any TAs cruise "space available"?

[bubbleprincessmom]

I spent last week registering my company with the different cruise companys and sending in everyones CLIA apps and while talking to Disney discovered they have a "confirmed space" special for travel agents. In fact from now to December they have rates that include taxes AND tips!!! I can't travel that soon but was wondering if any of you "old timers" have seen Disney extend this program. I also saw on their agent website the "confirmed space" program that looked like it was an ongoing benifit and still a great deal, but this one that includes the gratitiutes WOW!! Have any of you traveled using this benefit? If so what kind of cabin did you get?The current special is guranteed at least a CAT 9 but what about space available? Can you get bumped out of this if the boat ends up selling out? And is this the way to go or have you seen better rates that are available to clients as well? I'm hoping to go with a fellow agent and my kiddos probably this Feb. or later spring. Any help for a fairly newbie agent would be appreciated!!

 

[Michelle]

The seasonal TA specials they run are by far the best deal (that's the one you saw that is running now, and the rates are definitely better than those offered to the general public BUT not all cabin categories are available on every sailing). The regular confirmed space offers are no better than regular early booking savings in most instances. The space available offers are good but only if you can deal with booking 30 days or less in advance and the possibility of being bumped at the last minute.

OH, one more thing, they definitely do NOT run seasonal TA specials all the time, usually only in the fall.

Hope that helps!

 

[nuke]

Also the Fall TA's special rates are confirmed space. You wouldn't get bumped. They usually come out late summer for the Fall sailings. The thing I don't know and maybe Michelle knows, is if you get a cabin number or not.

 

[Michelle]

You do get a cabin number with the special seasonal rates, and nuke is right, they are confirmed space and you don't get bumped.

 

[peagreenid]

This year was the first year that they issued cabin numbers at booking, without verification, or, at least that is what the DCL booking agent said. From my understanding, often times it was on a guarantee basis.
Michelle is correct about availability......it didn't matter what type of cabins were available on the sailings. There were only a limited number per sailing for TA's.
I booked mine the first day the rates were released and couldn't get anything better than a 9 for 4 passengers. The eastern sailings and the 3/4 day cruises had balcony staterooms more readily available.
Because my trip would ALWAYS include air, I wouldn't book a space available unless I had something else lined up, for fear that I'd get bumped.

smiles Patty

 

[TVLCELLAR]

WE SAILED SEPT 2001 ON THE MAGIC FOR 7 NIGHTS USING THE TA DISCOUNT FARES. AT THAT TIME THEY WERE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE FALL AS DISNEY DOES TRAVEL AGENT APPRECIATION IN SEPTEMTER. I TRIED SINCE APRIL TO BOOK FOR THIS YEAR, CALLED EVERY DAY FOR TA RATES FINALLY THEY WERE POSTED IN JULY AND WAS ABLE TO BOOK OUR NOV 2 7 DAY EASTERN CRUISE ORIGINALY TRIED FOR SEPT BECAUSE I ASSUMED RATES ONLY GOOD FOR SEPT BUT WAS TOLD THEY EXTENDED THRU DEC. I WILL TRY AGAIN TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR AS WELL, AS THE VALUE CANNOT BE BEAT. I HAVA A CRUISE ONLY AGENCY FROM MY HOME, I AM AN INDEPENDANT CONTRACTOR. UNFORTUNATLY THEY DO NOT DISCOUNT THE FAMILY SUITES, I HAVE THREE KIDS WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO GET CONNECTING ROOMS, LUCKILY DH IS A TA ALSO, SO WE CAN GET THE DISCOUNT FOR BOTH ROOMS. BY THE WAY, HAVING THE TIPS INCLUDED IN PRICE OF PACKAGE IS WONDERFUL. I TOTALY FORGOT ABOUT THAT LAST YEAR AND WAS PREPARED TO PAY TIPS, AND DISCOVERED AT THE END OF THE CRUISE THAT THEY WERE ALREADY PAID FOR YEA.
LISA

 

[Kelsie]

I was on the Sept. 21st Magic with the confirmed TA special rates. I originally booked in April and changed to the discounted rates when they were released. I was starting to worry since they were released later this year than they normally are. I was also able to get a cat. 5 deluxe family stateroom with verandah on deck7. It really depends on which sailing you are on. It was my understanding from talking to a few DCL CM's that the 21st. Magic was 700 people short of being fully booked and almost every cat. was available. I loved the fact that all of the tips were included.

I did have to change my planned Western to an Eastern but I was willing to do that for the savings.

This is the only way to go if you are a TA.