how to pick a good travel agency over the internet

[tiggergranny]

Hi, this is my first post although I have been around awhile and sometimes answered questions for others.
I am taking my 3 grandchildren and my daughter on our first ever cruise.
I have been trying to do some research on the internet about who to use to book our trip.
The prices are so different I am just confused. Who do you use and are they good and reliable?
We want to go on the May 23, 2004 4-day Wonder. The reason we couldn't book earlier is I have been having Kemo treatments and didn't know when they would end or how I would be feeling.
Sorry this is so long.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

tiggergranny, no need for apologies. If you consider this long, some of the replies around here must be novels.

We used AAA. But had an idea, inadvance, of what we would be willing to spend and we're getting that nifty refillable mug and a towel or some such thing.
A lot of DISers have said they use Dreams Unlimited and All Seasons Travel and have given both high praise.

Good luck on your pricing search and hope you're feeling well.

 

[EPCOTLADY]

We used Dreams Unlimited and were very very pleased!! As a matter of fact, they saved us 50.00 more than our local travel agency would.
Also, when I called Disney to confirm my reservations, I did'nt even mention that it was Dreams I was using, but when the cm looked my res up and saw that it was them I used she said that she would recommend them to me for any other further traveling I did, they are that good she said!! Wow!! Now that's good advertising to me that a Disney cm would make a point to say something for them.

 

[Pacha]

You could also try Your Magical Journeys (yourmagicaljourneys.com). We haven't used them for a cruise yet, but have used them for WDW vacations.

Pacha

 

[mark & sandra]

We just returned from our 1st cruise(1/17/04) and we booked it through an agency that we learned of from these boards. They seem to be the only company posting their prices on their site www.allseastravel.com . You can start there for a price and then check around.

 

[inkkognito]

Your best course of action is to search the boards and read what people are saying. Choose the top contenders and then compare prices to make your final choice. We book via Dreams Unlimited and have always been very pleased with the service and the rebates.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[SeaSpray]

First of all, I hope you are healthy now, and I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Secondly, when we were ready to book our cruise I did a lot of research here on the DIS cruise boards, then I called Disney Cruise Line's booking department personally and asked them if a specific company was reputable. They assured me that they were. Two companies were mentioned to me, as being extremely reputable, and they were All Seasons Travel www.allseastravel.com and Dreams Unlimited which is also the sponsor of these boards www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com From all I've read, they both give excellent customer service. We booked with All Seasons because their price was lower.

Happy planning!

 

[dtuleya]

I started off with a friend of a friend who was a TA. I thought I was getting a good deal. Then I checked with Dreams Unlimited and ended up saving over $400 from my original quote. My local AAA was very high and All Seas couldn't match Dreams Unlimited's price. I don't know when you plan on sailing, but DU is having another "sale". Check it out on their site.

 

[il-gander]

Another vote here for All Seasons Travel, they've been very responsive and I haven't found anyone that can beat their price for our October 9 cruise (Dreams Unlimited was the only agency even close, at $100 more). The current difference between what we are paying for a Cat. 6 for a family of four and what Disney would charge is $1600!

Carla

 

[momm2four]

I was referred to Dana at micdan.com by someone on DISboards and called her for our first cruise. Absolutely wonderful! She seems to really know her DCL cruise info.

Good luck!
Lori P.

 

[makaylee]

I called Dana today at micdan.com she was very sweet and helpful. She also gave me a price $124 cheaper than DCL and DU was only going to save me $75. allseas was not going to save me anything. I guess it depends on which sailing you are taking. I also told Dana I was worried about swithching my ressie over to her from Disney and she told me if it would make me feel better i should just stay with Disney and then book with her right before my final payment if i felt more secure then. She was more worried about my happieness than about herself making a buck. I thought she was wonderful. She also told me that we now book our excursions thru disney not our TA. Is this true?

 

[QueenTrident]

I used Magicforlesstravel.com and it worked out very well. They seemingly never slept! I'd write questions at midnight and by the next morning, they were answered and taken care of. Every one of our needs was satisfied.

 

[goingbacksoon]

We have used mouseearvacations.com (Tim Larison) twice already and are very pleased. He seems to repond to emails instantaneously and works with us individually.

I would highly recommend him. He just got us a room for the 8/21 cruise in the suppoedly sold out category 11, including a now defunct early bookings savings for that sailing. We couldn't find it on any other site or agency.

goingbacksoon

 

[wildcatwmn]

I used cruise.com for our upcoming 2/15 trip. Not only were they less than all the others, they had the Cat 11s that no one else had left, and they post their prices including all taxes, fees, insurance if wanted, and what others sometimes don't tell you about until they have your card.

I haven't had to interface personally with them too much, but the one time I called with a question they were very pleasant and all paperwork was received quickly.