On board or costco discount?

[shfrey]

When does it make more sense to book your next disney cruise while onboard vs costco cash card discount?

 

[goofy77]

when it comes out cheaper.

 

[mom4fun]

When does it make more sense to book your next disney cruise while onboard vs costco cash card discount?

Do both. You get onboard booking discount and transfer it to Costco for the additional cash card.

 

[shfrey]

I know I get a 10% discount at Disney, but what additional discounts do I get with Costco?

 

[MAJPLO]

I know I get a 10% discount at Disney, but what additional discounts do I get with Costco?

Costco cash card. Not sure of the amount but it depends on the length of the cruise. You should be able to book onboard and designate Costco at that time. Just take their phone number/contact info. Then you don't have to transfer it later which sometimes reduces the benefits from the TA.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

When possible, do both. You can designate Costco as your TA when booking onboard. That's easier than transferring the booking later. You'll get the DCL OBB perks, plus a Costco cash card after the cruise. The cash cards are generally about 9% of the cruise fare, so not including port charges, etc. We got our cash card several days after returning from our cruise in April. If you do decide to transfer the reservation to Costco after the fact, keep in mind that you must do so within 30 days.

 

[shfrey]

It sounds too good to be true. Are you saying you essentially get 19 percent in discounts? (10 Disney and 9 costco)

 

[scrapshappen]

Cash Card is based on the price of the cruise, not the length. So two people on the same ship could get vastly different cash cards back depending on the category they book.

Booked our first cruise through Costco, then when we booked another on board, we named Costco as our TA. So yes, you can get both perks at the same time. The Cash cards can be used like a GC at Costco (we used our last one towards a new computer) or can be cashed out at Costco from what I understand.

To save a little more, we charged half our cruise to our new SkyMiles AmEx to get the bonus miles that we needed to fly to Florida. The rest of the cruise will go on our Disney Visa to get the Disney Rewards back. I know plenty of people pay with discounted GC they buy at Sams or Target, but this way was easier for us. (Although we do use the discounted GCs for our onboard account).

 

[Karlzmom]

Yes, that's what happens..

 

[lanejudy]

It sounds too good to be true. Are you saying you essentially get 19 percent in discounts? (10 Disney and 9 costco)

Not exactly 19% discount.
10% discount off the fare for the OBB. No discount off taxes and fees.
approximately 9% cash card post-cruise based off the fare you pay (which is NOT 9% of the original cruise fare).

OP -- I agree with others -- doing both will give you the largest return.

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[Karlzmom]

Don't forget you can also get the OBC for your Disney Visa or use the Target GC trick..

 

[dmunsil]

Don't forget you can also get the OBC for your Disney Visa or use the Target GC trick..

Sadly, you can't combine the Disney Visa and the OBB offer. You can use your Disney Visa to book onboard, but you won't get both OBC. Since the OBB credit is larger, you'd obviously want that one.

 

[UCLAVES]

If you book through Costco do you still get a reservation number and the ability to to book excursions and everything through the DCL website?

Same deposit requirements and payments terms? Can I still pay with Disney gift cards purchased from Target?

I really like our room will, I be able to switch rooms on a Costco reservation online like I currently can?

We are booked way in advance and our cruise price has not changed. We booked through the DCL website (our 1st cruise). This seems like way to easy of a way to get a free $425. What am I missing?

Sorry for all the questions, this is very new to us.

 

[lanejudy]

If you book through Costco do you still get a reservation number and the ability to to book excursions and everything through the DCL website?

Same deposit requirements and payments terms? Can I still pay with Disney gift cards purchased from Target?

I really like our room will, I be able to switch rooms on a Costco reservation online like I currently can?

We are booked way in advance and our cruise price has not changed. We booked through the DCL website (our 1st cruise). This seems like way to easy of a way to get a free $425. What am I missing?

Sorry for all the questions, this is very new to us.

It sounds like you already have a reservation? If it was made more than 30 days ago, you cannot transfer it to Costco now. You would have to cancel and rebook at today's rates -- so you'd need to check and see if fares have increased enough to negate the Costco Cash Card.

But to answer your questions...Costco is the TA. As with any TA, yes, you will receive a reservation number and can do online check-in, book excursions, adult dining, etc. But any changes to the reservation must be done by the TA -- changing staterooms, categories, dates, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[gilbertcruisers]

We just booked our Fantasy cruise sailing 12/20 today via Costco. It was the first time we'd ever used them.

I compared costs and found their offer of $925 and $665 cash card as well as about $500 less than Disney rates to be competitive. I booked two veranda cabins (apparently the last two connecting on the boat).

You get both a Costco # and Disney # (this is what you use to register online, book excursions etc.).

I also used them for Travel Guard travel insurance.

It was painless and quick.

 

[mom4fun]

We just booked our Fantasy cruise sailing 12/20 today via Costco. It was the first time we'd ever used them.

I compared costs and found their offer of $925 and $665 cash card as well as about $500 less than Disney rates to be competitive. I booked two veranda cabins (apparently the last two connecting on the boat).

You get both a Costco # and Disney # (this is what you use to register online, book excursions etc.).

I also used them for Travel Guard travel insurance.

It was painless and quick.

Just so you know rates are always the same through a ta or disney direct. There is no discounted fare. You are missing something.

 

[lanejudy]

... I compared costs and found their offer of $925 and $665 cash card as well as about $500 less than Disney rates to be competitive. I booked two veranda cabins (apparently the last two connecting on the boat). ...

Just so you know rates are always the same through a ta or disney direct. There is no discounted fare. You are missing something.

Yep, I agree with mom4fun...maybe they were different categories you compared or taxes/fees weren't included, or DCL quote included insurance or transfers or something. Costco doesn't discount fares -- NO travel agent is allowed to discount DCL fares.

But, regardless, I'm glad you found a fare and perk that agrees with your budget and that you are happily planning your cruise! Enjoy!

 

[gilbertcruisers]

Just so you know rates are always the same through a ta or disney direct. There is no discounted fare. You are missing something.

I may well be missing something, but in any event I had the cruise and the same cabin and same deck (not including insurance etc etc) quoted by a travel agency in town and Costco. The rates for the cruises from the local place were more expensive than the prices quoted on the Disney cruise site, so that was a no-brainer.

 

[LissyTx]

What is the target gift card thing people are mentioning?

Thanks!!
Lissy

 

[UCLAVES]

What is the target gift card thing people are mentioning?

Thanks!!
Lissy

If you have a Target red card you get 5% off all purchases.
You can buy Disney gift cards at Target and get the discount.
So $1,000 in Disney gift cards only cost $950 at Target using a Target red card
You can use the Disney gift cards to purchase/make installments payments on your cruise or to pay for excursions or anything else that will get charged to your room during the cruise.