Have you ever booked with Costco and how did it go?

[Jillpie]

I just booked our first 7 day cruise (June 24th, 2006) with Costco. They require that payments are done with credit card. Everything went smoothly so far. Just wondering how you felt about them...did your docs come on time? Did they send anything as a welcome aboard gift (some TA's do this)? Anything to let me know about? thanks.

 

[danicaw]

We are on the May Repositioning Cruise in a little over a week and are using Costco Travel.
We actually booked through DCL that first day and then moved the reservation to Costco. So far all has gone smoothly.
Our Docs came yesterday, which some may think is a little late, but its fine with us.
I did ask when we made our final payment, for a bed rail request for our toddler and was told they couldn't add that to our reseveration, we would need to do that onboard.
I might call DCL to see if I can do it directly though them, but only if I have free time before we leave. Free time!

Costco Travel is like Costco the Store. Sales people dont wait on you hand and foot, so if you know what you want and want a good price without a lot of hand holding, its all good.

 

[anitame]

I booked through them for my cruise on 5/15. It's my first cruise, I did TONS of research first (Thanks DIS people!) and I knew exactly what I wanted and when. The price was the lowest out of all the quotes I requested, and other than having to wait for 20 minutes on the phone to make the reservation everything was very smooth and easy.
I don't know about a gift onboard, but I kind of doubt it. It's ok though; for the hundreds of $$ we saved I'll buy myself a gift!

 

[minniemoms]

If you don't mind waiting on hold for an hour each time you call, which is what I have done, then they are alright. Had a little problem with them. I booked thru DCL, and then switched over. Booked last May, then wanted to add another DD, a college girl who we decide would be too sad if we all went without her, tried to add her. Costco said NO at first, and then when I fought long and hard, said we could add her but pay almost double for just added 1 girl.... She wouldn't even budge, so I asked her to please call Disney for me.. she was rude and snotty, and wouldn't do it, So I finally threw a FIT to have them call Disney for me, well........ who was surprised. DD got added with cost of course, but NOT double. The Costco TA was angry I know that Disney Cruise lines let me, but I worked for Disney Stores for over 10 years, I know how Disney is... And they are much better than Costco. So... would I book with them again... To save a few $$$, well, if you don't need them for anything else, no guest service at all, go ahead, but ME.... I will have to save an awful lot to go with them again...

 

[JJsmama]

We booked through Costco for our big (26 person) family cruise last year. Everything was fine in the end. No big problems, but a couple of annoyances: Having to be on hold a long time each time you wanted to ask a question and not being able to deal with Disney directly. For instance we were waitlisted for Main Seating and near the cruise, half of us had gotten it and the others not. Whenever we needed to check on something like this we had to go through Costco. We decided we'd go directly through DCL next time since the savings weren't big anyway.

 

[piglet33]

I did ask when we made our final payment, for a bed rail request for our toddler and was told they couldn't add that to our reseveration, we would need to do that onboard.

That's odd, I'm on the August Repo cruise and used Costco too. I also asked for a bedrail for my toddler and was told it was added to my reservation and she would call DCL to make sure they got the request. I don't know what will happen when we board in August so I guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[my3kids]

I used them for our first cruise and had no problems. Yes, I did receive a gift in eachh of our staterooms...chocolate strawberries, petitfours, and sparkling cider.

 

[jfishkind]

We just booked through Costco. No problems so far, almost $600 cheaper than other fares we found.

QUESTION: I hear all about using the Disney web site to book things (Palo reservations, excursions, etc.) I couldn't seem to do it. Is that because of where I booked? At what point will I be able to do it?

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks everyone. Like I said, I already booked with them, and my savings turned out to be 600.00! Thats considerable. Anyway, I agree about the long phone waits. I have solved this for now, I just call DCL with any questions and don't tell them I have reserved with Costco. They usually don't ask and I haven't had any specific reservation questions anyway. They are usually cruise specific, like excursions etc. They are more than happy to talk to me. Oh, I did have to ask them whether Costco linked my reservation (5 in our family, so two staterooms), and they said no, they didn't. Had to fix that and Costco did right away. I've been happy so far. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[dreaming of BCV]

We just booked with Costco, so did our friends. We didn't have to wait on the phone more than 5 min. I actually waited longer when I called to ask DCL a question abt. the Castaway Club. I called after 6:00pm EST, it's nice since they're out of Washington. We saved $700! That's a nice amount to use for fun on the ship! The TA was very friendly and had to call Disney a few times for us. I'm not expecting a stateroom gift, I'd rather buy something I pick out for myself anyway.

 

[Jillpie]

To dreamingof...thats a great savings too! Good for you. When are you going?

 

[dreaming of BCV]

Yes, it is a great savings. We're going 2/25/06 Western. It seems so far away!

 

[Jillpie]

I know it seems far, but it'll be here before you know it. We have to wait till next June, but that ok, we just got off the Wonder. Have you been yet? Its so much fun!!

 

[Serena6010]

I have used Costco twice and had no problems. If you want to avoid long wait times you can email Costco at cruise@cwctravel.com. They are very prompt with thier responses and I don't have to wait on hold.

 

[cmdobrien]

My theory is that because Costco gets such low prices w/Disney, that if you book a cabin with them you will not get upgraded.

The first time we sailed, we booked direct, and got upgraded from a cat 7 to cat 5.

The second time with Costco, didn't get upgraded.

But overall the prices are much lower. I concur that the phone wait can be lengthly, so hope you have speakerphone... We are really late on booking our summer vacation, so called for quote on July 23 Mexican. Costco was almost $900 cheaper than DU for a Cat 4! (That was for a GTY)

 

[Fantasmic303]

I am not a costco member but the people we will be traveling with are. For the western cruise, what price did you get for Feb. 2006? Without a member number i dont know if they will give me a price over the phone?

 

[cookielulu]

We booked through Costco for our 4/30/05 cruise and saved approx. $400. About 30 days out the Florida Resident Rates were released and we were able to change to 4/16 - the 4/30 cruise was not part of the special pricing. The Costco agent was pleasant to deal with when we transferred to the other date. Then we ended up getting another 10% off - Coscto discount - the FRR rate for a total savings of $936 - - woohoo!!

I always called right when they opened and never was on hold more than 5 min. We did not get a stateroom gift - but did get an extra $900!!