Costco travel

[sportel]

While I booked directly with DCL for our first two cruises, I'm considering booking through costco travel for this one - why not get the cash card if I can? My question is - if I book through costco travel, can I still login to the DCL site to book excursions, transfers, etc - or does all of that need to go through the travel agent?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

While I booked directly with DCL for our first two cruises, I'm considering booking through costco travel for this one - why not get the cash card if I can? My question is - if I book through costco travel, can I still login to the DCL site to book excursions, transfers, etc - or does all of that need to go through the travel agent?

No, excursions you book yourself. Transfers, I'm not sure about, but I believe that would need to be done by your TA. You can also do the online check in yourself.

Basically, anything having to do with the actual reservation (payments, room changes, seating preference) must go through the TA. Anything else (check in, excursions, adult dining, spa) you do yourself.

 

[hopare]

Funny, I was just logging on to ask this same question. I just booked through Costco and DCL insurance isn't an option, is there a way to add it? They offer travel guard at a decent rate, maybe I am better off with that anyway?? Does anyone have any input on this?

 

[wombat_5606]

Does anyone have any input on this?

You will get better coverage with Costco, usually.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Funny, I was just logging on to ask this same question. I just booked through Costco and DCL insurance isn't an option, is there a way to add it? They offer travel guard at a decent rate, maybe I am better off with that anyway?? Does anyone have any input on this?

Typically, you get better coverage, at a lower cost if you book insurance separately. Through a third party provider. I use a couple of different travel insurance comparison sites to search out policies.

Why isn't DCL insurance an option if you book through Costco?

 

[wombat_5606]

Transfers, I'm not sure about, but I believe that would need to be done by your TA.

I did call Costco to add transfers because I didn't have my travel plans firm when I booked.

In the cruise document booklet you receive, there is a Ground Transfer Purchase Option that says transfers can be added by calling 1-866-325-6685 or 407-566-7797 or visit the planning center online if it's no later than 14 days prior to cruise commencement.

 

[wombat_5606]

Why isn't DCL insurance an option if you book through Costco?

I'm going to say it's just not advertised. If you want DCL insurance, you would just need to call and say that you wanted to purchase the insurance. Same with transfers.

They send you a link to a Travelguard policy, when they send you the confirmation.

Booking online is pretty basic. If you need something other than a cabin and MDR assignment, you have to call.

 

[NAB]

Yes you can use the DCL site to do all your stuff. We used Costco this time. You are only reserving it and not paying it until you get there so Costco no longer is involved. My husband said Costco offered there own insurance , we declined.

EDIT...Just asked husband again about transfers...that is done through Costco too. They put you on hold and call DCL to confirm.

We are in Canada not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[99Wendy]

We recently booked thru Costco. I also used the travel insurance thru Costco. I had used that same company on a previous trip (non- Costco) and felt comfortable using them again. Our Costco rate was much lower than the one I was quoted from the same company doing a general rate search

 

[hopare]

In past we booked direct and purchased dcl insurance. I think I like the idea of the third party insurance because I can cover airfare that I booked on my own. The gift card from Costco is a nice perk. Thank you all for the info!

 

[buddyjo143]

Did folks look at the cost of the same cruise on Disney vs. Costco? We tried and the higher price for Costco was the price + of the gift card. Wasn't worth it to us.

 

[hopare]

Did folks look at the cost of the same cruise on Disney vs. Costco? We tried and the higher price for Costco was the price + of the gift card. Wasn't worth it to us.

For us it was the same price. I believe I read somewhere that agencies are not allowed to mark up prices. Are you sure you were comparing the same stateroom? On Costco's website they sometimes start you off on a higher floor and you can change that. I compared dcl vs Costco Picking exact same stateroom number and it was the same price. I did this several times over several days with different rooms and it was always the same price. So that being said, I feel the gift card deal is worth it.

 

[KalamityJane]

Did folks look at the cost of the same cruise on Disney vs. Costco? We tried and the higher price for Costco was the price + of the gift card. Wasn't worth it to us.

Costco's site does that if you aren't logged in for some people. Once you log in, the price is the same as DCL.

 

[bumbershoot]

Did folks look at the cost of the same cruise on Disney vs. Costco? We tried and the higher price for Costco was the price + of the gift card. Wasn't worth it to us.

Log completely in. The prices will show the right price then. Costco isn't higher than Disney. If you see that it is, something has gone awry. Log in fully.

 

[sportel]

Just to update - we booked through Costco (price was the same). At first I couldn't access my Cruise Activities on the DCL site (we are within our timeframe for Silver CC). I called DCL and they advised that I needed to call Costco to have them add our CC numbers. Spoke with Costco who said that although I had entered the info online, there is a glitch between their system and DCL system so they don't carry over (maybe this is just in Canada?) They made the change while I was on the phone with them and now all is well. Thanks to all for your help! Excited to start planning!

 

[buddyjo143]

For us it was the same price. I believe I read somewhere that agencies are not allowed to mark up prices. Are you sure you were comparing the same stateroom? On Costco's website they sometimes start you off on a higher floor and you can change that. I compared dcl vs Costco Picking exact same stateroom number and it was the same price. I did this several times over several days with different rooms and it was always the same price. So that being said, I feel the gift card deal is worth it.

I believe he did it correctly, logged in and every other suggestion from below. It's not that they marked up the prices but that the "added benefit of a Costco gift card" was offset by the increased price of the cruise vs booking directly with Disney.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

We do not belong to Costco but,
Do you think it's worth joining Costco to get the CC for cruising on any Cruise Line.
We belong to Sams Club but I don't have any idea if they even offer any type of on board credit. I'll have to look.
Let me know about Costco.
TIA
(Update: Sam's Club has suspended the travel agency as of January 01,2016)

 

[JW9DVC]

Did folks look at the cost of the same cruise on Disney vs. Costco? We tried and the higher price for Costco was the price + of the gift card. Wasn't worth it to us.

The prices are all the same.

 

[bumbershoot]

I believe he did it correctly, logged in and every other suggestion from below. It's not that they marked up the prices but that the "added benefit of a Costco gift card" was offset by the increased price of the cruise vs booking directly with Disney.

That's not how Costco works. He wasn't logged in fully. Costco is not higher. There is no offset. We promise.

 

[KalamityJane]

I believe he did it correctly, logged in and every other suggestion from below. It's not that they marked up the prices but that the "added benefit of a Costco gift card" was offset by the increased price of the cruise vs booking directly with Disney.

On mine, I had to go almost all the way through the booking process before the prices dropped, like put it in my cart and start to check out.