Question about using a TA...

[Lollipop's Mom]

I have never used a TA as I like control of my reservation, but since I booked Hawaii and its $$$$ I wouldn't mind getting some good OBC out of it.
If I use a TA can I still log into my cruise on DCL and make payments, or do all payments have to go through the TA?

 

[marivigi]

I have no clue, but this is an excellent question, so will be following this thread

 

[st8y]

I have Tracey at Dreams Unlimited. I make my payments to their website but they are quick to update on my DCL reservation. Tracey is always quick to respond and makes any changes efficiently. I have had her change my dining time and my room. She has it done within the day. This is the second time I've used Tracey and I have nothing but good things to say (and a $200 OBC!)

 

[trajon4]

We have used Jo at small World vacations and love the on board credit. You do make all your payments through the agent but I log onto Disney cruise all the time to make Palo reservations and excursions. Good luck!

 

[titansgal]

I have never used a TA as I like control of my reservation, but since I booked Hawaii and its $$$$ I wouldn't mind getting some good OBC out of it. If I use a TA can I still log into my cruise on DCL and make payments, or do all payments have to go through the TA?

We did a vgt rate for this cruise, so we paid in full at booking. She handled all of the booking details which was nice since this is our first cruise. We were able to get the Disney visa OBC, plus the ones offered by our TA. So, I don't know if you can make payments, but I do know you can still login to the DCL website and do your own online check in, book excursions, etc.

I can only assume the TA has to make all the payments though as that was the case when we used ours at WDW. We could do everything except make payments or make changes to our actual hotel reservation. Our TA was awesome though and even entered $3000 worth of gift cards ($50 increments) to our WDW reservation. I am a complete control freak, but have enjoyed using a TA for getting good deals and bonus spending money . Good luck!

 

[karrit2000]

You have to make payments through the TA. You can look as some things online but you have no control to make any changes and you can't see some stuff until you've made the final payment.

 

[gatorgirl72]

You have to make your payments to the TA, but as soon as you have your reservation number you can log into the DCL site for all the planning tools. I used Lucy at Small World and it was so painless and I got my OBC and I didn't have to stress! I am like you, and like to have control, but for once, it felt great to have someone else do the "work"

 

[harrisb1964]

We booked through Triple A. Our travel agent took our payment, gave advice as far as best port excursions, who to contact for transfers from the airport to the port and back, etc. She also set up our preferred dining seating, etc.She gave us a reservation no. and from there we set up our own port excursions, completed forms, arranged a Disney call for my son, etc. She was there to answer questions but we had the freedom to access the cruise website and choose what we wanted to do. The bonus was that through Triple A, we received a 100.00 credit for onboard photos. We came away with great 8 by 10 character shots with out son, family shots with characters, Pirate Night shots of our son and Pirate Mickey, etc. Beautiful photos that we did not have to pay for!

 

[Nannabelle]

Booked thru Costco and everything needs to be done thru Costco BUT I can log in to DCL and see everything..... So far they have been very very easy to deal with our requests and changes.

We get a $500 Costco Gift Card (think Gas or food) when we get home from our cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have never used a TA as I like control of my reservation, but since I booked Hawaii and its $$$$ I wouldn't mind getting some good OBC out of it.
If I use a TA can I still log into my cruise on DCL and make payments, or do all payments have to go through the TA?

Yes, any money matters must go through the TA.

You can, however, still access your reservation, and book your excursion/adult dining/spa yourself(or you can direct your TA to do it for you).

 

[pepe3penelope]

We booked through Triple A. Our travel agent took our payment, gave advice as far as best port excursions, who to contact for transfers from the airport to the port and back, etc. She also set up our preferred dining seating, etc.She gave us a reservation no. and from there we set up our own port excursions, completed forms, arranged a Disney call for my son, etc. She was there to answer questions but we had the freedom to access the cruise website and choose what we wanted to do. The bonus was that through Triple A, we received a 100.00 credit for onboard photos. We came away with great 8 by 10 character shots with out son, family shots with characters, Pirate Night shots of our son and Pirate Mickey, etc. Beautiful photos that we did not have to pay for!

I've used AAA our last 3 bookings and got the photo package credit which was great! However, my TA called DCL twice on this matter (called end of March and mud-April) and DCL does NOT do the photo credit anymore. Made me so sad! If this has changed, please let me know!

I booked online for Wednesdays opening prices and am strongly considering switching to Dreams Unlimited for the OBC (heard it may be lower than the website cuz I didn't initially book thru them) and the cabin gift!

 

[harrisb1964]

We sailed in Feb. 2014 and got the photo credit. No more photo credits with DCL? Makes me very sad.

