AAA, costco, Disney or travel agent??

[jayally]

I have a land/sea package booked for November 2007. I have paid a deposit with Disney cruise line but I am wondering if I would get any better deals transferring to AAA, costco or to a travel agent? I will be extending our trip after our cruise since our tickets will be 7 day park hoppers and no point in letting 4 days go to waste but mostly likely staying off site unless I can get a great deal. Our last trip I used a travel agent but thought I would try directly through disney for the ease of payment etc. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get the best deal such as stateroom credits or discounts off rates? Any travel agents specializing in cruises to recommend? Thank you.

 

[birdmom]

I posted through Disney, then went to my AAA travel agent and transferred it over to her. the prices didn't change and I scored a nice on board credit from AAA

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

I originally booked with DCL and then transferred over to Costco and saved about $400. But, that was before April 1. After that date I think DCL cut TA's discounts, or something along those lines. Since you have time, I would check and get a quote from each one. Also, I've heard if you book your land separate from your cruise you will even save more $$. Good luck!

 

[stampinshauna]

Companies can no longer discount, but they can give shipboard credits and the like. We booked through Disney and then transferred our reservation to Costco. Costco is giving us a Costco gift card once we return from the cruise.

 

[jayally]

I originally booked with DCL and then transferred over to Costco and saved about $400. But, that was before April 1. After that date I think DCL cut TA's discounts, or something along those lines. Since you have time, I would check and get a quote from each one. Also, I've heard if you book your land separate from your cruise you will even save more $$. Good luck!

I did price it separetly and we save a bit doing the land/ sea plus the tickets already include the park hopping feature which would have to be added on for an additional cost booking separete. I was surprised it was a little cheaper- around $200. I would like to find some added bonuses such as a shipboard credit, costco gift card sounds nice. I will have to do some more research but I was hoping someone had a great deal to pass on. Too bad I am not a florida resident although my Dad's entire family lives there! I just paid some more on my balance- $1900 left and I have a year to pay it off at $158 per month!

 

[Fabinva]

I transfered my Land/Sea package to Cotsco about a month ago, I will be getting a $250+ gift card from them after the trip and I saved over $100 with their trip insurance, I had added aditional days in the parks and had no problem transfering to Cotsco, for us it was worth it

 

[Aisling]

Costco was $300 less than DCL, and plus a $850 gift card. That's an awesome savings for me. Good luck!

 

[mickeyworld]

If you don't have a costco, try small world vacations online. I have booked three cruises with them and they beat all prices I could find. Also, a check in the mail as a thank you waiting for me when I got home!

 

[scrapperjill]

$850 gift card.... Oh my.... What a deal.

 

[Aisling]

$850 gift card.... Oh my.... What a deal.

My cruise is $8500, so Costco gave me 10% off with the card. I can't wait to get the card and go shopping. I won't need trash bags and detergent for a year!

 

[sandiegosusie]

We booked with Costco when rates were released almost 2 years ago. We booked 8 cabins so we received what was a pretty good group rate. However, I am now wondering if we are going to get a gift card as well since the new policy goes into effect before our cruise. Does anyone have a similar experience or a thought to share?

 

[tiggrbaby]

I am looking at going a specific week in a specific cabin in 2008. would my chances be better with DU, SW, or Costco?

 

[scrapperjill]

We booked with Costco when rates were released almost 2 years ago. We booked 8 cabins so we received what was a pretty good group rate. However, I am now wondering if we are going to get a gift card as well since the new policy goes into effect before our cruise. Does anyone have a similar experience or a thought to share?

My guess would be no...because in April when DCL set all the restrictions on TA giving discounts and things ....in so many words TA can no longer pass discounts on to customer.....And that's when Costco started doing the GC to their store....It's a way for them to draw customers to book cruises with Disney through them. I'm guessing when you booked with Costco it was before April of this year (I could be wrong) and you were able to recieve a "discount" on your cruise fair......so in so many words you already got your beni from booking with Costco. Of course if you booked after April of this year...they YES I think you would be getting a GC....after your cruise.

 

[sandiegosusie]

My guess would be no...because in April when DCL set all the restrictions on TA giving discounts and things ....in so many words TA can no longer pass discounts on to customer.....And that's when Costco started doing the GC to their store....It's a way for them to draw customers to book cruises with Disney through them. I'm guessing when you booked with Costco it was before April of this year (I could be wrong) and you were able to recieve a "discount" on your cruise fair......so in so many words you already got your beni from booking with Costco. Of course if you booked after April of this year...they YES I think you would be getting a GC....after your cruise.

Got it...thanks Jill, you know your stuff!

 

[scrapperjill]

...I just tryed to do my research pre-April to see where the best deal would be for booking. I'd heard of the changes Disney was making with the TA's and discounts....then found out what places were able to do...(like the GC's and stateroom credits) and what they weren't. We ended up booking with DU...since they had so many rooms they were able to give eveyone a group discount...of course with that we didn't qualify for any stateroom credits...which was a bummer .

Still seems like the BEST deal for booking is booking on the ship before you leave...then transfering the reservation to another place. That way you get the rebooking discount PLUS the shipboard credits...then alot of times if you look around before you transfer reservations you can find someplace else that will offer you onboard credits or something like the Costco GC's inaddition. Of course not everyone can rebook while on board...so in those cases the best deal is just to book EARLY