Questions about booking through Costco

[uandmfan]

Hi

I'm looking to book our first DCL cruise Thursday. I'm thinking of going through Costco for the gift card.

We will need 3 staterooms. Is it possible to book more than one stateroom online?

Are there drawbacks to going through Costco? Is there anything i should know vs going through DCL?

Thanks!!

 

[Sweetsarj]

I booked through Costco and had no issues. Received my Costco cash card after the cruise. I called to book the cruise.

 

[disboardlover]

You can only book one stateroom at a time on Costco Travel online. You can call if you want an agent to book multiple staterooms at the same time, or you can repeat the online process again twice more.

The major concern with Costco is that you really do not have a travel agent that you will always have access to; each time you call, someone else may help, though they take good notes. The other concern is if you prefer receiving onboard credit vs a gift card.

Other than that, it could also be a bit more hassle to use Costco compared to a traditional travel agent, particularly one who specializes in cruises and Disney cruises in particular. A good travel agent may be aware of things like secret porthole rooms on the classic ships or special navigator verandah staterooms, and they may watch to see if a particular stateroom category drops in price, or another category offers a new deal after you book. They may also have information on port excursions, transportation, etc..

However, if you are willing to peruse these forums, like you are doing, you can research and learn of many of these things on your own and utilize the Costco travel agents just to book the staterooms.

 

[Billinaz]

You can book directly with DCL. Tell them you need the reservation to be transferred to Costco. You will fill out a form and you can then pay your deposit with Costco.

If you can not do one room on one booking, have DCL give you three reservation numbers......

I have used Costco for several of our cruises, and never had any problem. The cash card you get back is better than any OBC you may get.

Some people claim that the cost of the Costco cruise is higher but they are completely wrong. The price is exactly the same as everyone else. Sometimes the webpage may not be exact, but when you go through the booking process it is exactly the same.

 

[Jillikins]

Can you use an onboard booking placeholder and book through Costco? Or do you have to call DCL for that?

 

[Bear3412]

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[Bear3412]

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[SevenWonkas]

If you would be fine booking your trip yourself through DCL, and otherwise wouldn't want/need a TA that specializes in Disney, then absolutely do Costco. The cash card really is great. The staff at Costco Travel are really great too. We have now booked 11 cruises through them, and they helped tremendously a few years ago when we had big issues with one of our cruises. (It was cancelled several months in advance due to a planned maintenance. They were a good advocate for us, and in the end we had $1,000 OBC with our rescheduled cruise).

While a traditional TA may provide more hand holding, if you don't need this help then why not get more bang for your buck? An advantage of Costco over traditional TAs is that they have long hours! 7 days/week! They're open until 9PM pacific time.... It's nice to be able to call at the end of the day after work is done and the kids are in bed.

 

[SevenWonkas]

Can you use an onboard booking placeholder and book through Costco? Or do you have to call DCL for that?

Yes, you can use Costco and the placeholder onboard booking. Costco is just your travel agency. If you didn't name Costco as your TA when you purchased the placeholder, then you just need to have it transferred to them. At that point, when you have decided on a cruise, you can call Costco and have them book the cruise for you. (They will need to call Disney). If you never designated a TA when purchasing your placeholder, it is probably easier to just book the cruise yourself and then transfer it to Costco.

ETA: I think you have to transfer an OBB within 30 days of purchase.

 

[JW9DVC]

Most people on here don't need the hand holding of a TA. Costco gives the biggest reward. Works well. I think you will find it more than an On Board credit of another TA.

JW

 

[LAX]

Is it better to book with DCL direct (online) first and then transfer to Costco? Or book through Costco right from the start (online as well)? Does it really matter either way? What are the pros & cons, if any, with either way?

LAX

 

[SevenWonkas]

Is it better to book with DCL direct (online) first and then transfer to Costco? Or book through Costco right from the start (online as well)? Does it really matter either way? What are the pros & cons, if any, with either way?

LAX

I don't have an answer to this personally! We always have an OBB, so we have to call to make the reservation!

 

[kevdad]

We have had two great experiences using Costco. Their customer service has been top-notch. The wait time when calling has always been only a minute or two and everyone I've spoken with has been super friendly and helpful. We've saved around 8% with the cash cards.

 

[twodogs]

If I transfer my already-booked cruise to Costco, do they have to bookmy dining, excursions, etc? If there was a weather problem, would I be dealing with Costco to cancel/reschedule/whatever, or Disney?

 

[SevenWonkas]

If I transfer my already-booked cruise to Costco, do they have to bookmy dining, excursions, etc? If there was a weather problem, would I be dealing with Costco to cancel/reschedule/whatever, or Disney?

I believe you have to transfer to a new TA within 30 days of your original booking.
If you need to cancel a cruise, you'd call Costco. You can otherwise make reservations yourself for speciality dining, excursions, etc.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Do you get aCostco bonus if you book an IGT/OGT/VGT rate? How much is the bonus? Can you pay with gift cards?

 

[Runner5]

Do you get aCostco bonus if you book an IGT/OGT/VGT rate? How much is the bonus? Can you pay with gift cards?

We booked a GTY 4D, deluxe family stateroom with veranda, got a big gift card about $900.

 

[Billinaz]

Is it better to book with DCL direct (online) first and then transfer to Costco? Or book through Costco right from the start (online as well)? Does it really matter either way? What are the pros & cons, if any, with either way?

LAX

Thats what I do. I want to book a certain cabin on a certain cruise so I get it done with DCL because I can book it easily that way then tell them I am going to transfer it to Costco and pay the deposit with Costco.

 

[LAX]

Thats what I do. I want to book a certain cabin on a certain cruise so I get it done with DCL because I can book it easily that way then tell them I am going to transfer it to Costco and pay the deposit with Costco.

Doesn't Costco have access to the same cabins as far as booking is concerned? I don't mind booking with DCL first and then transfer, so I want to know if it matters.

LAX

 

[Billinaz]

I dont want to wait on a time delay. If one cabin isnt available then we have to wait for Costco to call and wait for DCL. Im too much of a compulsive planner is all.............