Really good travel agent???

[annabug]

Hi everyone!
I was wondering about using a travel agent to book our next cruise.

I see the ads for Dreams Unlimited. What is the advantage to using them vs DCL?
DOes anyone have an agent that they know and Love??
Hoping that I am allowed to ask this question.

Also, if I rebooked onboard, am I able to transfer that reservation to Dreams or any other agent??

Just curious.
Thanks in advance
annabug

[mmouse37]

Originally Posted by annabug

Hi everyone!
I was wondering about using a travel agent to book our next cruise.

I see the ads for Dreams Unlimited. What is the advantage to using them vs DCL?
DOes anyone have an agent that they know and Love??
Hoping that I am allowed to ask this question.

Also, if I rebooked onboard, am I able to transfer that reservation to Dreams or any other agent??

Just curious.
Thanks in advance
annabug

This question comes up all the time. Contrary to popular belief other TA agencies ARE allowed to be posted on the Dis but certain guidelines must be followed.

For anyone responding to this PLEASE use the full URL of the agency or website you are posting about. The board has a filter and the only way for the filter to do its job is for the full URL to be used.

Certain agencies/websites are banned on the Dis but as long as you use the full URL then the board filter can do its job. If you see ******** that means the agency/website you used is a banned one on the Dis.

Any creative posting of banned websites/agencies will be deleted and poster given an infraction. Thank you.

To make sure the agent gets their full commission and you to most OBC from a TA make sure you name your TA at the time of your onboard booking. Agencies get a reduced commision for transferred reservations (and you a lesser OBC) so just name your TA from the start.

Thanks!!!

MJ

[Brynnie]

We love Hayes Persons with Dreams Unlimited. I am a control freak who never uses a TA, but I decided to try based on good reviews on here and the OBC they offer. She is awesome!! Always gets back to me right away and everything is accurate. I have used her for 2 cruises now and plan to do so in the future. Good luck!!!

[Brynnie]

We rebooked onboard and gave her name. I received an email from her confirming everything as soon as I got off the boat.

[annabug]

Thanks!! I already booked a date when we were on the Dream this past summer
so that I would earn the 10% discount on the next cruise.

I did not have a TA at that time (that cruise I booked on my own via DCL) so I didn't have a name to give.

I guess my question is can I move that reservation to another TA and hold on to the 10% discount, and possible gain an OBC too?

I booked a dummy date for 2013, awaiting 2014 release. We want to go summer 2014

Thanks MJ for posting the guidelines, certainly I want to follow the rules

[FabFivePA]

I use Dawn at http://www.cruisevacationoutlet.com/ . I originally found her through http://www.cruisecompete.com

Super nice, easy to get a hold of by phone or email, quick to respond, and by far the largest OBC I have found anywhere.

Not sure how it works with them if you already have an an existing reservation.

[Namsupak]

We use Richard at http://www.cruisevacationoutlet.com

We have been real happy with him as our TA. Always gets back to us quickly, and when we had a problem with stolen luggage on the Fantasy MV was a great help.

[Bonniec]

The advantages of TAs are that they can save you time and money by letting you know what the best deals are. Certain TAs will also give you an onboard credit.

I went with Dreams Unlimited. I already knew exactly what I wanted so there was no time or money saved. However, they have a nice on board credit which helped me. I did get a similar OBC offered elsewhere, but I figured since it was the same, I might as well use Dreams Unlimited since I use the boards here for free.

I have been very happy with Beth.

Just make sure whichever TA you use, that they are well established. Once you go through the TA, then everything goes through them. That's another thing I liked about DU, they are a bit different in that Disney still charges your card (though you still have to make changes through DU). But there are many reputable TA's.


For me, it was 100% about the OBC.

[DuckMom]

We used Jamie at www.****************** to book our multi room family cruise. She has been great about room requests, moving people around, dining requests and lots of other little details. My grandmother, who is paying for a good chunk, calls her at least every other day with questions, concerns or crazy inquiries. She has answered them all nicely and quickly. Yesterday, she spent 30 minutes walking her through the check in process at the port. I'm do thankful she's been wiling to handle all the craziness

We do get an OBC as well as personalized souvenirs for the kids (not sure what yet). I have been very happy with her.

[MillauFr]

I used Costco. They gave us a $595 Costco cash card. They aren't Disney experts but after using these boards I really didn't need a Travel agent to help me plan. I just wanted the cash card.

[dwonderz]

We used Kathy at http://www.smallworldvacations.com. She has been super helpful in booking our first cruise!!

[ohanaMAMA]

Lisa (goldeelox9 here on the boards) is the BEST TA I have EVER seen.. she works for www.******************************* We have taken 9 Disney vacations and she has booked most of them. She does everything from planning to booking.. LOVE her.

[Billinaz]

When you book with DCL, they used to transfer the booking to a TA and give them the incentive they got with a new booking. That changed years ago and the transferred bookings dont get that benefit anymore.

We use Costco because I know what I want and get a cash card equal to about 10% of the cruise cost when we get home.

[annabug]

Thank you so very much for all of your suggestions!!!!!
much appreciated

So I am thinking that considering we already booked onboard, and will save the 10% , and I can't transfer the reservation, i will stick with DCL for now.

Don't get me wrong, they have been helpful, however, the OBC stinks, and I am a planner, and many of the questions that I had they could not answer, or I got conflicting info. So I researched an answered myself, or maybe one of you guys answered it for me!!

I jotted down the agents, and will be able to offer a name if we rebook on our next cruise
thanks again

[Namsupak]

Originally Posted by Billinaz

When you book with DCL, they used to transfer the booking to a TA and give them the incentive they got with a new booking. That changed years ago and the transferred bookings dont get that benefit anymore.

We use Costco because I know what I want and get a cash card equal to about 10% of the cruise cost when we get home.

I thought that this had changed to a TA can get the reservation but the OBC may be less than the amount if it was originally put in their name because the credit that they receive is less for a transfer. Either way I believe you still win as the customer because you get the OBC from Disney being a return cruiser and then even if it is reduced you get OBC from the agent that the reservation was transferred to.