USING A TRAVEL AGENT VS BOOKING MYSELF

[pollypineapple8]

Hi Guys!

So We will probably be booking the Bahamas once the October 2020 dates are released. This will be our second cruise.

First cruise was in 2016 and we booked online through the DCL website ourselves.

My question is this...

What are the pros and cons of using a travel agent for our next booking? We are based in the UK.

My Family don't understand why I want to use a travel agent. I mentioned onboard credits for a start.

What's everyone else's opinions?

Thanks!!!

 

[dcassetta]

Hi Guys!

So We will probably be booking the Bahamas once the October 2020 dates are released. This will be our second cruise.

First cruise was in 2016 and we booked online through the DCL website ourselves.

My question is this...

What are the pros and cons of using a travel agent for our next booking? We are based in the UK.

My Family don't understand why I want to use a travel agent. I mentioned onboard credits for a start.

What's everyone else's opinions?

Thanks!!!

If you're comfortable in planning and booking all your travel yourself, then the main benefit to using a TA will be the onboard credit. That being said, travel agents can give you great assistance for your trip by arranging flights and transportation to and from the cruise port, information about excursions, and other tips that may be helpful in helping you have a more enjoyable experience. I would recommend looking for a DCL specialist if you plan to use a travel agent.

 

[Bonnie1222]

We have booked both ways. I find planning a cruise with DCL pretty easy. But when a friend became a travel agent we decided to let her book a cruise for us and no matter how easy it is to work with Disney, it is easier to let her know what we want and she spends the time waiting online, making our special requests etc. We have now booked 6 cruise with her and she knows our habits and takes care of things we might forget and it doesn't cost us anything for her to do this - it is the same price whether we book it or she books it for us.

A few examples:

• Opening day last year, she spent 4 hours on the phone booking our cruise, something I couldn't have done because I had to be at work.
• We booked a cruise (with another cruise line) and forgot to mention we wanted late seating and table for two when we told her which cruise we wanted. When we called her back - she said not to worry, she had already taken care of it because she knew it was our preference.
• She know we have a preferred head server who dining room rotation we want, she know our room location and watches for those rooms or the ability to move to those rooms.
• My MIL wanted to surprise us with gifts in our room and she is NOT computer savy - she called our TA who made recommendations, and then took care of everything for her.
• Basically, she makes planning our cruise easier, and less stressful.

 

[goofy4prez]

I will be enjoying my first Disney cruise in June and booked with a TA for one reason and one reason only... I received a $650 OBC for using them. It was hard to pass up on that. And I'll admit, this is my first cruise so it also helped with their advice for some of our upcoming trip. However, when it comes to my WDW trips I never use a TA since I like complete control of my WDW trip.

 

[Dug720]

• Opening day last year, she spent 4 hours on the phone booking our cruise, something I couldn't have done because I had to be at work.

This is the best reason - especially if you are booking on opening day (realize if you are new they may take longer to get back to you at this point though as they will be contacting existing clients as well) - for me.

I have a LOT of friends who are TAs, but I use one from an agency none of them are with because I did not want to create any “you’re helping her but not me” resentments. My agent is awesome and so patient. In her case (and I would imagine other agencies where agents are spread all across the country and most communication is email do similar) on something like opening day for cruise itineraries for Disney the agents are organized into groups and whoever gets through first will begin with their clients and then go on to lists from other agents in the group if those agents are not on with Disney yet.

Like, Agent A will get through and get the information/bookings for her clients while Agent B, Agent C, and Agent D are still holding. During the time Agent A is on the phone, Agent B gets through and starts on his clients. Agent A finishes with hers and since Agent B has communicated he is on, Agent A gets Agent C’s list and works on that. Meanwhile none of those clients are on the phone themselves.

The last time I was booking opening day, my agent actually texted me with rates because she was unclear if I wanted it less than what I had booked or was ok with it as long as the deposit from the cruise I was transferring covered it. Which was the deal. She got it done and I spent zero time on the phone. Easy peasy.

 

[Geomom]

We use a TA for the OBC--before cruising with DCL, the last time we used a TA was our honeymoon in 1993--before you easily had access to everything online! So, I'd say you want to use it for the 'free' money--just make sure you pick a TA that offers OBC! Cruise prices will be the same no matter how you book, and yes, they are invaluable in booking on opening days! We used Dreams Unlimited, a sponsor of these boards. They're email only.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

First-time cruiser here, used a DU TA. He got us exactly the room we wanted on opening day, plus we'll be getting onboard credit, no extra effort on my part at all. I never use a TA for WDW but I would for sure use him again if we book another trip on DCL.

 

[Numtini]

We started using an agent because they paid us to use them via OBC. But since then, I've been very happy to let them take some of the pain off of various changes or more complicated bookings. We booked a cruise with a placeholder, then we rebooked on a different ship/itinerary, and letting them take care of the placeholder so we didn't lose the discount saved me the trouble of looking it up. More recently, we booked a cruise on opening day and they did the waiting on hold rather than me fighting with the website. Then friends (sort of family, kind of) decided to join us and they moved us to a room so we could get an adjoining room, then when we got back last week from the Magic, they did the math for us about placeholder vs opening day price and rebooked our room with the placeholder, so we kept everything linked and the same room, but saved the money. I'm sure I could do all this on my own, but most of it would involve using the dreaded phone. And better her than me

 

[GPaLarry]

We used a TA for our first cruise but booked ourselves since (7 times)...just more convenient (retired). Only down side to using a TA would be if they are available 24/7. For example, if you have to make a change to your cruise after something came up Friday night, do you have to wait until Monday to cancel/change/modify? Just a thought...

