Does DCL ever give the best price?

[dzneprincess]

As I've looked a little more, I realize that so far, on the DCL, I booked Cat 12, and when looking at allseastravel, it was a category 11. The price through DCL backing out ground transportation is $1234.

I will call Dana and also check out costco.

PurtyPAt1 - I'd love to join your thread, but unfortunately I'm planning Nov 2006 not Nov 2005.

RP, please let us know what you decided on.....who was the best deal for you and your family. I am always interested to know.

 

[dzneprincess]

Can you book with Disney, get their offer. Then can you transfer to a travel agent and get their offer?

deelam, once you book with DCL you can then transfer yor ressie over to a GREAT TA like mine, who then same you EVEN more money!!! THe more money to cruise with again! LOL

 

[dzneprincess]

Sorry, I was wrong about saving $316. The $316 savings was the insurance that Disney quoted and Mouseearvacations did not. The prices were the same except I get a $125 on board credit with mouseearvacations.

Meshee I just wanted to tell you that in my pasy experience, my savings with my TA has always been less than what the direct price with DCL was.

 

[Cleo41]

The TA I spoke with said she if she transferred the reservation from DCL it would be at the same price less any rebate she was offering. I thought that reservations could be transferred for the better rate? Can anyone clarify?

 

[we6clarks]

Can someone please explain to me how transferring a ressie to a TA works? I am confused. When I asked a TA I was told that I would have to cancel with DCL and rebook with their agency. It doesn't sound like this is always the case from what I am reading here.

 

[Joan1]

The TA I spoke with said she if she transferred the reservation from DCL it would be at the same price less any rebate she was offering. I thought that reservations could be transferred for the better rate? Can anyone clarify?

That is not correct. If you have a reservation and transfer it, all it means is that you get to keep everything you already have but get the benefit of whatever else the person you are transferring it to is offering. If you already have a reservation, chances are that is the best price especially if you booked it a month or more before you contacted that person as the rate of the cruise probably already went up in price.

 

[pjacobi]

Here is my understanding of DCL cruise pricing:

1) Prices on a DCL cruise are *fixed* no matter if you book through a travel agent or the DCL web site.

2) The fixed price changes over time, so that DCL can fill up the boat. Those that have already booked get adjusted with a free upgrade.

3) When a DCL cruise is sold throough a travel agent (TA), the tavel agent can collect a commission amounting to several hundred dollars! Some TAs keep the comission fee for themself, other rebate some or part of the amount back to the customer. That's why booking a DCL cruise through a TA is cheeper than the website.

4) Some TAs, like AAA, pre-purchase a block of room in advance for a particular date. They can then sell these rooms at a discount, but only for a particular cruise date.

I hope this advice helps.

I would personally recomend Dreams Unlimited, since they rebate part of the commision back to the customer.


-Paul A. Jacobi

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Hey sweetie, there is no trick to getting them to call you back. Dana WILL get back to you! I have voicemail on my home number and I always leave a cell number or work number and I ALWAYS get a call back from Dana. And believe me, it is worth it! Dana has saved me much money through these past couple of years.

Just felt this I should post this. I have attempted to contact Dana for over a month and not heard from her. I've written emails, called, and even submitted a second quote request to start fresh. I always get voicemail when I call and never get a reply from email. I had heard many good things about her from these boards, but I'm afraid she doesn't *always* get back to everyone.

 

[dzneprincess]

Im just curious,Have you put any of the above statements in your email requests to the company of left on voicemail? Because as I have said in the past, that is not the experience that I have had in the past.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Im just curious,Have you put any of the above statements in your email requests to the company of left on voicemail? Because as I have said in the past, that is not the experience that I have had in the past.

I had referenced my earlier email/quote requests in every instance. I have left voicemail, as well as emails and not heard from them. I have been told that it is unusual, but I have since gotten quotes elsewhere that I am happy with so I'm not going to pursue it any further.

I just wanted others to know that it is not just them that haven't heard from Dana in recent months.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just felt this I should post this. I have attempted to contact Dana for over a month and not heard from her. I've written emails, called, and even submitted a second quote request to start fresh. I always get voicemail when I call and never get a reply from email. I had heard many good things about her from these boards, but I'm afraid she doesn't *always* get back to everyone.

I just wanted to add that I have had this same experience with them - No call backs, no emails, etc - I tried several times to get a hold of them. I ended up just going back to using Dreams Unlimited and I am very happy with their service.

Karen

 

[Melrosgirl]

 

[deelam]

Do you think booking with Disney as soon as the new 2007 rates are released will give the best prices?

 

[StuartMI]

I've called this company twice in the last week. No one has returned my calls. I've read post from otherr DISers that have had the same problem.
What's the trick to getting them to call you back?

That's insane. I know Dana reads these boards so hopefully she will read this thread.

I really can't speak for her, but all I can do is share my experiences. I have read that other people have had trouble contacting her but that's never been the case for me. Longest I waited for a return call from her was a few hours, and thats because she was on vacation.

Have you tried emailing them too? Her or Michael her husband respond to emails within an hour of me sending them usually: cruisepl@att.net

I wish I could help more. Keep trying! I promise the price savings is worth it.

Edit: I just read the rest of the replies in this thread -- I see it has been dealt with. So, here you go.

 

[Viking]

I booked on board during our last cruise, because of the 10% rebate and the $200 on-board credit. After we returned from the cruise I transferred our ressie to DU and received another $50 credit.
When I booked my first cruise through DU in January 2000 for September 2001 I read about their policy to adjust the price if a better rate came up. A year later I received a mail from DU announcing that they just managed to reduce my cruise's price by $440!! That's what I call good service.
And last, but not least: They provide us with those wonderful Boards and thus derserve a certain loyalty from us - at least IMHO

 

[deelam]

I missed out on the great on board booking deals. The rates for 2007 are not out yet, so I couldn't rebook on board.

 

[StuartMI]

I missed out on the great on board booking deals. The rates for 2007 are not out yet, so I couldn't rebook on board.

I *believe* you could have booked an 06 cruise, gotten your on board credits, and then when the 07 rates come out, move your ressie over to an 07 date and keep the onboard credits. BUT - don't quote me on it.

We have a $200 on board credit for our 2006 ressie, and a $100 credit for our 05 ressie. I had the 2006 ressie created BEFORE we went on our 11/04 cruise and they had no problems "rebooking" it online and qualifying it for the $200 obc.

 

[deelam]

Thanks good to know for next time. Thanks...

 

[earpiemom]

Just wanted to put my two cents worth in..I can't say enough about Dana...We were trying to decide on doing another cruise and she went above and beyond the call of duty in giving me quotes...She, also, after we decided to wait another year on the cruise gave us other information on different types of vacations...I have always received calls or emails back...She was wonderful to us...

 

[Meshee]

does anyone know the phone number for Dreams unlimited. I can't seem to find it on their website.