Costco Travel?

[tylerzmommy]

Who has used Costco Travel to book a cruise? We are going branch out and try Carnival this time since DCL is just getting so dang expensive. However, I would think the cruise line wouldn't matter a whole lot if booking through Costco, right? What are pros/cons to booking with Costco as opposed to booking with the cruise line directly?

 

[dcassetta]

The only drawback to working with Costco in my mind is that some of their agents are not particularly knowledgeable. But if you're only using them to get the onboard credit or cash card, I don't think that's an issue at all. Their prices have always been in line with or better than what I've seen on various cruises, and the onboard credit or the cash card is better than anywhere else I've seen also. So, as long as you don't need a whole lot of support from your travel agent, I absolutely recommend Costco.

 

[tylerzmommy]

Thanks dcassetta! One of my biggest questions is which "portal" I'd need to use for any changes or additions to our itinerary. For example, where would I book excursions or make dining reservations -- through Carnival's portal or is there a Costco portal where all that stuff should be done? I'm a worrywart and afraid that if I rush into booking one way or the other, I'll regret it if I can't make changes or add the fun stuff!

 

[Ravenne]

My first experience with Costco booking DCL was 2 yrs ago, and they weren't the most knowledgeable then. Like, they knew general knowledge and some DCL stuff pretty well, but certainly not as proficient as DCL CMs. The agent I worked with to book my DCL cruise, she was totally on top of everything, she really knew her stuff and asked me all of the same questions DCL does when I book directly. I had to call back again a couple of weeks later and that agent I spoke with knew his stufff about DCL as well. So far, with this round, I've been very impressed. It seems like they've gone through some updated training on DCL and had no issues with OBBs. 2 yrs ago, they knew about it, but it wasn't very proficient. Now they're on it.

For the most part, however, Costco is jack of all trades, master of none, because they are so general and book so many different cruise lines, but they have always been VERY good about getting questions answered even if it means they take the time to hunt for the answer and call you back. I've been very impressed and happy with them.

 

[Ravenne]

Thanks dcassetta! One of my biggest questions is which "portal" I'd need to use for any changes or additions to our itinerary. For example, where would I book excursions or make dining reservations -- through Carnival's portal or is there a Costco portal where all that stuff should be done? I'm a worrywart and afraid that if I rush into booking one way or the other, I'll regret it if I can't make changes or add the fun stuff!

I've never sailed Carnival so I don't know how they do things, but if they're anything like DCL you book excursions and do online check in with the cruise line. With DCL, all I did with Costco was book the cruise itself and called them with any modifications such as adding gratuity, ground transportation, or celebrations....anything that affected the cruise BEFORE we set sail. Oh, and you pay for your cruise through a TA/Costco as well. My cruise is still accessible through DCL's website and linked to my Castaway Cay #. I can make dining changes, and put in any allergy requests.

 

[tylerzmommy]

I've never sailed Carnival so I don't know how they do things, but if they're anything like DCL you book excursions and do online check in with the cruise line. With DCL, all I did with Costco was book the cruise itself and called them with any modifications such as adding gratuity, ground transportation, or celebrations....anything that affected the cruise BEFORE we set sail. Oh, and you pay for your cruise through a TA/Costco as well. My cruise is still accessible through DCL's website and linked to my Castaway Cay #. I can make dining changes, and put in any allergy requests.

Great info - thanks!!

 

[dcassetta]

Thanks dcassetta! One of my biggest questions is which "portal" I'd need to use for any changes or additions to our itinerary. For example, where would I book excursions or make dining reservations -- through Carnival's portal or is there a Costco portal where all that stuff should be done? I'm a worrywart and afraid that if I rush into booking one way or the other, I'll regret it if I can't make changes or add the fun stuff!

Anything involving money, or changing your cabin will have to be done directly through Costco. Things involving money might be adding transfers, or doing prepaid gratuities. Everything else you can do yourself on the Disney site including booking excursions, adult dining, spa, etc.

 

[dani24]

We booked our upcoming DCL cruise through Costco. We paid thrugh Costco (there was no option to pay on the DCL site). But otherwise we have done everything else direct - online check-in, dining reservations spa appointments, excursions, etc. I also was able to call Disney directly to ask about getting on the waitlist for Early Dining, and they granted it a couple of weeks later. So far I haven't had to go to Costco for anything other than paying.

 

[JW9DVC]

Costco is top notch! We use them for all cruises.

 

[bumbershoot]

With Disney and Royal we do dining and excursions ourselves when booked through a TA. Carnival might be different. To make sure I would ask on the carnival board over on cruisecritic.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Can you use Costco for a cruise for a family of 5 on Royal Caribbean? We have done 1 DCL cruise and are looking to try Royal Caribbean or Carnival. We've seen good deals via Costco. RC's website is a pain and you can't book (or even see availability to do planning on your own) for a cabin of 5 without calling them.

 

[Miggee]

i used to book all my disneyland resort directly with Disney, but later started to call on Costco and was very happy to find that they will go out of their way to help answer any questions, got free character dining at disneyland, plus the cash back is awesome! i booked our first DCL with costco and it did take a bit more work to update dining times and book DCL bus, but all worth it since i'm getting $900 back from costco.. would defin use it again.

 

[KSHowards]

We initially were going to book our DCL trip through Costco..the reason we didn't is because Disney a down payment and then you can make payments on it up until the trip basically. COSTCO i thought required the trip to be paid in full. I could be wrong about this...my wife was doing all the research (Smart Hubby here)

 

[Miggee]

We initially were going to book our DCL trip through Costco..the reason we didn't is because Disney a down payment and then you can make payments on it up until the trip basically. COSTCO i thought required the trip to be paid in full. I could be wrong about this...my wife was doing all the research (Smart Hubby here)

costco also did a down payment, and just like DCL the pay in full is around 90 days before cruise if my memory is right.

 

[tylerzmommy]

costco also did a down payment, and just like DCL the pay in full is around 90 days before cruise if my memory is right.

Yes, there is a way to make a deposit payment and then pay off the trip prior to 90 days before embarking. At least, that's the way the "checkout" page looked when I was filling stuff out the other day.

 

[DahliaRW]

Yes. You can pay later. They require PIF about 2 weeks before Disney's deadline so they have time to process the payment.

I've had nothing but good experiences when Costco travel. I can't say the same for another popular Disney travel agency....

 

[JenPinks]

Do you know if you book through Costco, you can pay them with your DVA?

 

[Corfam]

Do you know if you book through Costco, you can pay them with your DVA?

Yes you can. No issue.

This follows my same experience....

https://www.disboards.com/threads/c...y-for-a-costco-booking.3404693/#post-53544185