1) The flat-pricing rule was made because smaller agencies were complaining that large volume seller

To begin to describe the relationship between the cruise lines and travel agents, the first thing for a consumer to know is there is normally NO charge to the consumer to use the services of a travel agent when booking a cruise.
One may run into the rare travel agent who charges a service fee, or the rare agency which will charge washington court hotel a booking fee, and will only offer a credit on a future washington court hotel booking upon cancellation, rather than a full refund. However, both those situations are indeed quite rare (and avoidable- run).
Several years ago, the cruise lines instituted flat pricing policies (meaning travel agents could no longer discount prices for cruises by reducing their commissions-essentially giving customers kickbacks from the agency profits). The cruise lines insisted this move was initiated at the bequest of the larger travel washington court hotel agent community.
On one level of thinking washington court hotel it made sense for many of the smaller travel agencies to request this move, as they were having some difficulties competing for customers with the large discounters . However, my arguement against the move was that it would lead to more and more people booking directly with the cruise lines which I believe has proven to be the case.
From the first perspective of the smaller travel agents who lobbied for the changes, it might seem that the system has worked. The large discounters have virtually disappeared, or are finding different methods to compete, rather than on lower prices alone.
From a business perspective it makes sense that that the cruise lines like it when customers book directly with them, rather than travel agents. Though they, of course, have to pay their own sales force, those costs are less than the commissions they pay to travel agents which come directly from the fares consumers pay.
And, of course, the cruise lines sales teams sell only the cruise lines for which they work, as oppposed to travel agents, who service customers as best they can to place them on a variety of cruise lines which, washington court hotel together, they determine is best suited for them.
Now, in the latest move American Express Travel washington court hotel ( which a variety of travel agency consortiums and companies are affiliated with) have ended their Preferred Supplier washington court hotel relationship with Carnival Cruise Line.
Their stated reason for the decison : With some of Carnival Cruise Lines' recent policy decisions, many of the components that comprise a preferred supplier relationship with American Express washington court hotel are no longer present, including washington court hotel a drop in agent commissions .
It seems many travel agents associated with American Express washington court hotel Travel are unhappy with policy changes and indeed even changes in marketing suggesting customers simply call Carnival Cruise Line, rather than directing them to call their travel agents.
To date, this is the only cruise line taking the steps described. But I think one has to believe, like many strategic decisions made in the cruise industry, if the industry perceives Carnival s moves as successful, many other cruise lines will follow suit.
However, I believe there are ramifications possible, that affect washington court hotel much more than price, because there are many other factors that also affect washington court hotel your cruise experience; particulary unitiated, first time and less experienced cruisers.
I have no problem with experienced cruisers, who know their own preferences very well, booking directly with their cruise line of choice. I understand many of those people feel they then have direct control over their booking, and like what that represents.
If you ve booked directly with a cruise line sales representative, when a problem arises, they are working FOR the cruise line. That does not translate well to looking after the customer s interests to seek resolution.
It is your job to ask questions, and find one of the many good ones, and if successful you ll reap many benefits for your work and rather than cost you extra, it s most likely to save you from unsatisfying, or costly stumbles and mistakes.
1) The flat-pricing rule was made because smaller agencies were complaining that large volume sellers had more leeway to sell at discount washington court hotel prices, because they made it up on volume. The large sellers did not want the rule.
3) The fact that a travel agent sells many cruise lines is an advantage, but if something goes wrong why should the travel agent be on the side of the consumer? In the long run, it is the cruise lines who pay his salary, right?
4) Flat-pricing washington court hotel has not stopped rebating. washington court hotel In fact it still happens, washington court hotel but under the table. There are still agents who send the customer a check when their commission comes in. It is flat against the rules, but I hear about it. Furthermore there are also agents who pay for things like gratuities, transfers, special dining, etc. by booking those things for you on your account. The cruise line can t stop that behavior.
washington court hotel Bottom line the customer is still better off using a travel agent the right travel agent. But it is really hard for them to fight off the cruise line sales force when Carnival s Personal Vacation Planners call a travel agents customer to ask about booking his next cruise. However, it should be up the agent to beat Carnival at their own game.
