Is there any reason NOT to book with a travel agent?

[ladybugmommy84]

My experience so far. It's nice booking with a travel agent for onboard credit but next time I will just do it myself. I have way too many questions and I can book and change things just like that without waiting for anyone.

 

[ladybugmommy84]

Honestly, after two cruises and no benefits (OBC or nothing) , I'm not using one next time. I'm one of those indecisive persons and switched staterooms a lot after researching and researching the perfect location LOL (yes, OCD when it comes to planning) and it was a pain to have to try to get a hold of them and have them change it. I dont mind paying directly to DCL, booking my own room etc. I may use one ONLY if there is an incentive, otherwise, it really is pointless since I'm such a planner/researcher.

Oh my gosh this is me lol. I'm so ocd and it is just annoying waiting to hear back when I can just do it myself.

 

[meryll83]

If we're aiming for a specific cabin tomorrow, am I better booking online myself as soon as it's available to do so?
(I'm assuming a TA will have a list of cruises to book, and mine wouldn't necessarily be number one on that list)

 

[meryll83]

Anyone know what time bookings are opening tomorrow?
Is online open before phones?

 

[ghtx]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice!

It seems like the TAs of choice for most people here are either Dreams Unlimited or Costco. Any other TA recommendations?

 

[steves100]

Yes you can! Costco gave us an awesome cash gift card - however with Costco your getting a static experience unlike with Dreams who you know Tracy will do her best to ensure youre getting personal touch to your agent.

Ill go with the big Costco gift card any day over TLC

: )

 

[RedSox68]

Booking through a TA does not give you cruise discounts on Disney. You will, however, probably get OBC from the TA. My biggest plus besides the OBC is that they get on the phone lines on opening day and get the pricing for me. The only down side I've experienced is you cannot see all your reservation information nor make payments nor change anything without going through the TA. But the perks make it worthwhile for us.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

Yes you can! Costco gave us an awesome cash gift card - however with Costco your getting a static experience unlike with Dreams who you know Tracy will do her best to ensure youre getting personal touch to your agent.

You also have to be NOT paid-in-full yet.

 

[Billinaz]

If we're aiming for a specific cabin tomorrow, am I better booking online myself as soon as it's available to do so?
(I'm assuming a TA will have a list of cruises to book, and mine wouldn't necessarily be number one on that list)

Book it yourself, get it set up the way you want it then transfer it to Costco. You wont get an OBC to match what you will get in the cash card.....

 

[meryll83]

Book it yourself, get it set up the way you want it then transfer it to Costco. You wont get an OBC to match what you will get in the cash card.....

I'm from the UK so I don't think I can do the Costco thing

Decided to do it myself and got the exact cabin we wanted though

 

[CM Dad]

Will a TA be able to pay my initial deposit with my DVA? That's currently where all my Disney savings is and I'd love to use that on Thursday to book.

To use your DVA you are supposed to call Disney yourself to make the payment, not give the DVA account info to the TA. Your TA can make the reservation and then you can call in to make the deposit.

From the DVA FAQs:

How can I make a payment using my Disney Vacation Account on my reservation booked directly with Disney through my travel agent?
Once your travel agent has booked your reservations and you are ready to make a payment, your travel agent can provide you with your reservation number. Please call the telephone number specified below to make your payment using your DVA account. If you have any additional questions or requests about your reservation, please contact your travel agent. Participating Disney Destinations and Disney Vacation Account Payment numbers:

• Walt Disney World® in Florida: 407-939-7626
• Disneyland® Resort in California: 714-520-7032
• Disney Cruise Line®: 800-511-9333
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina Hawaii: 714-520-7032
• Adventures By Disney®: 855-223-2231

 

[Billinaz]

I'm from the UK so I don't think I can do the Costco thing

Decided to do it myself and got the exact cabin we wanted though

I don't know but it would be worth checking .....

http://www.costco.co.uk/

Costco operates 27 warehouses across the UK.

And you can buy from the website as well.


If not, transfer it somewhere and at least get an OBC.

 

[meryll83]

I'm not sure UK agents offer OBC in the same way US agents do, or that you can do transfers with any of them though...

 

[Hundredacre]

I'm not sure UK agents offer OBC in the same way US agents do, or that you can do transfers with any of them though...

You could transfer to dreams unlimited. If you are at all interested just fill out the form on their website and they will get back to you with how much on board credit you would get. No commitment necessary to find out. We did the same thing. They are very professional. They run disboards as well.

 

[meryll83]

Did you book in £ though?
I seem to remember when I was hoping to do this a few years ago they couldn't because I'd not booked in $...

 

[Hundredacre]

Did you book in £ though?
I seem to remember when I was hoping to do this a few years ago they couldn't because I'd not booked in $...

That is a good question. We are in dollars. I know dreams takes reservations from all over the world, but not sure about the currency. Sorry.

 

[tinkerone]

That is a good question. We are in dollars. I know dreams takes reservations from all over the world, but not sure about the currency. Sorry.

Did you book in £ though?
I seem to remember when I was hoping to do this a few years ago they couldn't because I'd not booked in $...

I sent an email to them a few months back about booking a cruise in Canadian funds (it was an RCCL cruise which they also deal in). The answer was no, they could only book in U.S. $$. I ended up booking it myself as I can book RCL in Canadian and it saves us the exchange flux.

 

[K8T]

Were in the UK and no, Costco don't do holidays here - mores the pity!

Having booked ourselves previously, we have done the DU thing for the last few cruises, taking advantage of the 10% discount for booking on board and the OBC from both DCL and DU. However, each time we want to book something, it's a black out, so we can't use the discount, however DU will still give you OBC for booking direct, the amount depends on the price of the cruise, I think the amounts are on their website.

This time however, we found a UK agent, who have given us a cheaper rate, even with the OBC taken off that we would of got from Dreams, so we went with them, I think we can transfer the booking to them too.

The UK needs a Dreams agent over here, they would clean up, it's a pain to have to wait until lunchtime for someone to get back to you, as you have been thinking about something and get on to it first thing in the morning.

I will,offer my services, used to be in travel...... Now there's am idea!

 

[darnheather]

I ended up using Dreams Unlimited for my Fall 2017 booking. I wasn't able to get the deck I wanted through DCL direct and the TA got me a secret porthole room. Huzzah!

 

[meryll83]

Were in the UK and no, Costco don't do holidays here - mores the pity!

Having booked ourselves previously, we have done the DU thing for the last few cruises, taking advantage of the 10% discount for booking on board and the OBC from both DCL and DU. However, each time we want to book something, it's a black out, so we can't use the discount, however DU will still give you OBC for booking direct, the amount depends on the price of the cruise, I think the amounts are on their website.

This time however, we found a UK agent, who have given us a cheaper rate, even with the OBC taken off that we would of got from Dreams, so we went with them, I think we can transfer the booking to them too.

The UK needs a Dreams agent over here, they would clean up, it's a pain to have to wait until lunchtime for someone to get back to you, as you have been thinking about something and get on to it first thing in the morning.

I will,offer my services, used to be in travel...... Now there's am idea!

I also used to work in travel - we could be a DU UK dream team!

We decided to book in £ this time with the exchange rate being potentially at risk due to the Brexit uncertainty.