Anyone not use a travel agent?

[ShellyLynn3630]

Does anyone out there never book with a travel agent and only directly with Disney and why?

[stsomewhere]

We never book with a travel agent. We would rather have the ability to control our reservation. We we want to upgrade/downgrade etc.all we have to do is call. If you book with a travel agent, the agent needs to contact DCl. They will not speak to you.

[Curtis McCrea]

We booked (well, actually my grandparents did) with a travel agent for my first cruise, and my next cruise (on Disney this one) is booked direct with the cruise line because we (My dad and I) thought it would be easier. :)

[PearlySwan]

I think the primary reason people choose to book directly through Disney is control of their reservation. The last two cruises I used a travel agency but the next one I'm flying solo. I'm finding myself 'educating' the travel agent instead of the other way around. In addition, if you are making any changes to your reservation, there is the added burden of having to call the travel agent first. Disney will not deal with you since the booking is considered the travel agency's booking. Some travel agencies might offer perks for specific bookings (onboard credits, shopping cards to be used elsewhere, etc). Disney cruise offers onboard credit for returning costumers and 10% off the cruise. So it all depends on what you prefer to do. If you are a planner like me, you might want to have control over your own reservation and not deal with the middle man (travel agency). If you like to have someone else do the planning, go with a travel agency. They can simplify things for you. If you don't have your own travel agency, try booking with Dreams Unlimited. I hear good things about them. :thumbsup2

[disneydad123]

We always use a travel agent. We have used the same company (All Seasons Travel) for all of our Disney Cruises, and we love them!! We have the same chances for "free" upgrades, they help us with ideas for shore excursions, they always offer additional OBC, and until the economy tanked we always had a welcome gift along with our CC gift in our stateroom. (Hint Hint Keith we miss our gift! :rotfl:) Not to mention their prices can't be beat. I like calling a number and talking to the same person, that way I know my needs are met and I don't have to explain myself each time.

[kcashner]

I've done it both ways. There is a myth that you "lose control" of your reservation if you use a TA. In reality, what you lose is the ability to speak directly with DCL, as well as the ability to see the financial info on line.

If you use a TA, all "talking" communication must go thru the TA. You are still able to make your reservations on line, talk to the concierge if you are at that level, etc. In addition, all payments must go thru your TA although the credit card bill should show the payment to DCL, not to the TA.

I don't feel that I lose anything by using a TA. What I gain is someone on MY side if there is a dispute with DCL. For instance, on my first DCL cruise I had a package that included transfers. DCL they decided on their own to bill my credit card for transfers. The TA and DCL continued to do battle over this one till finally the TA refunded my money and said that they would continue to try to be reimbursed by DCL! On the Panama Canal sailing, I arrived at LAX to find that the bus with the character sign on it was operated by a different company than that listed on my docs--again, a phone call to the TA to clear things up (another DCL package deal that I'd booked and then transferred to the TA)

I've had lots of "little" services from various TAs, in addition to the OBC that they will add to my reservation. Bottom line for me is that I'm small potatoes as far as DCL is concerned. If there's an issue, I'd rather have an agency that books many DCL cruises each week to go to bat for me.

[NC DCL fans]

I used DU this time for the onboard credit. DU is great to work with, but I agree that it very frustrating to have an organization between you and DCL. If you have a TA, you don't get your DCL confirmation, you can't view info or change your info on the DCL site like your dinner seating (early vs late), see whether you're actually on the waiting list to change dinner seating (if that applies), or whether you've been given the dinner seating that you're waiting for (just happened to me 2 weeks ago). You also can't request special dietary needs - your TA has to do it. And if you have a dummy reservation from onboard booking transferred to a TA, only the TA can move it, so if a good rate pops up, you have to wait for monday and let the TA see if its still available. And I just hate it when I call DCL and I get the "you have to have your TA call us" line. They actually refuse to help. And I'm not going to stop calling DCL, so just forget that. :rotfl:

And yes, TAs are human and do make errors, which you may or may not catch. I've used 2 different TA agencies. I got a quote one time that was unbelievable, bcause it was actually for the wrong date. Our dining request didn't get requested the first time, but on asking about it months later, it got requested (better late than never I guess). And TAs should be quoting the same price as DCL (unless they've reserved a block of rooms earlier when rates may have been lower or gotten a group rate), so don't count on getting a better price from a TA (and always check the price on DCLs site).

