TA's & stateroom gifts

[CruisingCA2005]

I've seen the DU thread about stateroom gifts but I didn't want to hijack that thread.

Do you know if any of the other TAs give you a stateroom gift?

 

[kcashner]

Some do...it's an individual thing. A TA makes 10% of your cruise fare as a commission. Of couse discount TAs make a lot less because they give you part of their commission as a way of saving you cost. Any gift they send comes out of their commission.

On my first cruise, the TA sent a fruit basket. A nice touch, but I thought it silly since I could have all the fruit I wanted free on the ship. The first time on DCL, she sent a Disney sun catcher to the house afterwards. Gifts on the ships are expensive--they start at about $35. That can be a hunk of a low cabin for 2. On the other hand, if you booked cat 1 for 7 people...I'd expect a good gift!

 

[dcandmc]

I booked a Cat 1 for 7 people. I'll let you know after our cruise in March if the TA arranged for a gift. I'm not expecting anything, and if we don't get anything that will be fine with me. She's done a great job so far, and has been earning whatever commission she gets.

 

[Amberle3]

I always have a hard time knowing what to send for stateroom gifts.

As mentioned, a lot of it depends on what the commission for the booking is like. I had one (cheapie RCCL cruise) where the commission was less than $50. I didn't send them anything to the stateroom, since that would have eaten up most of the commission!

I have a couple going on a HAL cruise in October. They don't drink so the standard bottle of wine is out. I can't see sending food to the room since it's so readily available on the ship. They're an older couple so they're not into the "cute" things. I have no idea what to do for them!

So if you don't get a gift from a TA, don't worry about it - chances are either their commission was too low to afford it, or they just truly had no idea what to get you.

 

[mickey squared]

We booked a cat. 1 last September with 7 people only 50 days out. The fare was pretty steep, I thought($17,900). The TA not only didn't send anything, but we didn't even get a "How was your trip" letter, or can I help you with anything? Needless to say, when I booked this Sept. I booked directly with Disney!

 

[232271]

I booked with DU becuase they saved me a bundle over
Disney's prices and they are extremely nice and informative.

I do not expect a gift from them. So I wont be dissapointed if
nothing comes.

LIke I said Merrie is a doll and so helpful that is why I booked with her company.
I find it funny someone wont book again because they didnt
get gift.

 

[tracyl921]

This will be our third cruise (1st on DCL). Our 1st cruise was for our honeymoon. No gift from TA. The second was for my 30th B-day - again no gift. I will once again be celebrating a birthday on this cruise - and I expect nothing from my TA. That's only because its the service i've gotten accustomed to with this TA. Won't ever use her for a Disney cruise - she knew/knows nothing. My advise would be not to find a TA who's going to have a gift waiting for you, but one who's knowledgable about the cruise line you want to go on.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have cruised 12 times. I have gotten one bottle of wine in the room. My cruise agent for nonDCL cruises has also sent me a tote bag and a nice bag that is good for the beach, it has an insulated area on the bottom and the rest is net. They were sent to me with my documents, not sent to the ship. I love getting surprises, but I never expect the TA to send me a gift. If they do, great. If they don't, I still am very happy.

Tracy is correct, use a TA that has the knowledge of the product you are buying. THey don't have to have sailed on the ship, but they should know about the dining times, kids programs, type of shows, median passenger age, etc. If you know more than they do, and all you have done is read the brochure, find some one else.

 

[piglet33]

Does anyone know if Costco gives any stateroom gifts if you book through them?

Thanks,

Reneé

 

[belleandthebeast]

Can I just add something here?

I do not send clients any stateroom gifts. I do not work on commission. I get an hourly wage. We use to send gifts to clients but our agency stop doing that after 9/11. We are all still lucky to have jobs. We used to give travel bags but they stopped that too.

I would love anything more than to give gifts to clients but our company because of travel's financial downfall does not allow it anymore.

~Princess Dana~

 

[kcashner]

I'll echo some of the above. Choose a TA for their knowlege and service, not for some gift that you might get. Some TAs have been to WDW, done the cruise, and know their stuff. In most cases, I know more than they do. Even before I'd been there, I'd done my homework and knew what I wanted.

I don't feel bad using a discount TA now, because I make my own ressies and then just transfer to them to get the savings. THey've done essentially no work, so they get a small commission. But, I certainly don't expect a gift on top of a discount.

 

[gamom2three]

I booked a 4 day May 2004 Wonder cruise thru All Seasons travel in Oct 2003. We had 2 connecting cat 9 rooms and each room rec'd a Disney Memory Box from the TA. (Great surprise!) This was in addition to the $25 stateroom credit each room rec'd and the best price I could find anywhere for the cruise. Plus, All Seasons specializes in Disney cruises and were very helpful before hand. We also rec'd pre-cruise and post cruise letters from the TA.

Needless to say, we're booking thru All Seasons again for 2005!

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by piglet33
Does anyone know if Costco gives any stateroom gifts if you book through them?

Thanks,

Reneé

Our friends booked through them last year and received a bottle of wine.

Does anyone know if DCL gives a stateroom gift, I mean since they are saving all the money on commision and such.

Joanna

 

[Zandy595]

I booked our first DCL cruise with Costco and didn't get anything.

 

[jeanniec]

We got a really nice DCL photo album in the mail from our TA at AAA after we made the final payment on our cruise this October. I wasn't expecting anything so I thought that was really nice especially since we got an unexpected $150 shipboard credit from AAA when Disney stopped charging for soda on board. We were supposed to get free soda mugs from AAA originally. Since there are only 2 of us sailing, the $150 is a much better deal than the mugs! I still can't believe it, and we get to keep our Disney Visa shipboard credit, too.

 

["Ginger"]

We've used Costco a few time, no gift, but we did save enough for me to buy my own aboard the ship.

If God is willing and the creek don't raise, I'll be transferring our 8/20/2005 cruise ressie to Costco.

 

[DARWIN91]

I had transferred my ressie to Costco last year and in our cabin was a bottle of Sparkling Cider and a tray of chocolate covered strawberries, etc.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by CruisingCA2005
I've seen the DU thread about stateroom gifts but I didn't want to hijack that thread.

Do you know if any of the other TAs give you a stateroom gift?

Hello Rae Ann - From Rae Ann

I've never gotten a gift from Bill/Tami at CruiseTravelOutlet. I was getting 7% back as a rebate from them for transferring my cruise over.

Working with All Seasons now - haven't gotten anything yet and didn't qualify for any onboard credits.

You just never know.

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by mickey squared
We booked a cat. 1 last September with 7 people only 50 days out. The fare was pretty steep, I thought($17,900). The TA not only didn't send anything, but we didn't even get a "How was your trip" letter, or can I help you with anything? Needless to say, when I booked this Sept. I booked directly with Disney!

Do I hear a little bird singing, "CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP!" and a dog barking, "RUDE! RUDE! RUDE!"

I've never gotten a T-Y letter from a TA, but did get a call from my latest one's boss thanking me for a good recommendation on these Boards. THAT made me very happy.

$17,900 ./. 7 = $2557. Which isn't too bad for what Disney gives in concierge service and the suites are wonderful!

Rae

 

[mickey squared]

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear for some people. I was cruising with seven because 2 of my children have autism and need 1 on 1 assistance. I pay for all their expenses,of course, because they are invaluable. My ta knew about the special things I needed on onboard( special foods and equipment and such)and they weren't taken care of! I also had numerous miscommunications while onboard because of my childrens disabilities. I didn't think I was rude or cheap, I just wanted a great vacation for everyone.