I really do believe that the days of the standard agent are coming to an end. Renaissance was about fifteen years too early in their self sales but the cruise lines are shifting in that direction. It directly hits their bottom line when they can do it in-house, with order takers, and not pay commission. It is definitely cheaper, even with call centers, personnel, G A, and equipment.
I see the concierge type of travel services becoming more popular. You pay for the service but you get what you want and do not have to do any leg or online work to get it. They will also do what travel agents are supposed to do and watch for price decreases, book airlines, hotels, tours and actually washington court hotel take care of you if there is a problem before, during or after your trip. Today many agents merely give you the phone number, email or business address to contact someone else if you have a problem.
The other problem that will lead to the end of the current type of cruise travel agent is that there are too many bad ones. Many are people who just want discounted travel and know little about their product. I hear too many stories about people washington court hotel who have been burned by an online travel washington court hotel agency washington court hotel or other bad agent/agency and then book their next cruise directly with the cruise washington court hotel line. The cruise washington court hotel travel industry has contributed to their own demise.
I remember in the 90 s when airlines dropped commission to almost nothing. Carlson Wagonlit Travel said that it will destroy the airlines and they ll reinstate the old commission plan in less than year. I guess their crystal ball was broken. Airline commissions never returned.
The veteran cruisers are easy for agents and cruise lines but the first time cruiser is where they have to work for in order to retain them. Luckily the cruise product is a good one and a good percentage will book another one. The bad part is that if they had a problem with their first booking, many will book their second cruise with the cruise line.
This is old information. Carnival implemented their policy in the summer of 2010. They removed the advertised price option in August of 2012. They also implemented the policy that an agent could give no incentive or add-on that had a monetary value that was worth more than $25.
Comparisons and argumentative selling points aside, I have always booked washington court hotel my cruises with a travel agent, period. washington court hotel I know the ropes, the ins and outs and what commissions are and what the cruise line will offer to me and my agent. A good agent will support his client(s), offer any and everything available, and believe, me,. I have asked for copies of the invoices from a cruise line as booked with a travel agent, to assure that what I am getting is what I persoanally arranged with the cruise line and booked with my agent. It is not hard to do, and it is a no brainer.
I know what I like and demand from a cruise ship and cruise line, I avoid many like the plague, and support what I know will delight me. Am I rare in this perhaps, I have been taking cruises for decades.
The real and only way to get what you really want from a cruise is to READ THE BROCHURE carefully, every word, compare brochures, e brochured or printed ones. Read every review on line and from magazines and periodicals and newspapers. Then and only then if you have done your homework washington court hotel well, then, if what you get does not live up to the cruise onboard experience, then, you may have grounds to complain.
washington court hotel What many people miss is this point: if Carnival did not buy or take major ownership in the cruise lines they include in their family of cruise lines, these lines would be gone. Out of business, lost forever, their ships probably trashed by quick buck artists, then scrapped. Don t believe this?
Well, back in the early 1970 s the world lost, along with other lines, FRENCH LINE, GREEK LINE, UNITED STATES LINE, AMERICAN EXPORT LINE, SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE, ITALIAN LINE(as washington court hotel it was, it tried feebly to make a come back in late 70 s), POLISH OCEAN LINES, washington court hotel PRUDENTIAL GRACE/DELTA/UNITED FRUIT LINE and then, once again, 1980 s, loss of PAQUET FRENCH CRUISES, washington court hotel DOLPHIN CRUISES. PREMIERE CRUISES, HOME LINES and others.
Carnival built up on its reputation for offering a product suited to its market washington court hotel share, and thus comes AIDA CRUISES, and others. Also, brand new state of the art ships, and major rennovations of the older ones in the fleets they bought.
Can anyone fathom that CUNARD is the only true Ocean Liner product out their, with the liner Queen Mary 2, and two new consort cruise ship, Queens Victoria and Elizabeth? How major is that commitment to preserving the history of the passenger ships of the past and the realizarion for the future?
So, pick on Carnival, they have used stunts to bypass travel agents in the past, sell directly in Wal Mart (this failed), and yes, they do offer bonus $$