DISAPPOINTED

We recently returned from an 11 day Carib. cruise aboard a fairly "upscale" ship. I booked this trip for two couples/two cabins through my travel agent whom i've used once or twice before.<BR>My question is should I have expected that my TA would have made sure there was a bottle of wine or a vase of flowers in our cabins when we boarded? Or am I living in the past history of travel?

xxx

My TA recently apologized and told me not to expect anything. Excuse was that often the stuff never got delivered, but I got the sense that low commissions being offered these days had a lot to do with it.

Sara

My travel agent said that she would rather give better discounts then put wine in the cabin. <BR><BR>As far as I am concerned - that is fine with me. I would rather have her reduce the cruise by $10 then charge me for wine that I would not drink.<BR><BR>I have heard by many people that they have ordered items and it was never delivered - so I have no doubt that this happens.

DISAPPOINTED

Hey Paul-I'm anxious to hear your opinion as a TA. Two couples spend big $ and book through you. Would you not, as a marketing strategy, make sure there's a bottle of wine waiting for them?

Paul Therault

I most often send flowers even though a bottle costs much less. I believe it is always nice to have a beautiful arrangement of cut flowers in a stateroom. Also some passengers do not drink. Some people, of course, prefer wine (comes up in conversation). <BR><BR>I find that it makes for happier clients .... hang the price. For those that travel with children (extra commission for me) I also send an age appropriate kid's pack. If they purchase insurance (more for me) I send them an additional gift or two such as chocolate covered strawberries (senior citizens pay much more for insurance).<BR><BR>Of course those that book the lowest possible cabin with no air will not get the king's ransom expecially with the lower commission that is being paid lately.<BR><BR>Prices for gifts vary considerably from one port to another. For example, in NYC, the gift passes through so many hands (unions) everyone get a cut of the gift. In Europe or exotic ports the expense is extremely high. There is also the fact that some gifts get "lost." If I am told that my gift did not arrive my supplier will send a gift to my client after they get home.<BR><BR>In any event, I always send something even if I earn 10 bucks. I just enjoy doing it.<BR><BR>Paul

Joyce

I have in many instances ordered things for clients that Was Not Delivered.<BR>If fact, in December, I ordered a Lei Greeting for a Air/land client upon arrival in Maui, he called and said he have a voucher for it, but no one was there with the Lei's.<BR>The same thing has happened on several orders placed for Cruises.<BR>Paying $35-50 for a Snack Basket and Wine and then having it not appear is rather disheartening.

Barbara

Instead of worrying about a present from your travel agent, go on the web and save some real money.

Melissa

Our agency sends something for everyone who orders a cruise. What they get, depends of the price. <BR>I do not think that the clients should expect it though. It is supposed to be a gift. These things come out of our own pocket. I don't mind sending them, because clients love it, but I don't think someone should be bellyaching if they don't get it. Get over it.<BR><BR>To the person who said we charge you for the wine, we don't. It come right off our bottom line.

Sara

I miswrote earlier.<BR><BR>My TA discounts her cruises - if she includes a gift, the discount would be less. I just assume that she not give a gift and discount my cruise a little bit more then paying the $10-$20 for a gift.

Melissa

Sara, she probibly just didn't give you a gift. A gift means some thing we give to you, we do not charge for a gift, because then you would just be prepaying for wine or flowers. I would really doubt that she would end up deducting an extra 10 to 20 because she does not give you a gift

Sara

My TA consistently give me the best prices I have ever seen. No one seems to beat her prices.<BR><BR>I asked her once how she did it - and she indicated that she works in volume, gets great discounts because she is a high producer and doesn't give the gifts. She indicated that she preferred to give her clients the lowest price and then let them have extra spending money then throw in a gift and not be able to discount as much. <BR><BR>If you think about - the cruiser ends up paying for the gift regardless if you throw it in "free" or not. Lets say the TA spends $20 for the gift. My TA could spend that $20 for my gift, or she could give me an additional discount of $20 and let me by my own gift.<BR><BR>Melissa - because she gives such rock bottom prices - I have no doubt that she is telling the truth.<BR><BR>If she was making 10% commission from me - I would expect a gift but she is not - her prices consistently beat all .coms and internet agencies.<BR><BR>Maybe you make 15% and with that you choose to buy a gift. I personally prefer to pay less for my cruise and pay for my own gifts.

Jessie

I agree that the cruiser ends up paying for the gift if the cruiser knows it or not.<BR><BR>If the cruiser is not getting a discount, the travel agent should provide a gift. Afterall, they are getting a fairly large commission.<BR><BR>If the travel agent is discounting the cruise (reducing her commission), I just assume get a better price then a bottle of wine which I won't drink.<BR><BR>I go for the bottom line price - lowest price possible!

Derek

I agree with Sara. <BR><BR>A TA can spend the $20 on wine or take an additional $20 off my cruise. I prefer the TA to take the money off my cruise and let me decide what "gifts" I want.<BR><BR>Whichever way you put it - the client is still paying for the gift.

DISAPPOINTED

I have to disagree with those who believe that the TA will give you $20 off your cruise price rather than spend that same $ on a bottle of wine.<BR>For the price we paid for the two cabins<BR>I couldn't ever determine whether the TA took $20 off the price or not.<BR>The wine, or the flowers or whatever would just be a way of saying "We here at the agency are thinking about you and want you to have a great trip"

Sara

Well - I trust my TA and I know she is telling the truth because she has the best prices I have seen and always seems to be looking out for my best interest (checking for price reductions, getting me upgrades, etc. . )<BR><BR>Sorry you are not satisified with your TA. I am very satisfied and have never felt disappointed with her service. And I could care less about the gifts.

Kevin

I believe Sara is right.<BR><BR>A TA only has so much commission. She can choose it to buy gifts or can further discount the cruise. If she is buying gifts, she/he is spending money on you that she/he could actually reduce your cruise fare by.<BR><BR>How is this so difficult for people to understand????????????<BR><BR>Haven't you guys entered the "discount cruise world" or are you still paying "retail" for cruises. If you are - fine, enjoy your gifts but realize that you are paying 10% more then I am for the same cruise.<BR><BR>Your choice!

Melissa

We I am at a Canadian agency, so maybe we work different then the Yanks. I do not charge for gifts, whether people think I am or not. I do get very good rates for my clients, and never have to discount any. We do not make good commision off the cruises. That comment made me laugh. thanks for the giggle.

Tom

I would never book from a TA that doesn't discount what the cruiseline quotes - there is no point to.

Sara

Melissa - how can you say you give good prices when you don't discount - you purely give the same prices as the cruiseline. <BR><BR>Maybe things are different North. Glad I am South.

Paul Therault

<BR>This is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.