Using a travel agent?

[lanejudy]

The people that run Dreams Unlimited also run this board, I think. That's why we don't mention other travel agents and why DU is so popular here. It's probably best not to talk about it too much.

Yes, Dreams Unlimited is owned by the same owners of DISboards. However there is no rule that other travel agencies cannot be mentioned. Just be sure to use the full web address: www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com or www.costco.com Any that aren't allowed will be ******* by the filter.

OP - I'm glad you are all set with your reservation and can move on to the planning!

 

[RedHead0186]

now I just need southwest to release their flights for the fall and hope the prices aren’t crazy. I checked some other airlines and they seem high especially since they don’t include bags. *fingers crossed* I can get a good price on a non stop flight the day before and on our way home that doesn’t involve us hanging out at the airport for too many hours while I try to entertain a 3 yr. old

Maybe you already know this, but as of right now, Southwest is planning to release flights through November 2, 2022 on March 30 (though that date is subject to change, and I think it has at least once already).

 

[Akck]

Maybe you already know this, but as of right now, Southwest is planning to release flights through November 2, 2022 on March 30 (though that date is subject to change, and I think it has at least once already).

I’ve wanted to schedule car rentals for a trip in September. I guess I can use August times, but with my luck, they will change.

 

[happycamper47]

We always use a TA, but a smaller Independent Agency. Response is amazing and almost immediate

 

[Freeman867]

I wouldn't use a TA again. We did for a recent cruise thinking all TAs provided an onboard credit like DU does. Yeah, that's not the case. If you don't get onboard credit from using one, I'd much rather be in control and do my own research. That's just my personality though. I love doing the research and not having to ask a TA questions. The only thing they did for us was bear the brunt of waiting on hold for hours when we had to move our initial cruise due to a positive COVID test within 10 days.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Our first cruise was in 1999. We did not use a TA then; but have ever since and it has been Dreams Unlimited Travel. We just finished our 10th cruise (We're Platinum!!!!) and have an 11th and 12th cruise booked through them. Including our precruise Walt Disney World stays for each of the cruises.

Our agents (through the years) have always been quick to respond to our questions, keep an eye out for any discounts after our reservations have been made, and we get an on-board credit from them.

And I am relieved that I DID NOT have to deal with Disney Cruise Line after our original cruise; for April last year was cancelled. Our TA took care of the rebooking for the Disney Fantasy cruise we just completed. LOVED IT despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

 

[Kwami]

I wouldn't use a TA again. We did for a recent cruise thinking all TAs provided an onboard credit like DU does. Yeah, that's not the case. If you don't get onboard credit from using one, I'd much rather be in control and do my own research. That's just my personality though. I love doing the research and not having to ask a TA questions. The only thing they did for us was bear the brunt of waiting on hold for hours when we had to move our initial cruise due to a positive COVID test within 10 days.

The onboard credit situation has changed over the last two years. Pretty much all travel agents had the same onboard credit amounts back in 2019. Then, Disney stepped in and stopped the whole thing. They made it more difficult to set up onboard credits and my TA had to buy credits like any well wisher friend would. Now, TAs can have onboard credits added again, but only in certain amounts (e.g. my TA wanted to give us $75 on a recent cruise, so we got $50 + $25). And apparently, they can't even leave a message like they used to, either.

I don't know why Disney cares so much, though. It seems weird to me.

On the other hand, when your flight gets delayed on Friday afternoon for a Saturday cruise and you have to completely reschedule everything and the hold time is 185 minutes, well, having a TA really makes life better!

 

[goofballs]

Yes, Dreams Unlimited is owned by the same owners of DISboards. However there is no rule that other travel agencies cannot be mentioned. Just be sure to use the full web address: !edit - dreamsunlimitedTRAVEL.com or www.costco.com Any that aren't allowed will be ******* by the filter.

OP - I'm glad you are all set with your reservation and can move on to the planning!

@ladyjune this link for DU did not go to a TA site - it took me to a site to purchase the domain?

 

[lanejudy]

@ladyjune this link for DU did not go to a TA site - it took me to a site to purchase the domain?

