better to use TA or book yourself?

[ThePicketts]

We are considering a cruise for spring break. While my husband and I have been on cruises, it has been almost 15 years. Back then, we used a TA, as booking yourself on the internet was new and not common. We have gone to Disney several times, and found booking ourselves was easier and the same price as going through a TA. Is it the same for a cruise?

Also, anything major I should know that might have changed for cruises in the past 15 years. I assume there are some homeland security issues, but anything else you can think of? I've read through the forum and am confused by a lot if the abbreviations so I can't quite make out what the posts are talking about. Especially in regards to meals.

As said before, let me say again, use a TA. They give you money to spend! It's the exact same price DCL would give you. It supports local business. You can't lose!

 

[tweis]

What TA do you recommend?

I use Dreams Unlimited.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We have used a TA twice, and next time I will handle all of the details. The first time the TA booked us (three families = three rooms) in rooms that were very loud. As soon as we got the Passporter's cruise book, I read it, and it mentioned one of our rooms to stay away from when booking. Well, it was my brother's families room, and it was very loud. This time I spent a ton of time researching before the cruise, and asked them to reserve a certain dining rotation. They never made the request and they totally screwed up our air. My mom and dad spent so much money, the TA should have paid attention to the details.

 

[OKW Lover]

I guess an important point to take away from this discussion is that not all Travel Agencies and Travel Agents are made equal.

When picking a TA for a Disney Cruise, be sure they have a lot of experience with the product you want. Don't go to somebody who is a travel generalist.

 

[ludari]

I do a little of both because I book most of my new cruises while I am on a cruise, however I do give my TA credit for the cruise. I have nothing but good experieces when dealing with my TA and sometimes they make things easier than the DCL website. For example, earlier this year when the remaining 2014 cruise dates where released to gold and platinum members I contacted my TA and gave them my cruise criteria (vacation dates, ships, ports, etc) and I let them find the best price for me. This is much easier and faster than using the DCL website IMHO.

 

[lbgraves]

In order to get a good selection of TAs you will need to search online. This board is operated/sponsored by DU and some agencies are not permitted to be posted for whatever reason since it would be free advertising for the competition. Be sure that the TA is certified by DCL. Ask them questions before you book with them. How many DCL cruises have they booked? What percentage of their business is DCL? Most importantly IMO, have they ever been on a DCL cruise themselves and when was their last DCL cruise so they have actual experience with DCL themselves?

 

[jjje]

I'm too hands-on. I like to mess with my reservation a lot. There's no perk a TA can offer me that will make me giving that up worth it. Not everyone likes doing all that piddly stuff. I do so I don't use a TA. It's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I just couldn't turn down the $400 OBC from DU so I used them! I too prefer to be in control but that was just too much money for me to pass on.

 

[Dug720]

It takes me way less time to have Siri talk-to-text compose an email to my TA on my iPhone than being on hold with DCL on the phone.

My TA has booked for us on 4th of July, weekends, no matter. I think she sees an email from me on her iPhone and knows what a good client I am & takes care of it right away. I know I'm good commission for her

Not here to argue, but Different strokes for different folks.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I guess I've been lucky then, as I've never been on hold with DCL for longer than it took to transfer.

I've had too many friends with major issues with DU and another pretty well publicized Disney-specialist travel agency to even think about trusting them.

(In full disclosure, I'm not a big drinker or excursion person, and I'm prepaying my tips, so they'll actually "make" a little money on me in February as the odds of me even using all of the $100 OBB credit are slim to none. There just aren't that many excursions that interest me.)