 

[EGHopeful]

We booked through Triple A..... The bonus was that through Triple A, we received a 100.00 credit for onboard photos. We came away with great 8 by 10 character shots with out son, family shots with characters, Pirate Night shots of our son and Pirate Mickey, etc. Beautiful photos that we did not have to pay for!

Wow I also used AAA and I got nothing. When I asked about OBC all I got was a blank stare. And I sent in a request last Thursday and I'm still waiting on a response.

After this experience I will NEVER use a TA again. But it's because I'm a control freak too. If I want to make mods on a weekend I want to do it then. Not wait for M-F business hours!

 

[lanejudy]

Wow I also used AAA and I got nothing. When I asked about OBC all I got was a blank stare. And I sent in a request last Thursday and I'm still waiting on a response.

After this experience I will NEVER use a TA again. But it's because I'm a control freak too. If I want to make mods on a weekend I want to do it then. Not wait for M-F business hours!

I don't believe AAA is offering anything for DCL cruises any more. They used to offer a photo package, but I heard there were problems renewing the TA contract between AAA and DCL, which essentially means AAA is not getting as much commission for DCL cruises - therefore no perks.

There are lots of other TAs, some with much more valuable offers than what AAA offered. Shop around. Some have evening/weekend access as well. Just make sure you get someone who knows DCL well, and who can/will communicate in your preferred manner (email, phone, back-up coverage, etc.).

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Ariel484]

Payments go through TA. I just booked onboard last week and they wouldn't let me attach my TA then and there for some reason (CM mistake or a new policy? ) so I needed to fill out a form when I got home authorizing my TA to take over my bookings.

Before I filled the form out, when the bookings were just through Disney, there was a link online where I could make a payment. The TA has taken over our booking (the process to transfer it over to her was a little annoying, but quick) and that link is no longer there. So I need to shoot her an email whenever I want to make a payment.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I usually use Costco (love the Costco cash card afterwards) and as others have mentioned, all payments need to go through them which can be time consuming as I buy Disney gift cards at Target to get my 5% off using my Red card.

As a suggestion and this is what I've started doing in June - I opened a Disney Savings account and for every $1000 you fund and use towards a Disney vacation (including DCL) they will give you a $20 Disney card so that's another 2%. I believe the account must be opened for at least 120 days. It's so much easier as I can now plug in each Disney gift card to my account and once i'm ready to pay DCL, I'll call up Costco and give them my account number and it will be one payment applied from the account.

It saves time and will be making me some money. I know it's fairly new and in the beginning seems some folks were having issues but I've heard more recently folks are having no issues. You might just need to explain it as you are using it but I'm not too worried about it because you can get a full refund at any time (and of course I keep all my gift cards).

Heather

 

[bumbershoot]

I usually use Costco (love the Costco cash card afterwards) and as others have mentioned, all payments need to go through them which can be time consuming as I buy Disney gift cards at Target to get my 5% off using my Red card. As a suggestion and this is what I've started doing in June - I opened a Disney Savings account and for every $1000 you fund and use towards a Disney vacation (including DCL) they will give you a $20 Disney card so that's another 2%. I believe the account must be opened for at least 120 days. It's so much easier as I can now plug in each Disney gift card to my account and once i'm ready to pay DCL, I'll call up Costco and give them my account number and it will be one payment applied from the account. It saves time and will be making me some money. I know it's fairly new and in the beginning seems some folks were having issues but I've heard more recently folks are having no issues. You might just need to explain it as you are using it but I'm not too worried about it because you can get a full refund at any time (and of course I keep all my gift cards). Heather

Have you done the payment through Costco from the vacation account yet? Because they state you cannot use a TA, at least for wdw trips. Haven't checked specifically for cruises though. If you haven't read the terms and conditions enough to know 100%, please make sure.


Paying through Costco, at least with a cc, was incredibly fast for me last year. Used their payment link on costco travel, put it through, went to disneycruise and logged in and the payment was there. Easy.

 

[holula]

Have you done the payment through Costco from the vacation account yet? Because they state you cannot use a TA, at least for wdw trips. Haven't checked specifically for cruises though. If you haven't read the terms and conditions enough to know 100%, please make sure. Paying through Costco, at least with a cc, was incredibly fast for me last year. Used their payment link on costco travel, put it through, went to disneycruise and logged in and the payment was there. Easy.

We haven't paid through Costco with the DVA but we paid through our TA with no issues. It's treated like a Disney Gift Card.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We haven't paid through Costco with the DVA but we paid through our TA with no issues. It's treated like a Disney Gift Card.

This ^^^ On one of my FB cruise threads there are several TA's who have done this for themselves and clients. I also called DCL directly before I created the account and they confirmed the same. Just provide the account number to Costco who will give to DCL to pay.

Heather