Booking with Disney or AAA?

[Tigger7570]

Is it better to book with AAA or Disney for the cruise? Does either give a better deal? Thank you

 

[Cgracia30]

I booked about two months ago for our cruise this may. For booking with AAA, we got a "photo package". I'm not sure of how much the photos are worth, but its better than nothing.
The prices were the same between disney and AAA and they threw in the free pictures. I think if you go online you can see what your local AAA is offering this year.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it better to book with AAA or Disney for the cruise? Does either give a better deal? Thank you

Booking with a TA or direct with DCL your cost is the same. No TA can discount a DCL cruise. The "better deal" comes in if your TA can offer you any perks (out of their commision). These can be Onboard Credit, photo packages, a bottle of wine, whatever the TA feels they can afford to do out of their "cut".

 

[carpenta]

I booked about two months ago for our cruise this may. For booking with AAA, we got a "photo package". I'm not sure of how much the photos are worth, but its better than nothing.
The prices were the same between disney and AAA and they threw in the free pictures. I think if you go online you can see what your local AAA is offering this year.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We just returned from a cruise on the Dream and recieved a photo package through AAA. It consisted of 4 8X10 photos and 6 5X7. It was worth well over $100.00 if purchased on board. I appreciated that little gift.

 

[Tigger7570]

Thank you for your replies

 

[PaceFamily]

AAA gives you a photo credit that can be used for other photo items. Other TA's provide a cash value On Board Credit (OBC). The value of the AAA package depends on the length of your cruise. Check your AAA's website or TA for details.

We normally book with AAA for all travel, but for our upcoming cruise we would have received a photo package of $130 through AAA, but received a OBC from DU for same trip. It is mostly a wash, but we went with DU since we could use the OBC for other things like tipping.

Personal preference. We do still love our AAA rep and will use them for other things. Just looking for the best deal.

 

[mammacaryn]

In addition to the photo package that AAA is offering right now(could be something different for 2014) your local office may offer something as well.

We are in Western NY and our location offered $50 per person if booked during Disney Month (January-only had to book then, not travel then) plus we are premier members and for our area you get $100 check for booking a cruise over a certain dollar amount. So after we paid in full we got $300 back from AAA, then the photo package. Plus the agent booked online so we will get the $25 OBC and we used our disney chase for another $50 obc.

Right now our AAA is offering some OBC's for certain cruises this year.

Check your details for your particular area.

We booked our first cruise directly and got $75 in OBC's for booking online and using the card.

 

[daisywithak]

Also, consider getting your vacation insurance through them. If we got ours through Disney it was $379 to just cover the cruise. It is $179 through AAA to cover cruise and flight!

 

[su_A_ve]

AAA photo package (for an outside room - ie oceaview or verandah) is worth $100. You can use it towards the purchase of the photo CD or the 10 or 15 picture package.

It's a decent deal, specially for short cruises as you would only get maybe $50 with another TA.

Then, combine that with their Disney specials, like a gift card (last two cruises was thru them and we got $100 GC on each), then it's a great deal.

In the past, you could simply transfer a reservation over to AAA after booking with DCL directly, and if you would do it during their special or disney month, you would get the extra benefit. But with new DCL rules, it's not worth it.

My xmas 2014 cruise will be done with DU, as I will be getting a much higher OBC.

Of course, the problem with AAA is finding a good TA. I had found one a few years ago that helped me with WDW trips. But she was 'promoted'. Then last year's TA during our first cruise was a disaster (even booked me on the wrong date! and conveniently tried to forget about the GC). Tried to switch to the manager who fixed the whole mess for the second cruise, but she was promoted too. Got another TA and she was mediocre. Now I got the name of one of their senior TAs, but will use DU for the next cruise.

 

[PaceFamily]

Summing up, TA's (AAA or others) will get you a better deal through OBC or other packages. They all have access to the same perks that you would get through booking direct with Disney. We will often find the exact deal that we want with DCL, book or place a hold, and then turn over to our selected TA. If you have someone that you love (we had a AAA girl but she has been out sick) transfer it to them or book direct. There are advantages to you by using their services.

Find the deal that you like.

 

[PaceFamily]

Summing up, TA's (AAA or others) will get you a better deal through OBC or other packages. They all have access to the same perks that you would get through booking direct with Disney. We will often find the exact deal that we want with DCL, book or place a hold, and then turn over to our selected TA. If you have someone that you love (we had a AAA girl but she has been out sick) transfer it to them or book direct. There are advantages to you by using their services.

Find the deal that you like.

 

[Kittylover513]

Costco seems to be a good deal too...it's the same as booking through DCL but then you get a substantial Costco cash card after the cruise (in my case will be $450)

 

[Tigger7570]

We're doing a four day cruise - our first. Sounds like AAA is the way to go. Thank you everyone for your replies.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We've gotten our best deal (highest OBC) through Dreams Unlimited. We've used them twice. Although now DH has become a TA and we'll book through him next time!

 

[Sandya]

We booked our 2 last cruises with Costco and we got cash cards on both, the amount it depends on how long the cruise is. Our last cruise we will get $450 cash card, PLUS they also give you a free Photo Book that you can create after the trip!!! so my friend join Costco for $50 bucks and got all that!!! I think is worth it!!!

 

[policycobb]

AAA gives you a photo credit that can be used for other photo items. Other TA's provide a cash value On Board Credit (OBC). The value of the AAA package depends on the length of your cruise. Check your AAA's website or TA for details.

We normally book with AAA for all travel, but for our upcoming cruise we would have received a photo package of $130 through AAA, but received a OBC from DU for same trip. It is mostly a wash, but we went with DU since we could use the OBC for other things like tipping.

Personal preference. We do still love our AAA rep and will use them for other things. Just looking for the best deal.

I agree. We are AAA members but went with DU for the OBC too.