisor and get shifted to a TA who is more knowledable about cruising and will actually offer some educated recommendations.

 

[Sytrace]

Agree with others that TA should at least be helpful and not give you attitude. One point on her comment, "I can't be expected to know that"... it's not that hard to see the direction of the ship based on the itinerary (at that point you'd know what side of the ship is going to see coastline. I know the TA website is a little different than the one we look at, but it would take her two seconds to say - well, gee, I'm not sure, let me check for you, click the itinerary map and bang, there's the information.
Perhaps she was just having a bad day, but her attitude is worrying.
If it were me (and I'm a big wuss) I'd still call the Agency and ask to be matched to a different TA. While I'm not fond of the entitlement mentality, there are certain expectations that someone in the service industry is there to help. My TA bends over backwards to find information, help me find the best opportunities to make for the best vacation - not all are that amazing I'm sure, but there is a reasonable expectation of civility and helpfulness.
One question I would have though, if you were to decide to cancel and rebook with another agency are there any fees you might incur? Just something else to worry about...

Actually, we see the same website as everyone else.
And you are 100% correct in addition to civility and helpfulness, another expectation of a TA would be a willingness to research and communicate in a professional and friendly manner.

 

[Aanna]

Yes, A TA should be able to research and offer recommendations based on many questions he/she has asked you to get a really good idea of what you are looking for in regards to your vacation.

Oh... they are supposed to ask me questions about my preferences? LOL Maybe that was the start of the problem. I tried to give her some ideas of my preferences on the web quote request, but I really don't even know where to start, and she asked me no questions at all. <chuckle> I feel like such a derp, sitting here and realizing that, yes, that probably *would* be a good way to start a project with a TA!

I can't thank you folks enough for talking all this through with me. I think I really have a much better idea of the sort of TA I'm looking for now. I think I need someone who is engaged enough to ask me questions and help me think things through: someone who, if they don't know, is interested in helping me find the information.

Perhaps I just caught this TA on a bad day, but it really looks like I need to start fresh and try for someone I am comfortable working with for the next year!

Thanks y'all!!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I'm with you. My TA sells other lines and rarely sells DCL, but she was more than happy to offer opinions and give me things to look out for. There were things she didn't know and didn't do, but over all, her attitude has been very positive and if she doesn't know, she finds out or suggests (in a helpful manner) a place to look.

I didn't ask about flights or hotels, but I'm sorry, that goes with the territory. People actually do book whole vacations with TAs, so the agent should be willing to help you, even if it's just advice. But sending you to Kayak? I wouldn't send my enemy to them! She could have at least provided you with some links to helpful websites, like Tripadvisor and Cruisecritic, for example.

Anyway, I wouldn't want to work with someone like that, either. Attitude is everything in the service industry and it sounds like she doesn't want to last long in her job.

 

[Sytrace]

Oh... they are supposed to ask me questions about my preferences? LOL Maybe that was the start of the problem. I tried to give her some ideas of my preferences on the web quote request, but I really don't even know where to start, and she asked me no questions at all. <chuckle> I feel like such a derp, sitting here and realizing that, yes, that probably *would* be a good way to start a project with a TA!

I can't thank you folks enough for talking all this through with me. I think I really have a much better idea of the sort of TA I'm looking for now. I think I need someone who is engaged enough to ask me questions and help me think things through: someone who, if they don't know, is interested in helping me find the information.

Perhaps I just caught this TA on a bad day, but it really looks like I need to start fresh and try for someone I am comfortable working with for the next year!

Thanks y'all!!!

Haha...yes, asking questions is a big part of building a great relationship.

 

[rachelsmom97]

Kind of off topic but when you are sailing in the Mediterranean you do not always see land from the ship. A lot of times they are far from shore. We did get to see land on both sides sailing through the strait of Gibraltar and that was cool.

 

[Hundredacre]

Hi all =)

Short version: How much should I expect my travel agent to know about my cruise/help me?

Explanation: I'm in the process of booking my first cruise, and, although I always book everything myself, I decided to book through a travel agent this time. I contacted someone through Small World Vacations, and asked for a quote of the 2017 Transatlantic return from Barcelona. I asked about airfare and also hotel accommodations for the nights before the cruise.

Other than the bare stateroom reservation, getting any information out of the agent we were assigned is like pulling teeth. She couldn't help me with airfare (I understand that), did not seem to want to help book the hotel (even through Disney), and when I asked what she might suggest for those things, she pointed me to Kayak. Okay, I get that that's not her thing, but she was really abrupt.

I asked if there were any other not-to-be-missed things that I should budget for, and her answer was to check the off-shore excursion list when it comes out next year. No enthusiam, no suggestions.

When I went to put down a deposit on the rooms, I thanked her for reserving starboard rooms for the return trip around the coast of Spain. Turns out I had misread the deckplan -- she reserved port side rooms. I said it would be awfully nice to be starboard where we could see the coast go by, and her snippy reply was, "I can't be expected to know something like that!"

