booking recommendation

[db78]

Hi all. I'm a newbie here, so forgive me if I ask a question that's maybe been done here already times 100. We're wdw veterans many times, but never been on their cruise. We've pretty much decided to take a spring break cruise, April 6th - 10th, on the Wonder. From what research I've done so far, it looks like Disney controls the price pretty tightly, so I'm getting the exact same quote from local TA's, web site cruise company's, even Disney's own cruise web site quotes the same price. With price being pretty equal, any recommendations for who to book through? I'm wondering if I should just book direct through Disney, although I'd have to go through web site since they won't give you the better rate over the phone. Thanks for any help!

db78

 

[bennett]

When I was investigating cruise prices for the 7 day-I was amazed at all the different quotes I received-I am surprised that when searching for prices for the Wonder you found everyone was so close in price-I guess I would go with Disney if that the case-make sure transfers and taxes are included (that you are comparing apples to apples)

 

[WDWLVR]

I hihgly recommend going through Dreams Unlimited. They sponser this site so booking through them helps keep this valuable resource going. They book directly trough Disney so you'll get the same rate from them as you would if you went through Disney. They often offer rebates as well. Best of all these people know Disney and are a joy to work with, and work they do. If Disney lowers prices they will be on it right away and get you the best price. We used them for our trip to Disneyland last Feb, our Wonder cruise this past May and have a cruise booked with them for May of 2003. They are the best!

 

[It'sAllAboutWalt]

We booked our December '01 Magic cruise directly through Disney because their quote was much lower than DU. It was about 6 months before the cruise and I was surprised that DU came in so much higher (several hundred dollars higher for 2 adults and a child, Cat. 11). Maybe they would have lowered it after booking, but why risk it when direct booking with Disney was cheaper?

Next time (December '03 Magic Western), I'll also go directly through Disney. I just hate dealing with middle men unless there's a savings involved.

 

[aseafish]

Since DU offers a rebate when you switch from DCL (DCL is not a travel agency so no conflict), you have to see a savings. On ours it was about $200.

 

[It'sAllAboutWalt]

aseafish,

That may be true, but how could I book with someone who couldn't even give me a quote as low as the one it took me 10 minutes to get on the DCL website using Fall Fantasy (which they still had back then)????

What good is a rebate when the cost they quote you is much higher than you can get booking directly?

 

[aseafish]

It'sAllAboutWalt,

That's really the point. If you booked with DLC for a lower rate, terrific! You can still transfer your reservation unless something has changed as of late.

Best of both worlds.

By the way, how did you get a lower rate drom DCL? I haven't had that experience. But I would love to give it a try.

 

[Julie 363]

We also booked directly through DCL. No one could match or really come close enough for us to switch. I was happy to find out that the price I recieved once I called to book was even lower than the web site was showing. DU probably came the closest but even with their rebates they were still higher than DCL. I wouldn't say that DU always matches because in our case they were higher by at least a couple hundred dollars. It always pays though to check around.