Cruise Commissions TOO HIGH.
Apr 11th, 2002, 04:10 PM
#1
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Cruise Commissions TOO HIGH.
I have read on a travel agent's website{TW Crossroads} that cruise lines pay 18% commission on many cruises. That seems awfully high to me when you translate that % into dollars.My Alaskan cruise last year cost 5600.00 for us both.I quiver when I figure that the TA made over 1,000.00. We took the brochure to her and she talked with us and booked in less than 20 minutes.I read that brochure and researched on the net and I knew more about the cruise than the agent did. I would think that the cruise company would get more people travelling and offer better value to the consumer if they dropped their prices by 10%.
Apr 11th, 2002, 06:45 PM
#2
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I'm a cruise agent, and I certainly don't make 18%! Also, we don't make anything on the port charges or taxes, or government fees. Port charges are up to $200 on some cruises. We also don't make high commissions on the air. And I rarely "book a cruise in 20 minutes." I certainly earn the low salary I make! Most people that call or come in don't know what they want, and I spend hours working on most bookings. I also get a lot of "shoppers" that take up my time and book nothing. I spend a lot of time advising my clients about what to expect. Sounds like you needed a more<BR>experienced cruise agent.
Apr 11th, 2002, 08:03 PM
#4
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Linda; I'm afraid your not telling the truth. I took a holland america cruise 2 years ago and the TA enclosed the invoice in with the tickets. The commission was 18%. At the time I was mad because I felt the agent was not worth the commission I paid. Today I look for cruise discounters for the better price. Most North Americans are well educated and can read books and websites. we don't need an agent to hold our hand for 18%.I agree port taxes are too high also.
Apr 12th, 2002, 07:52 AM
#6
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I have cruised 8 times and I shop around like crazy. I have found that there are very few cruise pros. Most are just travel agents with basic knowledge willing to take your order.I prefer getting most of my information from the cruise companies website. Travel agents commission is too high for what they do especially for repeat cruisers.
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:50 AM
#7
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believe me ive never made any 18%...just does not happen. I just had a cruise group that i had worked on since last May and believe me i earned the small commission i got and another thing....most agents are not on commission and if you are you divide at least 50% of that with the owner. Dont begrudge us what little we make<BR>Thanks
Apr 12th, 2002, 09:40 AM
#8
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Some agencies get "override" commissions for doing a lot of business for a particular cruiseline. But I will tell you that travel agents are some of the most poorly paid people out there---we do it because it's a fun job, and for the perks. If you want to attack someone, attack one who actually makes a lot of money for little work! <BR>It's definitely not us!
Apr 12th, 2002, 10:19 AM
#9
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18%?!! If that was the case I would have stayed in the business. I don't know any wealthy travel agents, and I certainly never saw an 18% commission. Maybe they have regional promotions for agencies or a tiered commission structures for incentives. It baffles me, my guess is whoever was entering this data on the keyboard hit the '8' button instead of the '0' in error.
Apr 12th, 2002, 12:28 PM
#10
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Cruise companies should offer a discount to people who don't need a travel agent.AS it stands right now everyone pays up to 18%(included in the price} for a TA whether we need them or not. I know we would cruise more if the price was reduced. I find that most TAs are just order takers.
Apr 12th, 2002, 01:21 PM
#11
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Just to let you know, you are not paying the travel agent anything!!! The cruise line is!!! I work for the largest leisure agency chain in Canada, and we sell a ton of cruises. We do not make 18% I wish. The agent themselves usually makes a small salary or an low hourly wage.<BR><BR>Also, just look at the markup on tv's, Sterio's, or anything else. This is a business after all, we don't provide a service for free. Someone has to pay us, and the cruise lines do, not you. We do not mark up anything...You will pay the same price whether you book with an agent or cruise line.... so suck it up
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:50 PM
#12
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I understand that the agent wouldn't get 18%,but rather the agency. If you say that your wage is low I believe you. But that aside the bottom line is that a travel agency is not worth 18% to sell a cruise.18% is almost one fifth the total value. I learn more from the brochure and internet than I do from a travel agent.
Apr 12th, 2002, 06:19 PM
#13
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If you book with a reputable and knowledgeable travel agent, like me, you will get service. You book with directly with the cruise line, you get no service. You pay the SAME price-- the cruise line pockets the commission. They certainly will not take it off the top of your cruise fare! Before all the cruise lines put their inventory on the internet, people depended on travel agents to sort through all the different cruises out there to get them the cruise they wanted at the price they wanted to pay. We mailed out brochures to the prospective client at our own expense; we called the cruise lines and sat on hold for twenty minutes and more, trying to get fare information, etc.; we spent time on the phone with the Air/Sea Dept., trying to get our customers the best flight schedule. We did a good job, and helped the cruise industry grow. Now the suppliers are trying to squeeze us out of the picture and increase their profits and you, the customer, will be the big loser when it's all over.
Apr 13th, 2002, 07:32 AM
#15
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WELL WELL WELL.<BR><BR>It seems to me you if you are not using the services of your travel agent --then why did you book there? You should access your travel agent for information --thats what they are getting paid 18% for -YAAAA RIGHT --I would be the cruise queen if I made 18% on a booking.....keep dreaming....yes there are some promotions which give us a higher commission --rare, but it happens.<BR><BR>We waste a lot of time with yahoos off the street who have nothing better to do.<BR><BR>IF there is a problem --hmm....its the travel agent who takes care of it, hears the bull shit that you people have to complain about ---"ohhh the plane was delayed an hour --what compensation am I going to get, "ohh the room steward didnt turn down our beds at night, can I get a free cruise?"<BR>Ya --its the stuff like that we get paid oh so well for --I dont think so.<BR><BR>The travel agent works VERY hard as I am sure you do in your own profession, and it is pretty upsetting to find you 'bashing' us for making a living.<BR>You better step back and think about it there buddy -would you mind posting your job profession and then we can all reply on how you shouldnt be making that kind of money for doing nothing.<BR><BR>THANKS<BR>
Apr 13th, 2002, 04:42 PM
#17
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To reply to Laura. I didn't write the article that apparently got you enraged, but to me the travel agents need to unite with something different that what used to be. Airline not paying commissions leads to other airlines not paying commissions. Soon the cruise lines will follow suit as well as the upscale hotels. And if you want to bash my job, I work in the nuclear weapons program.
Apr 15th, 2002, 07:36 AM
#18
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Laura-- Kuddos to YOU! You stated MY exact feelings!<BR>I am so tired of peope thinking I am making 18%-- If that were the case, why are we being forced to move to smaller offices with less help! Answer-we cannot cover our expenses on the 10% -NOT 18%-that we are making on both tours and CRUISES....We are a small Mom and Pop agency and even tho the BIG agencies like AAA and AMEX do get overides, the client STILL pays the same price for the cruise whether with us or AAA or AX......<BR>I WISH we made 18%-- then maybe I would be able to take a salary instead of pouring the money back into the business to keep the front door open!
Apr 15th, 2002, 10:40 PM
#19
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How can you compare TVs to Cruises. There is not a 1,000 markup on a 500.00 TV.Cruises have a large dollar markup because of their high value. If it takes you one hour to sell and book a cruise it would mean you are paid a 1,000 dollars an hour. Cruise companies could lower prices if they reduced commissions that were paid to agents.
