Never cruised what do I need to book?

[Jobelly]

I've booked a cruise direct with Disney direct but haven't paid deposit yet just a 3 day hold. Is it better to book through a travel agent so I know what I need to do when?
The booking says the balance needs to be paid June and then I can book things. What things are to be booked? Also if I paid earlier would I be able to book things earlier and would this be an advantage?

 

[squirk]

Booking with a TA will give you basically two things: 1.) one single point of contact (vs. a DCL toll-free number with a different person answering every time you call) to handle all of your cruise-prep needs; and 2.) possibly on-board credit given by the travel agency.

You can book stuff on your "paid-in-full" date; paying earlier than that date doesn't allow you to book things earlier.

Put down your deposit now (it's refundable until the PIF date). When PIF arrives, and you still want to cruise, pay the rest of the fare, and start booking stuff online.

Stuff to be booked would be Palo/Remy reservations, Princess Meet & Greet tickets, spa treatments, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, shore excursions, Castaway Cay cabanas, etc. Technically, nothing really needs to be booked ahead of time, but other folks are booking this stuff. If you wait, some of the stuff you want might fill up.

 

[Jobelly]

Booking with a TA will give you basically two things: 1.) one single point of contact (vs. a DCL toll-free number with a different person answering every time you call) to handle all of your cruise-prep needs; and 2.) possibly on-board credit given by the travel agency.

You can book stuff on your "paid-in-full" date; paying earlier than that date doesn't allow you to book things earlier.

Put down your deposit now (it's refundable until the PIF date). When PIF arrives, and you still want to cruise, pay the rest of the fare, and start booking stuff online.

I didn't realise deposit was refundable. I'm really tempted to book for the on board credit ($200) but I'm from the uk and Disney are pricing on £'s and the travel agent in $'s and I'm really worried the £ will drop further and make cruise more expensive!

 

[squirk]

I didn't realise deposit was refundable. I'm really tempted to book for the on board credit ($200) but I'm from the uk and Disney are pricing on £'s and the travel agent in $'s and I'm really worried the £ will drop further and make cruise more expensive!

Ah. Well, I would double-check with DCL about refundability of your deposit. It is that way here in the States, but I am not sure how it works for folks in the UK.

I recognize the concern with the rising dollar and falling euro. However, also keep in mind that cruise fares usually go up with time. You might be kicking yourself later for not locking in a fare now - even if the exchange rate remains constant, the sailing's fares might still go up as the ship starts to fill up.

 

[Geomom]

I also suggest booking with a travel agent that gives on board credit. We did that with our first cruise this past August. If you book with a travel agent, you are still the one to book things, but any payments need to go through the travel agent, any room changes, etc. If it's your first Disney cruise, you can book things (character meet and greet, port adventures, Palo, etc) online 75 days before.

If you're worried about the currency dropping, you can pay in full whenever you want, the money is refundable generally before the date that it would have needed to be paid in full. (That date depends on length of cruise, if the departure port is US/non-US, etc.)

 

[Jobelly]

Thank you. More confused than ever whether to keep booking with Disney or let it lapse and book with travel agent!

 

[squirk]

Thank you. More confused than ever whether to keep booking with Disney or let it lapse and book with travel agent!

That's the easiest part. Unless you are a complete control freak who likes to manage everything yourself, find a TA who offers on-board credit and book with them. Why walk away from free money to spend on your cruise?

I'd still verify if refundability of deposit by PIF date works the same for UK residents as it does for Americans, but the TA thing should be a no-brainer.

 

[Jobelly]

That's the easiest part. Unless you are a complete control freak who likes to manage everything yourself, find a TA who offers on-board credit and book with them. Why walk away from free money to spend on your cruise?

I'd still verify if refundability of deposit by PIF date works the same for UK residents as it does for Americans, but the TA thing should be a no-brainer.

Because if the $ changes from 1.30 to 1.20 as some people seem to be predicting the price of my cruise will go up by £200. Of course other people are predicting that if trump gets in the $ value will drop and so I would get more $ for my money and the cruise price will drop! I wish I had a crystal ball!

 

[Foxygrl]

Thank you. More confused than ever whether to keep booking with Disney or let it lapse and book with travel agent!

i have seen travel agents say you can switch to them from booking with disney as long as your final payment is not due or paid. ?? correct me if i am wrong.

 

[squirk]

Because if the $ changes from 1.30 to 1.20 as some people seem to be predicting the price of my cruise will go up by £200. Of course other people are predicting that if trump gets in the $ value will drop and so I would get more $ for my money and the cruise price will drop! I wish I had a crystal ball!

Who are "some people" and "other people"? You will drive yourself crazy trying to predict currency changes like this.

I guess my point is - lock it in now. In terms of the U.S. dollar, the cruise is likely only to get more expensive as time goes on. If you go with a TA who offers OBC, perhaps you'd feel better knowing that OBC money can help offset any exchange rate movements that are not in your favor. If you see rates moving in a way where it's better to cancel, forsake the TA OBC and rebook directly with DCL in £, then have at it.

i have seen travel agents say you can switch to them from booking with disney as long as your final payment is not due or paid. ?? correct me if i am wrong.

You can, but I think the amount of OBC that the TA offers in that case is reduced.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

You can, but I think the amount of OBC that the TA offers in that case is reduced.

And from what I have been told, (and this may only apply to Onboard Bookings, but I am not sure), if you have booked with Disney and want to switch the reservation to a TA, it has to be done within 30 days of your original booking date. If more than 30 days passes, it cannot be switched.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

i have seen travel agents say you can switch to them from booking with disney as long as your final payment is not due or paid. ?? correct me if i am wrong.

You can only transfer a reservation you made directly onboard to a TA, if you do so within 30 days of making the reservation. Many TAs will reduce the OBC you would have gotten from them had you made the reservation through them in the first place.