We do love you DU and we love the DIS! But shouldn't there be a way for DCL to give an incentive to keep all of us booking directly with DCL and they could save the rest of that TA fee. I'm sure those TA fees are built into the fares, so it costs us all alot more. While DU does a great job, I bet a bunch of us only use a TA for the OBC and would prefer booking directly with DCL if it didn't effectively cost more. Maybe disney should study the economics of all that (but I'm sure they already have).

Someone mentioned the onboard booking discount. You actually can book onboard and get the 10% discount and $100 OBC AND also transfer that reservation to a TA and get the TA's OBC too!! That's what we did.

[Anal Annie]

We booked directly with DCL the first time, before I knew any different. Then for our B2B's we booked the 4 night with our DVC points and the 3 night thru DU for the OBC. When we rebooked onboard last time we gave it directly to DU simply for the OBC. I only contact the DU agent if I want to make a change of some sort. If I have a generic general question for DCL I just call them and do not indicate that I already have a ressie. They will talk to you if you don't let on that you're already booked thru a TA. The OBC can be significant in some cases.

[Donald_Quackers]

I used TAs both for my first cruise and my upcoming one. My upcoming one is with DU, and when free dining came out for my dates for my WDW stay after the cruise, my agent emailed me that morning and asked if I wanted it.

Told her yes and I saw it on my reservation (DU has an online page you can see how much you have left to pay, etc.) that day. They are also going to book the Candlelight processional dinner package for me as soon as the date/time I requested becomes available.

I can't say enough good things about Tracy, my DU Agent. Even when she was away (she emailed me to tell me this), she still made sure I was taken care of. It's one less thing I have to worry about and wait on the phone with Disney about. I'd rather the TA haggle with that.

[aan1701]

Nope, never with a TA. I do not like middle men. Since I can handle it myself, I do.

[skiingfast]

I'm in the same boat as the PP. Perhaps I am more modern but I think TAs, no offense to on the disboards, are for my parents and grandparents.

You are just paying somone that controls information. Before the internet you were being screwed by a middle man. Now you can find out where planes fly, where hotels are, and when the Disney ships dock with little trouble.

I rarely use online TAs either, that being expedia or hotline. I can compare the prices myself and choose where to buy.

I find it a disservice or Disney to allow TA's a 10% comminsion to book a cruise that I can do myself at no discount.

[Inkmahm]

I book our cruises when we are on the ship so that I get the discount AND I assign the cruise to DU at that point so I not only get the Disney OBC, I get the DU OBC, too. Sure, I could book directly with Disney and pass up $200 in OBC from DU, but why would I?

I rarely make changes to my reservation once it is made so essentially, DU has to do nothing but collect my payments after the deposit. It's a great deal for them and for me.

[Tower]

The first cruise we booked with DCL, but our cruise forum members announced that their TA's discovered that our itinerary had changed. (We were to go to St. Croix but ended up going to Tortola, which I preferred anyway) It took more than a month before DCL sent an email about the change, but we knew through disboards faster much faster! If you use a TA, use a good one that watches things like that. We switched to that same sharp TA that made the first itinerary change announcement for our upcoming cruise.
We know we're changing our cruise date to 1 year later, so I'd rather have the TA handle all those hassles for 2 staterooms and the 5 of us. We booked this second cruise on board for the OBC, but we could state the TA we wanted!

[UGAFan0829]

I've never used a TA, though I have thought about it. I like booking directly through DCL, and being able to have complete control over my reservation. Nothing against a TA, but when I want to make a change, I like being able to pick up the phone, or go online right then rather than having to e-mail or call someone else and wait for them to do it. In my opinion, the downside to not using a TA is the onboard credits that many of them give.

[Gigi22]

We have used a TA for all the DCL cruises we have been on to date. But, now that I know I could save some money if I did the booking myself--that is what I will do the next time around.

