I am not sure considering the furor caused at the time of the reduction there is going to be a lot of 'sympathy'.

Back in February, he said:- "David Dingle told TTG that the move to 5% was a "brave and radical" attempt to curb discount wars between agents, which he said devalued the product.

"This is a radical move, and it could be industry changing," he said. "I would be surprised if we don't see others following suit..."

Have any others followed suit?

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...we have now helped to assure agents that their price is as good as any on the high street

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I don't use High Street travel agents; never have, in fact. I buy all my travel on-line. What I have decided to do in future is to buy cruises direct from the cruise line. It'll all be the same price, and I'm cutting out a middle-man and thus removing some possible cause of confusion and error. I was prepared to accept that in the past because I got a lower price from the agents, but that isn't the case any more.

I don't know how many cruises are sold, in the UK, by face-to-face high street TAs. Pretty much by definition anyone posting at this or any other cruise forum is very likely to use the internet, and the story I'm hearing all the time on the internet is that many others are thinking the way I am. I think the on-line TAs are definitely hurting.

Yes, it used to be the case that online agents offered much cheaper rates than booking direct with a cruise line, but this is usually no longer the case. Cruise lines obviously want you to book direct as they then get that extra they would have paid out to the agents. It is not possible either to book all lines direct yet. My recent and upcoming cruises have been 50/50 direct/online agent.

What I have noticed is the branching out by agencies. They are putting together their own packages incorporating cruises, land tours, air, hotels all in one. Very convenient for people without the time to do all the research and tie everything together themselves. I am sure this is the only way online agencies are going to keep in business along with good customer service to ensure customers return regardless of the hope of anything cheaper. I don't think they are going to specifically support one line over another doing this though, especially one who offers less commission.

And no Pam, no one else has followed suit - in fact some have gone the other way.

[ 12-13-2011: Message edited by: Kevin Griffin, London ]

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Originally posted by Kevin Griffin, London:
They have to be joking. We have removed P&O and Princess from our web site and only keep Cunard for old times' sake. It is not worth working for 5%.

And no Pam, no one else has followed suit - in fact some have gone the other way.

[ 12-13-2011: Message edited by: Kevin Griffin, London ]

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Sounds like a raw deal Kevin and I would do the same as you. Of course it must make it difficult when Carnival controls over 50% of the cruise market. One reason I was very much opposed to Carnival taking over Princess. Too much of a monopoly. It's not good for consumers or retailers, only Carnival executives and stockholders.

I would like to see any Carnival Corp brand try slashing commissions in the US. It would be suicide right now. All cruise lines have slowly chipped away at distribution costs (ie: commissions) by way of NCF's (non-commissionable fares) but no one has been daring enough to bluntly cut the base commission percentage. This is not to say it won't happen at some point, but not right now.

Renaissance Cruises tried to cut out travel agents and we see where it landed them. It was a foolish move at the time, but in 5-10 years from now who knows? The airlines did it successfully and I bet 30 years ago no travel agent would have imagined it.

Ernie

[ 12-13-2011: Message edited by: eroller ]

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Imagine going to your doctor or dentist and after being quoted an amount, you tell them you will pay a lower percentage of the amount!

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I would be willing to bet there are some people that try to negotiate even at the dentist or doctor! Some people really get off on it. I'm not one of them. I've never been a good bargainer. Just tell me the price, make if fair, and I will pay. I guess this is why I've never done well in Mexico! LOL

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
It seems that regardless of the profession, commissions are often seen as fair game. Imagine going to your doctor or dentist and after being quoted an amount, you tell them you will pay a lower percentage of the amount!

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And that is an analogy I have used with certain clients who think the price of a cruise is negotiable: folks, this isn't "Let's Make a Deal!" Especially since the cruise lines set the gross fare which much be paid.

I also compare this to purchasing an Apple or a Sony product--typically the price is set by the manufacturer, and that is what you pay. Imagine bargaining for an I-Phone or an I-Pad at the Apple Store!