Book with TA or through Disney?

[MinniesYooHoo]

We're getting ready to book our first cruise ever. Is it better to book with a TA to ensure connecting rooms with my parents (We are paying their booking deposit but we will have 2 separate reservations), or can this all be done on Disney's website? The rooms don't necessarily have to connect as long as they're side-by-side. Thanks for your help.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We're getting ready to book our first cruise ever. Is it better to book with a TA to ensure connecting rooms with my parents (We are paying their booking deposit but we will have 2 separate reservations), or can this all be done on Disney's website? The rooms don't necessarily have to connect as long as they're side-by-side. Thanks for your help.

Book with a TA they

• Will give you on board discounts.
• Know the best rooms and locations. They know the locations of all connecting rooms.
• Know the offers etc.
• They fight for you if anything goes wrong.
• If you book direct and transfer you may loose some OBC with some TAs.
• Transfer is limited to 30 days from booking.
• With a TA you still can book Palo, Shore trips, spa direct on the DCL website at your booking window.

If its on one linked reservation the lead person can pay the deposit no issue there and the same if you book direct or by a TA.

 

[263a2879]

I use Kelsie from Dreams Unlimited and she's fantastic. I have booked many cruises through her and would highly recommend her. She's quick, thorough and very accommodating to all our needs (and we have many)!!

 

[holula]

The biggest question is:

Do you want to give control of your reservation up? If you use a TA, all payments, room changes, cancellations etc MUST be made through them. Yes, they might give you OBC. For us most TAs have not been worth the hassle. They can book adjoining rooms but you can do that yourself on DCL. They don't have a market on connecting rooms.

 

[Godiva5]

Our family of 10 will taking our first Disney cruise in Dec. We booked through a TA who also happens to be my cousin......BAD move! She didn't do ANYTHING that I couldn't have done either myself or through a Disney TA. Why did we use a TA? I nor my daughter, wanted to coordinate this trip for 10. We didn't want the hassle of the whole payment schedules, deadlines, hotels, transportation, etc. to deal with for everyone. Well, she was so incompetent and unprofessional. The biggest problem is that, she didn't know ANYTHING about Disney cruises, money saving tips, hotels, transportation, etc.! Neither did I but, I spent hours of time educating myself on the "boards", Disney's cruise website and web searches. Was hoping for OBC but, at the end of the process, she almost lost the whole reservation (and money) for three people!!! We had to go over her head within her agency to save it.

Once you book with a TA, if you call Disney (for anything but basic answers to simple questions), they refer you back to your TA for assistance.

If you do use a TA, PLEASE make sure that, they are DISNEY SPECIALISTS. If you book with Disney, they can still coordinate your rooms, dinning as a group, special requests (medical / disabilities), transportation, etc. Doesn't that just make sense? Live and learn.....

 

[OKW Lover]

We always use a TA. Our TA is very good about getting us the cabin location we ask for and also provides an on board credit. I can't think of a reason not to use a TA (at least a good TA).

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I always book all disney travel myself because no one will look out for your vacation/interests as much as you would. Booking things for the cruise or WDW is not hard, it just takes a bit of time.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Some falsehoods,

You never give up control of your reservation, your still in charge of it still decide on it.
The route of your decision is different you go via the TA to pay it off and make any change.

You have more control, if things go wrong and they do, the TA has clout with DCL like a Union and gets it corrected.

You still can book at your booking window, palo, Remy, spa, shore trips.

If you book direct you loose the additional service and support, and you loos on board credits, so for the false security your burning up money you could have.

People who book direct have no more powers than people with a TA, you do not loose control, you just go through a different channel.

My TA is fast to respond and gives me extras on the cruise, that money can't buy, and you do not know what your loosing out on until, you become a loyal client of a TA.

I have more control as I book with a TA.

 

[Fathawkeye]

I like booking with the TA. I find it, i make her wait on hold and correct everything i seemingly forget ig) correcting used name to legal name, etc.
All i have to do is email, wait for response and pay the credit card statement when it comes; simple.

 

[Bear3412]

Did I just see some disturbing and corruptive "Copy and Paste" tactics that are frowned upon locally by some?

I believe that poster hasn't sailed in that past 3 months on said vessel.

Therefore we must discount every comment placed. Lol.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I use DU for our DCL cruises, usually we book onboard and have it transferred to Tracy at DU.

Initially I did not like the fact that I could not talk to my agent, but over the years I have been happy using e-mail. We just returned from the Wonder, and I had 2 requests:1. A table for 2 2. If possible, Desmond and Sheldon as servers. Sheldon was on vacation, but having Desmond and our table for 2 requests were honored!

For our WBPC cruise in May, because we were visiting a relative in San Diego after the cruise, we gave the reservation to her. Her agency apparently does not give on board credits. She even called giving one "unethical." . We are still friends, but agree to disagree on this, and we will not use her or her agency again.

Bobbi