[poohs4me]

We never book with a travel agent. We would rather have the ability to control our reservation. We we want to upgrade/downgrade etc.all we have to do is call. If you book with a travel agent, the agent needs to contact DCl. They will not speak to you.

This is us as well. I like being able to call DCL directly.

[tinkmom2]

I always book by ourselves. The onboard incentives the travel agents offer didn't offset the cost of a travel agent for me and the obc's weren't all that much. When we when to Disney the first time I looked into a travel agent. I had done my homework and she was trying to convince me to go during the hottest time of the year and trying to tell me the humidity wasn't that bad. The price she was quoting me was outragious. I was able to book a better deal on my own. We are going on our 5th time to Disney and our 3rd DCL cruise in Oct 2011. I like the fact you have control over your ressie like the PP said. There are people that swear by travel agents however I am not one of them.

[Sleepyluke]

Count us in the do not and have not used category. I understand that people do it for the OBC, which I have really thought about, but even with not too many changes, DCL is very easy to work with and booking the cruise and all of the goodies that go with it is very easy to do. I can make partial payments whenever i want without having to pay the TA and then they pay someone, (one less step to get messed up) and I know when i am paid off. Even if there is a problem over $.50, I can see when i am paid off and don't ahve to worry if it was a me or the TA transposed number or whatever. I also want the ability to be OCD and book my excursions in the middle of the night when they come available, and that seems to be a sometimes you can still do it and sometimes you can not with a TA. Also, some TA (again never worked with them on DCL) but some will hold all of your payments and not make the final payment at 75 days out which is technically within their rights to do as that is final day, but for us as Castaway members, we need it paid sooner so we can be OCD and get Palo booked early.

We have had one issue wit the way I booked our first cruise and WDW vacation all seperate, and they made it very easy to survive. Would a TA have saved us in that, maybe, but a 5 minute call to DCL took care of it as well, so not sure a 5 minute call to a TA to get them to call DCL for 5 min really would have mattered.

So long story short, you can do it yourself, but you do usually lose the OBC. I would really like DCL to offer the same to me as I book early for the savings, and should get the same price, but i know that will never happen!

[Inkmahm]

We have used a TA for all the DCL cruises we have been on to date. But, now that I know I could save some money if I did the booking myself--that is what I will do the next time around.

Ummm... I think you have that backwards. The cost of the cruise is the same to you whether you book with DCL or with a TA. There are no discounts for booking direct as there are no discounts for booking with a TA.

What you get by assigning a TA to your reservation though is additional OBC. With DU, I get an additional $200 to match the $200 I got when booking my next cruise while we were on our last cruise. I would say I actually saved $200 by using a TA (who did nothing for me other than provide the name for me to assign the reservation to. I essentially did book the cruise myself.)

[Pluto,]

its a lot better booking on your own. you want something done to your reservation you call dcl and get it done. the only time i dont go through dcl is if im booking on points than dvc is my travel agent. dvc is great you call them tell them what you want they put you on hold they call dcl tell them what you want than get back to you it might take about 10 minutes.

[YenSid1222]

I always book directly through Disney. I hate having a middle man. I am able (and actually prefer) to do things myself. I feel more in control of everything. But this is how I travel. I feel very capable of finding my own hotels, arranging my own planes, trains and automobiles. If you are uncomfortable or unsure when planning this stuff, use an agent.

Booking through DCL is easy, the agents are helpful and I still can get my travel industry discount without someone else getting involved.

[NancyIL]

I will use a travel agent for a cruise if it will save me money. I usually don't use a travel agent to book my WDW vacations.

Sometimes you have to book with a particular travel agency if you're booking a group cruise and you want to participate in the group's activities. For example - you have to book with Dreams Unlimited to be part of the Podcast cruise. Anyone can book that cruise directly with DCL or with another travel agency, but only DU clients can participate in the special activities.

There are cruise lines that still allow travel agencies to discount. When I booked two Princess cruises, I saved hundreds of dollars on the price of the cruise by booking with an online discount travel agency rather than booking directly with the cruise line.

