Disney cruise website vs travel agent

[meekmom]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

Typically, booking through a TA vs DCL won't give you any price break, as DCL doesn't allow TAs to discount their prices. But, a TA might give you some perks (Onboard Credits, bottle of wine, photo packages for example), if you book through them.

We've always booked directly with DCL, so I can't give you any TAs to check. I do know, if you go with a TA, you should look for one with Disney specific training. Many TAs don't have the specific knowledge necessary to book with Disney unless they have.

Yes, yes, yes insurance. Many health plans do not cover you if you need medical care/evacuation while out of country. And once you step foot on the ship, you are considered "out of country" in most cases. If you are booking far out from the cruise, insurance may also offer cancellation insurance.

We've used http://www.insuremytrip.com/ for booking insurance. It's a comparison site that you can enter the information as to what insurance you want, and they will show you several companies plans/prices.

 

[Narnia_girl]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

My TA has been on many, many Disney cruises herself, so it's great to go to her with questions--and she offered a nice onboard credit, which really helps with tips/excursions, etc...

Side note--is it against board policy to share TA names?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Dreams Unlimited sponsors the DIS so I book my DCL cruises through them - they give okay on board credit (OBC) for booking.

DCL cruises are the only time I book through a travel agent - every where else I travel, I book direct. I use Dreams Unlimited strictly for the OBC - this time I get $150 from them for a 7 night cruise - that will pay for our souvenier shopping onboard.

 

[perfectmatch300]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

If you're looking at cruising in September, think HURRICANE season and buy insurance! Makes sure you know what your insurance does actually cover, including pre and post cruise travel interruptions as well as the medical coverage mentioned by Princess Schmoo. We definitely do buy insurance, then hope we'll never need to use it. I consider it money well spent.

We do seem to end up cruising during hurricane season. Our next cruise will follow the one you're thinking of booking, and our 2 previous Disney cruises were also in Sept. Obviously, we don't avoid booking then. We do live 90 min from the port, so pre & post cruise arrangements are no issue for us.

I have always booked our Disney cruises directly with Disney, so I can't comment on using a TA. I personally like to have control of my own reservation.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My TA has been on many, many Disney cruises herself, so it's great to go to her with questions--and she offered a nice onboard credit, which really helps with tips/excursions, etc...

Side note--is it against board policy to share TA names?

No, you can share TA names, generally. Some are blocked. You must post the full link. If it comes up with *******.com, it's blocked.

Example for Dreams Unlimited:
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/disney-cruise-line.cfm

 

[HiYaPal]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

Insurance: Always! My dad had a heart attack once the day before we were supposed to cruise and we had to cancel. Got all of our money back with no problem even though he wasn't even traveling with us. A friend booked directly w/o insurance to save a few bucks...broke her hip and lost $6,000. Our nephews honeymoon was interrupted when there was a mudslide and had to switch from St Lucia to Jamaica on the day of travel which means a big buck airfare change charge and insurance picked up the tab.

Agent: A good agent does more than give you an OBC. A good agent will make sure you pick the right ship, right itinerary, right cabin for your family. A good agent will help with any special needs or food allergies. And even if you frequent the DisBoards and learn all the secrets, a good agent will share a few of their own secrets to ensure your family has a magical time. A good agent does more than just take your order. A good agent will follow up with you afterward to make sure everything went as planned or better than planned and will help rectify anything that went wrong. And you don't pay more for using an agent and may even end up paying less.

 

[SOTOFAMAUG13]

Good info... I booked directly thru DCL, and theyve been available with all my questions and very helpful. Definately get the insurance. I booked for end of August and got the insurance...you never know. Its not that expensive either considering how much you can loose if your trip was interrupted for covered reasons!

 

[meekmom]

Thank you for all the info! It's my first time on here and it's all very helpful! *excited*

 

[aaklang]

It's going to be our first cruise! We're thinking September 21 2014 for four days on the dream So my question is what is the best way to go...booking through the Disney website or through a travel agent??? If travel agent does anyone have a good one? Also insurance or no insurance?

I always used to book directly through the cruise websites, but then found out that I could get the same price and benefits from booking elsewhere. This time, I booked through Costco. The price is exactly the same as if I had booked through the DCL website, but Costco is giving me a $570 Costco Cash Card when we return from the trip. Totally worth it in my opinion. Other travel agents given an on board credit, but from what I was reading, it's usually in the $100-200 range.

I haven't bought insurance yet, but definitely will in case of hurricane.

 

[stepheb]

We booked through Small World Vacations - we were able to get $350 oBC for our 7 night cruise.

That is the only reason I booked through a TA - otherwise the price for the cruise is the same as the website....

 

[LizzieandLuke]

If there are any issues prior to your cruise - Disney will only speak to your travel agent if you booked through them. It makes dealing with DCL tough if you have a problem.