So I asked if we could change rooms to starboard, and she insisted nothing was available. I checked, and there *are rooms available for a small up-charge.

Am I being too picky? Is there a way to get a new travel agent that I'd be more comfortable with personality-wise? Is it too late since I put down my deposit with the person? I really just have this feeling that I will know more about the cruise than she does -- and I've never set foot on a cruise ship before.

Haaaaaalp!
-Aanna

Your TA sounds awful. Should have used Dreams Unlimited (or someone else). I actually tried to get a quote from them a few years ago and they did not even respond to my on line form-- two times. You probably got them from the unofficial guide? That's where I did. II was so put off TAs it took me until this year to try another one.

 

[Aanna]

Thanks all!

I have cancelled the reservation with that TA and booked the rooms I want on my own through Disney. I've got a request in to Dreams Unlimited, and I've contacted Small World to see about a different agent. My current plan is to "interview" a couple of TAs (talk to them a bit and see how they handle my questions), and then give my reservation over to the one that I think I can work best with.

It took all my courage to write that email cancelling with that TA!

Thank you folks ever so much -- I wouldn't have been brave enough without you.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks all!

I have cancelled the reservation with that TA and booked the rooms I want on my own through Disney. I've got a request in to Dreams Unlimited, and I've contacted Small World to see about a different agent. My current plan is to "interview" a couple of TAs (talk to them a bit and see how they handle my questions), and then give my reservation over to the one that I think I can work best with.

It took all my courage to write that email cancelling with that TA!

Thank you folks ever so much -- I wouldn't have been brave enough without you.

Just an FYI - when "interviewing" TAs, one question to ask is "are the fees for using you to book and then canceling (or transferring) the reservation?"

 

[Hundredacre]

And ask can I pay with disney gift cards.

 

[Shanti]

Am I being too picky?

Because you expect a travel agent to be willing and able to do her job? No. You are unfortunate, because you've got a really bleep-y agent who's just phoning it in. This is why I never use TA's. Someone else will probably have a suggestion for how to part ways with this particular agent.

 

[Aanna]

This is why I never use TA's.

This is also why I've never used a TA before, either. The OBC is just too big a perk for me to pass up, though.

 

[Canadian Girl]

I still use a CAA ( same as AAA) travel agent for cruises booked in Canada even though they no longer receive perks from Disney anymore. I do get a $50.00 credit towards renewing my card however. I booked my WTBA myself and transferred to her. She gets the documents in, etc. Flights are generally booked by me. When we booked our first WDW trip nearly five years ago, she was very helpful in all areas. I now own DVC so book my rooms myself but find it useful for cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I still use a CAA ( same as AAA) travel agent for cruises booked in Canada even though they no longer receive perks from Disney anymore. I do get a $50.00 credit towards renewing my card however. I booked my WTBA myself and transferred to her. She gets the documents in, etc. Flights are generally booked by me. When we booked our first WDW trip nearly five years ago, she was very helpful in all areas. I now own DVC so book my rooms myself but find it useful for cruises.

I'm glad you like your AAA travel agent. Ours was a bust. The only time we used a TA at our AAA office, and I knew more than she did.

 

[Canadian Girl]

I'm glad you like your AAA travel agent. Ours was a bust. The only time we used a TA, and I knew more than she did.

She is a Disney specialist and the manager so knows her stuff. I was sad when the free photo package was no longer a perk however.

 

[Boysmom1626]

I'm using Small World Vacations and have had a wonderful experience. My agent has been extremely helpful and answered all of my million questions!

 

[Dug720]

Me: YAY! I just realized that you booked us starboard rooms. That's great! Thank you! It means we'll be able to watch the coast of Spain go by!
Her: Those aren't starboard rooms, they're port.
Me, turning my deckplan upside down: Um, you mean the pointy part of the map is the *back*??
Her: Yes.
Me: Oh [disappointed]. Oops. I guess I read the deckplan upside down. Um, it would be really nice to be able to see the coast of Spain go by... that would be starboard for this trip, right?
Her: I can't be expected to know that!!

Wait... Which ship has the "pointy part" in the aft (back)?? I thought the "pointy part" was the bow (front)...

 

[Aanna]

Wait... Which ship has the "pointy part" in the aft (back)?? I thought the "pointy part" was the bow (front)...

The deck plans that she sent me were these:
https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/...kplans.com-deckplan.php-ship=Disney-Magic.png
https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/...kplans.com-deckplan.php-ship=Disney-Magic.png
I guess there isn't much at the bow of the ship, so they "cut" that part off the plan... which left the back part looking pointier and left me turned around.

Deck plan reading 101, anyone? LOL

 

[wombat_5606]

The deck plans that she sent me were these:
https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/...kplans.com-deckplan.php-ship=Disney-Magic.png
I guess there isn't much at the bow of the ship, so they "cut" that part off the plan... which left the back part looking pointier and left me turned around.

Deck plan reading 101, anyone? LOL

The deck plan diagram is front(forward) at the top of the page and the back(aft) is at the bottom of the page. Starboard side is right, Port is on the left side of the diagram.