MEI/Mouse Fan Travel???

[keishashadow]

Used Cruise Compete to try & get a "deal" on 4 night I already booked.

Other than Costco who offered a $125 gift card (of which I'm not a member), the best offer was MEI/Mouse Fan Travel w/a $100 onboard credit.

Haven't used a TA, somewhat nervous. Has anyone used this company for a DCL cruise?

 

[keishashadow]

Hi keishashadow
I'm a travel agent with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel, so yes I've booked DCL cruises with them. You might also see us on allearsnet.com. Feel free to pm me if you have other questions or if I can help.

Howdy...didn't mean to disparage your TA. Just unsure/nervous about using an unfamiliar agency, especially when the local TA's indicated they've never booked a DCL!

I'm sure it's a baseless fear but, I've always worried about what happens if the TA closes, goes bankrupt, etc. before the cruise date & payments are made to DCL. Probably another needless worry of mine.

 

[figment52]

I am very familiar with MEI-Mouse Fan Travel and you have no worries with them. I have booked through them and they are very professional and very knowledgeable.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We've booked our first DCL cruise with MEI/Mouse Fan Travel. We've been very pleased with them so far. This agency is a sponsor on allearsnet.com. Some of their agents have written trip reports for allearsnet.com before, I believe.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks to all who have posted - didn't mean to ruffle any feathers.

I just got concerned when one of the mommies @ DS's tennis lessons commented that she completed her on-line course & that she was now ready to start booking cruises & WDW vacations. Said she'll be working from home. BTW, she's never been to WDW or on any cruise.

Can anyone just complete a correspondence course & start booking trips?

 

[Luv2Travel]

Can anyone just complete a correspondence course & start booking trips?

No, you can't just take a correspondence course and start booking. You have to have an IATA or CLIA number or be affiliated with a travel agency that does have one. Meaning you have to have experience or be affiliated with an agency with tons of experience. I would always check out a company's credentials before doing business with them on such a large ticket item. For a travel agency I would check to see their IATA or CLIA membership, see if they are licensed, insured, and bonded, and see what other certifications that they hold (ie ACC, MCC, CTA, CTC, etc).

 

[ivanova]

technically the answer would be YES anyone could start booking travel (even without taking any courses) but like Luv2Travel points out, they'd need to be affiliated with an established agency to do so.

so she might be new to booking and setting herself up as an at home independent contractor of a host agency.

and like Luv2Travel also pointed out, check affiliations and credentials. Does the individual agent and/or host agency belong to CLIA, ARC, IATA, etc. Do they belong to OSSN or NACTA? How long has the AGENCY been in business (more important that how long the agent has been booking travel). What kind of E&O insurance do they have, if your state requires sellers of travel to register with the state have they done so (Florida, California and a few other states require this). Even if they are not in your state, if your state has SOT laws they have to register with the state before they can sell travel to any residents in that state.

 

[lbgraves]

I just got concerned when one of the mommies @ DS's tennis lessons commented that she completed her on-line course & that she was now ready to start booking cruises & WDW vacations. Said she'll be working from home. BTW, she's never been to WDW or on any cruise.

I would not book a cruise or WDW trip with someone who has no practical experience at either place. Someone in our DIS group just found out that her TA told her the wrong information. She normally only books cruises so had no idea that she could book their 3 days at WDW seperately from their 7 day cruise. Of course you can't add the dining plan when your WDW stay is connected with DCL. She has since canceled that part of her trip & booked the WDW seperately on her own taking advantage of the DDP & getting hoppers (which the TA told her she also couldn't add to the package).

 

[torismom]

I have used MEI/Mouse fan travel many times. I really enjoy working with them and have had exceptional service from my agent there. I have had friends and family member use them , as well. They have been just as happy.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks, will check for accred. if we decide to use a TA.

DH doesn't think it's "worth it" to bother switching for $50 to $100 credit, will have to decide.