I SAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, WOULD YOU HAVE NOTICED THIS

[@lindawilson9465]

A cruise I was looking at cost $1900 so I contacted my agent to book it and he returned a $1250 invoice as he got us in under a group rate. Good TA’s are worth their weight in gold. Good callout, Don

[@wendykieffer9567]

Booking with an agent is not a bad idea. Just don’t book with AAA they rarely look that much into. I knew about more discounts than the AAA agent when we booked our cruise.

[@suzannewhite9777]

I would have caught it because I check all prices of available cabins😊. Thank you for your tips and I hope you have a vantastic day today!

[@electrictroy2010]

@suzannewhite9777 SAME. One time I was booking a standard flight ($700) and noticed the 1st class ticket was actually cheaper ($400). I doubt a travel agent would have noticed or cares. I totally enjoyed the free food & wine & cocktails of first class for $300 less than economy class .

[@johnmagnin5797]

I would have noticed. My two worst cruises were purchased via travel agents, and they missed available discounts. I booked one family cruise for 12 people. The agent promised extras but failed to deliver them. If you need someone to hold your hand, going through an agent might be the right way to go; otherwise, consider doing your own research and booking directly. That way, you will know precisely what you will receive. And remember, travel agents make their commissions based on how much you pay for the cruise.

[@tduck828]

Right. Another perk of booking without an agent you can contact the cruise line yourself. If you have a TA, they have to contact them.

[@tinaferguson6175]

I'm an agent. Spent 3 hours rebooking my group at a lower price. Gave up several hundred dollars but was thrilled to save my clients money. It's not all about making more commission. My clients are very appreciative.

[@electrictroy2010]

@tinaferguson6175 PLEASE explain why in Dons example Princess Premier with all the extras would be $300 cheaper than Princess Standard? It makes no sense .

[@jeffeisenberg4743]

Don, You got us an amazing deal for your Sun Princess group Cruise this past Dec. It was a wonderful price and awesome perks. We thank you. Best Jeff & Sandy Brooklyn NY

[@richardhoward526]

My wife and I retired a few years ago and and we have the best travel agents. Great information and always helpfull, professional and knowledgeable

[@emiliawalker4346]

Good advice as always

[@lindaclark9096]

We are frequent cruisers and we always use our travel agent and we do get extra onboard credit or a meal and yes...they answer all of the important questions

[@lorimasterson8427]

Yes, I think I would have noticed. I'm pretty thorough when looking for cruises.

[@jameswade7550]

Good Job Don and good advice. Still have to be careful when picking a travel agent there is some that are not cruise experts and you will get the best deal.

[@jameshoffman2163]

We have had mixed results with agents, like most things , there are good ones and bad ones!

[@bdlongshot6927]

Thanks for sharing that Don very informative

[@kristenkroes9649]

Thanks for the good advice

[@nicolemiller4688]

Great tip Don, Princess example was great to see. I would of compared and caught it.

[@electrictroy2010]

*would HAVE (not of)

[@LauraPerry63]

Good points. Thank you Don. I have tried explaining. You explained it nicely.

[@kylady1959]

Thanks Don

[@motel1029]

I noticed it as soon as you put it up!! I definitely would do the premiere!!

[@shanejohnston4075]

Thanks for the video about the pricing on princess plus and premium packages Don. I recently noted on a cruise that the premium package was the same price as the base fare and much less than the plus fare and thought they must have had a glitch, so now I know that wasnt an error. Thanks :)

[@richardracette-w6w]

Good advice. Thanks Don

[@randa200771]

We always book through our agency here in the UK. They can make packages up for us that include pre or post cruise hotels, flights and transportation to and from the airport and ship. Its much easier having everything done in one place especially if something goes wrong. Cruise companies also 'sell' cabins to agents for them to sell to their customers. We have often found a cabin is not available on the main website but is available on the agents, not only that since the sell thousands of cabins they are able to sell them at a discounted rate. It maybe different in other parts of the world but certainly over here one agency in particular usually is cheaper than the cruise line, and every saving is money towards the next cruise.

[@RaymondMullen-t9j]

We have use the Same Agent for over 19 Years and She is FANTASIC' Always a Bottle or Two, Fruit and Snacks in the Cabin ... NO Complaints ...

[@joannke7727]

Great tip. Thank you for the advice

[@kevinp1904]

Keep up the good work!

[@ivanmorley3735]

I always check. Sometimes the price differential is worth the upgrade. Rarely seen more for less though.

