DCL Vow Renewal - Direct or via TA

[dolphingirl47]

We are planning a Vow Renewal on the Disney Wonder next year on a Mexican Riviera cruise in October. So the time has nearly come to start the planning. I am in the UK. DU is holding the booking for this cruise and since I have learned to let go of control a little, I have found it a huge benefit to have them as a go between when dealing with DCL. I have been reading a bit on the DCL website and it says that you can either contact them or a travel agent. The question is if I am better off dealing with DFTW myself or to let my TA handle it? Do I even have the option to do it myself as the cruise is held by a TA?

Corinna

 

[Chilly]

Not sure about cruise weddings/VRs but for weddings at WDW it is always better to book direct with Disney and not through a TA.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Not sure about cruise weddings/VRs but for weddings at WDW it is always better to book direct with Disney and not through a TA.

Thanks for your input. I have been procrastinating about this for the last 4 years. Initially the plan was to do the vow renewal at Crystal Cathedral in California. However, DH is not religious at all and I really wanted a venue that means a lot to both of us. I was then lucky enough to attend a vow renewal on the Wonder in 2008 and it never left me alone since. The Wonder also happens to be DH's favourite ship (I am more of a Magic girl myself) and we are cruising with people that we cruised with last year who have become good friends. So this will be perfect.

I find DCL quite a challenge to deal with so I am more than happy to let my TA (who totally rocks) fight my battles for me. I am aware that I would be dealing with DFTW rather than the cruise line, but with the time difference, I thought it might be easier to go through my TA.

Corinna

 

[gemmybear83]

Most communication with dftw is via email so and I have not found the time difference and issue at all.

Personally I would book it myself and miss out the middle man.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Most communication with dftw is via email so and I have not found the time difference and issue at all.

Personally I would book it myself and miss out the middle man.

Thanks, I have sent a request through the website for a wedding planner to contact me. I have however read that the cost of the vow renewal will be added to my cruise bill. So as the cruise part is handled by a travel agent, it might well be that the vow renewal has to be handled by them as well.

Corinna

 

[CustardTart]

Richard and I had a VR on the Magic back in September 2007, Corinna. I handled the details myself despite having the cruise booked with my TA at Dreams Unlimited. The cost was just added to my final bill. I dealt with Cathy Ingle at DFTW and it couldn't have been easier. She emailed me a planning kit and I had work sheets to complete (these included all our details, guest details, floral, cake and music choices plus any extras..) I just had to get those back to her 60 days before the sail date.

Once onboard, we had a planning meeting with the Wedding Coordinator to confirm everything and that was it until the Big Day. Which was fabulous - we were both delighted at how it turned out... Good luck...

 

[dodle]

I think it will be easier to deal with the VR yourself than having someone in the middle who can't make your decisions for you. The wedding planner now is Shanda and she seems to be ontop of things. My sons wedding is in just over a month and she has been great so far. Most everything is done by email so the time difference shouldn't be a problem.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Richard and I had a VR on the Magic back in September 2007, Corinna. I handled the details myself despite having the cruise booked with my TA at Dreams Unlimited. The cost was just added to my final bill. I dealt with Cathy Ingle at DFTW and it couldn't have been easier. She emailed me a planning kit and I had work sheets to complete (these included all our details, guest details, floral, cake and music choices plus any extras..) I just had to get those back to her 60 days before the sail date.

Once onboard, we had a planning meeting with the Wedding Coordinator to confirm everything and that was it until the Big Day. Which was fabulous - we were both delighted at how it turned out... Good luck...

Thanks Karen, this has really helped. I think I might need to buy you a couple of cocktails on the Girlie Weekend and pick your brains.

I think it will be easier to deal with the VR yourself than having someone in the middle who can't make your decisions for you. The wedding planner now is Shanda and she seems to be ontop of things. My sons wedding is in just over a month and she has been great so far. Most everything is done by email so the time difference shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for your advice as well. If I can deal with them by email, it will be fine. The time difference and me working shifts would make anything else too complicated.

Corinna