Are TA prices cheaper than booking direct?

[ear_poppin]

I have convinced myself that I need the 3 day cruise in the middle of my Oct / Nov vacation. I want to book with a USA TA or direct with Disney to get the benefit of the exchange rate. Are TA's cheaper than booking direct?

Can anyone recommend a good TA that can offer a good deal? I am a bit new to the Disney Cruise Line etc and want to get the best deal.

Thanks in advance

 

[ivanova]

depends on the cruise & depends on the travel agent (i.e. if they have group rates they can offer) ... only thing I can suggest is to shop around, try Dreams Unlimited, Dana @ micdan.com, AllSeas Travel, etc.

 

[shannon1219]

We used Dreams Unlimited and they beat DCL by about $300.00.

 

[rwasbury123]

HiI I just recently booked through an agency themagicforless.com and saved 3,000 over the disneycruise.com price

 

[Wishuponastar147]

Dear Ear Poppin,

We belong to AAA and they have an excellent travel agency system. Got great deal on the 2/05/05 cruise along with airfares, transfers, REAS, and pre-package. Package includes $150.00 shipboard credit. They'll arrange it anyway you like and they get good rates. Also there are lots of discounts for AAA members all around WDW, it's resorts, and Orlando. Might very well be worth checking out. There's a lot more to AAA than road service. We consider the yearly dues some of the best money we ever spent.

 

[MrsMork]

Dreams Unlimited just saved me almost $500 on a 7 day for 2 in a Cat 11 over Disney quote. More spa money!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Dreams Unlimited is saving us close to $800 on a 7-day cruise for three (2 adults, 1 child), Category 9.

 

[4formickey]

Dreams unlimited saved us about $600 over dcl for a 7 day cruise

 

[Stinasmom]

Seems to me the only time it makes sense (financially) to book directly through DCL is when booking while on the ship. The shipboard credit and 10% discount sound great... shop around TA's for additional benefits, then transfer ressie over to them! See I am learning so much from my daily visits to the Boards!!

 

[MRIrene]

I posted what I was wanting (ship, date, category, etc.) on Cruisecompete.com and let TA's give me bids. Took the cheapest one.

 

[jclark3]

I've been booking our cruises through the same woman at our local AAA office in Marietta, GA for 6 years. I like being able to talk to the same person each time. She knows my likes and dislikes and I trust her. Should something go wrong, I know exactly who to contact. Fortunately, I've never had anything go wrong! For our land/sea cruise this April, she saved us $200 compared to DCL's price--2 people, cat. 6-- and I just booked (which is pretty late.)

 

[4formickey]

maybe we should post the actual price that we are paying so that we can really see who are giving us a better deal. One company gave me a qoute about $500 over dcl listed price.

 

[la37]

We booked through AAA and got a very good rate. Their rates are better than any other TA that I could find online or Disney. I think I checked rates with every other TA available and nobody was cheaper than AAA. They also have specials that if you book your cruise during a week that they are running a special, you can get bonus ship board credit.

 

[lbgraves]

If you can't book on the ship to get the benefits there, then getting a rate thru a TA who has a group booking &/or rebates to go with it is best.

 

[umber]

OK now you all have me wondering. My husband booked our trip and he's not exactly a bargain shopper (unlike myself who would rather die then pay retail). He purchased our 2/12/05 7 day western carib. trip for 2 adults and one child for $2300 TOTAL (includes all taxes, ect). How did he do?

 

[EWL]

OK now you all have me wondering. My husband booked our trip and he's not exactly a bargain shopper (unlike myself who would rather die then pay retail). He purchased our 2/12/05 7 day western carib. trip for 2 adults and one child for $2300 TOTAL (includes all taxes, ect). How did he do?

what category cabin??

 

[umber]

not sure what catagory (boy, am I newbie or what?) but just got my docs and we have room 6313

 

[umber]

ok so that would be a cat 11

 

[disneylover5]

Umber I am on board the Magic right now and I just got an onboard quote for 2 adults and 1 child (she is 2 years old...that might make a difference). Catogory 9, Jan 28th 2006 cruise Western, $2,092.54....so I think it sounds like you did pretty goodas we are booking 1 year out
Lisa