Booking online through Costco

[mrsgthatsme]

Does Costco allow you to book online prior to the day the sailings open to the general public? If not, can I book on the DCL site and transfer my reservation to Costco later? Otherwise, do you think there is a huge disadvantage to waiting one more day to book the staterooms if it is not a super popular booking? We do have specific staterooms we want. Thanks!

 

[Jetsetter42]

You have to call. They won't have the cruises available online until they are open to the public to book.

 

[vegs1]

We are gold and I am attempting to book an April 2022 sailing. The Costco and Disney site are both showing as no cruises available for that month. I assume it is because only gold or above can book today, but I am gold, so not sure what might be going on. Any troubleshooting ideas? Thanks!

Did you actually sign in prior to looking? You have to sign in and a banner will come up showing your gold status and saying that you can book. Online bookings actually opened around 6 am this morning. Phone bookings are at 8 am.

 

[Marc D]

You need to be logged in with an account of the required CC status to see the new cruises. As a platinum member, I was able to look up cruises yesterday.

 

[Disneypeach]

Does Costco allow you to book online prior to the day the sailings open to the general public? If not, can I book on the DCL site and transfer my reservation to Costco later?

yes, you can book online with DCL and then transfer to Costco...but you must transfer within 30 days of booking! Good luck!

 

[WB1971]

The loss of control of the reservation, especially in the current environment, is a big risk. It’s not worth it to me anymore for a little gravy.

 

[Doberge]

The loss of control of the reservation, especially in the current environment, is a big risk. It’s not worth it to me anymore for a little gravy.

What would one lose booking with Costco vs. another agent vs. making and keeping one's own reservation?

I'm asking because I'm new to cruising and figured if I booked with Costco or DUT (or whoever) that I would have the same control over the reservation as though I'd booked myself, excluding canceling the reservation that'd need to be through agent. I figured even with an agent I'd have the ability to book my own excursions, on board extras, etc.

I'd appreciate if someone could explain the difference between what one must do through the agent vs. what one can choose do on own despite having an agent.

 

[lilsonicfan]

You still book your own activities, including booking things like Palo or wine tastings or excursions and what not. You still do that all online even if Costco is your TA. You can’t modify your reservation online on your own, but I’ve never had issues with calling Costco. The downside to using a TA vs booking on your own is you may not get the exact stateroom you want because the TA has to call in.

For me it’s way more than a little gravy. It works out to nearly 10% off once you get the cash card at Costco and the executive rebate. Those in the US with a Costco visa get even more back. But I can see that some want their exact stateroom, I guess.

 

[WB1971]

What would one lose booking with Costco vs. another agent vs. making and keeping one's own reservation?

I'm asking because I'm new to cruising and figured if I booked with Costco or DUT (or whoever) that I would have the same control over the reservation as though I'd booked myself, excluding canceling the reservation that'd need to be through agent. I figured even with an agent I'd have the ability to book my own excursions, on board extras, etc.

I'd appreciate if someone could explain the difference between what one must do through the agent vs. what one can choose do on own despite having an agent.

You give up your right to deal directly with the cruise line on any changes or cancellations. I had to deal with Costco on some changes and it added time, complication and frustration for me. I rarely need to make changes, but to me, it’s not worth it to put a third party call center in control. I no longer do it.

 

[Disneypeach]

in addition to what lilsonic fan pointed out, basically you’d go thru them for anything involving money...add transfers, change room categories, etc.
You don’t get to build a personal relationship with the individual agent tho...you’ll get a different one every time you call. But since I shop at Costco, the shop card of around 8% comes in handy.

Disclaimer... I use Costco for my DCL cruises and have never had an issue, even when DCL cancelled my cruise.

 

[lundve]

Can I transfer if I used an onboard booking discount of 10% and $200

 

[ajo]

Can I transfer if I used an onboard booking discount of 10% and $200

The transfer to Costco (or any other TA) has to be within 30 days of the original date of the reservation being made. That means it has to be transferred within 30 days of the date you made the placeholder on board.

So if you made an placeholder reservation on board, you can transfer it to Costco or a TA but it has to be done within 30 days of the date you made the placeholder. The 30 days do not reset once you turn the placeholder into a specific cruise reservation. Hope that makes sense!

 

[lundve]

The transfer to Costco (or any other TA) has to be within 30 days of the original date of the reservation being made. That means it has to be transferred within 30 days of the date you made the placeholder on board.

So if you made an placeholder reservation on board, you can transfer it to Costco or a TA but it has to be done within 30 days of the date you made the placeholder. The 30 days do not reset once you turn the placeholder into a specific cruise reservation. Hope that makes sense!

Perfect sense - so not this time! Thanks!

 

[cvjw]

The loss of control of the reservation, especially in the current environment, is a big risk. It’s not worth it to me anymore for a little gravy.

It can be a lot of gravy lost not booking with Costco! We normally book 2 verandah cabins when we book with our kids. Say the cruise fare is $10,000. We will get about $800 back in Costco cash. $200 back for being an executive member and $300 back for using the Costco credit card. $1300 for a little aggravation? Sign me up!!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Just sharing today's experience with Costco (my placeholder is assigned to them): I called at 4:58am PST and got through to a Costco agent quite quickly. She asked me just a few questions then immediately went to phone Disney. It took about 15-20 min for her to even get on the waiting queue for Disney. It took a further 3.5 hours for a Disney agent to answer, and then the rest of the booking took maybe about a half hour. Not ideal, although given the placeholder situation I would probably have been waiting for a Disney agent anyway.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Just sharing today's experience with Costco (my placeholder is assigned to them): I called at 4:58am PST and got through to a Costco agent quite quickly. She asked me just a few questions then immediately went to phone Disney. It took about 15-20 min for her to even get on the waiting queue for Disney. It took a further 3.5 hours for a Disney agent to answer, and then the rest of the booking took maybe about a half hour. Not ideal, although given the placeholder situation I would probably have been waiting for a Disney agent anyway.

That was pretty much my experience this morning, too. As soon as the agent knew I was looking for something with DCL, she put in the call, then came back on with me to get the details. 3.5 hours later, an agent finally answered her and was able to book everything.

 

[UVAWahoo]

Just sharing today's experience with Costco (my placeholder is assigned to them): I called at 4:58am PST and got through to a Costco agent quite quickly. She asked me just a few questions then immediately went to phone Disney. It took about 15-20 min for her to even get on the waiting queue for Disney. It took a further 3.5 hours for a Disney agent to answer, and then the rest of the booking took maybe about a half hour. Not ideal, although given the placeholder situation I would probably have been waiting for a Disney agent anyway.

Just a quick question: Does Costco Travel have a different call center for Canada and the U.S.? Here in the U.S., Costco Travel lines did not open until 7am PST. I tried calling at 5am PST and 6am PST and each time I was greeted with the message that Costco Travel is now closed, please call back at 7am PST (paraphrased). Just curious. Thanks

 

[FigmentSpark]

Just a quick question: Does Costco Travel have a different call center for Canada and the U.S.? Here in the U.S., Costco Travel lines did not open until 7am PST. I tried calling at 5am PST and 6am PST and each time I was greeted with the message that Costco Travel is now closed, please call back at 7am PST (paraphrased). Just curious. Thanks

Yes. Canadian call Center is in Montreal. I think the US one is in Seattle. i think they may use each other as back up, though.

 

[UVAWahoo]

Yes. Canadian call Center is in Montreal. I think the US one is in Seattle. i think they may use each other as back up, though.

Nice. I am glad you were able to get right in with costco at DCL's opening time of 8am. I had to wait until 10am here in the states. Thanks!