Should we go with a TA or book with Costco instead?

[thirdsjen]

Hi all! First time posting on here. After months of deliberation, we finally decided on a Disney Cruise for AUGUST 2016. I have cruised with other cruise lines before but never with Disney. I used a TA once for my last cruise and I was not impressed. This will be my first cruise where I will be spending a whole lot of money just for 4 days, so I really need to make good, informed decisions.

I first looked on the DCL website, then to Costco, then got a quote from DU. The prices were pretty much all the same. However, DCL did not offer any OBC; Costco is offering me a $285 cash card, and DU said they will give me $150 OBC.

What do you guys think? I've been reading about GC's and using my Target Red Card, etc. to help pay for this cruise so I'm really excited about saving ANYTHING. Will I be able to pay with a GC through Costco?

Thank you all for your help!

~ thirdsjen ~

 

[lanejudy]

The fares will be the same regardless of how you book. DCL does not allow anyone to discount the fares, just make sure your comparisons are the same -- same number/letter stateroom category, taxes and fees included, transportation or no, insurance or no, etc. You can use gift cards to pay regardless of how you book.

Whether to use a TA or not is really personal choice. If you do choose a TA (and Costco Travel is considered a TA), make sure it's one you can communicate with in a method you prefer (phone, email, etc.) because if you end up needing any changes the TA will have to do those for you.

and to the DISboards!

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Billinaz]

I have used Costco for several years. The best part is the Costco cash card you get that is about 9% of your cruise cost.

Beat any OBC anyone ever offered......

 

[thirdsjen]

Thank you lanejudy and Billinaz for your replies! I'm leaning towards Costco just for that cash card. $285 vs $150.. kind of a no-brainer. Will I be able to pay with GC if I go with Costco?

 

[EmilysDad]

We did Costco for that reason. OBC means that you have to spend it - not that it would be difficult to blow through it. However, with the Costco cash I know I will spend no matter what,since we do shop there.

 

[ksh1111]

You can buy your gift cards, put them in a DVA then call Costco and have them 3 way call to use your DVA to pay your cruise. I just did this last week to pay off my January cruise.

 

[ludari]

If it's all about saving $ I say go for it. Me and my friends used the same TA for years but my friends found that Costco offered them better OBC and discounts so they switched. I have stayed with my TA, however my friends have a larger family than me so I understand their need to save as much $ as possible when cruising.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've been using Costco as my TA for at least 3 years now and no problems. I think they are especially great if you don't need a lot of "hand holding" and know what you want. At times I've had to "instruct them" what to do but they are very polite and always willing to help. For example the DV account that's been referenced (which is also what I use to pay my Disney vacations) you are required to call Disney directly to provide the account number for your DV account number, which is per the terms of the agreement with the DV account. I usually have to remind Costco of this and sometimes even Disney when they come on the line and want to say you need to go through your TA. I know some are able to do a three way call however that's not the policy so just be educated up front and not afraid to politely remind both Costco and Disney of this.

Heather