DH told me to start planning our next cruise! I need help!

[TLHB70]

My DH told me last night that he is ready to go on our next cruise. So he told me to start planning. Needless to say, I am up early this morning on the computer looking for deals. I knew that I needed to ask you pros first before going anywhere else.
This is the help I need...............
Who did you book with? Or what TA do you recommend? This will only be our second cruise. We used a local TA in our mall for the first. I wasn't too pleased with him. As I planned for the cruise I would read on these boards about different things. When I would ask him about them, he acted like it was impossible (cheaper rates, requesting table for only your family, etc.). I just don't want to use them again. So I need help finding the cheapest rates. I know that you will ask about rebooking on the ship. No, we didn't do that. Now we regret it.
My DH wants to sail in November or December of THIS YEAR! So we are running out of time. I did check online on DCL site and there are some rooms still available. However, I know that I can probably get rates cheaper somewhere else. What do you recommend? I have requested quotes from Dreams Unlimited and MouseEar Vacations. Do you have others to suggest?
Also, my 6 year old daughter received the Castaway Club card after our last cruise. However, none of us other family members did. Will I be able to use her card for perks this time? She is only 6 so she is a minor. Will we be able to use it for this trip?
Any suggestions are welcome. I just want to find the cheapest rate.
THANKS!

 

[TheWog]

Breathe in, breathe out....

You are doing fine. I was going to suggest Dreams Unlimited, but you have already contacted them. There are a bunch of others that you will hear about shortly I am sure.

DCL will have you all in the system for Castaway Club membership info. Just have the one number and they will find the rest of you associated with it. You are fine there. Have a great time planning...

 

[lindakmonty]

Planning can be so exciting and tiring at the same time...but you are in good shape. You know what to do...shop for the best price! I would also recommend contacting magic for less, micdan travel, allseastravel.com, small world vac. ...some of them have group sailings where they can offer a huge discount compared to what disney is offering. Also remember when you book onboard, you may want to transfer to a ta for additional savings!! Good luck and enjoy!!

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks for the information.
I have contacted the names that you gave me, Lindakmonty, and asked for quotes.

 

[rsjj]

try cruiseplanners! our ta was/is Carol. we've been very happy w/her. have our second one coming up in 2 weeks!!

 

[lindakmonty]

I would cruise their websites too, check out their specials. sometimes cruising even a week earlier or later can make a huge difference. Ex. my sons bd is Feb 19, I would love to take him for his 5th bd on board but the price was almost double than going a week or two before that!! Sorry, he wont be onboard for his birthday, but we'll prob. go either Jan or early Feb... then do WDW for his birthday! He's been aboard 3 times and he's only 4 so I think he'll live !

I have tons of others if you are interested just send me a pm and I can send you tons of info... you can just see several use the same prices so I try not to waste toooo much time comparing if they use the same sources...

 

[TLHB70]

Thank you, rsjj, I just requested a quote from Cruiseplanners.

 

[TLHB70]

I am bumping because I am still open for suggestions.


TheWog, you said that DCL will have all our Castaway Club numbers. So if I put the only number that I know, my DD's, on these quote requests, they will be ok with that? I guess DCL will find the others and know that we are the same people/family......right?

 

[lindakmonty]

using your DD's castaway # will work...

if you're just wanting more choices to check: cruisevalue.com,berwick travel, cruise complete, smartcruiser, all travel 800.300.4567, and cruise server 866.469.4733... if that helps !! I hope you find a great deal... best think is find a group sailing rate. for Jan. I can't get anyone that can even come close to magic for less....

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks, lindakmonty, I will try those too. I am open to try all of them because I want the cheapest rate. However, I only want to try TA that others have used because I don't want to be disappointed in the service or ripped off. That is why I wanted to ask on the DIS. I figured that here there would be lots of people that have used lots of different TA. I knew that I could get a variety of ideas.