Booking cruise through Disney or Costco? - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

kristinfly2 · 07-07-2012, 08:06 AM

We booked our 11/03 dcl cruise through costco and we are getting the $500 costco gift card. I did all my own research by calling disney and asking them a TON of questions. Disney was very helpful and answered all of my questions then helped me pick out the best connecting staterooms in our category. Then I called costco and had them book those rooms. When disney offered the special for our galveston cruise i called costco and they got us the discount from disney and we kept all of our original reservation. Same rooms, dining etc. It saved us $1600 but we did have to pay a $25 change fee. I would rather have the costco cash than an obc. We have a family of 8 and will spend the costco cash in a couple of trips!

UmmGooD · 07-07-2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinfly2

We booked our 11/03 dcl cruise through costco and we are getting the $500 costco gift card. I did all my own research by calling disney and asking them a TON of questions. Disney was very helpful and answered all of my questions then helped me pick out the best connecting staterooms in our category. Then I called costco and had them book those rooms. When disney offered the special for our galveston cruise i called costco and they got us the discount from disney and we kept all of our original reservation. Same rooms, dining etc. It saved us $1600 but we did have to pay a $25 change fee. I would rather have the costco cash than an obc. We have a family of 8 and will spend the costco cash in a couple of trips!

One thing I don't understand is how they do the change fee. I haven't had to pay one yet. I wonder if it is due to how long I have been a member or my membership level.

I wonder if they wave the fee for executive members?

UmmGooD · 07-07-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Tea

It must vary by cruise then because I am getting an OBC (around $600 I think) and it can be refunded to me if I have not spent the entire amount at the end of the trip.

I would call back and make sure you are actually getting an OBC. I have booked many vacations through Costco and have only seen this if they advertise a special cruise.

Nikki'sMommy · 07-07-2012, 12:32 PM

We use a TA I found on cruise compete and have booked our last 3 cruises with them- they offer free travel insurance and a on board credit- my suggestion is to shop around and see what works best for you..

Green Tea · 07-08-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UmmGooD

I would call back and make sure you are actually getting an OBC. I have booked many vacations through Costco and have only seen this if they advertise a special cruise.

Unbeknownst to me when I booked it, they did have group space on the cruise. So I transferred my reservation, got the $600 or so refundable OBC, a $25 OBC and a free photo, I believe.

UmmGooD · 07-08-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Tea

Unbeknownst to me when I booked it, they did have group space on the cruise. So I transferred my reservation, got the $600 or so refundable OBC, a $25 OBC and a free photo, I believe.

That is awesome. I haven't seen one of those yet.

emmebear · 07-08-2012, 06:24 PM

I'm getting a $710 costco gc. very exciting!

kristinfly2 · 07-08-2012, 06:44 PM

We are executives members with costco and they still charged us the $25 rebooking fee. We only had to rebook because disney was offering an awesome special on our cruise. We still saved $1600 (2 rooms) and i felt the $25 was worth it to keep our rooms and dining rotation!

Billinaz · 07-08-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilljill

If you click on the link in post #7 it takes you to another thread discussing Costco as a TA. As someone posted, per Costco's website you have to do the booking completely thru them to get the cash card, you can not transfer an existing reservation to them. This info is provided on their website.

You can book onboard, or on your own as long as youname costco as yor travel agent at the time of booking.

I did this on my last booking. I wanted to masure I got the cabin I wanted, and I booked it and named Costco the agent. When I called Costco later they entered the reservation and I paid my deposit with them.

IFlossU · 07-08-2012, 10:17 PM

This is all extremely helpful information. I want to book on opening day, and want to book 2 specific cabins. My only concern is that Costco doesn't open until 7AM PST and I don't want to miss out. I realize it's only a couple of hours after opening, but I'm a nut and want to book ASAP.

su_A_ve · 07-09-2012, 12:26 AM

Not having a Costco nearby, I looked at SAMs and found out they no longer do travel!

Went online and looked at what my 3 night would give me. $190 cash card. I know dreams unlimited would only give us $100 I currently have 25 online book, $75 visa and a $100 photo package thru AAA. A little more and would have bought a membership!

mommyz · 07-09-2012, 08:39 AM

We had booked onboard and kept moving the date until the date we wanted was released. I kept reservations with DCL until about 4 months prior to cruise then after a lot of shopping around found that Costco hands down had the best incentive. Everyone offered between $75-$125 obc. Costco offered $380 cash card. We rec'd the card 2 days after we got back. We could have easily spent the card there but decided to "cash" it out. No issues whatsoever.

I do find that they are not as knowledgeable but it's only a phone call for them to call DCL and get an answer.

We rebooked but did not place Costco as our TA. We will probably book in 2014 so we want the flexibility to call DCL directly. As soon as we confirm our date we'll transfer it then to get add'l $.

IFlossU · 07-09-2012, 08:59 AM

If I call and book directly with DCL on opening day can I then transfer my reservation to Costco and still receive the cash card?

mommyz · 07-09-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFlossU

If I call and book directly with DCL on opening day can I then transfer my reservation to Costco and still receive the cash card?

