How should I book?

[disneysophie]

recommendations on who to use to book my first Disney cruise? Disney itself? Thanks

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Someone who gives you a rebate or onboard credit. TAs cost the same as Disney, but often give you kickback.

 

[Geomom]

I would go with a Travel Agent that gives you On Board Credit (OBC). The prices will be the same as Disney's prices, but it's nice to have 'free' money to spend on the cruise. We have used Dreams Unlimited (a sponsor of these boards) and are happy with them. Other people go through Costco Travel to get around 8% back after the cruise in the form of a Costco gift card.

When going through a Travel Agent, any payments and changes to the room need to go through them--but you pick your own Port Arrival Time, book your own excursions, etc. I 'like' planning...but I also like free money...so I usually decide exactly what room I want by looking at the Disney cruise site, and then I tell my travel agent what I want--I also already have an idea of how much it will cost.

 

[mmmears]

Go with a TA who will give you on board credit. And one that is very familiar with DCL since this is your first cruise.

 

[Shanti]

recommendations on who to use to book my first Disney cruise? Disney itself? Thanks

I recommend booking it yourself and transferring the booking to Costco Travel, as they'll give you a larger credit than any other TA, in the form of a Costco cash card.

Also, since Costco Travel always has customer service reps available to talk during business hours, you can always get a person on the phone to talk about any changes you might want to make to your cruise, instead of having to wait for a callback within 24 hours or so, as you'd have to do if booking via one specific travel agent.

 

[disneysophie]

Why not book with Costco from the beginning? And if I do it myself and then transfer, how do I transfer it to Costco? Also, I have Costco, but my sisters do not, and we will each had a cabin.... can I book for them through my Costco, or do they each need to be a Costco member? Thanks in advance and sorry about all the questions

 

[disneysophie]

I recommend booking it yourself and transferring the booking to Costco Travel, as they'll give you a larger credit than any other TA, in the form of a Costco cash card.

Also, since Costco Travel always has customer service reps available to talk during business hours, you can always get a person on the phone to talk about any changes you might want to make to your cruise, instead of having to wait for a callback within 24 hours or so, as you'd have to do if booking via one specific travel agent.

Why not book with Costco from the beginning? And if I do it myself and then transfer, how do I transfer it to Costco? Also, I have Costco, but my sisters do not, and we will each had a cabin.... can I book for them through my Costco, or do they each need to be a Costco member? Thanks in advance and sorry about all the questions

 

[mmmears]

I go onto the DCL website and decide exactly what I want (down to the cabin #) and then let me TA book for me. It's easier (for me) than booking it myself and then transferring the reservation. It takes a while to get the feel of their website (and it is far from perfect) but you can find lots of info on there if you look around.

 

[Shanti]

Why not book with Costco from the beginning? And if I do it myself and then transfer, how do I transfer it to Costco? Also, I have Costco, but my sisters do not, and we will each had a cabin.... can I book for them through my Costco, or do they each need to be a Costco member? Thanks in advance and sorry about all the questions

You can book it via Costco. I just like being able to pick out the room online myself, then transferring, but to each his own.

 

[OKW Lover]

Highly recommend using a travel agent to book a DCL cruise. You'll likely get an on board credit.

The sponsor of these DIS Boards is Dreams Unlimited Travel. www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com or just click on "Disney Cruise Line" in the blue menu bar near the top of this page.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You can pick out your room on Costco, FWIW.

 

[OKW Lover]

You can pick out your room on Costco, FWIW.

Any TA will let you pick out your own cabin.