Costco Canada Questions

[Love2Cruise2015]

I am trying to find out the pros and cons of booking a cruise through Costco (in Canada- I'm not sure if its different depending on Country) and whether or not it would be for me as I like to have control over booking my cruise. One of the questions I have is when booking a Cruise through Costco do you have to contact them to book your excursions, Palo, etc or are you still able to book these items yourself? What aspects of the trip are you responsible for booking when you use Costco as your travel agent? Any orher pros or cons you have to share on your experiences would be appreciated?

 

[DCL58]

I am trying to find out the pros and cons of booking a cruise through Costco (in Canada- I'm not sure if its different depending on Country) and whether or not it would be for me as I like to have control over booking my cruise. One of the questions I have is when booking a Cruise through Costco do you have to contact them to book your excursions, Palo, etc or are you still able to book these items yourself? What aspects of the trip are you responsible for booking when you use Costco as your travel agent? Any orher pros or cons you have to share on your experiences would be appreciated?

Not Canadian, but book all my DCL cruises thru Costco in the US. You have to go thru them for payment, transfers, prepaid gratuities, requests and cancellations. All bookings for excursions, dining, etc is done thru the DCL website - and you do them yourself.

The pro is the huge % of cash back!

 

[tinkerone]

We always book our cruises using Costco. For us it's well worth it. We are Executive members so we get the rebate on our return as well as it counting towards our year end 2% rebate.
I search what I'm looking for in the cruise, dates and cabin. Once I find what I want I call Costco and have them book it. I have them include the gratuities at the same time so that is done. Any dining requests I have they request for me BUT it's the same as when you book directly with DCL. It's a request and not a guarantee. When I figure out what we need for transportation I call them back and have them add it on.
Everything else I do. Booking Palo, excursions, done by me. I have complete control over that.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask me.

ETA-I have yet to find any cons booking through Costco.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Thank You! this was very helpful and answered a lot of my fears and worries

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

DCL58 and Tinkerone: have you used a placeholder to book a cruise through Costco and if so how do you use it or was I supposed to say Costco was going to be my travel agent when getting the place holder?

 

[tinkerone]

DCL58 and Tinkerone: have you used a placeholder to book a cruise through Costco and if so how do you use it or was I supposed to say Costco was going to be my travel agent when getting the place holder?

Costco does hold my placeholders, they presently have two. If you have already purchased a placeholder and it's past 30 days, you can not name Costco and they will not be able to book it for you. You must name Costco at time of purchase or complete a transfer within 30 days of purchase. It's easiest to just name them at the time you buy. After you have named Costco, going forward, Costco should automatically be named as your TA on your placeholders. Hope this is all clear.
Not sure where you stand at the moment. Do you have placeholders? Have you named a TA? Does DCL hold them? Are you looking at booking a cruise where it would be more beneficial to not use a placeholder?

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Costco does hold my placeholders, they presently have two. If you have already purchased a placeholder and it's past 30 days, you can not name Costco and they will not be able to book it for you. You must name Costco at time of purchase or complete a transfer within 30 days of purchase. It's easiest to just name them at the time you buy. After you have named Costco, going forward, Costco should automatically be named as your TA on your placeholders. Hope this is all clear.
Not sure where you stand at the moment. Do you have placeholders? Have you named a TA? Does DCL hold them? Are you looking at booking a cruise where it would be more beneficial to not use a placeholder?

I, unfortunately, have 2 placeholders with Disney and it has been over 30 days since I purchased them so it doesnt look like I will be able to use Costco for my next 2 cruises but I will name them as my TA the next time I purchase a placeholder.

Thank you for your helpful advice.