things you can't discuss on that other message board

so much to choose
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things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 94Post drib »

... for example, travel agents.

Well, you can discuss them here. For all those other cruisers who didn't know or think they can't get cash rebates, I want you to get that cash rebate!

I've used several, but started using Keene Luxury Travel about a year ago. I've booked three cruises with them. They are very upfront about the cash rebate - it's at least 5% (off the commission-able part of the fare). On some hosted cruises, it's 7.5%. And often there is a significant On Board Credit too. They are Regent specialists, but they handle all the luxury lines, and tour companies.

If you check them out, and wind up using them, tell them that you heard about it from me. My agent there is Susan Walsh, and she is the best, so I like sending her business.

I have used two other agencies that give cash rebates. I think those agencies always sent the check after the cruise. One thing I like about KLT is that I get the check before the cruise. I think they promise one week before, but it was more like one month last time.

Other agencies I have used are Cruise Specialists and Cruise Professionals. They were both okay, but I like KLT more.

I had an issue with Cruise Professionals once. I had to cancel a cruise, and they charged me a $100 fee - which I could have gotten back when I re-booked. That was annoying, and not a big deal because I probably would have re-booked. But I mentioned to the agent that they should have told me about that fee before I booked. I had checked through my documents, and there was no mention there. Then she got very defensive and said she was absolutely certain she had told me on the phone. Well, I'm very Virgo and am absolutely certain that she had not. So then she asked if I wanted to talk to a manager. So now, I'm like okay, let's do that. And then the manager said she was sure all the agents told their clients about the fee. "How can you be so sure," I asked? And then she said that they record all their conversations! "Great, let's hear it!" A little later, she got back to me and said that their system was down that day. And that's why I don't use Cruise Professionals anymore - although I understand they now do mention the fee in their documents.

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 1912Post drib »

I bumped this and made it global because I can't believe there are still cruisers out there that are not getting a good deal from their travel agent.

If anyone else wants to give a shout out to their own travel agent, you can do that here.

We are about to go on our fifth cruise booked by KLT *, have two more booked for future dates, and two more that we probably will book once we are certain about our travel dates.

======

* and received the rebate check three weeks before embarkation. It will pay for the dog sitter.

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 1917Post bodogbodog »

Whilst not a Regent traveller (I hope to try them in 2019 with some friends) I have a great TA who can do all the luxury brands but really knows the in's and out's of Crystal Cruises (and that's worth a lot!) - lots of cruising friends use them (LA based and servicing customers all around the globe)
If you want their details just drop me a message) - at least we can do that on these wonderful boards
Email - bodogodog@gmail.com

Future Cruises - who knows if cruising ever resumes? But maybe they’ll include these ones
May 2022 - Silversea Silver Muse - Tokyo to Vancouver - 21 days - nope Japan was closed
Dec 2022 - RSSC Explorer - Singapore to Sydney
Feb 2023 - Silver Muse - Cairns to Singapore
September 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Vancouver to Tokyo
December 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Sydney to Auckland
Dec 2023 - Crystal Symphony - Auckland to Melbourne - 16 days - nope Crystal went belly up

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 1920Post drib »

You don't have to be coy about it, Bodog. You can share the agency name here, or a specific agent., if you wish. You can share links ... whatever ... just as long as it's something less than spam.

I want everyone to get the best deal possible ... knowing that doesn't always mean the least cost.

"Knowledge Is Good" - Faber College Motto

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 1942Post cybercsp »

So happy to have found this board!

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 1943Post drib »

I'm really happy you're here too, cybercsp.

I know that it's frustrating for everyone, on that other message board, when you can't share something because of their rules.

But here, there are no ads, and no commercial interests. You are all free to discuss whatever it is that's important to you. There, and here, most members want to help, but here, there are almost no restrictions ... but of course, everyone who posts is responsible for the veracity of their own post.

Anyway, tell your friends. And if you're not already familiar with Roll Call and Fare Compare (click on RC and FC, above), give them a try too. They are also non-commercial, and most people tell me they are very useful.

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 2026Post bodogbodog »

drib wrote: Fri Sep 07, 2018 6:46 pm You don't have to be coy about it, Bodog. You can share the agency name here, or a specific agent., if you wish. You can share links ... whatever ... just as long as it's something less than spam.
Very happy with our TA - who goes over and above on service - probably easiest for people who might be interested in a luxury TA with a great service ethic and knowledge of Crystal Cruises to send me an email and I'll respond with contact details
Email - bodogodog@gmail.com

Future Cruises - who knows if cruising ever resumes? But maybe they’ll include these ones
May 2022 - Silversea Silver Muse - Tokyo to Vancouver - 21 days - nope Japan was closed
Dec 2022 - RSSC Explorer - Singapore to Sydney
Feb 2023 - Silver Muse - Cairns to Singapore
September 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Vancouver to Tokyo
December 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Sydney to Auckland
Dec 2023 - Crystal Symphony - Auckland to Melbourne - 16 days - nope Crystal went belly up

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 2675Post fezzik »

Being uncoy I will mention the name of an agent and agency that offers me 10% on Regent and Crystal ( more or less). Pavlus https://pavlus.com/ my agent's name is Annette C de Baca.
Being even more uncoy, I will also say that if you use my name, a nice bonus check comes to moi. So mention my name. No, don't mention Fezzik, I don't want him getting my check; what did he do to deserve it? So if interested message me.
Muchos gracias.
Last edited by fezzik on Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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The Real McUncoy

Post: # 2681Post drib »

10.0, 10.0, 9.9, 9.9, 6.0 * 9.8, 10.0, 9.7, 10.0

Way to make a splash, Fezzik!

It remains to be seen if that 10% claim will stand up to scrutiny. From what I saw, deals vary, and I did notice that Pavlus' best price guarantee is only for 24 hours from booking.

If it is 10% for every Crystal or Regent cruise, though, it's probably also 10% for other luxury lines, like Seabourn and Silversea and maybe others. (Paul Gauguin, formerly Regent?) I've heard that all the luxury lines have a lot of meat on the bone; I've heard that the commission is 18% of the commissionable part of the cruise fare. **

Don't forget that you can edit or delete your own posts at any time, which I mention only because that looks like a real email address. Also, don't forget that unlike that other cruise message board, this one has its Personal Message (PM) system enabled. Maybe it would be better to ask people to PM you?

In any event, great post! I'm awarding you 50,000 added to you post counts. This is something I usually only do for cash, like ambassadorships.

======

* East European judge.

** So not counting air, if included, taxes, port fees, and stuff like that there.

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 2686Post fezzik »

Upon the good counsel of Mr. drib, I have edited my previous post removing my email address and change "email me" to "message me." Now I shall sit back and wait for the responses to come rolling in.

As to percentage, here are some real world examples taken from the Real World.

1) RSSC Explorer Norwegian Fjords:
cruise fare, no air, - 25398
rebate-2650
Mathematics: 10.49%

2)RSSC Splendor Panama Canal:
cruise fare, no air- 18298
rebate- 1725
Mathematics: 9.43%
Port charges have not been removed from either.

Am I to understand that I can exchange my 50,000 posts award for an ambassadorship?

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Re: things you can't discuss on that other message board

Post: # 3660Post drib »

I suppose this would be a good place to mention that I no longer use KLT, and have started using Pavlus. So far, so good.

What soured me on KLT is that they asked me to return the cash back amount from a Covid cancelled cruise - canceled one day before we were to board. I thought that was fair, and returned it. But I later found out that not all their clients had done the same. And also ... Regent paid those commissions to KLT!

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