AAA soda station????

[andychris14]

I am in the process of booking my first disney cruise with AAA. My agent told me that I will get $25ship credit and a free soda station on the top deck. Does anyone know about this AAA soda station??? THere were other ta that I would get other onboard credits but is this soda station worth it?Do you have to show your AAA card every time you use it? How does it work?? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[KEH]

The soda station on deck 9 is available to anyone and is not dependent on an AAA or any other card. You just go and help yourself at any time it is open (usually from early morning to about 11pm or midnight).

 

[WDWLVR]

As KEH said - the drink station is for everyone. The reason your agent brings it up is because back when DCL sold soda mugs AAA gave them to their clients for free. With the drink station now serving free soda's AAA is giving their clients the credit. Hope that clears it up.

 

[my3kids]

Price the trip through some discount agencies. www.cruisequick.com will likely save you a LOT more than a $25 credit and the soda is free regardless of your agent.

 

[lindakmonty]

definately check around! dreams unlimited, mouse ear vacations, and magic for less are the least expensive i have yet to find! time of year means a big difference in price as well!! good luck!

 

[kcashner]

The thing that worries me most about this post if that it seems that your agent is very out of date. The mug program went away at least a couple of years ago. If she still thinks that you are getting a "free drink station" by booking thru AAA (or at least she chooses to make it sound this way), I wonder what else she isn't totally accurate about.

A $25 onboard credit isn't worth it. Any agent can get you at least this much as a discount on your ticket. Using a Disney Visa card will get you a $50 onboard credit (with any agent).

 

[Hgomes]

We were told the same thing in Jan by our TA, but once onboard I believe we got a $75 shipboard credit instead.

 

[lbgraves]

I agree that your TA isn't up to date at all. I would look elsewhere.

 

[tvguy]

I am in the process of booking my first disney cruise with AAA. My agent told me that I will get $25ship credit and a free soda station on the top deck. Does anyone know about this AAA soda station??? THere were other ta that I would get other onboard credits but is this soda station worth it?Do you have to show your AAA card every time you use it? How does it work?? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I think you just misunderstood your TA. You get the on board credit because the unlimited soda mug option went away. AAA used to pay for it's members unlimited soda mugs if they booked the cruise thru AAA. Everyone who booked through someone else had to pay for the program on their own.
But since Disney made soda available for free to everyone, the mug program as discontinued.

 

[Vanvmom]

You don't have to look elsewhere. When you book with AAA, they have to call DCL, and DCL will tell them what the current benefit is for booking through AAA. It is not agent specific, it is something directly between DCL and AAA. For a 7 night, the credit for Cat 9 and higher is $150 on board credit. For Cat 10, 11,12 I think the credit is $75 (but might be $100). It is a non-refundable on board credit that will get directly credited to your room (nothing special you need to do and nothing that you have to give anyone).

For 3 and 4 day cruises, the credit is likely to be less than it is for the 7 night. Your TA has probably not booked any DCL trips since 2005 started, and gave you 2004 info. The info you were given is the same thing our TA told us in 2004 when we booked our July 2005 trip. When it came time for final payment, she contacted DCL again and was given the current "discount" information.

 

[lilo62]

If you want another agency to try out other than AAA and the ones other board members suggested is a new one called MEI travel.

 

[Jsme]

You don't have to look elsewhere. When you book with AAA, they have to call DCL, and DCL will tell them what the current benefit is for booking through AAA. It is not agent specific, it is something directly between DCL and AAA. For a 7 night, the credit for Cat 9 and higher is $150 on board credit. For Cat 10, 11,12 I think the credit is $75 (but might be $100). It is a non-refundable on board credit that will get directly credited to your room (nothing special you need to do and nothing that you have to give anyone).

For 3 and 4 day cruises, the credit is likely to be less than it is for the 7 night. Your TA has probably not booked any DCL trips since 2005 started, and gave you 2004 info. The info you were given is the same thing our TA told us in 2004 when we booked our July 2005 trip. When it came time for final payment, she contacted DCL again and was given the current "discount" information.

Does AAA always give onboard credits?

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

AAA always gives on board credits on DCL. It is based on the category of your cabin and the length of your cruise.

When we booked our cruise in May 2004, AAA was the least expensive. I checked around but found them to give us the best deal. It depends when you are sailing and how far in advance you are booking.

Keep looking - you will find the best deal for your cruise. Have a great time!

Desiree

 

[andychris14]

Thanks everyone!!! I guess the soda station isn't really what I thought it was cracked up to be. As for the $25 ship credit, that is what AAA is offering on 3 night cruises now. I have been receiving more quotes and I go a $50 rebate if I use Dreams Unlimited.The prices are the same as AAA. Now my sister will not have to join AAA. I will still use my disney visa and receive $50 onboard credit.
I am still going to research around for the best price.

 

["Ginger"]

Have you priced Costco or BJ's for that cruise . I use Costco they don't offer onboard credits but I haven't been able to find anyone else offering the bottom line saving as they do.
They took off over $500. off the price that DCL gave me on our Aug 20. Repo cruise. Sure is better than an $25 or $50 onboard credit.

 

[drlum]

This also tells me that the AAA agent that you are talking to does not know what the most up to date information is regarding what is and what is not covered on the current Disney sailings. It kind of tells me that this person may not be a Disney Cruise expert.

 

[ImagineMeDisney]

Wait...just to make sure ...you don't have to pay for a soda package anymore, soda is available to everyone for free?? Or did I just misunderstand?

 

[mmouse37]

Wait...just to make sure ...you don't have to pay for a soda package anymore, soda is available to everyone for free?? Or did I just misunderstand?

Correct....DCL made the change last fall and soda is now complimentary at the beverage station on Deck 9 and in all the dining rooms....but if you order from the drink servers around the pool areas or from any of the bars there is a charge.

MJ

 

[drlum]

You may however want to bring on board or purchase on shore a few sodas for the cabin. This way all you need to do is get ice if you would like a drink in your room. Remember soda from room service is not free.

 

[andychris14]

Thanks for all of the useful information. I used one of the mentioned ta and saved me even more money. I am still waiting to book the cruise until next week. Thanks again!!