"mike" wrote in message
news:f2eb6018-98d6-4b1e-a08a-f6f4f3a302c7@k30g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Can anyone recommend some reliable, well-known (no virtual mom and
> pops please) online travel agencies that are good with:
>
> -- Giving onboard credit, free pre-paid gratuities, etc
> -- Are glad to do change cabins to price drops without charging an
> additional fee
>
> Looking for big names primarily because I don't trust the smaller
> outfits; who knows if they'll still be in business by sail time.
>
> I mean the biggies--do Expedia, Travelocity, and other well-known
> brand names do this for cruises? If not, what else is out there? Would
> rather not try to go hunt down a local travel agent. Looking for
> specific online TA recommendations. If none of the biggies offer the
> perks, what are some good, safe, choices the next tier down?
>
I think you're going at it 180 degrees off.
Many of us actually prefer someone smaller than the big guys like Expedia.
I like to know that I have the same person that I can call if there is a
problem, or if there is a price drop, etc. I don't want to deal with a
computer, or wait on the phone for 30 minutes to get an agent, if suddenly
the day of sailing there is a flight problem, hurricane, or something like
that. My agents have become friends who have my interests at heart. Even
if there is a change in price after final payment, my TA's will fight for
me, to either get that price, or get me moved to a higher level cabin.
As far as perks, a number of cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean) have
"leveled the playing field", not allowing one travel agent to offer a lower
price than another at any given point in time (the one exception being group
bookings). So you can make your decision based on service, not on price.
Plus, with a person that you know, there are often specials that open up.
Happy hour pricing. Flash pricing. Etc. They can call or e-mail you when
that happens.
--Tom
|