Disney Cruise Newbie-should I use a travel agent?

[SABeasley98]

We are planning to try our first Disney cruise this November-haven't booked it yet. We visit WDW at least once a year & I don't use a travel agent because I like to be able to make changes myself. Wondering if I should use one for this cruise though since I don't know much about Disney cruising-and I'm already confused about these GTY rooms We are traveling with family so will need 3 staterooms. Looking at the Nov 10th 3 night cruise to the Bahamas. Open to any advice or suggestions on whether using a travel agent would be helpful or any other advice. TIA!

 

[Geomom]

I would use a travel agent that gives on board credit (OBC)--which is free money to use on board the ship. We went with Dreams Unlimited, they're the ones that sponsor this website--they are online/email based only. Our Disney cruise last year is the first time we've used a travel agent in over 20 years (I think the last time might have been our honeymoon...) Any cruise payments need to go through the travel agent, and they would be the ones to book the rooms, change rooms if you wanted to switch locations, etc. You do the online checkin, book port adventures, book ticketed meet and greets, book Palo, etc.

I was very happy going through Dreams Unlimited. I had already gone onto the Disney cruiseline website and knew the exact stateroom I wanted and I knew how much it was going to cost. I told them what room I wanted, and if it wasn't available what other room I'd accept. I've now booked a second cruise with them, using the placeholder OBB (onboard booking) that I made during my first cruise. The OBB gave me 10% off the price and gives me $200 in OBC. Dreams Unlimited gives less OBC for transferred reservations and OBB bookings as they receive less from Disney for those.

 

[Rabb it]

We have booked two cruises so far, our next one, I've told myself I will go through a TA for sure.

 

[wherespluto]

We only book them ourselves. But I like to control everything. We dont do GTY rooms, because we know where we like to be, etc. I would rather give up the TA credit to be able to control everything my self.

But that is me.

 

[Dug720]

We only book them ourselves. But I like to control everything. We dont do GTY rooms, because we know where we like to be, etc. I would rather give up the TA credit to be able to control everything my self.

But that is me.

100% with you there!!

 

[CamColt]

I highly recommend a Disney Specialist Travel Agent, such as Dreams Unlimited (sponsors of these boards) for first time cruisers. Not only do you get their on board credit but they will walk you through the planning process.

 

[msmama]

For my upcoming long (therefore expensive) cruise, I used a TA because I wanted the OBC. For shorter cruises I've done, I haven't used a TA (because the OBC wasn't as much as my need for control).

That said, as much as I may be anti-TA in most cases, it's been absolutely fine working with Dreams Unlimited (I've actually worked with a couple different ones as my original TA was on mat leave during the time $$ was actually due). It was an extra step - talking to the TA instead of handling things myself - but it was only a couple of emails.

So, my personal opinion is check out the OBC you'd get (the other big one I hear a lot about is Costco where you get a costco cash card - honestly, I don't shop at Costco enough for that to be worth it for me, personally) and see if that number gets you over your discomfort over using a TA.

 

[JWG]

I would recommend a Disney specialized TA (not a random mass agency such as AAA). They know what they're doing and the importance of first day bookings, etc.
I only use them for things liks a cruise where there's an OBC. Otherwise it's easier to just do it yourself.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

We just booked our first cruise today but use dreams for every Disney trip and did for this cruise. I prefer a TA (then specifically for the following reasons:

1. They are never more expensive than Disney and usually offer some extras (On board credit on cruise line, continued dilligence at seeking/applying deals at WDW)

2. Extra help and support when I may not have the answer to something specific.

3. For us we don't see control as a drawback because we still book all the details (adr at WDW and excursions on cruise) on our own.

4. Finally, this is silly but I would rather give Dreams Unlimited a small piece of the vacation money I spend. I figure I get a lot of info/entertainment out of the boards that I can help support the businesses associated with them.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[tarheelz]

I will throw out as a "third way," booking through Costco if you are already a member. You get to control selection of your room and get credit in the form of a Costco gift card. (If you're already a member, that's effectively cash in hand.) Even better, if you have a Costco Credit Card, you'll get another 3% back at the end of the year in your annual rewards.

