Using TA for 1st time, so far....

[sharonabe]

It's not been a very good experience. Since this is our first Disney Cruise, we opted to book through Dreams Unlimited (a DIS sponsor) and also take advantage of their shipboard credit.

Now our trip isn't until next fall, so maybe I'm expecting too much, but so far, every time I email her something, I get no response until I email again asking if she received the first email. Is this normal? We don't even know what we can/should be doing at this point other than paying off the balance.

Can someone help out with whether this is normal for a cruise that is still so far off or should I be complaining?

 

[ludari]

I cannot speak for Dreams Unlimited because I never used them but the TA I've used for my past 8 Disney Cruises has been great. I've never experienced the issues you have been having.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I use Dreams Unlimited strictly for their OBC. I have found through past experience (mostly with other TA's) that I can get quicker and more reliable information myself online. There is so much on the internet about Disney Cruises (this forum being a HUGE resource) so that is how I get information on things to do with planning, onboard activities and excursions. Are your questions about things that MUST go through the TA, like payments or reservation changes? If so, then the only suggestion I have is to try to get a hold of his/her supervisor and request a different TA for your next cruise.

 

[RAD]

I've used Dreams a couple times and except when the TA notified me they'd be unavailable I've had same or next day turnaround on e-mails.

 

[AquaDame]

I've had good experience with my TA from Dreams so far - she is on the ball and gets back to me quickly, plus there is always someone supporting them when they are away on vacation, so if I have a question and she is out someone else usually responds quickly too. That said, I've also tried two other companies in the past that haven't been as on it so I know your pain. I do think its important to find a good fit not just with a company but with an individual TA as well.

Personally, if I were feeling frustrated I would try emailing the general questions email address at reservations@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com or call them at 1-888-374-0494. It might be worth seeing if you could work primarily with a different team member who meshes better with you.

 

[bumbershoot]

We don't even know what we can/should be doing at this point other than paying off the balance.

It would be easier to read here to find out that info.

our trip isn't until next fall

There's nothing for you to be doing IMO.

You can research any ports of call if you'd like, see if there's anything you would like to do. (I would recommend the Ports of Call forum on the cruisecritic.com message boards as a place to start) Your PIF date isn't anywhere near, so now is the time to see what you want to do for when things CAN be done.

 

[nancyjo1998]

We are using DU as our TA. First time using a TA and did it for the on board credit they offer. We have not had a problem with the TA we have been assigned. Any questions or changes in our plans have been addressed and taken care of with in a day of requesting. I would try contacting them and see if you can switch TA's since you are having problems getting responses from the one who has been assigned to you.

 

[2-pointdoe]

I was a year in advance and our TA got right back to us each time.

 

[Heidiatmn]

I've had the same experience as you so far-strictly using them for the on board credit they've offered me-they've been pretty worthless information wise-glad I found this forum!

 

[lizabu]

I guess it depends on how long you are waiting before you send the second email. You should give her 48 hours to get back to you. Unless it's a weekend. I wouldn't count weekend days towards the 48 hours.

You can't actually do anything but make payments out this far. You start booking excursions and palo etc when it's time to check in. If this is your 1st cruise that's 60 days prior.

 

[Heidiatmn]

I believe it's actually 75 days out when you can "check in" for your first cruise. The good thing is those things can be done yourself online. Other than your stateroom choice I believe the only other thing you'd want to get locked in is your dining time if that is important to you-that's the main thing I had to have my agent do that I couldn't do myself.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

It's not been a very good experience. Since this is our first Disney Cruise, we opted to book through Dreams Unlimited (a DIS sponsor) and also take advantage of their shipboard credit.

Now our trip isn't until next fall, so maybe I'm expecting too much, but so far, every time I email her something, I get no response until I email again asking if she received the first email. Is this normal? We don't even know what we can/should be doing at this point other than paying off the balance.

Can someone help out with whether this is normal for a cruise that is still so far off or should I be complaining?

I hope this doesn't come across as snarky but what exactly are you wanting from the TA?

If you are trying to book air, rental cars, etc and she isn't responding than yes that is not acceptable at all.

If you're looking for advice on what to do while you're on the ship, that's what we're here for.

 

[sharonabe]

I hope this doesn't come across as snarky but what exactly are you wanting from the TA?

If you are trying to book air, rental cars, etc and she isn't responding than yes that is not acceptable at all.

If you're looking for advice on what to do while you're on the ship, that's what we're here for.

Not snarky at all.

To be honest, since I've never used one, I wasn't sure what I should be expecting from them, but I did expect a more timely response. We've just been finalizing all the needed information, and I was the one initiating every conversation with questions as to who my agent was and what else did they need.

I feel better knowing there really isn't much else we need to do now. Our room and dining time preference is already set, so we'll just keep researching and asking questions here until closer to sail date.

You know, now that I typed that, I guess I was hoping they would provide some of that kind of information....ports of call, tours, special things onboard that we might want to do, along with the costs for same. I know I can find all of it on my own, but having it come from them would have been easier.