[deanna23]

No travel agent for me, I like to be in control and I also like to research everything for travel to the ship to what I am going to do on board. Deanna

[over50visits]

Does anyone out there never book with a travel agent and only directly with Disney and why?

We've used both Disney and a travel agent (with a phone number to call, of course). We tend to book our future trips on board so we can get the discount, then stay with DCL. Disney is so easy to call most any time I'm awake, they are pros, and they can help instantly with the reservation. Our TA was easy to call, and she was happy to talk with us about ideas/plans (something you just can't do easily over emails), but in the end the additional OBC wasn't really worth having a middleman between us and DCL. And, DCL of course honors various discounts that everyone does (military, teachers, former cruisers, senior, FL residents, etc). TAs of course can handle other cruise lines, and might be able to give you some options that DCL agents wouldn't (if you are interested in considering other lines).

In general, though, everyone seems to find their niche. Some want the extra OBC and don't mind calling a TA; some don't mind TAs that won't talk to you but only use email; and some prefer working with the source (DCL). I think you would be satisfied with any of these avenues as long as they fit your style!

[mindy327]

We always use a travel agent. We have used the same company (All Seasons Travel) for all of our Disney Cruises, and we love them!! We have the same chances for "free" upgrades, they help us with ideas for shore excursions, they always offer additional OBC, and until the economy tanked we always had a welcome gift along with our CC gift in our stateroom. (Hint Hint Keith we miss our gift! :rotfl:) Not to mention their prices can't be beat. I like calling a number and talking to the same person, that way I know my needs are met and I don't have to explain myself each time.

I feel the same way... I have always booked with AST and they are there to help day or night. Very friendly, and prompt. (Keith, we love our gift too!!!) Not only are their prices great, but going to their website, ALL of the cruise quotes are there online to be seen. :worship::worship::worship: We love you ALL SEASONS TRAVEL!!!

[tvguy]

I always use a travel agent, even for trips only involving air travel only.
And it just saved my bacon. I was all set to book my own air fare to Canada with a routing that I was amazed none of the airline travel sites came up with. I decided to have my travel agent book it and I suggested the route I had found. She ran it through her system, and it was an illegal connection. I would have been grounded by customs when I changed planes, and been stranded, and been out $3,000 in air fare.
I have to admit, I have only bought travel insurance on 1 cruise, Disney, because it was so expensive, but I would never leave the security of a travel agent. They have your back.

[kcashner]

We have used a TA for all the DCL cruises we have been on to date. But, now that I know I could save some money if I did the booking myself--that is what I will do the next time around.

I don't understand this statement at all. A good TA should be able to get you everything you can get by going thru DCL directly and more. A good TA can get you the on line booking credit, the Disney Visa credit, any discounts you might qualify for (like FL res, military, kids free, etc), as well as any TA benefits such as an onboard credit they may offer.

The cruise price is the same whether you book with a TA or directly thru DCL. The onboard credit is frequently higher with a TA because you should get ALL the available OBC from DCL as well as any the TA may give.

[Stitchnut]

The first and only time we used an agent was in 06 and she really wasn't that helpful. Using guide books, websites and talking to others was more helpful. Now we just book on our own. We did however get a gift in 06 from the resort that we stayed in for using an agent. It is an adorable Mickey clock that we love!

[cmclaura]

I would love to be able to use travel agents but I had so many unsatisfactory experiences that it's difficult to do so. I grew tired of educating them as to the best fares out there (not only are some airlines like Southwest not bookable through TAs but I felt I was often being sold what was easiest for the TA and not the most cost effective for me; the only time I didn't feel this way was when a friend/former neighbor did some air bookings for me).

This being said, I did use a TA for booking our first DCL cruise and, because she was so helpful, when we rebooked on board for our second, we transferred the reservation to her so she would get the commission. Then we joined DVC and we're back to doing it ourselves, lol.

I am a planner and I am extremely frugal so using a TA is contrary to what will best help me. I must admit, if I could find someone who thought like I did and I felt they were working in MY best interests and not merely to get their cut, I'd give them my biz in a NY minute. But while I can save, I'll spend the time and do it myself.

