Cruise Booking Question

[Linda67]

Hi everyone

A quick question that I am hoping one of you can help me with

So we are going on our first Disney Cruise in May.

As we have never cruised before, we decided to just book a three night trip in the middle of our WDW holiday

We've both agreed that if we enjoy it we will book another, longer cruise for 2012 (I've already decided that we are going to love it )

We booked our cruise through Dreams Unlimited and they were really helpful as well as giving us some on-board credit as a bonus for booking with them

I've got a good idea of the dates and itinerary that we would book for 2012 so am I better re-booking direct with Disney whilst I am on the ship as I understand there is some kind of discount for re-booking whilst on-board or would I get a better deal booking earlier through Dreams Unlimited

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi everyone

A quick question that I am hoping one of you can help me with

So we are going on our first Disney Cruise in May.

As we have never cruised before, we decided to just book a three night trip in the middle of our WDW holiday

We've both agreed that if we enjoy it we will book another, longer cruise for 2012 (I've already decided that we are going to love it )

We booked our cruise through Dreams Unlimited and they were really helpful as well as giving us some on-board credit as a bonus for booking with them

I've got a good idea of the dates and itinerary that we would book for 2012 so am I better re-booking direct with Disney whilst I am on the ship as I understand there is some kind of discount for re-booking whilst on-board or would I get a better deal booking earlier through Dreams Unlimited

Thanks in advance for your help

you book on board to get the onboard discount and then it's my understanding that you'll be able to move the reservation over to dreams unlimited to get the onboard credit.

 

[Linda67]

you book on board to get the onboard discount and then it's my understanding that you'll be able to move the reservation over to dreams unlimited to get the onboard credit.

Thanks that's great info

I'll book onboard and then call Dreams when I get back

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks that's great info

I'll book onboard and then call Dreams when I get back

i'm not 100% sure you can do this. Wayne may know for sure, as he's gone on many cruises. But i'm pretty sure you can.

 

[wickesy]

You can transfer an onboard booking to Dreams Unlimited but I don't think DU will give you as much onboard credit as they would do if you booked direct with them as they won't get so much commission from Disney. I will bow to Wayne's superior knowledge as well though if need be.

 

[wayneg]

Not something I have done. I am sure there used to be the info on their site but can't see it now. I would email them and ask for the latest info from them.
I thought you got your online Disney from Disney then the OBC from DU but it might have changed
Email address.
DCL.Reservations@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[DISWolves]

Last year I booked online for our Aug 2011 cruise with Disney and got $25 OBC - then transfer to DU got a further $100 OBC, so $125 in total

 

[Linda67]

Thanks for the info everyone

Has anyone every re-booked whilst on the ship?

I wondered if the discounts were very good

 

[wayneg]

You get 10% discount plus an OBC which varies depending on which cruise you re-book, we got $200 on a 7 night.
Just checked another agent which states you get this plus their OBC when transferring so I assume DU still offer the same.

Last time we cruised we had no idea when we would cruise again(dates we might want were not released) we should have done a re-booking onboard for a cruise as far out as poss then transferred to our current cruise, would have probably saved about $170 but too late now.

If you know which sailing you want before you board you can book now to secure cabin you want then when onboard re-book and get your 10%.

 

[Linda67]

Thanks Wayne

As you suggested, I contacted DU and they confirmed that if I book whilst on board I should get a 10% discount and on-board credit from Disney but that I should be sure to tell Disney that DU are my travel agent.

This way I get the DU on board credit as well

DU told me to get in touch with them once I have booked with my Disney Reservation Number as sometimes Disney aren't as efficiient as they should be in notifying travel agents

I am fairly sure which sailing I want but I think I should wait until on board just in case we don't enjoy our first cruise (highly unlikely I know )

If I did book on-line before I sail in May would Disney be able to still give me the discount and OBC though

How exactly would that work? would they cancel the booking I made in the UK and re-book on board? Do you think that would mess things up with then transferring to DU?

Sorry for so many questions but you are soooo helpful

 

[wayneg]

I am fairly sure which sailing I want but I think I should wait until on board just in case we don't enjoy our first cruise (highly unlikely I know )

If I did book on-line before I sail in May would Disney be able to still give me the discount and OBC though

How exactly would that work? would they cancel the booking I made in the UK and re-book on board? Do you think that would mess things up with then transferring to DU?

Sorry for so many questions but you are soooo helpful

Main reason we booked before sailing was to secure a Secret Porthole cabin, very difficult to reserve. I knew we would have no chance by leaving it until we sailed.
If for some reason you don't enjoy the cruise or you want to cancel for any other reason then the deposit is fully refundable.
Yes you still get the OBC, what they did for us was cancel the original booking releasing the cabin then rebooked it immediately with a new onboard booking.
I guess if you are not concerned which cabin you get then you might as well wait til onboard.