Where to get best pricing on DCL?

[Seasca]

I am looking for any advice on where to find the best deals on Disney Cruises, any length. I welcome any and all assistance. Thanks in advance responding to this........

 

[rae519]

IF you rebook on the ship, you get the onboard credit (if it is offered) - then you can ask around and see if any Travel Agent can beat the quoted price for what you guaranteed - if so, you can transfer your reservation AND keep the onboard credit.

I use Bill at cruisetraveloutlet.com because he gives me a 7% rebate off the DCL price I get for transferring over to him. Since the travel agents get 10% - this is a very generous discount.

Other travel agents are mentioned and have very loyal followers - including the sponsor of our site, Dreams Unlimited.

But as any wise consumer, you have to shop around and use the one that not only gives you excellent service but the best rate. After all, if you get lousy service even the best rate isn't worth the hassle!!! AND visa versa!

Rae

 

[kcashner]

I've found the best rates thru on-line quotes. Check sites like vacationstogo.com, allseastravel.com, dreamsunlimited, etc.

On my recent cruise, I booked on board despite the fact that Donna insisted I had "wrong" information from the internet. Her rate was still a few dollars cheaper than the internet, but no where near the 10% off she was advertising. WHen I got home and verified the internet information, I called DCL. They were able to confirm my internet information and took the 10% off of that, as well as keeping the $200 credit. SO....that one phone call saved me nearly $150 (not bad for a few minutes of effort.) As soon as I get the written confirmation, I'll transfer the reservation to an agent who gives a further discount.

For last minute bookings in the fall and January, I follow the specials listed at vacationstogo.com or the DCL web site. You can find serious mark downs in those seasons.....also, you can frequently add a $50 or $100 onboard credit by using a Disney credit card or finding another promotion similar to these. I flip thru any travel magazine in a doc's office or wherever just to see any promotions. No one beats the $200 onboard credit though!

 

[Pacha]

We just booked our first Disney cruise yesterday after the fall 2005 dates became available and yourmagicaljourneys.com was the best quote we recieved. We have used them in the past for Disney World vacations and had worked great for that also.

Pacha

 

[Jestocost]

I'll echo that you can get better pricing through a TA, but add a few caveats. First, you give up control of your reservation and will have to work through your TA for all/most interactions with Disney. That can work our fine if you have a good TA, but it can be a hassle if they aren't so sharp. Second, just be sure that you're making an apples-to-apples comparison when you're shopping around. Some prices include all port fees and taxes, some don't. Sometimes the quote will include port transfers and travel insurance, sometimes they won't.

 

[stripes813]

I just booked, I mean like 10 minutes ago, using AllSeasonsTravel. Their price was much,much lower than the others. And the woman I dealt with was 1 step ahead of me, meaning she offered information/advice before I had the chance to ask!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by kcashner
SO....that one phone call saved me nearly $150 (not bad for a few minutes of effort.) !

Just where were you when I was getting my new car quote?!
WHEW! You have it down in spades!!!!

GREAT!!!

Rae

 

[mouse5]

I noticed you live in FL. all seasons gave me a great rate but it is a Fl res. rate and leaves within 60 days. The price is 2500 less than I paid 2 years ago.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

I know a lot of people have great things to say about the travel agents they have worked with, and I think most of the ones mentioned on this board are honest or we'd hear about it!

I booked with Mouseearsvacations.com and have had good luck. The rates were as low as the other discounters, and made it easy to pick a cabin etc. Most importantly for me, they also notified me about a category 3 opening up unexpectedly, and I was able to grab it for our trip. (Of course that move up blew the budget, but I am rationalizing the whole price thing at this point anyway.)

Annette has been great; she has made it easy for me to pay off the balance over time to avoid a really large one time payment;and she's going to worry about booking Palo and the Spa treatments (if any) for me, so I don't have to hunt around on this board for the DCL concierge ressie line (again).

Have fun planning