A friend and I went to the UK for two weeks and it ended up costing us only $1500 each -- for everything from flight to accommodation to car hire to tours to food to souvenirs. I'd love to find a TA who could match that for everything we did. I really would.

[Mickeyhugger]

I used to be a travel agent. IMHO, there's no need for one (for some of the reasons mentioned here.) Middleman. And yes, if there's a problem, one has to go through their TA.

Travel agencies are on their way out.

[ibouncetoo]

Disney cruise offers onboard credit for returning costumers and 10% off the cruise. :thumbsup2

The 10% discount is ONLY for booking a future cruise WHILE you are on the ship. It is available to everyone on this ship, weather they use a travel agent or not.


We have used a TA for all the DCL cruises we have been on to date. But, now that I know I could save some money if I did the booking myself--that is what I will do the next time around.

How can you save money, you pay the same price for the cruise either way?



I always book by ourselves. The onboard incentives the travel agents offer didn't offset the cost of a travel agent for me and the obc's weren't all that much. .

You shouldn't be paying a cent to your travel agent.



A TA should cost you nothing! Their commissions are paid by the vendors.

A lot of us use a TA for the additional OBC or other perks offered. But I can tell you for my Panama cruise, DU saved my entire vacation! I had transferred an existing reservation to the WBPC the day booking opened. When I got to work a couple hours later I transferred my reservation to DU for their great discount. A couple hours later they called me back and said DCL had that reservation # as my original cruise booking. The CM I had worked with on the phone must not have hit the old 'enter' button on the computer when she was done! :scared1: Couple hours later DU called back and had me reinstated in the same cabin, but DCL said the rate was almost $1,000 more than what I had been given. The rates were jumping fast as this cruise nearly sold out in one day. My agent said she had done bookings that morning and was sure my timing was within first tier prices. So she went back to DCL with examples from other clients and the next morning I had an e-mail that my original price was re-instated. :woohoo:

I will say, that I don't like not being able to see the financial info on the DCL website for cruises with TA's. I'd at least like to see what the cost of the cruise was! (yah, I know, there's a piece of paper lying around my office somewhere with that information on it...:lmao:)

.

[robyn654]

I always book with Disney, they have always been so nice and its easy to make changes with one call. My last trip new rates came out after I book and I got a phone call from them and a refund of $350 because the rates lowered.
After u book one time with Disney they know all ur preferences and keep all ur info so it is so easy to rebook.

[danfromca]

Does anyone out there never book with a travel agent and only directly with Disney and why?

I think it really depends on the travel agent. I've heard some fantastic travel agent stories, and some true horror stories as well. If you have an agent you know and trust, or a very simple booking that you know isn't going to change in any way, I can see how the on board credit is worth it.

I've gone with DCL directly in all but one case. The one case was fine - I used Costco and it was very straightforward. On other cruises I've used DCL and have always been very pleased with the service - and I have posed a few challenges for them along the way.

There's no real right or wrong in the choice - it really is a matter of personal preference - and finding the right travel agent. :cool2:

[tinkmom2]

"You shouldn't be paying a cent to your travel agent." ...(Ibouncetoo)

For me I couldn't justify the cost of having a travel agent. The price wasn't just a little different than what I did on my own. It was a lot. That's what I mean. Why pay someone else to do what you can do for free and for less money? There are people that swear by travel agents but it wasn't for me. That's what I mean. I don't care how they get their money I just can't see how there was such a price difference besides the season she was trying to sell me. And she's the professional so she knew darn well how hot it is during the summer or she should lol! Even in March it can get darn hot in Florida but I wouldn't tell someone "Oh don't worry about it" lol! I knew from doing my research it is forcasted to be hot and humid. It was even hot in March when we went and that isn't summer yet.

[tvguy]

"You shouldn't be paying a cent to your travel agent." ...(Ibouncetoo)

For me I couldn't justify the cost of having a travel agent. The price wasn't just a little different than what I did on my own. It was a lot. That's what I mean. Why pay someone else to do what you can do for free and for less money? There are people that swear by travel agents but it wasn't for me. That's what I mean. I don't care how they get their money I just can't see how there was such a price difference besides the season she was trying to sell me. And she's the professional so she knew darn well how hot it is during the summer or she should lol! Even in March it can get darn hot in Florida but I wouldn't tell someone "Oh don't worry about it" lol! I knew from doing my research it is forcasted to be hot and humid. It was even hot in March when we went and that isn't summer yet.