 

[MillauFr]

I would rather do everything myself. However I always use a TA to book Disneyworld as the TA I use sells rooms at a massive 55% discount to booking through Disney direct. I also use Costco as they are cheaper by 8 to 9% than booking through Disney direct. I don't understand why Disney lets the TA's undercut their price. It really doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[DisneyHelen]

I use Dreams Unlimited.The on board credit is great.I like to plan my own cruise excursions and transportation.I have requested our own dining table but otherwise do not need any TA advice.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

We always book all vacations ourselves I did however consider DU on our first cruise for the OBC but then changed my mind I like the control too much but I also don't want anyone to blame if something went wrong, if I do it all myself I'm the only one to be mad at and so far we've had great vacations with no issues and I've heard some horror stories I'd like to avoid and obviously not all TA stories are bad mostly good but I'd still like to be the only one in control of our family just in case.

 

[Dug720]

We always book all vacations ourselves I did however consider DU on our first cruise for the OBC but then changed my mind I like the control too much but I also don't want anyone to blame if something went wrong, if I do it all myself I'm the only one to be mad at and so far we've had great vacations with no issues and I've heard some horror stories I'd like to avoid and obviously not all TA stories are bad mostly good but I'd still like to be the only one in control of our family just in case.

Exactly. I agree 100%.

I did look at using DU once for the "great" OBC, but the big numbers really don't kick in for solos unless and until we get to Suite Level Concierge. I mean, for the "$1000" in big print on here with "up to" in tiny print, you are looking at $20K! - for most of the cruises I've done I'd get maybe $50 or *possibly* $100. Which I might have actually been ok with had the agent who responded to my quote request paid any attention to my desired room category or anything - but no, she started quoting the most expensive verandahs when I merely asked for my favorite Ocean View category. I figured if she couldn't be bothered to read my message, she probably couldn't be bothered to do anything else I needed.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

We always use a TA for cruises. It's great when you want to price out different options, or if you want someone to manage something like being on a waitlist for a change. I'm not entirely sure what people want to control that a travel agent takes away. I tell the agent which room numbers are acceptable and essentially just have them do the same thing I would have done through the website, and I get some OBC in return. I still do all of the on-board activities myself (or through shoreside concierge), so no control lost there.

Essentially, I feel like I have the same amount of control, I just have someone else to do the grunt work for me. I send everyone I know who is thinking about a Disney cruise to our agent because our experience has been so good.

 

[Dug720]

The bottom line is, for some people a travel agent is the way to go and they can't imagine anyone not wanting to use one. And that is fine for them.

For others of us, we don't see the need - and in fact want the freedom to do things like having the freedom to change our cabin whenever we want without having to contact someone else to do it. And that is fine for us.

Ergo there is no universal "right" answer. It's highly personal to you and your needs.

 

[Tulip2796]

We booked our 1st Disney cruise (and 1st cruise ever) last year about 2 weeks before sailing (7-night sailing) and had no issues. I liked that I controlled everything, didn't need to call anyone other than Disney to have a question answered. These boards were super helpful and as far as I know, we didn't miss out on anything. Just booked our next cruise (about 8 months out) and did it myself also.

 

[whitters3]

Here's the way I look at it. It costs you literally nothing to use one. It costs the same amount either way. If you use one, Disney will pay the agent a commission. If you book with Disney, they just keep that money they are willing to pay someone. Why not put that money back into the economy than Disney's pocket?

Do know though if you are using someone to get onboard credit, it comes directly from their paycheck.

 

[Jadeey]

We just booked our first cruise today but use dreams for every Disney trip and did for this cruise. I prefer a TA (then specifically for the following reasons:

1. They are never more expensive than Disney and usually offer some extras (On board credit on cruise line, continued dilligence at seeking/applying deals at WDW)

2. Extra help and support when I may not have the answer to something specific.

3. For us we don't see control as a drawback because we still book all the details (adr at WDW and excursions on cruise) on our own.

4. Finally, this is silly but I would rather give Dreams Unlimited a small piece of the vacation money I spend. I figure I get a lot of info/entertainment out of the boards that I can help support the businesses associated with them.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with all of these. Number 4 is the reason I picked DU, I like giving something back for all the time I spend on these boards!

 

[Kevin4321]

I like planning our vacations and have been on multiple DCL, other cruises, and park visits. The only time I use a TA is for DCL cruises because of the OBC. The TA neither adds nor subtracts from my ability to plan and control the cruise and I like free money.