My apologies... fixed it:

https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

 

[nyweller6306]

I will always use my DU travel agent for my cruises and Orlando vacations; I even switched a placeholder from my previous triple lettered travel agency because of the service I received from Dreams. While I do enjoy the research, planning, etc., I still get to do all of those things and provide her with what I want. I would much rather my DU travel agent get the commission for my cruise than Disney pocket that extra money. I can't speak for all DU agents, but mine responds almost immediately when I submit requests or email questions, even during non traditional working hours.

 

[Cheburashka]

Is it easier to book a cruise with a travel agent or just do it on your own?

I asked dreams unlimited for a quote but haven’t heard back from them yet. Idk how long they usually take but I’m anxious to book cause price is good and just got the Ok from DH to book a cruis for me and my daughter!

It's easier to book on your own, as you can do it online, and also make stateroom changes online.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We've booked ourselves in the past because of DVC points.
For the upcoming cruise in May, we went with DU and $$$. Kerry M. has been very helpful and timely to answer questions.
Yes, TIME is the factor. Having four cruises canceled and rebooked (over and over), it's the wait time on the phone that is so aggravating. I'd pay someone to sit on the phone waiting on DCL to queue me up. But NO!!!!! DU is paying me (with onboard credits) to sit on the phone. Such a deal. Win-Win.

 

[Waltworshiper]

I usually always book my own, but this time I went with Dreams Unlimited because we had a group of 5 rooms, and it was just easier for someone else to manage and we would get the onboard credit. Glad I did! Our original cruise was May 2020 and got cancelled from Covid. The wait times were insane back then to rebook and get the FCC, then 3 of our rooms couldn't get together on another trip and had to be refunded. We are finally travelling in May this year and this is our 5th time we had to rebook. Our TA did it all for us, and I know it was a lot of work and a lot of time spent on phone that I didn't have to do!

 

[MillauFr]

We just book with www.costco.com for the 9% discount. Plus they give Executive members another 2% discount. FInally I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit card for another 4.5% discount and free travel insurance.

 

[HeatherLassell]

We always use a TA, but a smaller Independent Agency. Response is amazing and almost immediate

Same. I get replies quite quickly from my TA and she offers me ON BOARD CREDIT which I love. Especially since DCL stopped giving it when you booked onboard!

 

[Kwami]

As for me, using a travel agent is a little bit expensive, especially with the latest events in the world. We live in the age of information, and it's easy to find everything we need on the Internet. I prefer to travel with sure that everything is planned and there is a minimum of risks during the trip. That's why I double-check all the info I find. In December, I traveled to Florida and was afraid of crime stuff, but I learned from the one source that the chance of being a victim is 1 in 76 there. Since I've understood that I can find everything on the Internet, I prefer to google the info I need to save my money.

There are many travel agents that specialize in Disney vacations and those are free. Disney pays them a commission for anything that they book for you.

 

[meliscan]

I just booked my first cruise without a travel agent and I miss the service of a travel agent. I wanted to change my room and it stunk to have to stay on hold for almost 3 hours. It was so nice in the past to just email my travel agent and they took care of it for me. I think it is all down to personal preference though. Many travel agents offer excellent service and some great discounts that are hard to beat when doing things on your own.

 

[eva]

So glad we have been using the same DU agent for years. We just booked a last minute cruise yesterday for April 2 using a placeholder. She was the one on hold 3+ hours yesterday, not us. Plus she patiently answers all my silly questions. Our agent keeps us up to date on new rules and emails us when she will be unavailable. I think once you are assigned an agent your following bookings go much smoother. You just email them direct for the next cruise. All this service is free. Plus we get an onboard credit and a BonVoyage gift. No brainer for us.

 

[DisneyKrayzie2]

As someone who always wanted to be in control of every detail of a trip I loved doing it all myself, when we did our first cruise on Disney I was hesitant but eventual went with a dreams unlimited agent to book it. I figured it costs me nothing and we get an onboard credit to use, plus helps them by getting them their commission. We now use them for any Disney trip, let them handle calling and waiting if needed and figuring out any issues. Our agent is always on top of any changes or discounts that may be applied and adjusted after we booked. Don't know what I would of done without them with all the Covid canceled cruises and fcc we had was a mess.

 

[pjacobi]

If you book a cruise yourself, you are leaving money on the table!

Cruises have a 5%-10% sales commission. The smaller low-volume companies keep the sales commission to themselves. The larger high-volume agents, like Dreams Unlimited, return some of that sales commission back to you in the form of on-board credit.


-Paul