 

[Numtini]

We used a TA for our first cruise but booked ourselves since (7 times)...just more convenient (retired). Only down side to using a TA would be if they are available 24/7. For example, if you have to make a change to your cruise after something came up Friday night, do you have to wait until Monday to cancel/change/modify? Just a thought...

That would depend on the change. You do still have a DCL reservation number, access to the website, the ability to call and all that. But our TA is ludicrously available by email. It's not a 9-5 thing at all.

 

[tvguy]

I know from past threads here that some people feel they lose control if they use a Travel Agent.
I don't feel that way. I can have a Professional do all the work at no additional cost. No time on hold with Disney. No time spend finding the best flights and fares, no time spent finding the best hotel since we have to fly in the day before. I just write the check.

 

[SamJackson]

Wow! That's an impressive OBC. Do you mind telling what the cost of your cruise was? I looked into booking a $4000 cruise and was quoted a $200 credit from my TA.

I will be enjoying my first Disney cruise in June and booked with a TA for one reason and one reason only... I received a $650 OBC for using them. It was hard to pass up on that. And I'll admit, this is my first cruise so it also helped with their advice for some of our upcoming trip. However, when it comes to my WDW trips I never use a TA since I like complete control of my WDW trip.

 

[goofy4prez]

Wow! That's an impressive OBC. Do you mind telling what the cost of your cruise was? I looked into booking a $4000 cruise and was quoted a $200 credit from my TA.

Welcome to the DIS. I don't mind sharing at all. There are three of us and I booked a Deluxe Family Ocean View with Veranda (04B) for $7923... I looked at a local TA initially and they offered no incentive to use them other than supporting a local business. I ended up using a TA on the Internet and received this OBC. Other than that though, there is not much they have done to assist me along the way over the past year. I'm OK with that though, I was hooked with the OBC.

 

[MillauFr]

Wow! That's an impressive OBC. Do you mind telling what the cost of your cruise was? I looked into booking a $4000 cruise and was quoted a $200 credit from my TA.

I believe Costco gives you a 8 - 9% discount.

 

[n2mm]

I like to be in control, but years ago I switched to a TA and it was a perfect fit. I use Dreams Unlimited and have been very pleased. We help a small business and we get great service and a OBC. I generally know exactly what I want so no surprises for me. Yes, weekends are tough, but I do send an email on the weekends and expect to not to hear from her, but when it’s been time sensitive she has responded, which is above and beyond. I recommend them to others all the time. Yes I can do it all, and it took me a lot to delegate it, but very happy I’m not the one on the phone converting those placeholders on opening day.

 

[BeverlyHVS]

I like to be in control, but years ago I switched to a TA and it was a perfect fit. I use Dreams Unlimited and have been very pleased. We help a small business and we get great service and a OBC. I generally know exactly what I want so no surprises for me. Yes, weekends are tough, but I do send an email on the weekends and expect to not to hear from her, but when it’s been time sensitive she has responded, which is above and beyond. I recommend them to others all the time. Yes I can do it all, and it took me a lot to delegate it, but very happy I’m not the one on the phone converting those placeholders on opening day.

I've always booked our own travel and this is the first time I'm considering booking the cruise through DU, Costco, etc.. I love the idea of the onboard credits but am worried about making changes to reservations. Do TA charge penalties/fees for changing the dates from the original onboard booking or cancelling the cruise (outside of DCL fees)? Do we still have control over booking our own activities or do we now need to contact someone else?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've always booked our own travel and this is the first time I'm considering booking the cruise through DU, Costco, etc.. I love the idea of the onboard credits but am worried about making changes to reservations. Do TA charge penalties/fees for changing the dates from the original onboard booking or cancelling the cruise (outside of DCL fees)? Do we still have control over booking our own activities or do we now need to contact someone else?

Whether a TA charges fees is up to each TA. Some charge for cancelled reservations. Some charge for doing the initial reservation. Some charge all sorts of fees. MOST do not charge any fees, as their "pay" comes from the commissions they get from the cruiselines/hotels/airlines that they book with.

If you use a TA, you can still book your own excursions, do your own online check in. All the TA handles are the actual logistics of bookings, and payments.

 

[billyinlasvegas]

We just booked a cruise for next year and thanks to a TA we were able to save $775 off the regular price.

We had the option of getting the discount taken off the price of the cruise or OBC.

 

[BeverlyHVS]

Whether a TA charges fees is up to each TA. Some charge for cancelled reservations. Some charge for doing the initial reservation. Some charge all sorts of fees. MOST do not charge any fees, as their "pay" comes from the commissions they get from the cruiselines/hotels/airlines that they book with.

If you use a TA, you can still book your own excursions, do your own online check in. All the TA handles are the actual logistics of bookings, and payments.

Thank you! I've seen many recommendations for using a TA (Dreams Unlimited/Costco) for Disney cruise travel. I just got concerned as to what drawbacks there might be in using a travel company vs. controlling it myself as I've done in the past, and I couldn't find the details online.

 

[xiphoid76]

Some TAs are good and others not, so you just have to be careful. Dreams Unlimited is very good. We prefer to do everything on our own. We can always get the best price and on board credit if we book early enough to match what any TA could do. We don't get a welcome basket, but we don't want that anymore. What we like is total control of the reservation and payments. If we need to make a change which happens more often than you think, then all you have to do is call DCL and it is done - no going thru a third party which for us is enough of a drawback not to use a TA. But, you have to do what your comfort level allows. Either way is fine, if you aren't a control freak like me, then just choose your TA wisely