Have you booked with Costco before? Or can you recommend a TA?

[FigmentSpark]

I just got off the phone with one of the Costco agents, as I was looking for some information. She didn't even know what a placeholder was! I should say, though, I'm in Canada and ended up with someone whose first language may not have been English. However, one would think that agents would know something as basic as a placeholder.

Anyway, if you've used them, first, how easy was it to get your placeholder converted into a cruise reservation with the rooms you wanted? I believe strongly in opening day purchases, so if you used them on opening day, what kinds of service and waits did you get? I'm assuming (from what this agent said) that I have to call to have a placeholder converted to a reservation, not just book it on line.

Second, when you look on the Costco site at sailings, the rooms available are very different than the DCL site. Rooms showing available on DCL are shown as unavailable on the Costco site. That concerns me. This agent said they call DCL and book those rooms, if they aren't showing on their site, but I'm concerned there's some reason for this and that they won't be able to book the room I want. Have you had any experience with this?

Finally, I was thinking of using Costco because of the cash back, which is lucrative. I'm open to other suggestions of companies with perks, but as I said, I'm in Canada, so it would have to be with someone who can do business here.

Thanks for your help.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

I love using Costco. They will call DCL and book rooms you want. Some of their agents are less knowledgeable than others. I just call back and get someone that knows more.

 

[Pkltm]

I have not used Costco but i do love Dreams Unlimiteed

 

[FigmentSpark]

Does Dreams Unlimited do business in Canada or only in the U.S.?

 

[wanderlust7]

I called Costco the evening of opening day to book my placeholder and got someone who was not that knowledgeable. She told me I needed to fill out a transfer form even though I tried to tell her Costco was already the TA on the last cruise and I specified Costco as the TA on the placeholder. She couldn't see it in the system though and unfortunately, I happened to call in the small window when DCL has closed but Costco is still open (so I couldn't insist that she call DCL to check). I ended up calling again the next morning and got an agent who knew exactly what to do and got the cruise booked.

So - yes, definitely, some agents are more knowledgeable than others. And don't call when DCL is closed. The cash card is great for us since we shop at Costco a lot. It's worth it to us even if there are some minor inconveniences and no hand holding (get all my info here anyways ).

If you're transferring your placeholder, I believe Dreams now only offers half the regular OBC. Costco is still giving the same amount as far as I know.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, I think even on my last cruise the extent of the handholding my other TA did was to ask for a private table. Most other things I brought to her attention. So that's a nice thing to have someone looking out for you, for sure, but how often is it really happening?

 

[Pkltm]

Does Dreams Unlimited do business in Canada or only in the U.S.?

I live in Manitoba, I have used Dreams multiple times for WDW and now using them for a cruise. Communication is via email and phone, but always been happy with the service and never had any issues. For our next trip we are using them for our cruise portion, as we are renting point for the wdw portion.

 

[havaneselover]

I'm on my second Costco booking--both were transfer on board bookings. The last one was a placeholder. All you do is give them the reservation number.

Service was great last time. This time I booked opening day for gold and it was very good. I called back the next day (opening day for silver plus all others) to change staterooms and the guy didn't know what he was doing and had a bit of an attitude. He told me rooms that were available weren't and really didn't want to call dcl. Anyway, he did and I got the rooms I wanted. All in all very worth it for the $685 in cash cards I will get.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't see why a TA should know the term placeholder. It's a cruise with a reservation number. It's like wanting wdw or a TA to know the phrase split stay.

I need no handholding and I like Costco for the cash card (or for Royal OBC). For some reason I wasn't aware that Canadians could use Costcotravel.com though.

Transferring to Costco keeps the full OBC from booking onboard. Moving to any other TA (as far as I know) including DU (that I know) halves the OBC.

 

[FigmentSpark]

There is a Costcotravel.ca.

 

[CamColt]

Another satisfied custom of Dreams Unlimited here. Not only do you get an On Board Credit which is free spending money for your trip, but you are dealing with the experts who have a lot of experience with the product.

Does Dreams Unlimited do business in Canada or only in the U.S.?

Dreams Unlimited has worked with clients from all over the world.

 

[TXspartan]

Love Costco, we've booked in multiple ways through a TA, with DCL Directly, On Board, and through Costco.... and here's what I learned... there's absolutely no difference.

We take all of our DCL business to Costco b/c it's a very clear simple process and b/c of the Cash Card results in the best value for our cruise.

 

[monkeybird]

Potentially dumb question: to get this Cashback thing, do you have to book through DCL first and then transfer to Costco or can you just book directly thorough Costco?
My understanding is that you can go through Costco directly and that the only reason you'd book through DCL first and then transfer would be because you booked on board. Is that correct? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Potentially dumb question: to get this Cashback thing, do you have to book through DCL first and then transfer to Costco or can you just book directly thorough Costco?
My understanding is that you can go through Costco directly and that the only reason you'd book through DCL first and then transfer would be because you booked on board. Is that correct? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Either way. Book through DCL and transfer (within 30 days). Or book through Costco.

Only benefit is if you book onboard, you get the onboard booking perks.

 

[monkeybird]

Thanks, PrincessSchmoo.

 

[wanderlust7]

My understanding is that you can go through Costco directly and that the only reason you'd book through DCL first and then transfer would be because you booked on board.

You can specify Costco as your TA when you book onboard. If the cruise you're on (when you book the OBB) was booked with Costco, then Costco will stay the TA. If there was no TA for the cruise you're on, you can specify Costco. If you had a different TA, then I'm not sure if you can switch to Costco - that may be a case where you'd have to ask for no TA and then transfer to Costco later.

 

[LAX]

You can specify Costco as your TA when you book onboard. If the cruise you're on (when you book the OBB) was booked with Costco, then Costco will stay the TA. If there was no TA for the cruise you're on, you can specify Costco. If you had a different TA, then I'm not sure if you can switch to Costco - that may be a case where you'd have to ask for no TA and then transfer to Costco later.

If the placeholder is assigned to Costco, can one book a cruise prior to opening day for the general public through Costco?

LAX

 

[Dug720]

If the placeholder is assigned to Costco, can one book a cruise prior to opening day for the general public through Costco?

LAX

If you are gold or platinum you could book one day prior to the schedule opening to the public. That's it.

 

[DisneyConvert]

We've used SmallWorld Vacations (Amber Vaughan) for many/most of our DCL trips. She's knowledgeable, available, helpful. Modest/fair shipboard credits depending on what they earn in commission and, most important, knows all the ins/outs of DCL reservations. Even though we are pretty experienced Disney vacationers, we see no reason NOT to make reservations with her.

 

[EyeDisneyCruise]

We are also Canadian and we book with Tracy at Travel on a Dream. She is a DCL guru and can help you with all the details from choosing the best stateroom to helping with helpful tips and reminders for your cruise.