 

[smilezlie]

I am going back and forth about my travel agent. I used Small World Vacations for the on-board credit. Our agent is nice enough but not super warm and fuzzy. I guess I would like a bit more assurance/hand holding (first time Disney cruiser and first time using a TA) and little less directness? I mean, she responds fast, I trust that things are booked properly, and I haven't had any issues. No real room to complain I guess?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If this is your 1st cruise that's 60 days prior.

I believe it's actually 75 days out when you can "check in" for your first cruise.

Yes, online check in and booking excursions/adult dining/spa/nursery hours/etc opens at 75 days out for first time DCL cruisers, on most cruises.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Being our first Disney Cruise, we used Dreams Unlimited as well. There are 4 rooms booked for 4 different family groups and we all used the same TA through them because of the onboard ship credit. Our rep gets back to us within 2 hours every time as long as it is M-F between 8am-5pm. She has helped us out with many things like hotels before and after the cruise as long as recommendations for private transportation.

The only possible complaint that I could come up with is my agent works from home and doesn't give out her number so the only form of communication is via email. I guess I'd be frustrated if I wasn't getting prompt responses but she has been fantastic over the past 7 months worth of communication.

 

[Sytrace]

It sounds like you are looking for a TA who is as excited for you to be taking your first Disney cruise vacation as you are. And are not just another commission to add to the others. I hope that as your relationship develops over the next few interactions with your TA that this happens for you.

When requesting assistance and asking for ideas and suggestions from your TA, please try and give her feedback on your reasons for requests you may have. It is sort of building the big picture and will make your communications much easier on both of you. Also, it will give her some insight so she can suggest appropriate excursions for your particular family.
Obviously, it would be important to know WHY you don't want to do certain types of excursions. Maybe someone has a fear of being in open water with a dolphin or sting ray. Good information to have before she suggests a dolphin encounter.
I am sure that as you get closer to needing to make these plans, she will ask questions to find out as much as possible about you and your dreams for a wonderful first cruise.

Have a wonderful voyage and enjoy your family time. It is the top of our list of reasons why we cruise.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I am very sorry to hear that some on this thread are not happy with their experience with their Dreams Unlimited Travel agent.

OP - it is unacceptable for you to have to send two emails in order to get a response from your agent. You should receive a reply to your email as quickly as possible depending on the nature of your question and what additional information you might need.

The only reason for a delayed response is if your agent is away and in that case you should receive an auto-response to your email with info on coverage and how the agent plans on handling your email.

I would very much like the opportunity to correct this and any other issue that anyone may be experiencing with their Dreams Unlimited Travel agent.

Please feel free to write to me at John@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com and I would be happy to assist you - just an FYI I will be traveling tomorrow (Tuesday) and will not be back at my deck until after noon but I will reply to your email as quickly as I can.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Not snarky at all.

To be honest, since I've never used one, I wasn't sure what I should be expecting from them, but I did expect a more timely response. We've just been finalizing all the needed information, and I was the one initiating every conversation with questions as to who my agent was and what else did they need.

I feel better knowing there really isn't much else we need to do now. Our room and dining time preference is already set, so we'll just keep researching and asking questions here until closer to sail date.

You know, now that I typed that, I guess I was hoping they would provide some of that kind of information....ports of call, tours, special things onboard that we might want to do, along with the costs for same. I know I can find all of it on my own, but having it come from them would have been easier.

My best pieces of advice would be:

1 - go to disneycruislineblog.com and do a search for the navigators of the same itinerary/ship that you are going on. That will give you an idea of what activities you may have on your cruise.

2 - start checking out excursions now for the islands you're interested in so you can get a budget in mind.

3 - don't over plan the crap out of your cruise! The best part of cruising is relaxing when you want, how you want. Sometimes I take a nap in the middle of the afternoon on the lounge chairs on the promenade. Sometimes I watch movies on funnel vision and eat chicken strips and fries while kids are in the pool or on the Aquaduck at 9:00 at night. Sometimes I go to bed early so I can get up early and have coffee up on deck while the sun rises over the blue sea. The point is, it's so easy to feel the need to plan every second like a DL or WDW vacation, but it's really nice to not do that and just go with the flow. I turn into a craft King on cruises making book marks, finger puppets, coasters etc on our cruises and have a ton of fun hanging with the family.

4 - realize you won't do it all, that's what subsequent cruises are for. Even then, you won't do it all!

5 - budget $250 into your cruise to book a place holder cruise while on board. If you don't end up going on another cruise, you'll get the money back. This will give you 10% off a future cruise and an on board credit for the future cruise.

6 - relax, have fun and prepare yourself for a very expensive new addiction!

I hope you thoroughly enjoy your cruise.

 

[Bree]

My Dreams agent is super awesome, but I feel ya on unresponsive ones. I'm dealing with one right now for a deeply discounted resort for the WDW Princess Half Marathon. If I wasn't so cheap, er, um, I mean frugal I'd say to heck with it and book on my own.