Costco v. On-line TA

[MargaretB NC]

I'm looking to book a Category 9 stateroom for 3 people on the 7-day Western Carribean on October 9, 2004

The best price I've gotten so far is from Costco, but they seem so impersonal and I'm afraid I won't get the quality customer service from them (like getting the early dinner seating from the waiting list.)

Has anyone used Costco before, especially those who have completed their trip? How do they compare in customer service to an on-line travel agency, like Dreams Unlimited or AllSeasTravel? Thanks!

 

[Tandyc]

But Costco has been great. Had lots of changes and questions, they came through every time. Call early and expect to be on hold for long time, but you will get great service. I have and saved huge!

Good luck.

 

[iluvtink]

hmmmm.... haven't used Costco... wouldn't even try. I'm too suspicious.

I like the personal service of one person who gets to know me and my quirks and who feels personal responsibility for my happiness! Visiting Disney is not cheap, even through Costco, and I am afraid to compromise service on that kind of money. We are using Rob at Dreams Unlimited and are very, very pleased.

 

[Tiger926]

It's funny that you say you're "suspicious" of Costco - who has stores around the world I might add - but not of an Internet travel agency such as Dreams. Costco prices are great, and they are very helpful. I would highly recommend Costco!

Tiger

 

[CheapMom]

That is funny- I wanted to use DU but I wanted to talk to someone and all I could get from them was email communication. Costco gave me my choice of dinner preferences (Although I booked early so maybe that is why I could choose) and beat everyones price. I have been very happy.

 

[iluvtink]

To each his own! That's the beauty of these Boards ... tons of opinions and lots of choices.

 

[feiste]

I know people have mentioned Costco, but I was wondering if anyone knows if Sam's club books cruises as well?

 

[lotsofboys]

We've used Costco for both our cruises with EXCELLENT results. You will have a longer than average hold time up to 10 minutes sometimes, but when you look at the money you are saving (we never found anyone either cruise that could beat their prices) it is well worth the wait.

You will be assigned a travel agent, so you don't just speak with whoever answers the phone each time. Your TA may be busy at the time you call, but I never had a problem with having my calls returned or changing anything that needed to be changed or getting seating times we wanted.

Here is a link from a long time ago that has some great posts:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489599

Have a great trip

 

[CheapMom]

Yes, Sam's Club carries DCL but their prices aren't as competitive as Costco- They were very close to the quote I got from DU but with DU's rebate their price was slightly better.

Just curious- the person who is using Rob at DU- do you actually talk to him or is it all through email?

I like the personal service of one person who gets to know me and my quirks and who feels personal responsibility for my happiness!

 

[princessdaisy]

Great to know! looking to book a cruise for Dec 10th of 2005 and will be sure to check out Costco. Does anyone else have any suggestions or comments on helping to locate the best rate? We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 3yr and 13 -at time of sailing).

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful info!!!

 

[Duckielucky]

How much do you save by going through COSCO? Disney price vs. COSCO.

 

[iluvtink]

Hi CheapMom,

I'm the one who is using TA Rob at DU. Yes, the only way to communicate with him is on line, but actually that is my preference for several reasons. I can look back at what I've asked, what he's said, when I asked things... I have a record of all the conversations, and so does he, so there's less chance of confusion about prices, PS requests, itinerary, etc. My old brain isn't what it used to be, and having a folder of e-mails is great, plus I can forward our conversations to DH at work, and other people joining us on the trip.

He is very prompt in responding, and if he was frustrated at our inability to decide on dates, etc., it never showed. He even answers my e-mails when he is on vacation with his family at WDW, which is going above and beyond the call of duty, IMHO!!! Also, I don't have to hold on the phone to reach him or try to talk when my kids are in my armpits wanting attention.

I've been watching DU for 4 years now, because I was sceptical of internet companies. After this long, I do believe its a strong, reputable company. (My charge card showed my deposit to Disney, and not DU, so even if DU did belly up, Disney still has my money. )

If you have any other questions, or anyone else does, please feel free to PM me any time. I believe in sharing resources of people who do good work! Thanks for asking.

 

[Serena6010]

I booked w/ Costco for our last cruise 10/18/03. I got a good deal. The waits on hold were long.....but just a few months before our cruise I realized that I could email my questions. Their emails were very prompt. We were on the waiting list for the early seating.....and received early seating. No problems w/ costco and the waitlist.

 

[MamaGriz]

We just returned from our cruise booked with Costco. We had absolutely no problems and very good customer service (in addition to considerable savings).

 

[MargaretB NC]

DickieLucky:

The quotes I have gotten so far for 7-Day Western Oct 9-16, Category 9, 2 adults and 1 child (cruise only, no insurance or transfers):
Disney and AAA: $2997
All Seasons: $2897
Costco: $2555

Almost $350, so quite a bit of savings.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by feiste
I know people have mentioned Costco, but I was wondering if anyone knows if Sam's club books cruises as well?

I booked with Sams club and saved aprox $2300 (compared to DCL prices). The trick I learned with Sams was to book a cruise with them when they have a block of rooms. I had to sail 3 weeks later than I wanted, but for that kind of savings, it was worth it. We leave next Saturday!!!!

edited to change figure to account for travel insurance.

 

[CheapMom]

Do you call Sam's and then ask when they have good deals? $2500 is an unbelievable amount of savings- it is more than our whole cruise!

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by CheapMom
Do you call Sam's and then ask when they have good deals? $2500 is an unbelievable amount of savings- it is more than our whole cruise!

Actually I called Sams in late September to find out how much their cruises were. I was inquiring about the first week of March and she told me that they had a block of rooms for the March 20 cruise. It was $2900 for 2 adults for cat 6 and on DCL it was about $5400. I checked several other TAs (because although I am not a mom, I am cheap-um frugal) and Sams beat them all by quite a bit. Now their other prices for non-blocked rooms were quite a bit higher than what we paid.

Oops, just remembered that the DCL price included the travel ins and the Sams did not. Add $200 to my price and subtract $200 from my savings. saved $2300. So sorry about that!

I called them for a friend about a month ago about their 'blocks', but they did not have any yet. I guess I was just lucky calling at the right time.

By the way CheapMom, got any money saving tips for the cruise?

 

[Sabor]

Any body else want to share how much they have saved from Costco.
I used DU for my first cruise $650 less than getting a quote from Disney Direct. ($4992 vs $4367)
Just got a Quote for the Western Oct 2005 and this Quote was $850 less than Disney Direct. ($6157 vs $5307)
Are Costcos Savings that much more than that?

 

[jdm]

I used Costco 2 years ago. At that time they were running 10% off DCL prices, so on our wonder cruise it was a savings of about $200. I was extremely pleased with their service. When we checked into our stateroom there was a great giftbox of snacks waiting for us from them. I never did figure out if it was a Costco thing, or a a TA thing, but it was very, very, nice.

Jenn