Dreams Unlimited Expectations

[lori123]

I am sticking with Dreams Unlimited, we had a March 2020 cruise cancelled and a March 2021 cruise we cancelled due to travel restrictions. The DU agent did all the work for us. Finally sailed in 2022!

My concern is if my agent would take care of us in that same way, or tell me “you have to call Disney“

 

[goofy4prez]

I have used DU for my last cruise and am using them for my cruise in December and again in April. My TA has been fantastic and has always responded to my emails almost right away. He has given great advice, has helped me plan, and always delivers on my expectations. No complaints at all here.

 

[AgentMama]

We've used DU a couple of times, mainly for the onboard credit, especially if we have multiple rooms. I've had to let them know every time (3 times) one of our trips dropped in price and needed to be rebooked.

 

[lori123]

We've used DU a couple of times, mainly for the onboard credit, especially if we have multiple rooms. I've had to let them know every time (3 times) one of our trips dropped in price and needed to be rebooked.

I guess I better be on this! Do you check by just going through the motions to book a new room to get pricing or is there an easier way?

 

[Mle8308]

Yikes on this!! If they booked my original res can I still transfer to another agency?

I believe you can. If you have another TA in mind, call and explain your situation and see what they advise. Unfortunately, I’ve heard more negative things about DU here on these boards than anywhere else.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Wow! We also have three cabins. All that’s been done for us so far is reservations booked. I didn’t realize they needed to link our reservations and make sure we are at the same dining. They booked all three so maybe it’s been done already, but they haven’t told me about it. It may be that we are more than 6 months out from our cruise?

Like others have said here, you also have to be your own advocate. Do the research, figure out what you think you need, ask questions of your TA, then have that person do the work for you. I would assume they have linked the 3 cabins - that's pretty standard procedure - but just ask if you're not sure! Part of it is also coordinating with who you're travelling with. In our party - we all wanted the 2nd dining time, but perhaps someone in your party wants the a different dining time. That travelling party can go to the DCL website and change those things on their own.

Part of going on ANY Disney vacation is navigating how complex it can be. And part of it is your responsibility to do the research to figure out what you want, and then have your TA execute it for you.

You have 6 months until you set sail; that's plenty of time to pepper your TA with questions and make them work for the commission.

If you just booked through DCL on your own through their website, they wouldn't ask you about linking reservations, or dining times, etc. You have time and that puts you ahead of the game. Ask your TA the questions... I'm sure they'll help.

I've been using DU since my pandemic cruise was canceled and the TA was the one sitting on hold getting that moved to the next year instead of me. I don't really need a TA but if it costs me nothing extra and helps a local business and travel agent in the process, why not?
Although this year I'm going to opt out of the free gift basket.

ooh - I don't want that cheap merch either. How did you opt out of the free basket? Is that just something you told your TA?

 

[Lizgistix]

Yeah, I'll just email her and ask not to receive it this time. The first time was a nice gesture to see what all you get but most of it I don't need multiple of. The highlighters are kind of obsolete now. The refillable mug is nice if you forgot to pack one. The cooler bag, which I'm told is nice, is only given to concierge bookings, though.

 

[vakamalua]

There are lots of good TAs out there like mine that are responsive & give good % discounts / rebates on DCL & ABD--not just OBC or merch. These trips are expensive (overpriced); you deserve the best deal & service.

 

[pjacobi]

I choose DU for booking cruises because I do all the planning myself and pocket the on-board credit provided by DU.

If you need lots of help planning your cruise, I suggest that you choose another TA - but then don't expect any on-board credit.

Cruise commissions can be used to pay travel agents for their time or rebated to customer via on-board credit - but not both!


-Paul

 

[Pens Fan]

If you need lots of help planning your cruise, I suggest that you choose another TA - but then don't expect any on-board credit.

Not necessarily true. My TA (not with DU) will do as much of the heavy lifting as you want or as little. It's up to you. I normally do most of the stuff myself but I know she will book dining reservations, onboard activities, excursions, transfers, etc. She even used to book fast passes for clients at WDW back when that was a thing and could be booked ahead of time. And she always offers some type of thank you gift. We've gotten OBC, gift baskets (not cheap dollar store stuff, I'm talking wine and other goodies provided by the resort or cruise line), private transfers from the airport, free memory maker, just to name some examples.

All TA's are different. There are great ones and not so great ones. OP, you may be stuck with this one for this trip, but if you aren't satisfied, there are plenty of good TA's out there in the future. My recommendation is to always ask your friends and family - people you know and trust - for a recommendation. I wouldn't trust my vacation to a nameless, faceless internet agency, nor would I rely on online recommendations from message boards. Remember, there are tons of TA's on these boards. Nothing wrong with that!! I'm sure mine is too . Just something to keep in mind when people are making suggestions.