We did just that. As long as your reservation is not paid in full. For us we had only paid the deposit. DCL did not let Costco do this before. I heard maybe about a year ago could you again book initially with DCL then transfer to Costco and get whatever perks they offered.

You will have to fax in a transfer form stating Costco is your new TA.

IFlossU · 07-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Thank you, that's great to know! Gives me something to think about.

07-07-2012, 12:32 PM	#34
Nikki'sMommy Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 367	We use a TA I found on cruise compete and have booked our last 3 cruises with them- they offer free travel insurance and a on board credit- my suggestion is to shop around and see what works best for you.. __________________ Lisa Annual passholders since 2006 me( 45) dh(48) dd(6)

07-08-2012, 06:24 PM	#37
emmebear nurse & mommy. Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 497	I'm getting a $710 costco gc. very exciting! __________________ MY BIRTHDAY/LABOR DAY 2012 DxDDP REVIEW! CRUISING CONCIERGE ON THE FANTASY 01.26.13...A PTR! MNSSHP 2012 DINING & TRIP REVIEW! BACK TO BACK TRIPS...OH MY! [AP Fantasyland Preview] STUFFING MY FACE @ DISNEY [holiday style] 3 generations on the Fantasy & cruising concierge [eastern caribbean]...TRIP REPORT!--->in progress 3 trips in 40 days...LET'S EAT!! [tandem reviews]--->in progress VIEW MY DISNEY BLOG HERE!--->in progress Bye Bye black out dates & HELLO summer of Disney!--->in progress

07-08-2012, 10:17 PM	#40
IFlossU Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 123	This is all extremely helpful information. I want to book on opening day, and want to book 2 specific cabins. My only concern is that Costco doesn't open until 7AM PST and I don't want to miss out. I realize it's only a couple of hours after opening, but I'm a nut and want to book ASAP. __________________ (38) (41) (5) (3)

07-09-2012, 12:26 AM	#41
su_A_ve DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,119	Not having a Costco nearby, I looked at SAMs and found out they no longer do travel! Went online and looked at what my 3 night would give me. $190 cash card. I know dreams unlimited would only give us $100 I currently have 25 online book, $75 visa and a $100 photo package thru AAA. A little more and would have bought a membership! __________________ '77, '84, '94, '00 - Off site '01 (BC), '03 (ASMu), '05 (BC), '06 (YC), '08 (YC), '08 (CSR), '09 (CSR) '10 (BC), '10 (CSR), '11 (BC), '11 (CSR), '12 (5n Dream), '13 (5n Wonder) °(((=((===°°°(((=========================================== Last edited by su_A_ve; 07-09-2012 at 12:48 AM.

07-09-2012, 08:39 AM	#42
mommyz Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 259	We love Costco! We had booked onboard and kept moving the date until the date we wanted was released. I kept reservations with DCL until about 4 months prior to cruise then after a lot of shopping around found that Costco hands down had the best incentive. Everyone offered between $75-$125 obc. Costco offered $380 cash card. We rec'd the card 2 days after we got back. We could have easily spent the card there but decided to "cash" it out. No issues whatsoever. I do find that they are not as knowledgeable but it's only a phone call for them to call DCL and get an answer. We rebooked but did not place Costco as our TA. We will probably book in 2014 so we want the flexibility to call DCL directly. As soon as we confirm our date we'll transfer it then to get add'l $. __________________ MommyZ with DaddyZ, DS(10), DD (4) and DD(1) Disney cruise 3nt 9/03 Disney cruise 7nt 9/04 cancelled b/c hurricanes RCL cruise 1/05 Disney cruise 7nt 3/05 Disneyland 5/05 Disney cruise 7nt 9/07 Disneyworld 11/09 Carnival cruise 7nt 4/2011 Disney cruise (Fantasy) 7nt 6/2012

07-07-2012, 08:06 AM	#31
kristinfly2 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 298	We booked our 11/03 dcl cruise through costco and we are getting the $500 costco gift card. I did all my own research by calling disney and asking them a TON of questions. Disney was very helpful and answered all of my questions then helped me pick out the best connecting staterooms in our category. Then I called costco and had them book those rooms. When disney offered the special for our galveston cruise i called costco and they got us the discount from disney and we kept all of our original reservation. Same rooms, dining etc. It saved us $1600 but we did have to pay a $25 change fee. I would rather have the costco cash than an obc. We have a family of 8 and will spend the costco cash in a couple of trips!

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07-08-2012, 06:44 PM	#38
kristinfly2 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 298	We are executives members with costco and they still charged us the $25 rebooking fee. We only had to rebook because disney was offering an awesome special on our cruise. We still saved $1600 (2 rooms) and i felt the $25 was worth it to keep our rooms and dining rotation!

07-09-2012, 08:59 AM	#43
IFlossU Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 123	If I call and book directly with DCL on opening day can I then transfer my reservation to Costco and still receive the cash card? __________________ (38) (41) (5) (3)

07-09-2012, 10:33 AM	#45
IFlossU Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 123	Thank you, that's great to know! Gives me something to think about. __________________ (38) (41) (5) (3)

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