If we use a TA...

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We're planning our first cruise ever for July 2017, and we'd like to book as soon as the itineraries come out to get the best prices.

If we use a TA, do we just wait until the day the itineraries come out and then contact the TA? How long does DU, for example, take to respond once an online quote form is filled out? I'm worried about not being able to fill out a quote form until the itineraries are released, and then having the TA not get back to us for a few days and possibly have the room(s) we want become unavailable and/or prices to have risen. (I've never actually used a TA, so I'm not sure how these things work.)

TIA

 

[The Grays]

You can contact them now and when the dates open they will let you know. They are fast to react to your request

 

[Lunarias]

I filled out a quote a few weeks ago, selected from the drop down the cruise I think I want for this year and in the notes mentioned that I was looking for the 2017. Date of that cruise, she responded quickly (less than a day) and said she had me added to her list of people waiting for 2017 with about 6 cabin numbers we were ideally aiming for. We have asked her a few other questions here and there and she is always quick to respond.

 

[bumbershoot]

How long does DU, for example, take to respond once an online quote form is filled out?

For me, they never responded.


I don't fill out quote requests anymore, I use a TA that gives me what I need (very little other than booking and some money back) and has a portal where I'm actually booking. (I use costcotravel.com, where you're actually booking through their site)

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

For me, they never responded.


I don't fill out quote requests anymore, I use a TA that gives me what I need (very little other than booking and some money back) and has a portal where I'm actually booking. (I use costcotravel.com, where you're actually booking through their site)

We thought about booking through Costco. The problem is, we don't have one anywhere near us (we have a membership at a competing warehouse club). Their competitor also gives a cash card after completion of travel, but it's less than what Costco gives.

Additionally, we wouldn't even be able to use the competitors cash card, because we're moving across the country a couple months before the cruise (I don't think their competitor has any locations within a couple thousand miles of our new home).

Our new home town has a couple Costcos, and we'd be able to make use of the cash card if we go through them, but we'd just have to eat the cost of a Costco membership for 15 months until we move (the only use in getting a Costco membership right now would be to book our cruise with them).

Because of all that, I thought I'd try a TA. I just don't want to miss out on booking as soon as the itineraries come out.

 

[scootch]

You can also book it yourself.... and then transfer to a TA within 30 days. Simple form they fill out and you sign and they submit.

 

[Luv2CDisney]

All you have to do is tell the TA what you are looking for. Most of them that specialize in Disney are up and on the phone and computer when the dates are released. I swear by mine! Now I don't have to do it she does. Good Luck!

 

[chik1987]

This is our first cruise and I just yesterday emailed a DU agent. Kristen emailed me back the same day and let me know she would add us to the waiting list as well as letting me know she could book our wedding package at the same time. This is my first time ever using a TA so we will see. I figure worst case scenario I can't get ahold of them and I say screw it and book it myself since I know what I want.

 

[shanethesaint88]

I put in for a quote with DU a few weeks ago and got a response within and hour, asked a few questions, and was booked within 4 hours. That was for a wdw trip. Then I asked to switch to a Disney Cruise a week later and that process was easy and painless. I'd never had used a travel agent before and was skeptical but i can't speak highly enough of the customer service I've received so far.

 

[over50visits]

I put in for a quote with DU a few weeks ago and got a response within and hour, asked a few questions, and was booked within 4 hours. That was for a wdw trip. Then I asked to switch to a Disney Cruise a week later and that process was easy and painless. I'd never had used a travel agent before and was skeptical but i can't speak highly enough of the customer service I've received so far.

I know a lot of people don't mind being forced to use email, and are very happy, but the last time we used a TA for a cruise we called, got a response in real time, asked a follow up question, got a response immediately, and were booked within 5 minutes. If I had needed some ideas, heads up on current deals, or other advice, it all would have happened in minutes, not hours or days.

But…YMMV. Just for me, the human interaction means a lot. Nice to share excitement, "great choice you're going to have fun" experience with a person. OBC…nice. Someone to call for immediate answers…priceless.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

You can also book it yourself.... and then transfer to a TA within 30 days. Simple form they fill out and you sign and they submit.

Do you get less OBC that way?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Do you get less OBC that way?

In most cases, yes.

 

[scootch]

Do you get less OBC that way?

No, it won't matter to the TA. Most will give a certain amount depending on how much the cruise costs. There is a difference if you book ONBOARD rather than booking your first one or once you are home not on the ship

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

?

In most cases, yes.

No, it won't matter to the TA. Most will give a certain amount depending on how much the cruise costs. There is a difference if you book ONBOARD rather than booking your first one or once you are home not on the ship

 

[PrincessShmoo]

No, it won't matter to the TA. Most will give a certain amount depending on how much the cruise costs. There is a difference if you book ONBOARD rather than booking your first one or once you are home not on the ship

Actually a transferred reservation only gets 50% of the OBC typically offered by a TA had they done the original booking. This is a recent change.

 

[dmunsil]

Actually a transferred reservation only gets 50% of the OBC typically offered by a TA had they done the original booking. This is a recent change.

A tiny correction just for the record: transferred reservations have been eligible for less OBC for several years (because Disney pays less commission to the agent on transferred bookings). The very recent change was to apply the same reduction to reservations booked onboard. Not all agencies have exactly the same policies on this, but certainly Disney does offer lower commission on both transfers and onboard bookings.

 

[scootch]

Actually a transferred reservation only gets 50% of the OBC typically offered by a TA had they done the original booking. This is a recent change.

Maybe with Dreams Unlimited, but not all TA. The commission is the same so not sure why some might lower the OBC.

The OBC is lower for bookings that occur onboard because they made the commission the same for all agencies.

 

[dmunsil]

The commission is the same so not sure why some might lower the OBC.

The total commission on transfers is not the same. The base commission is the same, but Disney doesn't pay bonus commission on transfers or onboard bookings. For high-volume agencies, the bonus commission is a pretty significant amount.

 

[scootch]

The total commission on transfers is not the same. The base commission is the same, but Disnesy doesn't pay bonus commission on transfers or onboard bookings. For high-volume agencies, the bonus commission is a pretty significant amount.

It is the same based on what each agency gets. I get the same percent if I book it or if I transfer one someone else made.

 

[yelnad]

Sort of related to what I'm reading here...if I book a placeholder on board...can I use that for a VGT later? Would there be any advantage? We are planning our 2nd VGT cruise and we love the last minute planning and the great deal. First time we got an amazing cabin. Fingers crossed for the second.