Deal w/ AAA?

[DonnaDuck]

Hi, we booked our November 11-14 (2004) Wonder cruise a month ago with Dreams Unlimited.

However, I just joined AAA today.

Has anybody out there booked a cruise w/ AAA?

Do you guys think that I could get a better deal by booking with them instead of with Dreams Unlimited?

I am looking forward to learning lots from you guys in the next year. This is my first Disney Cruise...so I am so excited.

Thanks & Happy Cruisin'!!!!!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

We book through AAA and have never had a problem. We also get some sort of free gift. Once it was a set of framed pins of the ship and now it is refillable soda mugs for everyone in the party.

 

[kshabare]

We love AAA. My advice though - business is business - check the two rates. The soda mugs were definately an added bonus to our family. We had 11 people sailing on one trip and the mugs were handy. Even if you didn't want to carry your mug around there are stickers on your KTTW card so you could get complimentary sodas.

Our AAA left us a bottle of champagne, a beautiful album and friendly assistance. Never a problem with them here in CT.

Kim

 

[CRenze]

I booked through AAA and got nothing but wonderful service so far. At the time I booked it was the BEST rate going and trust me I checked everybody I could think of. I had a notebook that listed everyone's price and what it included (Each member in our party is getting a refillable mug from AAA). I'm not saying that you should call a dozen places like I did but it couldn't hurt to at least check out a few.

Happy deal hunting!

Cindy

 

[Doctor P]

I checked seven different sources for a September 2004 sailing and AAA was the highest price, but their insurance was lower and with the perks it might just be the best deal.

 

[professorandmom]

I used AAA - agent knew nothing but they did meet other places' prices, I used the AAA credit card to reduce the price of the cruise by $200 so I really think it was worth the effort - saved about $10 on CC rentals and a few other things (plus the mugs of course)
Barb

 

[newbycruiser]

we did AAA, price was as good as DU, the soda mugs made the difference!

 

[pc_in_CO]

I know this has been asked before, but how do you get them? I think you have to go to Guest Services, correct? Is there something in the room I'll need to take to GS?

 

[MagicMouseketeers]

You get a coupon in your docs that lists the AAA benefits. You take this coupon to the place were they are selling the mugs. You give it to them and they give you the mugs and the stickers. On the first day they were by the elevators on deck 9 I think.

 

[pc_in_CO]

I looked in the docs and didn't seem to find anything. I'll have to recheck them again. Once again, thank you!!

 

[professorandmom]

There is one card with lots of tiny print - it lists the soda mugs and the 10% discount on CC rentals and the other perks
Barbara
PS - when we got on the AAA soda mug table was right on the way to lunch

 

[pc_in_CO]

I'll get my magnifying glass out and hunt it down!!!

 

[seastar]

I also booked with AAA and they have done a good job so far. I booked during their one week sale back in April and got a shipboard credit of $100 in addition to the soda mugs. I saw an ad about the sale in my local paper.

 

[luv2tvl]

I love this thread as I am an agent with AAA! It's nice to hear there are happy people out there with our company!

I will tell you just like everyone else that you should check the prices between the two companies and the "perks" each on will offer and go from there. Also find an agent that you feel comfortable with and that is knowledgable (I know there are some out there that aren't so "sharp") in all things Disney!

Good luck and either way you book you will have an amazing time!

 

[tkd lisa]

We used AAA for our first trip, booked direct our second. The soda mugs were nice with AAA. The mugs and the $100 credit made AAA the cheapest for the 1st trip. The downsides of AAA were: 1) You have to pick up your paperwork in person. We live 2 hours from our AAA office! When we booked the 2nd trip, I called them to check prices. They said that they would be willing to send us our tickets via fedex, but it was against policy. 2) No real information on the Disney cruise line. If I hadn't found the DIS, I would have been lost! Dreams has LOTS more information! 3) We couldn't check our reservation on-line. Once they took the reservation, any changes, etc. had to be done through them. It wasn't earthshattering, but it was annoying. On our 2nd trip, we were upgraded, and I was able to find out just by checking our ressie number on-line. 4) Once you book, they don't look for a better deal, which I know Dreams does.

If we lived closer to a AAA and the price was cheaper, I might book with them again, but we will most likely book with Dreams next time.

 

[midnitemist]

AAA is great last year when I booked our cruise for 8/2/03 we saved about $500-$800 for four people. We have always had great service with AAA and the perks. This year I was a little disappointed. Our agent has always gone over board and gave us a personal gift. This year we did not get anything and I spent $8000 with her. But I got over it and had a wonderful trip. AAA was cheaper by every other place I checked. In fact when I priced the trip in June for the same dates with Disney it went up from $3432 for two people to $5652.

Check around and see what deals people have.

 

[CRenze]

Thanks Emily for being so honest. I can tell you first hand that that I know the feeling about being comfortabe with your TA. The first woman I dealt with was not so good and when she wouldn't return my calls I asked for another. The new one, Brenda, on the other hand is WONDERFUL!! I almost feel bad for calling her all the time with my questions. These boards help with alot but there are some things that I just feel better getting straight from her. When I had my question about the mugs, she called the cruise line directly to find out where I would need to go. They told her that they would be in our room. I guess I find out in November.

Cindy

 

[luv2tvl]

midnitemist--Unfortunately with the way the travel industry is at the present time I know our AAA as well as some others are not able to give out client gifts anymore. There was definitely an uprising about that new policy, but when the big cheeses say no, there really isn't much more we can do about it! I DO hate not being able to have a surprise in my clients room or at dinner.
Just thought that might help you understand why unfortunately that little gift you used to get no longer will be there.

CRenze-- I personally don't mind a million calls and questions especially when it's about my favorite company! Any travel agent should be happy to answer those questions, that's what we are here for!

 

[DianeV]

Unfortunately I have tried to deal with AAA 2 times in the past. Once for a Disney vacation and once for a cruise. Both times all I got was lack of interest on the part of anyone I talked to and they didnt seem to care one way or another if I booked with them or not.

We used Dreams for the cruise and any questions I have had were answered very quickly. Now if they could swing an upgrade for us LOL!

 

[FredS]

My experience was like Dianev's -- my local AAA office seemed to not know much about Disney cruises, nor care to learn. Their price was in the middle of the range of quotes I got, which was not nearly offset by the free mugs. As I recall, I initially requested a quote online, never got a response, then called and STILL did not get a return call from an agent. I tried once again and on the third time got a return phone call, but as I said the price wasn't spectacular and the TA didn't seem to know much about Disney cruises.