To use a travel agent or not to use a travel agent. That is the question!

[Branya2012]

I'm not sure if it's WestJet Vacations, but yes, we're flying WestJet! They were the cheapest, and they fly directly to Mexico from my home town (which is a bonus for our family up there) so I guess they get to be a little stricter.

Originally Posted by jreist 

Any chance you're going with WestJet Vacations? That sounds like the bullshit policies that they use!! I've switched tour companies, and have found that nearly all of them are more flexible than WestJet Vacations. 

[Branya2012]

PS: sorry...I didn't even notice this thread was about Cruise Weddings!!  Guess it doesn't really matter...

[Ploman]

Their flights and service will, I'm sure, be awesome as usual, but their policies for group bookings REALLY suck! 

 

I'm not sure if you have the same policies that they gave me, but for us, if we dropped below 10 rooms then they would readjust the price for EVERY GUEST! And it would go up to whatever the price of the day is at that time (so no fortelling how much it would raise by). 

 

Also, they would only guarantee the price for as many rooms as we initially requested (10), and if we needed MORE than 10 rooms then the price for those rooms would be re-negotiated again, and likely go up. So we wouldn't be able to put a firm price on the invitation. 

 

These policies are pretty terrible! I have written a letter to the president of WestJet and am sending it out next week lol THATS how frustrated I am with them!

 

But thats just WestJet Vacations Groups [which is different than WestJet and also different than WestJet Vacations...] 

[Branya2012]

That is definitely an awful deal, especially when it looks like you have a lot of people coming! The policies seem ridiculous...writing a letter is a very good idea, indeed!! I may follow suit,

Originally Posted by jreist 

Their flights and service will, I'm sure, be awesome as usual, but their policies for group bookings REALLY suck! 

 

I'm not sure if you have the same policies that they gave me, but for us, if we dropped below 10 rooms then they would readjust the price for EVERY GUEST! And it would go up to whatever the price of the day is at that time (so no fortelling how much it would raise by). 

 

Also, they would only guarantee the price for as many rooms as we initially requested (10), and if we needed MORE than 10 rooms then the price for those rooms would be re-negotiated again, and likely go up. So we wouldn't be able to put a firm price on the invitation. 

 

These policies are pretty terrible! I have written a letter to the president of WestJet and am sending it out next week lol THATS how frustrated I am with them!

 

But thats just WestJet Vacations Groups [which is different than WestJet and also different than WestJet Vacations...] 

[futrMrsBledsoe]

What travel agents have you guys used that were worth it and trouble free (for the most part)?

[shanandcal]

I decided to go with a travel agent for 2 reasons. 1. I don't want people calling me and stressing me out with their questions. 2. I don't want people calling me and stressing me out with their questions. So far my travel agent has been helpful. She is like the middle man between my guests and carnival which is awesome.
 

[BSBRose21]

This will be the first time I will be using a travel agent for any vacation but I thought it would be well worth it.  Let someone else worry about it.

[valh416]

I think I have decided to go with a travel agent as well... but I am wondering now, how long in advance should I set everything up. I am getting married on an alaskan cruise in May of 2015 and haven't seen but one listed so far. How far in advance did you ladies book?

[TAkathy]

Arranging a regular cruise trip  can be very confusing because the terminology and cruise line booking rules are foreign to most people. So, it is very helpful to have someone who understands the process - and a good travel agent will be able to guide you through it.  There should not be any "hidden fees"  when everything is clearly explained and properly arranged.  Weddings are especially important events and the event details can be overwhelming.  You have enough to handle - do you want to be the one responsible for helping your guests figure out whether to have their stateroom on the LIDO or PROMENADE deck? Or explain 50+ times what documentation is necessary for them to board the ship?  Beyond helping you secure a "great group price", a good travel agent will save your sanity and very likely be instrumental in helping your group arrive properly prepared for your destination wedding.

[Mandiesue]

I used a travel agent for the pricing; however, she does not specialize in destination weddings and I regret that decision. It's frustrating at times.