 

[Mommb]

My concern is if my agent would take care of us in that same way, or tell me “you have to call Disney“

If you have a travel agent on the reservation, the agent must make any changes to the actual reservation, such as changing dates, changing rooms, changing passengers, and adding transportation (basically, anything with an up-front cost). You won't be allowed to make those changes yourself through Disney even if you want to.

I tried to book bus service back to the airport directly through DCL rather than bothering my TA, and DCL wouldn't let me once they saw I had a travel agent. My agent was happy to take care of it for me as soon as I asked.

 

[Jwaire]

Cruise commissions can be used to pay travel agents for their time or rebated to customer via on-board credit - but not both!

Any of the larger travel agencies will offer onboard credit AND full service especially on high commission items like cruises.

It's not one or the other. If you're not happy with your TA, contact the agency and switch.

 

[candisfl]

I have used DU for my last cruise and am using them for my cruise in December and again in April. My TA has been fantastic and has always responded to my emails almost right away. He has given great advice, has helped me plan, and always delivers on my expectations. No complaints at all here.

Do you mind sharing his name?

 

[candisfl]

Can anyone tell me if I transfer a reservation to DU, will I still have full control over it on the DCL website? Also, would they have any pull in getting my Dad and I a Palo reservation? I'm Platinum, we are 76 days out and there is no availability. This is a special cruise as its his first time going on vacation since my Mom died 2 years ago. They were together over 50 years and loved DCL. When I told him I was buying this trip for him and I, he cried. I just want it to be perfect, this is probably the last cruise we will get to go on together and I want it to be perfect. I've never asked for special treatment on my prior 14 cruises but if a TA has some pull, I'm willing to transfer!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Can anyone tell me if I transfer a reservation to DU, will I still have full control over it on the DCL website? Also, would they have any pull in getting my Dad and I a Palo reservation? I'm Platinum, we are 76 days out and there is no availability. This is a special cruise as its his first time going on vacation since my Mom died 2 years ago. They were together over 50 years and loved DCL. When I told him I was buying this trip for him and I, he cried. I just want it to be perfect, this is probably the last cruise we will get to go on together and I want it to be perfect. I've never asked for special treatment on my prior 14 cruises but if a TA has some pull, I'm willing to transfer!

Travel agents do not have any special ability to get Palo reservations. Full service travel agencies may be willing to watch and check multiple times per day for a Palo reservation to open up, but I don't believe that is a service that Dreams Unlimited offers.

 

[RedHead0186]

Can anyone tell me if I transfer a reservation to DU, will I still have full control over it on the DCL website? Also, would they have any pull in getting my Dad and I a Palo reservation? I'm Platinum, we are 76 days out and there is no availability. This is a special cruise as its his first time going on vacation since my Mom died 2 years ago. They were together over 50 years and loved DCL. When I told him I was buying this trip for him and I, he cried. I just want it to be perfect, this is probably the last cruise we will get to go on together and I want it to be perfect. I've never asked for special treatment on my prior 14 cruises but if a TA has some pull, I'm willing to transfer!

What do you mean by having control of it? You'll still be able to see it on the website and put in special requests (like for dinner seating, etc.). But anything about the reservation itself will have too be done by the TA (changing rooms, adding transportation, etc.). So it depends what you mean by having control.

As PP said, they have no special pull in getting Palo. I would keep checking back, people's plans will shift as the sail date gets closer. You can also ask once you get onboard as they usually hold a few slots back.

 

[DCLMP]

That was my first thought as well. I’ve never found a phone number on the website, and everybody comments DU is email contact only.

OP - I’m not sure where you got the phone number, but DU’s business model is essentially email/online only and they have a process to request a new quote on the website. That’s no excuse for rudeness, though. Did you call twice for the same question? I would submit the online request and that connects you with a specific agent who can answer questions.

Maybe because it's ABD? I know you have to call to book them through Disney or Costco. You can't book it online.

 

[emmybee]

My first cruise was in January via DU. We did concierge & added transportation. I found my TA very responsive to questions, but it was not a "full service" experience like I had imagined having a TA would be because I thought it would be door to door. It wasn't, but I was ultimately fine with that. I made my own flight arrangements and had to add on an additional hotel night's stay myself when we decided to add a day prior to our cruise. I sent my own midnite concierge email, but if I recall correctly, it's midnite eastern time, so no big deal coming from the west coast. We had to check ourselves in, but considering we have to put in sensitive info like passports, I don't think it's a bad thing.

