Planning for a Disney cruise

[allybabba98]

Hi everyone,

I am looking at booking our very first cruise for August 2017. We live in Ontario (Toronto) and was curious if those of you that have booked the Disney cruise use a travel agent or if you just use the website?

I haven't felt the need to book our Disney trips this way but I don't know anything about cruising and wondering if a TA is the way to go.

Thanks for your help.

 

[tgropp]

We have used a Canadian Travel agent a few times since they have some deals paying in Cdn dollars and we have used Dreams Unlimited They are the same price as Disney but you get a boarding gift and a room credit. It never hurts to shop around. Have fun!!

 

[minnie mum]

We always use a TA when we cruise, whether it's Disney or another line. Get one experienced with booking cruises if you've never done it before. They can be very helpful with things like ship or cabin selection and advice on pre cruise hotels and transfers.

And check out cruise critic dot com if you haven't cruised before. It's a very informative web site.

 

[bcwife76]

Since it's your first cruise I would use a TA - they can give you advice on cabins, etc and plus they will probably give you some onboard credit to use on your cruise.

 

[minnie56]

TA.
Me.

 

[kiford]

We've cruised 9 times with DCL and always use a TA. We have them do the booking so I don't have to spend the time on the phone, they can book hotels and transfers and other tours. They are the one-stop call for any issues; never had any but at least I know that there is someone who can handle everything.

 

[mernin]

We just booked our first DCL cruise for Feb 2017. I had planned to book on my own, but used Dreams Unlimited as recommended by some people here. They give onboard credit so it becomes cheaper than booking on our own. I was able to ask a few questions to her too. I see lots of people use Costco and just received an email from them today, so that could be an option for you too.

 

[Tmarmac]

I booked my own Disney cruise on the Disney website, but I like planning and researching!

If you do book on your own check the Costco.ca travel tab. The cruises are the same price as on the Disney site, but you get back Costco gift cards as rewards (one way to lessen the pain).

 

[allybabba98]

Thanks everyone!! I didn't know about Costco so I will check that out. I had looked into Dreams Unlimited too but I have to wait until our preferred date opens up. Lots of great information.

Thank you so much!!

 

[DnA2010]

We used Dreams Unlimited for the OBC and were surprised by the lovely gift basket that appeared on our doorstep before the cruise- we used a lot of the things in it on the cruise!

 

[lengmui]

We used Dreams Unlimited as well mainly for the OBC. It was also pretty nice to have a single point of contact for any requests I wanted to make or changes. They also came in handy when I wasn't sure when to book and I just wanted to know which sailing was most budget friendly. Beats going and clicking through every single week on the website for me!

 

[uandmfan]

we have been debating between dreams unlimited and a Canadian agency specializing in Disney. The Canadian agent was amazing in getting back to me quickly. She can't offer an OBC though. Dreams told me they can only book the cruise. They can give me advice about everything else but can't actually book it.

Then Costco was thrown into the mix. But are they full service (will they offer advice and be knowledgeable about Disney cruise in particular). I'm totally confused about the best way to book the cruise!

Thanks!

 

[darwinsrule]

We used a TA on the first cruise. Last time we used one as well. Ran in to a few problems (including the fact the TA didn't pay on the due date). All worked out but since then we keep full control over everything. One of the things to consider to save a few dollars is flying out of Buffalo. We are in the Beaches in TO, for most trips, front door to the Thrifty parking lot across from the aiport, run about 2h 15m. For summer trips, we average $800-$900 rt in air fare on SW and JB for four us. This year between points with JB, and RBC, our total out of pocket for return air was $200 US.

 

[allybabba98]

We used a TA on the first cruise. Last time we used one as well. Ran in to a few problems (including the fact the TA didn't pay on the due date). All worked out but since then we keep full control over everything. One of the things to consider to save a few dollars is flying out of Buffalo. We are in the Beaches in TO, for most trips, front door to the Thrifty parking lot across from the aiport, run about 2h 15m. For summer trips, we average $800-$900 rt in air fare on SW and JB for four us. This year between points with JB, and RBC, our total out of pocket for return air was $200 US.

So...darwinsrule...I live about 10 minutes from you. Great advice as we always fly out of Buffalo, for the five of us we save well over a thousand dollars. I think I will look into using a TA as it seems the majority had a better experience especially as this would be our first ever cruise.

 

[darwinsrule]

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sent you a PM.

 

[starvenger]

So...darwinsrule...I live about 10 minutes from you. Great advice as we always fly out of Buffalo, for the five of us we save well over a thousand dollars. I think I will look into using a TA as it seems the majority had a better experience especially as this would be our first ever cruise.

Add me to the list of people that recommend using a TA for cruises. It actually wasn't my choice to use the TA, but we've done a 3-generation family cruise for 3 years running (although this year we're going to a resort) and my dad a.k.a. grandpa is the one who books it. He uses his TA for all sorts of cruises - Disney, Royal, Viking, Crystal et al. - and he really gets good service. Still, we tend to book our own flights as then we can be a little more opportunistic in terms of getting favourable prices.

 

[I Run Long]

We used the Cdn Disney travel agency for our cruise and had a great experience with them. Would definitely used them again.

 

[isabellea]

I always plan and book our WDW trips myself but for our first cruise last month I used Dreams Unlimited and was happy with the service, OBC and gift basket.

 

[lizzyb]

We used Dreams Unlimited too. Great experience.