United States TA for UK cruiser - Good?

M

magjim

Guest
Hi,

We are from the UK. I am sure this has been discussed on other threads, but I am new to CA and seek advice of those who know.

Been twice with Princess (3/02 and 4/04) also booked on the Coral, April 05 and have yet another open booking vallid 4 years.

We are avid Cruise Addicts and Cruise Critic readers and have learned much from the many valued posts made from fellow cruisers. Recently we have grown disillusioned with the service levels of our UK TAs and often feel that we, through research, know more than they do.

Quite of few of tthe CA Brits appear to advocate the use of TAs in the US and we are very interested but I have concerns.
e.g. Do Princess allow this?
Are there really savings to be made? exchange rate and all!
Are there risks?
How easy is it?

A big issue for us.....we feel herded by Princess when it comes to our flights. Block bookings by the Cruise Line mean liitle individual choice of seating on flights and I am sure those of you who have done this will agree , the location of your seat on a 9/10 hour flight makes a difference.

Please dont misunderstand our intentions. We love Princess cruises, but only want to tailor the long haul as pleasurably and inexpensively as can we can.

If anyone can help - thanks
 
S

sarahUK

Guest
Hi
I am from UK as well and understand your problems. We are quite new to cruising having done only Golden this April. If you read my thread- Coral advice please, you will see a few answers on booking with US TA's and independent flight bookings.
In April we flew out BA and back with AA. I contacted Princess in Southampton and asked for our flight ref numbers. Once you have these you can go into the airline sites on the Web and pre book your seats.We are also on Coral April 05. We are sailing on 7th.
SarahUK
 
M

magjim

Guest
Hi Sarah

Thanks. We have been several cruises but have been nervous about independent flight organisation before now. Now we are researching the use of US Agents for the cruise that we have an open booking for - looking at Spring 2006 and eagerly awaiting the Caribbean brochures which Princess tell me will be available this month.

Am very interested in using your advice on prebooking the seats for our Coral cruise. How early did you manage to get the flight refs and was it equally simple to do both BA and AA.

Snap - we are also on the 7th April sailing and looking at choosing an AA flight out and a BA back. Our UK TA is currently trying to get our preferences sorted out but prebooking online sounds so much simpler.

Margaret
 
S

sarahUK

Guest
Hi Margaret,
I got the flight references when Princess had confirmed the flights which was about 5 months berore we went. On BA site click on ' manage my booking' and then get your booking up. BA have only just allowed you to book seats. they show you a seat plan and seats available but you cant book emergency exits.
AA site is much easier with a clearer seat plan and you can change your seats as often as you like and book emergency exits if any left.
Roll on April 05
 
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