REPEAT CLIENTS SHOULD GET a DISCOUNT..
 

Does anyone know if there are any cruise companies that offer a discount to repeat customers? I felt that our TA did little for us and I got more relative info from websites. I would just as soon book it myself and get a discount.

Depends on the sailing. All cruise lines do not give discounts at a general rule.<BR><BR>First, if your TA does not ask which cruise lines you have sailed in the past, you tell hem/her.<BR><BR>Before you go bonkers simply call the cruise line yourself and ask if your ship, sailing and category offers a discount to past passengers.<BR><BR>If you believe that your TA did not do enough, ask for favors. Some TA's will give you sample menus, activity sheets, port info, ship reviews and videos of the ship and ports. Ask and you may receive.<BR><BR>Believe it or not, most people do not care about all that stuff.<BR><BR>Paul

j dionne - if you have a TA that didn't ask if you were a past passenger, he/she is not doing their job - regardless of what Paul says. If you joined the past passenger clubs (Captains Club, Captains Circle, Crown and Anchor Society, etc.) after your first cruise, most will send coupons with their publications that will be good for $$$ off cabins. Again, any good TA (online or mall) will have a supply of these and use them for you when they book.

The problem is a lot of these 'coupons' can only be used in conjunction with certain rates which are usually not the best deals. I've found them to be mostly worthless. It would be nice if they would just offer a flat percentage discount off of any rate based on the number of sailings you've taken. A few of the more upscale lines do this.

I agree with Patty. Another welcome perk is to offer shipboard credits. If they can't discount the price for past customers, then they could at least throw in a few freebies once aboard.

If you did not like your last travel agent, try another one! Nobody gets faxes left and right, day in and day out like us travel agents. We have a hard time keeping up with all the specials, but we have access to them all!<BR><BR>Holland America gives the best past passenger discounts. Silversea if offering some great ones right now, and Radisson is not too bad, either. Royal Caribbean gives discounts on some purchases on board (you have to ask) and Carnival tries to upgrade past pax first.<BR><BR>

Travel agents do not have a supply of Past Passenger Coupons Peter. Past Passenger Coupons have the passengers' name printed on them and are not transferable.<BR><BR>If you have one be sure to ask what the price is without the coupon. Oftentimes early-booking prices and promotional prices are better.<BR>One thing you can not do is get the promotional price and then use the coupon. <BR><BR>Paul

Well Paul, there's at least one travel agent that does - the one I use at a .com agency who has used past passenger coupons (not mine) on my last three cruises. I know this because on two of them, I had the coupons but had misplaced them and she had exactly the same ones and used them for me.

Simple process Peter. You had the physical coupon and lost it. The cruise line knows you as a past passenger. The TA did not have a physical coupon. She called the cruise line and gave your name and address. The cruise line looked up the number of your coupon (the coupon number might not have been necessary) and you received your discount.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

So Paul - then you agree with my original post where I suggested to j dionne that as a past passenger you will get coupons for discounts and even if you don't physically have them, as long as you have a C&A or other cruise line number, your travel agent can get the discount for you (yes, you're right, they don't have to have the physical coupon).<BR><BR>But, the more important part of this discussion concerns a TA not asking if the client is a past passenger. This is or should be part of the standard questions a TA must ask. It goes right along with which State you're originating from and whether you're a senior or not. These could all result in cheaper rates.

I definitely USE the cruise discount coupons when they come to my house--<BR><BR>I call the agent ,give her the discount number and my name as a past cruiser-and bingo, the line allows us to use the coupon...<BR><BR>Agent has never "HAD" extra coupons ,unless it is for The Entertainment book---which can be used for anyone--

Hi again- Forgot to add, if the cruise line is offering another break in price, they usually ALSO allow you a price reduction even with the coupon's reduction- we had 2 price reductions on a cruise and were also using the past passenger's discount coupon-<BR><BR>So people- do NOT throw those coupons away!

Travel Agents do get promotional material that may reduce the cruise price below the price of the coupon. Ask.<BR><BR>Paul

There is no "price of the coupon" only $$$ off and obviously you can use them in conjunction with the latest reduced cruise prices you can get from the internet, cruise lines themselves and yes, the all-powerfull travel agents. Occasionally, an agency will book a block of cabins at a special price, but other than that, all pricing is pretty much the same. Most agents you call for quotes, simply put you on hold while they call the cruise line.

Winston- FODOR's POLICY is NO advertising--- You OWN MyTravel.com--<BR><BR>This is a NO NO with Fodor's!--Stop trying to solicit business....

WOW Winston--- You OWN MyTravel.com???<BR>I love that company. You do an excellent job!! They always come through with what they say they will. I booked very late once, with no chance for the tickets to reach my home. They said they would be at WILL CALL at the port of Miami and sure enough they were. In fact all the others check-ins has long lines but WILL CALL had no one . We walked up, picked up our tickets, and then they checked us in right then and there. Good Job!!<BR>Smooth............ Thanks!!

Winston does not own MyTravel. He is just a jerk that works for an affiliated company.<BR><BR>If his boss knew what he was doing he would hear some pretty strong words. Legit companies do not advertise on other sites.<BR><BR>Paul

So it's not okay for Winston to promote himself, but it's okay for you to do it Paul? How does that saying go, "The pot calling the kettle black".

Promote myself to what? You do not know what I do for living. Others guess.<BR><BR>Paul

Well, if you're not a travel agent and your employees don't badger you about getting a website; then maybe you're the Fodors cruise thread editor!!