I admit I'm impatient. But I have my reasons, usually being that things can and do go wrong and I like to be on top of any possible delays.

Latest example is our Alaska cruise that I posted about in the Lounge. We have 5 groups of friends that all want to go. The plan, which was not started by us, was to get a bunch of cabins at the aft of the ship, together.

My wife did all the research, this was not until 2028 so we needed to wait for the sailing to be released. It was released yesterday. But the day before they release to the Elite members (people with a lot of points on the cruise line). So some of the choice cabins were already gone.

My wife gets on the group text, tells everyone what cabins are available, and that they will go fast. She was explicit in saying that these cabins will all sell out in a few hours. The replies varied from, "we'll look at it" to "Called my travel agent, waiting to hear back".

Well, we got our cabin and all the others sold out. Now they are all calling my wife to find out what to book or where and travel agents still haven't gotten back to them.

I was adamant to not use a travel agent (one of the friends insisted hers was so good we should use her). We booked direct as soon as they were available and our friend with the "awesome" agent is still waiting to hear back.

The early bird gets the worm. You snooze you lose. If some of the “friends” get left behind, oh well.

My wife still uses an agent to book our cruises, all inclusive resorts and such. Every time she complains about how slow the agent is. I don't get it but I let her do her thing and the trips are always great the Mrs. plans

There is zero benefit to using an agent for cruises, same pricing buying direct.

Well, your friends will all be on the ship somewhere. Maybe.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
My wife still uses an agent to book our cruises, all inclusive resorts and such. Every time she complains about how slow the agent is. I don't get it but I let her do her thing and the trips are always great the Mrs. plans

There is zero benefit to using an agent for cruises, same pricing buying direct.

Yeah the agent thing is kinda funny. My wife mentioned it because one of our group has an agent that is her "friend". I noticed it seems the majority of folks using a travel agent seem to have already been friends of the agent and are doing them a favor.

I asked my wife, what is the benefit to us other than having to go through a middle man every time we want to change something, book an excursion or dinner, etc. The agent couldn't answer any benefit except she would "be on the phone for us". I said, we are retired with nothing but time. We don't need the agent.

I've been burned before by using an agent. It's sort of like booking through Expedia. The hotel won't even talk to you, so god forbid you need a refund or something.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

I've been burned before by using an agent. It's sort of like booking through Expedia.

When I worked at a job that had a lot of travel, they reimbursed me for flying the V-Tail, but there were some trips where airline was more practical, such as transcontinental.

When using airline, the company required us to use an approved travel agent with office in our building, but the agent did not take my requirements into consideration. Just kind of threw a dart at a list of flights and picked one at random, frequently booking a flight with one or more intermediate stops when non-stop flights were available, etc.

I solved the problem by doing my own schedule research, reserving my own flight and seat, and when everything was locked in, I handed the details to the travel agent telling her to just issue the ticket and DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING!

Let me tell you the solution to this.

Give me a minute.

what is this 1978? who uses a travel agent?

This post delivered to you, over the internet, where you can book all of your own travel, immediately.

I gave up years ago on trying to organize a trip for anyone other than myself and/or my wife. I've done a bunch of Canadian fishing trips. Had friends who were "all in" to go on the next one. Researched trips and flight services, lodges and accommodations. When it was time to book, it was always "maybe next year" or those dates won't work.

As others have said, work with an agent, let them do the work and let them be the one to tell the slowpokes "sorry, it's full".

Vacations To Go

I have used this site to book a few cruises. The site is very user friendly, and contains a plethora of information covering nearly 40 cruise lines. It provides deck plans of each ship, year each was built or refurbished, passenger capacity, etc., etc., etc.

It is an excellent tool to share with potential travel companions. Once a group leader is established, contact info for others within the group will be linked together and receive reminders and instructions directly from the agency. This takes most all of the hassle out of trying to heard the group into compliance. The others will either follow through with their own payment(s), or they will be left behind. Simple as that.

If you sign up for their email list, you will receive some extraordinary offers. I highly recommend looking into it if considering most any type of cruise.

Seems like a blessing in disguise. Enjoy your cruise.

I dont travel with people and I sure as fuck dont use a travel agent.

But this trip sounds great, I hope you and the Mrs have a great time.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
what is this 1978? who uses a travel agent?

We do for our cruises. The travel agent commission is built into the cruise line fares, so the price is the same whether using an agent or not. She gets us shipboard perks and upgrades we didn't know were available. Our airline travel is booked through the cruise line. Then when our flight gets cancelled both are working to get us re-booked and to the ship on time. Saved our bacon several times.

quote:

Originally posted by Ranger41:

We do for our cruises. The travel agent commission is built into the cruise line fares, so the price is the same whether using an agent or not. She gets us shipboard perks and upgrades we didn't know were available. Our airline travel is booked through the cruise line. Then when our flight gets cancelled both are working to get us re-booked and to the ship on time. Saved our bacon several times.

Same for us. I get a nice discount on one airline as a retiree, so if we use that carrier I book our air myself. But most of the time it is through the agent for both the cruise and air. She always gets us additional onboard credit and a few perks. Also, she is a good resource for finding the right cruise when it is different than what we've done before. Her agency specializes in cruises and guided tours (non-cruise).

We sometimes book through Amex but have found their pricing a little higher than we can get ourselves.

The only benefit I can see to using an agent is for someone that is hands off, doesn't want to do the research and doesn't really care what they get in the end.

We had specific requirements and wanted a specific cabin. When it came available we contacted both the agent our friend was using and an actual Princess Cruise Consultant that works for Princess. We had been in contact with them both previously because (1) Our friend recommended her and (2) Princess Cruises automatically sets you up with a sales agent when you search for cruises while logged on.

Neither of those agents got back to us until later that evening. We gave them maybe 20 minutes to call back and then booked ourselves. By the time those agents got back to us, all the same type of cabins in that area of the ship were sold out.

I'm not sure these days but a few years back when booking a cruise through an agent I got lots of things messed up. "Oh that excursion was sold out." "Oh, that dinner reservation isn't available". All stuff I can book online myself now as soon as it's available. Most of the perks agents offer you can get yourself, except maybe the $100 onboard credit, which you know is just part of their commission being kicked back.

Anyhow, funny this thread became more about travel agents than people that have no sense of urgency.

Oh and an update on our friends. 2 of the couples used the travel agent and rather than an aft suite they are midship balcony. They texted us the cabins they were getting and my wife looked online and found those cabins were still available. Sure enough the agent was too late and they ended up a deck lower than they thought they would be. Not a huge deal but another example of delays from agents.

Not all agents are created equal. We have a good one.
I had never heard of them, but there are companies that contract with hotels near major airports and offer discounted hotel stays and parking for travelers.
For an early flight out of Dulles, our agent got us a booking through one of them at the Hilton near the airport. Cost was less than $200. We got a night at the Hilton, shuttle service to and from the airport, and two weeks free parking for that price. Saved money over parking at the airport.
The experience with our agent has been exceptional. And so far I can't see that our out of pocket is any higher than if we acted as our own agent. Obviously others have had different experiences.

My wife and I were planning on taking a trip to Yellow Stone Park, but the rooms got booked so fast and so far into the future that we finally gave up.

I have found herding groups requires cowboys and Australian shepherds. Group planning sucks and I feel your pain brother.

I am Lobo. I hunt alone.