[@twaunniebusse7262]

Thank you for the information

[@juliepoulin5668]

We always use an agent but she retired and the new one did almost nothing! We had to call her when we saw the price dropped and had a couple of other issues she didn't address. Hope to find a better one next time!

[@vafllmt9009]

Do any cruise lines have packages where you can pick and choose the items you want included? We don't drink. We don't use the Wi-Fi. We don't do the photos. Packages like the ones on princess are a waste for us.

[@DMcGray]

Yes most lines have different type of packages as coffee, soft drinks or a non-alcoholic package. A good travel agent should know all the packages available for your needs.

[@vafllmt9009]

@@DMcGray thanks

[@1486230]

So far as I know you can get all these items a La cart on any cruise line. Certainly the big ones. It’s just cheaper to get a package if you want all of it

[@electrictroy2010]

@vafllmt9009 There’s free water & juice in the buffet & restaurants. Sometimes free alcohol in a “welcome aboard” party. At the end of the cruise I typically have 40-60 dollars of drinks purchased at bars. Still cheaper than 400-500 dollars for a drink package. I did the math one time and I’d have to drink 7 cocktails or sodas a day to breakeven with what the package cost. I just don’t drink that much .

[@TheOnlyLilithcat]

Yes, I'd have noticed. I always look at all availability and compare prices, what I'm getting, etc.

[@randijaffe-7665]

Good video of information

[@tpcast]

The drink package doesn’t really add value to my cruise as I don’t drink.

[@veraabrego5085]

We always book through a travel agent. We get extra perks and great rates. We book the trip and never have to worry about anything but having fun.

[@tod2992]

Its difficult to even find a cruise travel agency. All google searches show crap or bad link's

[@belxsar1504]

If using a travel agent does not cost you any more at all, but then you also get all their services, resources, and advice at your disposal, and also helps a person with their livelihood, then why not? 😀

[@slammedgv]

I would have caught it. Great advice.

[@khardy1801]

My last 2 interactions with travel agents have been terrible. Last one was just a conversation but I just felt as though she started out treating me as though I was stupid. I get that she deals with lot of people that haven’t done their research but just the way she phrased her questions she was acting as though I was stupid and didn’t seem all that interested in my business. The previous interaction was to book a cruise. She just wasn’t on top of her communications. Originally we wanted to book one room, but changed our minds before the particular cruise was released. We communicated that to her and she acknowledged. When the cruise was released, she booked our original request. In the end I booked our 2 rooms and transferred to her but it just kept going down hill. I sent progress payments to her and gave her instructions of whether I wanted her to send them immediately or just hold them. She didn’t always send when requested and I had to follow her up. She acted as though I hadn’t given her instructions of what we wanted and ended up losing money as we were paying in AUD for a cruise in USD. I would always check the prices for plus and premier but I don’t think you’d ever get them cheaper on standard in Australia

[@nancyamaral5620]

I am been on more cruised than most travel agents Always been successful booking directly with the cruise lines

[@joewines3883]

That's a super good deal for sure. We are looking at the star in December. Your right, our TA does get us fantastic deals and he is like family to us.

[@Aust-NZ-SPandtheworld]

We have tried both Plus & Premier. We find the Plus is great but can't justify the extra cost.

[@trbstang]

Being an accountant, of course I run all the numbers I see online. I've found a few good deals on my own, but using a travel agent is a good idea. For our next cruise, not on Princess, I got a good deal similar to Plus by checking all the options available. With the drinks and wifi it was cheaper than the base balcony rate too. It was a special rate through a larger online agency that I didn't see anyplace else. Thanks as always Don!

[@carljohnson6434]

Premier is the package we'll do for sure!

[@kathycurry8890]

just like some balcony rooms are cheaper than oceanview on occasion

[@roxcee6710]

I have 2 questions from watching this video. Very good video by the way. 1. How may I utilize your services. 2. How can I become a cruise travel agent?

[@susieinthesouth1931]

Great info. I am new to cruising. My current agent is a friend referral but we're not a good match communication -wise so I am looking for a new one :)

[@electrictroy2010]

Just book direct thru the cruise. Or maybe a theme cruise like Star Trek or The 80s or Groove Cruise. With theme cruises you pay one flat fee & they organize everything. (Except flights; you still book those online thru priceline or kayak.)

[@susantam5681]

Wow! In that case, I would book the Premiere package.

[@helenoconnor549]

I would have always looked to see what all cost are

[@sailorato]

Soooo, What ship, itinerary and cabin class?

[@debbiekeltz-wolk7691]

Our travel agent saved us from getting stuck in Montreal during a Via Trail strike. She called us up and changed our train ticket and called the hotel. Without her we would have been stuck and missed work.

