August 4, 2009
I now blame NCL more than my travel agency for my past confusion about an upcoming cruise
A week or so ago I was complaining about having used a travel agent, but actually most everything was my fault. Not that I'm taking full responsibility - I also blame NCL for confusing me.
I had a little booklet from NCL with luggage tags and a bit of information. In there it said I needed edocs. What I didn't know was that the little book was what I needed - it was very confusing because it didn't look at all like edocs, certainly not like the ones I had last time I went on an NCL cruise.
I went to log in to NCL to print out my edocs but I needed a reservation number. It was on the little book but I didn't notice it (I read the book but it was hiding on the cover - who reads the cover?) so I called NCL. They wouldn't give me the reservation number because "only your travel agent can give you that." So they put me on hold, called the travel agency, came back and said that a travel agent would call me soon.
And that's what happened. The travel agent explained everything I needed to know about how that little book and my passport was all I would need on the day of the cruise. Good to know - would have been nice if NCL put that information in their book!
Here's a related story about how people are fed up with planning and booking vacations online. They still do it though so it can't be all that bad but the article implies that people don't trust travel agents by saying that people can't find ones they want to use:
"Travel companies (on the internet) expect the consumer to behave like a travel agent," he explained. "The question I always ask these guys is, 'Could your mother-in-law use your Web site without having to call you for help?' The answer is always no."I'm not sure I understand since I never really thought it was hard to find a travel agent. Maybe it's just hard to find one you like? Posted by James Trotta at August 4, 2009 10:11 AMIn fact, Mr. Harteveldt said a growing number of consumers appeared to be interested in using an offline travel agency, if they could find one.
"The fact that there are more people now who would consider using a good offline travel agent is telling me people are saying, 'Enough already,' " he said.
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I am having a problem with Holland America. I booked the Noordam for a 10 day cruise in mid-September. At the time of booking, all I could get was a GTY balcony, meaning that I had a balcony cabin, but did not know where. I tried to check on HAL's web site, only to be told that my booking belongs to my travel agent and that HAL is denying me access to my own information! I asked about getting my cruise packet because I will be on a Princess Cruise just before the one on HAL. They told me that since my booking belongs to my travel agent, they will be sending all of my luggage tags and cruise details to my travel agent, who is on the other side of the country from me. My status as a guest of Holland America is apparently nul and void. No such inconvenience from Princess, and I already have my cruise packet from them directly. Has anyone else had these problems with HAL? I think that I made a mistake booking with them. They are charging us $81 per day more than Princess, too.
Posted by: JoAnne M at August 4, 2009 1:06 PMThis is standard procedure when you use a travel agent. It is very frustrating to me also. You should receive all your travel info about 10 days prior to sailing.
Posted by: Sue Knirk at August 5, 2009 12:42 AMLet me make a quick counterpoint to the general comment that "the cruise line would not give me booking information". I believe fundamentally they are trying to protect your interests and the privacy of your data. What would happen if someone who was annoyed at you called the cruise line and changed your cabin or cancelled your booking just by giving your name and confirmation number? Under the scenario painted here, if the cruise line did not cycle everything back to your agent, that COULD happen. The key is to find a good agent to book your cruises and let them do the heavy lifting.
Posted by: Jack Stewart at August 5, 2009 1:47 AMI'm not sure Jack. In my case if I had called with a reservation number I might have been able to do whatever I wanted. They wouldn't give me the reservation number but I think they should have.
There are ways they could make sure I am who I say I am. And the new travel agent didn't confirm my identity anyway so having her do the work didn't improve security.
Posted by: James Trotta at August 5, 2009 4:29 AMIn the past 25-30 years we have taken around 35 cruises. 24 of these cruises have been with Princess. The most important things to us is knowing what deck we are on and what our cabin # is going to be. I cannot imagine not knowing this info. Of course you pay a little more for a better located room. Also an irritation is that with most cruiselines, you do not know what airline or what schedule you have until 45 days before. This next cruise in Sept. our travel agent actually saved us money by booking us with another
airline rather than the "unknown" by the cruiseline.
If you book with a travel agent - near by or
local You can always get the answers from
them re your cruise, trust them!!! In this day
of stolen everything, feel safe, Your Money and
Idenity are safe With HAL , NCL and Princess among
the other great cruiselines today....Cruise Well.
Take Care in Traveling with an Agent ...do your homework and if it doesn't seem right...don't do it..research is your best travel friend!!!!
Posted by: Jodygirl at August 9, 2009 2:30 AM