Claudia M:

Your information is very interesting. Part of the story about this strange situation is that RCI/Celebrity claim to have adopted this policy at the urging of full service TAs to combat price undercutting by "no service dot coms." But I assume your TA is of the full service variety, and does not like being ordered around by cruise lines, either.

Let me be clear so there is no misunderstanding. I like full service TAs (such as Ngaire, our respected host on this board). If the full service TAs like the new RCI/Celebrity policy, and feel it will help their business, then I have no complaint with the policy, and the possibility it might spread. Good TAs have suffered too much from elimination of commissions from airlines and other sectors of the travel industry. I want to keep them around, as they are most helpful. But if, as I fear, this new policy is aimed at wiping out ALL cruise business done through ANY TA, then I hope this policy dies a quick death!

Thanks,
Richard :) :)