Travel agent or Princess?

[SweaterLover]

Its amazing to us, but we booked our cruise thru a travel agent. We did our preferences on Princess.com. But to change your bed from twins to queen, the website says call princess or your travel agent. We called Princess, got thru all the security stuff, verified our flights and all that, then we asked to have our beds changed to queen (a simple keystroke at most?) Princess told us we had to contact our travel agent, and they could call Princess and make the change. Sounds counter productive to us! Anyone else have similar stories?

 

[shadowledge]

I had the same answer and went through my T.A. and it got done. Just another cruise hang-up, no biggie. It was explained that I was not originally given a King-size bed as the reservation was not for a specific cabin. When the reservation cleared, with an excellent upgrade from BF to BB, it was necessary to get the bed thing sorted out.

 

[bob]

Counter productive, probably, but when a booking is owned by a travel agency they usually become the contact of record so that is who the cruise lines will deal with, I think in part because maybe it goes through different departments. Then there is the trusty cabin steward who always gets everything done that the home office and your TA doesn't ......................

 

[SweaterLover]

Counter productive, probably, but when a booking is owned by a travel agency they usually become the contact of record so that is who the cruise lines will deal with, I think in part because maybe it goes through different departments. Then there is the trusty cabin steward who always gets everything done that the home office and your TA doesn't ......................

Cabin stewards are the BEST!!!!:banana:

 

[DJA]

Princess has to pay the TAs for the reservation, so they make it clear that the TA owns all the interactions with the passenger. The TAs usually want it that way too. Both parties keep the distinction very clear so as not to step on each others toes for any reason. The beds are a minor issue, but keeping it black & white, and not having Princess decide which issues are minor to the passenger, prevents issues down the road if something goes wrong, so there is no gray area as to which party had responsibility.

We haven't used a TA in years, we book directly with Princess, so when I call Princess they're very accommodating for making whatever changes we need.

 

[SweaterLover]

Princess has to pay the TAs for the reservation, so they make it clear that the TA owns all the interactions with the passenger. The TAs usually want it that way too. Both parties keep the distinction very clear so as not to step on each others toes for any reason. The beds are a minor issue, but keeping it black & white, and not having Princess decide which issues are minor to the passenger, prevents issues down the road if something goes wrong, so there is no gray area as to which party had responsibility.

We haven't used a TA in years, we book directly with Princess, so when I call Princess they're very accommodating for making whatever changes we need.

We have used a TA 3 times, our last trip we went straight thru Carnival, and everytime things have gone smoothly, just have never run into something that simple being made so difficult.

The reason I used a TA this time, was I saved $100 off Princess or any other quote I could find, and on top of that, received a $75 onboard credit most other TA's weren't showing, nor was Princess. And that was on a guarantee OV; since booking Princess has assigned us a CAT DD cabin, or app a $300pp upgrade!

 

[Calgon1]

Most times, a good TA will make all the difference in the world!

 

[bob]

But..............
will they make your bed

 

[George C]

Most times, a good TA will make all the difference in the world!

I agree, if you can find a good one they can do wonders.

 

[Cruise cutie]

Our TA is worth her weight in Diamonds!!....

and after more than 5 years with her..we are NOT ever going to book a cruise without her help....:banana: Joanne and Mark...

 

[Jeanie]

TA 's are the best

 

[wave runner]

Princess has to pay the TAs for the reservation, so they make it clear that the TA owns all the interactions with the passenger. The TAs usually want it that way too. Both parties keep the distinction very clear so as not to step on each others toes for any reason. The beds are a minor issue, but keeping it black & white, and not having Princess decide which issues are minor to the passenger, prevents issues down the road if something goes wrong, so there is no gray area as to which party had responsibility.

We haven't used a TA in years, we book directly with Princess, so when I call Princess they're very accommodating for making whatever changes we need.

I feel the same way about the ease of booking direct with the cruise line. That said, there have been a few times when I have found sales by TA's after I have booked and just switched my reservation.

As you pointed out the finger pointing that almost always happens, if there is any problem, is another reason that I prefer to book direct.

 

[Conniemc]

I always book direct

 

[Mbandy]

It is not just Princess. All cruise lines will refer a booked guest to the travel agency of record. That's how we earn our keep, by handling our client's requests and more importantly by fixing problems that arise on occasion. It is our training and experience that can make a big difference, especially when we are dealing with first time cruisers.

 

[mverds]

I called and wanted to pay off the balance of my cruise and Princess would not take my payment but instead made me make it through the travel agent as well as any changes to the beds...Seemed strange but it worked

 

[ShipMaven]

I called and wanted to pay off the balance of my cruise and Princess would not take my payment but instead made me make it through the travel agent as well as any changes to the beds...Seemed strange but it worked

Nothing at all strange about this. When you book through a Travel Agent, the protocol is for that TA to handle everything for the Client.

 

[budley]

I have never made bed request via travel agent or the ship. Within 10 minutes or so after going to your room the cabin Stewart will arrive and ask if you Need anything. Tell him to fix the bed the way you want it and it will probably be done before you return from the on deck life boat drill
Burley

 

[Tom95]

I have not used a TA in a long time. I know they are very good at what they do. I feel that if you are booking directly with the lines Their agents can take care of everything as well. And on the ship a good room steward will go a long way in making that cruise even better!

 

[Cruise cutie]

JMHO..the Room Stewards are so busy on "Flip day".they have a lot to do in 3 short hours!!.it really is to their /your advantage to request bed /mattress things *BEFORE* you board.
We have the Queen configuration and an "egg crate" on before we get to our stateroom...and at times they can run out of egg crates..
We have been very fortunate that the one time we DID have to request it on boarding ( 2 TA's ago)...
Even though we were first on for before 12 Noon..I got the LAST one!!....so Our Gem of a TA makes it a very special point to always request it now.and our stateroom is always ready with it..
.my nurses back after 30 + years in the biz needs it..sad to say at 50 I'm falling apart...so ANY requests we have with Princess are taken care of before we get there..and our TA is worth her weight in GOLD!!...just saying..if it's one less thing to have to contend with for our rooms stewards sake and ours..(never mind the BIG things she does!!.).:whistle:
it is the "little things"..our TA does without a second thought that makes her invaluable to us!!.. .....Joanne