[@mantadiver]

I have booked with travel agents a few times and always regretted it. I only received extra after they were regretful for not responding to me after so many times trying to contact them. It is also difficult to contact them on nights and weekends.

[@larryfinkel4102]

Why is the Premier cheaper?

[@snufflesdawg1934]

I would have noticed, however, I would be very concerned that this was too good to be true and would end up as some sort of glitch where I would have to pay more later to keep the booking. Is this comparison screen something only travel agents can see? When I go to book a Princess cruise, it always offers me the plus package at $60 extra per day and the premiere package at $90 extra per day on the next screen and only gives me a total once I pick a room.

[@terryquan9052]

I would have caught it. I do the numbers for all options to see what is best.

[@joeseatac331]

If there is a problem, the TA will stay on the phone debating your case, which saves one a lot of frustration and time.

[@electrictroy2010]

Most TAs don’t bother trying

[@sherrydiener8688]

Hi Don, I always use a agent. Not a very good one. Do you book travel from the US ??????

[@steve1la]

I do casino offers on RC so a travel agent does not help me a lot

[@raxterwot7940]

Wife and I don't drink alcohol, sooner of these packages make economic sense for us. I cruise lines would offer a package with gratuities, wifi, and a few dinners in specialty restaurants, that would interest us....

[@cindyk3281]

Wow that's a big savings.

[@wardkoppel6704]

Be careful picking a Travel Agent. Some aren't full service Travel Agents, they won't book your air fare. I would avoid Travel Agents that won't handle everything.

[@cindyonyoutube]

A good agent is definitely worth it!

[@TheJm129]

I'm guessing that situation is rare when Princess Premier is the lowest price.

[@brendabrinkley8029]

I do my research then call my travel Agent

[@richardliles2543]

Always use a travel agent

[@stevewarrick4402]

Princess Plus is far more than a "little more money". I have NEVER ever seen the premier package cheaper than the Standard. And I'm Elite on Princess. But I guess Don has proven it can happen once in a blue moon.

[@debbieserwe2242]

My agent didn't find anything like that :(

[@CrochetGrammy]

Can you please cover the new trick that Princess is using to deny the onboard credit stock benefit? We have never had a problem until the last 2 cruises. Evidently small print has been added that stipulates we have a “discounted cruise” even though it’s not a discounted price (confirmed by our TA and Princess rep.). Many have posted their frustration about this on Facebook sites.

[@1486230]

Really? Is this something new? I sailed on Princess in October and received my shareholder benefit. I’m not sure what the count as a “discount” cruise though.

[@CrochetGrammy]

@ I had never heard that there were exceptions to using the stock option until our last two cruises. You evidently cannot combine any “offers”. Many people have been blindsided by this. It’s not very transparent.

[@user-dt8hh9ni4r]

Anyone can see that price. No need for a travel agent

[@trishawatling]

Hi Don , Watching you from Sydney, Australia. I have been travelling since 1990 and have always booked through a travel agency. If you ever were to be in an accident or a major issue occurs on your holiday they are there to help you 100%. And always take out travel insurance 😊🇦🇺🐨🦘🏖️☀️🌊🛳️

[@Girasole5849]

Good to know. I’m not entirely confident that I would have caught that.

[@virgloh8934]

Does this work the same if you work an agent from the cruise line itself?

[@live2skide1]

Hope it wasn't the "glitch" that Princess seems to be having, then canceling cruises or demanding more money.

[@electrictroy2010]

@live2skide1 WHICH is a federal crime called bait & switch. Baiting customers with a low price & then switching to a higher price .

[@lowvizlife]

Yes, it pays to use an agent.

[@gregneil612]

Another ad for Princess. What a surprise.

[@lauraweis]

Travel agent says he will but he doesn't have the time as he's never done this.

[@jimdouglas4595]

I love Princess but Don are you are sure Princess wont send a email soon and say Plus was an error. I would caught it because easy to see, when I look plus $80 per day more, premier $100

[@sharonmcmickens9853]

Hi Don

[@janicewestcott9844]

What a deal!

[@seanriedel4953]

Those prices don't make sense

[@grandsewb5452]

Everything that we had 20 years ago for regular price. Lol

[@darryld_009]

I probably would have caught it. When I'm booking I do my homework even before calling an agent.

[@angelathomas6770]

Great reasons to use a travel agent

[@carljohnson6434]

That makes absolutely no sense at all, Don!

[@tonyabeeson3995]

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