Results of my comparison shopping

[KelNottAt]

I just booked our Mexican cruise for next year. Since I’ve often been grateful for the rates info shared by other DISers, I thought I’d return the favor and post the prices I got.

I shopped for June 18, 2005, Cat 9, 2 adults, 2 kids (10 & 12). These prices are just cruise + insurance. No air, no ground transfers. The prices shown reflect the agent’s rebate incentive, if any.

$6,046.32 Dreams Unlimited
$6,046.32 Small World Vacations
$6,096.00 All Seasons Travel
$6,246.32 Mouseears Vacations/Cruising Co
$6,577.32 expedia.com
$6,646.32 DCL website
No price available yet – Travelocity.com
No price available yet - Orbitz

DVC points required: 242+242+137+137=758

I decided to book DU for the following reasons: I received their quote in less than 24 hours, their quote required no follow-up phone calls or inquiries about unclear information, they sponsor this board, and I’ve heard more about their free upgrades than any other agent's.

Hope this is helpful.
Kelley

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Wow! What a difference - thanks for sharing the helpful info!!!

 

[lilo62]

DU has been really great for me thus far (first time user) and their prices are tough to beat! Very competative.

Their customer service is outstanding. You will get instant e-mails to all of questions. I'm amazed at their level of svce.

It's really refreshing to know that businesses out there still work for you. You made a great choice and thanks for the info!

 

[MM2U2]

DU took four days to e mail a quote for the Repo Cruise 8/20/05. In that time the price increased a lot! However, I also contacted Small World Travel the day the cruise was released and received a price quote right away. Small World Travel had a better price and better customer service than DU!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by MM2U2
DU took four days to e mail a quote for the Repo Cruise 8/20/05. In that time the price increased a lot! However, I also contacted Small World Travel the day the cruise was released and received a price quote right away. Small World Travel had a better price and better customer service than DU!

I think this is a very unfair statement. DU had over 300 requests for quotes for the repo cruises. How many did Small World have? As to customer service, DU has never been less than fantastic with quotes, requests, etc. I asked for a quote on the repo cruise and didn't get it as soon as I wanted, so I called CC directly. Got my reservation and then transfered it to DU. It worked out fine for me, and it was only due to DU being overwhelmed with requests that they were so long in getting back to everyone. The repo cruises are a uniqe situation, and with so many of us asking DU for a quote, someone was bound to get less than stellar turn around.

 

[lilo62]

Nicely said Marsha.

 

[Az Pirates]

Kelley,

Thanks for posting your findings.
Certainly shows that it pays to get quotes from several agencies!

 

[ldb1030]

Upgrades normally come from DCL, so as far as that goes, it's really luck, not the agency you use.

 

[erikthewise]

Question: Did you negotiate at all for these prices, or were these the original quotes from the agencies?

 

[fknaut]

Also try:

Epic Travel

 

[KelNottAt]

Originally posted by erikthewise
Question: Did you negotiate at all for these prices, or were these the original quotes from the agencies?

No, no negotiation. Since the 4 lowest prices were all the same (except for rebates), I figured the agents' hands were tied and negotiation would lead nowhere. So I didn't ask.

Kelley