Costco Cruise Savings?

[jcemom]

I've read several reports of Costco coming in with the lowest quotes on a Disney cruise. I am not a Costco member but would join to save money. I was just wondering...has anyone gotten a quote from Costco that was NOT lower than they found elsewhere?

If you don't mind sharing, would those of you who DID save money with Costco post how much you saved and what the length of the cruise was?

I don't like dealing with TA's over the phone and much prefer to do it via email. I've also called a couple of times and it seems the wait to get through to a rep at Costco is always around 20-30 minutes. I don't want to deal with that, plus the membership fee (as there isn't a Costco anywhere near me) if it won't be "worth it."

I appreciate any advice, experiences, or other that anyone may be able to give me.

TIA

 

[goingbacksoon]

Our TA consistently beats Costco or anyone else. He is from MouseEarVacations.com. Very good and professional, I never hesitate to recommend them, and they communicate almost exclusively by email.

goingbacksoon

 

[TiggerKing]

Okay, first off let me state from who I received quotes for a 4 night cruise on the Wonder departing 11/28/04, Cat 9:

CostCo
AAA
Dreams Unlimited
Mouse Ear Vacations
Cruise.Com

All but CostCo and Cruis.com didn't even beat the DCL online price by more than $25.

Cruise.com came in at $125 less than DCL on the cruise.

CostCo came in at about $250 less than DCL.

The agent was WONDERFUL. When I realized I didn't have the credit card with me I wanted to use, she offered to call me back that evening once I got home, called promptly at the time she stated, and was very courteous.

 

[madoug]

Wish I had gotten that costco TA when I called in March. Costco was over $100 lower than DU with rebate for the 1/2/05 4 night wonder. I driving at the time and didn't have my credit card available; asked her to told the ressie and she said no. When I called back a few days later- cost have gone up over $200 and DU was then lowest.

 

[232271]

we just booked a june 5th, 2005 cruise through dreams unlimited and they were $650 cheaper than the online WDW cruise website!!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I had gotten a quote of about $300 less than DCL's website, and about $200 less than several TA's that have been mentioned here for a 4 day Wonder. I did ask those TA's to match or beat Costco's prices but they couldn't. One explained to me that Costco books huge amounts of cruises and their commission rate is different. The other TA's would have to basically get no commission to beat Costco's prices.

I wound up booking RCCL w/ Costco and the price was $300 less than the lowest online rate I could fine. It was $600 less than RCCL's website AND they had cabins that RCCL didn't have online!!

I would get a quote from Costco..and then see if anyone will match or beat them (although if they're just going to match them, why bother??).

 

[mom2grace]

We booked a Celebrity cruise with Costco. Basically they rebate part of the commission as everyone else does too.

We saved about 20%, I'm guessing they rebate a standard percentage. They might even tell you.

So, I can't give you a $ comparison on DCL, but for our 12 night cruise it was a substantial amount of $$.

I would highly recommend them!

 

[mom2grace]

P.S.

If you booked your '05 cruise with DCL, you can call Costco and they will move your reservation, you can keep your cabin, dining, etc.

 

[gswfan]

Costco is probably the lowest out of all the TA's out there. We went last August and I called 6 TA's besides from Costco: Ethan Allen, DCL, Expedia, Travelocity, and DU. Costco beats them by about $600-$800 total. We did the land/sea vacation with air and the transaction went smoothly. So, if you don't mind the wait 20-30 minute wait for customer service, the membership and savings are worth it. Also, there was a similar thread a few months back this post was discussed. Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489599

By the way, we also did our upcoming Hawaiian vacation through Costco and once again after comparing prices with other TA's, Costco beats them hands down.

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the link, I just read through that thread and it seems Costco has a lot of happy customers! I think I'm finding it hard to believe that they could give me a lower price as all the quotes I've gotten, with the exception of a few higher prices--Expedia, Travelocity--have been within $50 of each other...DU, DCL, SmallWorld, allseas, MouseEar. I keep thinking..."If all these prices are basically the same, HOW can Costco possibly be much less?" But it sounds as if they probably will be.

 

[MickeyEars]

That's great 232271!!! We saved $665 by booking with Dreams. I'm glad you were able to do the same. I'm positive you'll be happy with your decision!!!


Carla

 

[232271]

hey carla,
wow is it really over 300 days!!
how will we ever make the wait!!!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by jcemom
Thanks for the link, I just read through that thread and it seems Costco has a lot of happy customers! I think I'm finding it hard to believe that they could give me a lower price as all the quotes I've gotten, with the exception of a few higher prices--Expedia, Travelocity--have been within $50 of each other...DU, DCL, SmallWorld, allseas, MouseEar. I keep thinking..."If all these prices are basically the same, HOW can Costco possibly be much less?" But it sounds as if they probably will be.

I thought the same thing...but they will be cheaper! Let us know if you get a quote from Costco!

 

[mom2grace]

It's also important to keep in mind that some agencies (particularly internet) don't always include port charges and/or taxes into their "lowest price" and this can be maddening!!

 

[232271]

dreams includes taxes and port fees!

 

[challada]

Costco DOES include port fees and taxes and still came up tons less than other quotes we got. We ended up saving well over $1000 by going with them.

Remember, however, they can only sell travel in certain states so you need to make sure you live in the right area, I think.

Though I waited on the phone forever to talk to a human, Costco was friendly and helpful once I got someone on the line. I would definitely recommend.

 

[Corl4]

Just got off the phone with Costco and they saved us $500 on our Magic cruise next summer. We had booked with DU but have switched our reservation to Costco.

Guess they are cheaper!

Beth

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by Corl4
Just got off the phone with Costco and they saved us $500 on our Magic cruise next summer. We had booked with DU but have switched our reservation to Costco.

Guess they are cheaper!

Beth

Woo Hoo!!! Good for you!!

 

[232271]

my hold time is 20 minutes they said!!!

what was the price DU and then costco?

what catagory and what are your dates??

 

[232271]

just got off the phone and
DU quoted $2382 (includes $75 rebate) for our 4 night
june 5 cruise, cat. 10
Costco was $2795!!

how are you saving money and I got a 400 increase!

update: i had emailed small world vacations and they just quoted
$3,283.40 !! nearly $1000 more! oh my, !!

everybody needs to shop around before deciding on a TA