As far as the check in process, I found the Disney website confusing when it came to the transportation/hotel stay part. I filled it out the best I could, but I guess Disney was equally confused by my response because they reached out to my TA who emailed me. I responded to her with the exact details, and it got sorted out. While I thought Disney could have done a lot better with communicating transportation details, we were pretty pleased with the service. We had private town cars to our hotel, back to the hotel post cruise, and to the airport. The bus portion from the hotel to the port was the most confusing bit, but again, it's not like we got left behind, so I guess it was fine!

Everything went well, and we're booked again with the same TA for a cruise next year. My main motivation is that OBC. She remains responsive to emails, but I don't expect to be as confused as I was the first time This time we plan on doing port excursions, so that bit will be new...perhaps I can tack it onto the concierge email. It'll be fine, I'm sure.

 

[candisfl]

My first cruise was in January via DU. We did concierge & added transportation. I found my TA very responsive to questions, but it was not a "full service" experience like I had imagined having a TA would be because I thought it would be door to door. It wasn't, but I was ultimately fine with that. I made my own flight arrangements and had to add on an additional hotel night's stay myself when we decided to add a day prior to our cruise. I sent my own midnite concierge email, but if I recall correctly, it's midnite eastern time, so no big deal coming from the west coast. We had to check ourselves in, but considering we have to put in sensitive info like passports, I don't think it's a bad thing.

As far as the check in process, I found the Disney website confusing when it came to the transportation/hotel stay part. I filled it out the best I could, but I guess Disney was equally confused by my response because they reached out to my TA who emailed me. I responded to her with the exact details, and it got sorted out. While I thought Disney could have done a lot better with communicating transportation details, we were pretty pleased with the service. We had private town cars to our hotel, back to the hotel post cruise, and to the airport. The bus portion from the hotel to the port was the most confusing bit, but again, it's not like we got left behind, so I guess it was fine!

Everything went well, and we're booked again with the same TA for a cruise next year. My main motivation is that OBC. She remains responsive to emails, but I don't expect to be as confused as I was the first time This time we plan on doing port excursions, so that bit will be new...perhaps I can tack it onto the concierge email. It'll be fine, I'm sure.

That sounds like a lot to coordinate!! We are fortunate enough to live two hours from Port Canaveral. We used to mainly use DU for the onboard credit and the free in room gift, which looks kind of generic now. But maybe it always did and my younger self didn't care Because this is more than just a vacation and its going to be a special father-daughter healing trip from the loss of my Mother, I was hoping a TA could help me find a way to make it just a little extra magical. Even if its something small. I'm an analyst by day and I'm not good at coming up with creative ideas. My parents were together for over 53 years and this is his first time doing something without her and they used to love taking Disney cruises together. But I can't even get a darn Palo reservation because there's only two of us. Also, because of the cost, this will most likely be our last cruise on DCL unless they drop some good FL resident rates for a change! I vote for 75% off lol

 

[Disney Mickey&Minnie Fan]

Unfortunately, based on what I've read here I think the service at DU varies greatly by agent. I've worked with the same DU agent for several years and she has been fantastic. She is super responsive (way more than I would expect), has answered all of our questions, sat on the phone with DCL to make changes, sourced discounts that came out after we booked, etc. I could probably do that myself but it's convenient to have her take care of it all, and she's always been great. I personally will continue to work through her.

But, I've heard less than ideal experiences from others working with DU agents. It's a shame the experience is so variable.

I have booked eight Disney cruises through Dreams Unlimited Travel using the same agent for all bookings. Three of these cruises were cancelled during the Covid years.

Through our DU travel agent, we have experienced great service and always have quick replies to any questions asked or help needed. Anytime our DU agent is on vacation herself, she has another agent cover for her, so there have been no gaps in service. Most of our communication is via email, but I have asked her to call me and we have had telephone conversations.

The value of having a travel agent was truly realized when we had to cancel a Disney cruise on very short notice due to catching Covid. We attempted to call Disney ourselves - long wait time on hold - with no success getting through to a person. We contacted our DU travel agent as we continued to attempt to contact a Disney Cruise Line representative. In a matter of minutes our DU agent was able to cancel the cruise and ensure a credit/refund (due to Covid allowances). The special telephone contact the travel agents have with Disney Cruise Line is a benefit making travel agents a valuable resource.

Our agent has provided good advise, suggestions, and recommendations. At this point, I do not intend to blame my DU travel agent for the action of another person. We will continue to book Disney cruises through our DU travel agent who has served us consistently with quality service.