Booking From Uk With Usa Travel Agents Recommendations?

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If you are booking a DCL cruise from the United kingdom what is the best way to do this.

So far I have booked the cruise as part of a package with flights and WDW accommodation with a UK tour operator.

The benefits have been, cost in sterling, no exchange rate risk, can communicate in the UK with the operator, and Tips were fully included.

The problems were I couldn't follow my booking on the DCL website or know the allocation of stateroom, and with the non announcement of Summer 2005 Magic cruises it is likely the Cruises will not appear in the forthcoming Brochures which will be out in a week or so.

What would people recommend and who gives the best deal?

I have a concern that a USA Travel agent will not call the UK to confirm, or I call them, and the documents could get lost or cost a lot to send.

Thanks.

 

[KEH]

We have used Dreams Unlimited for our 2003 cruise and for 2004. No problems at all last year - they confirmed everything by e-mail really fast and were extremely helpful. They chased up our documents when I was a bit concerned that they hadn't arrived and sure enough they appeared, no problem. We didn't have to pay anything for documents to be delivered.

Dreams even booked some other things for us even though they were for WDW and our trip there had been booked independently and not through Dreams.

On the occasion when we have had to call the Ssates (to DCL or DVC) this has been no problem. It can even be cheaper to call the States than to make a UK call depending on what telephone service you use.

 

[KEH]

Forgot to say that you can track your booking on the Dreams website and we have specific cabins booked for our forthcoming cruise.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Many thanks presume you have to take a risk on the exchange rate?

 

[KEH]

Yes, I guess so but you can pay Dreams off at any time before the 60 day mark if you think the rate is going to drop. You can also make part payments.

I suppose the other side is that if the UK brochure prices are based on a rate at a certain point, you won't get any benefit if the rate improves.

Swings & roundabouts I suppose.

 

[wendym]

I have used Transolar holidays 4 times without problems here in the UK. However with the great rate I wish I had booked with DREAMS! Mike at Transolar has been on a DCL cruise himself so we have some great email conversations. However I do like the fact with DREAMS you can cancel at 60 days without penalty.
Wendy

 

[KaitlinsMom]

The exchange rate is excellant right now - My father-in-law was just over and got $1.85 per 1lb - Incredible!!! What a good time to book!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you for the replies, the exchange rate is good at the moment, and another reason why I hope they annouce the 2005 Summer dates soon so I can book and possiblly over pay now before the rate falls again.

My guess sterling will stay strong until the USA elections and when they are complete ( sorry USA Folks) Their bank base rates ( the fed rate) will increase and the dollar will go up again.

(my Personal thoughts not giving advice!)

 

[Melcatfish]

Hi

We are in Essex and have used Dreams to book our 3 day disney cruise for this August. I love the fact that I can track my booking on the dreams website and when I rang them to pay the deposit they suggested that I keep an eye on the exchange rate and pay the balance when I got the best deal (obviously before the 60 day window).

We've had no problems and theyve been very helpful.

Regards
Mel

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Many thanks for your reply and I hope you have a very good trip this summer.

 

[hughiedeweylouie]

We are doing the Disney Cruise this summer as our big vacation. NEXT summer I'd like to plan a trip to Scotland with the kids. Any suggestion of a travel agent out your way?
Thanks,
Ann

 

[wendym]

Ann
I wouldn't recommend using a travel agent - I think you could have a far better trip doing it yourself. Get a flight into either Edinburgh or Glasgow and hire a car. For families I would recommend using Holiday Inn Express. You can get a family room with breakfast for about £60 a night even in Edinburgh. We've just come back from a few nights in the Isle of Skye which we loved - we booked a hotel using www.easybreaks.com. Inverness would be another great spot and close by is Loch Ness with Nessie! Of course my home town Aberdeen is also well worth a visit!
Wendy

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am not an expert on Scotland.

But to get here;-

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS ( I KNOW THEY HAVE A USA SISTER COMPANY I THINK VIRGIN VACATIONS) TRY THROUGH VIRGIN.COM VIRGIN-ATLANTIC.COM

to be fair:-

BRITISH AIRWAYS BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM

But our largest Travel agency is;-

THOMAS COOK and I am sure they could help

or EXPEDIA.CO.UK.

 

[mandymouse]

Hi Andrew Derek Uk, from mandymouse in not so sunny Nuneaton

We booked our May 2005 cruise direct through the DCL website, as soon as our dates appeared (when the exchange rate was very good) we paid our deposit. You can make more payments as and when you like on-line, and we will certainly be keeping an eye on the exchange rates later on in the year so if they look as though they will drop badly we will pay the cruise off.

Hope that helps

mandymouse

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you Mandy,

Firstly watch the exchange rates If ( more proberly when) UK increases base rates the £ might go up again against the $.

Many people say when the USA election is over they will raise interest rates and the £ will fall so its worth keeping an eye on it.

My concern is I would like to book a DCL in Summer 2005 on the magic, if you see the 2005 thread you will know they are not annoucing as yet where they are going.

I think there is often a delay on the DCL website updating it, and with the late release of information, I think our UK operators Virgin etc (who will publish their 1st summer 05 brouchure in a couple of weeks), will exclude DCL cruises, as they do not have the information.

So to snagg a good room on a particular cruise I might be forced to book with a USA travel agency when they do annouce!

And its all summer school holidays here so waiting can be a problem, schools. work. flights etc.

Thanks.

 

[Scotfan]

Hi we also booKed with Dreams (for Feb 2005), we looked into it carefully and they seemed to give the best deal, like previous posters suggested we will keep an eye on the exchange rate and pay it off when we see rates slip.
AAA came a close second for prices.
We have booked everything independantly.

 

[natdencro]

Have been on 4 cruises on the Magic.................. and 1 trip to Scotland! We stayed in Inverness at a wonderful b&b (on banks of Loch Ness) which we would be happy to recommend. Easyjet flights from other UK airports were very reasonable too. Happy holidays! Not sure Scotland will be quite as warm and sunny as the Caribbean though! Nat