Certainly like any other industry, there can be bad apples. So, I will revise my recommendation to a "good" travel agent. Not sure why she was trying to sell you on a season, because the first question a good travel agent would ask is "when do you want to go?". Like I said, especially if you trip involves air fare too, the airlines have made it a mine field out there, I need an expert on my side looking out for my wallet. Anyone who has dealt with DCL on air fare knows they certainly aren't out to save you money.

[Inkmahm]

"You shouldn't be paying a cent to your travel agent." ...(Ibouncetoo)

For me I couldn't justify the cost of having a travel agent. The price wasn't just a little different than what I did on my own. It was a lot. That's what I mean. Why pay someone else to do what you can do for free and for less money? There are people that swear by travel agents but it wasn't for me. That's what I mean. I don't care how they get their money I just can't see how there was such a price difference besides the season she was trying to sell me. And she's the professional so she knew darn well how hot it is during the summer or she should lol! Even in March it can get darn hot in Florida but I wouldn't tell someone "Oh don't worry about it" lol! I knew from doing my research it is forcasted to be hot and humid. It was even hot in March when we went and that isn't summer yet.

So the cost through the TA was more only because she was trying to get you to book in a more expensive season, not because she was charging more for the same trip you could book on your own? That's comparing apples to oranges instead of apples to apples. For the same itinerary, it should be the same cost booking direct with DCL or thorugh a TA. Cheaper in the end with the TA if you get one that doubles the OBC that Disney gives you like DU will do for you.

In other words you can NOT get it cheaper on your own than you can with a TA if you are talking about the same cruise itinerary.

[Gigi22]

To clarify--the DCL cruise I booked onboard while we were on an earlier cruise and we received the going discount. The agency we use has cut out all OBC for this year with no prior warning and our DCL booking was last year when OBC was still available--so no advantage to use them at all for what is a pretty simple online transaction, when I have already obtained whatever discount there is by myself. Removing the OBC has lost the TA a customer.

[tinkmom2]

So the cost through the TA was more only because she was trying to get you to book in a more expensive season, not because she was charging more for the same trip you could book on your own? That's comparing apples to oranges instead of apples to apples. For the same itinerary, it should be the same cost booking direct with DCL or thorugh a TA. Cheaper in the end with the TA if you get one that doubles the OBC that Disney gives you like DU will do for you.

In other words you can NOT get it cheaper on your own than you can with a TA if you are talking about the same cruise itinerary.

Actually no. When I went I told her the season I wanted to go. March.(for WDW and not the cruise) She then showed me the price which was more than what I had researched on my own. When I wasn't too keen on booking she tried to sell me the different season which was way way more I think it was in July. So no I am not comparing apples to oranges. I am in no way saying all travel agents are bad. I just chose not to go with one when I was able to handle it better on my own.
Also I used DCL air on our first cruise. It was a nightmare and we didn't board the ship til 3:30pm. We were starving. At first they didn't want to give us room service becasue of the muster drill. Things close down. But they must have took pitty on us and called us back and let us order.
I have researched the DU obc and for us they were not taking bounceback cruises. I have gotten several quotes for the same catgagory and stateroom and time that have come in higher. I have no idea why and don't want to be bashed for that. Of course I am going to go with the lower one I found on my own.

[Kewz1]

Here's a question for you experts -

The cruise that I almost booked through a TA was quoted at $276 more than what I am showing when I go through DCL's website. Can someone tell me why? :confused3

We booked through a TA last time and fully intended to do so again this time but I think I have chnaged my mind.

Kristen

[NancyIL]

Here's a question for you experts -

The cruise that I almost booked through a TA was quoted at $276 more than what I am showing when I go through DCL's website. Can someone tell me why? :confused3

We booked through a TA last time and fully intended to do so again this time but I think I have chnaged my mind.

Kristen

Your travel agent's quote might include transfers and/or insurance.