Which TA to book cruise with?

[kcdisneymom]

We haven't cruised in 10 years. Not Costco members. Can anyone recommend a TA to use to book January cruise? What did you like? What did you not like? What to watch out for?

 

[bumbershoot]

Plenty here use Dreams Unlimited; the sponsors/owners of the Dis.

I use costcotravel.com. Their cashcard sent after the cruise approximates 8% of the fare cost, and that's lovely. (and they have good OBC for our Royal cruises)

Costco wouldn't be great if you need a lot of help, a lot of hand-holding, and planning done FOR you.

 

[MSPeeler]

Watching! We booked direct with DCL last time, and I'm interested in some perks!!

Also, What are the disadvantages with booking through a TA? As far as accessibility & changes to my own itinerary?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Watching! We booked direct with DCL last time, and I'm interested in some perks!!

Also, What are the disadvantages with booking through a TA? As far as accessibility & changes to my own itinerary?

While not really a "disadvantage" if you have any issues with your reservation, or payment problems, all that must go through the TA to be resolved. DCL won't talk to you, if you try to contact them directly with any changes/issues like that.

On the other hand, if something goes wrong with the reservation, if your TA is a good one, you have someone fighting for you.

Beyond that, it's just like any other reservation, you book your own excursions and do your own check in when your window opens.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Dreams Unlimited! Great OBC. We use Kerry

 

[sc426]

Another vote for Dreams Unlimited! I used Kristie!

 

[CamColt]

Another fan of Dreams Unlimited here! You get specialized trip planning service from the experts and an on board credit, which is free money to spend on your cruise.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We haven't cruised in 10 years. Not Costco members. Can anyone recommend a TA to use to book January cruise? What did you like? What did you not like? What to watch out for?

To me a good TA, is one who has availability a lot of the time, some here quote, time lag, as an issue, that's only with TAs who work remotely and by email.

My TA has great availability, by address, phone, email, they call me quite often. I do not think I am allowed to post their name here. I respect that.

You never loose any control, you make payments via the TA not direct to DCL. But your the boss, you control, it, I have upgraded, changed location, made requests, all acknowledged quickly by my TA, who will advise us if/ when there closed.

They do fight for you on errors, support you on chsnges, it's like being part of a union, thry have clout with DCL, and get things done, that maybe are not advertised publicly.

Basically if you do not use a TA you are throwing away your rebate, your money, on a cruise that's a lot of cash burnt, for an incorrect feeling of thinking your slightly more in control.

 

[NS8VN]

I use costcotravel.com. Their cashcard sent after the cruise approximates 8% of the fare cost, and that's lovely. (and they have good OBC for our Royal cruises)

Don't want to derail the conversation too much, but are there any other perks using costcotravel than the cash card? I just compared the exact same stateroom on a cruise, DCL direct shows $4,215 while Costco shows $4,560 with a $355 cash card. I'm just wondering if there is more to it than a $10 savings.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Don't want to derail the conversation too much, but are there any other perks using costcotravel than the cash card? I just compared the exact same stateroom on a cruise, DCL direct shows $4,215 while Costco shows $4,560 with a $355 cash card. I'm just wondering if there is more to it than a $10 savings.

There will be no difference in cruise price, I do not think this is comparing like for like.

One may include port taxes, the other doesn't, or include, transfers, whoever you book with, direct or through a TA the final price us the same, you just get on board credits with a TA.

 

[Hundredacre]

Another nice thing about dreams unlimited is you can make your own payments online through their website. It makes it easy to make incremental payments.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Other TAs have similar facilities.

 

[Hundredacre]

Sorry, wanted to add one more thing. We tried another TA and then tried Dreams Unlimited and really found them very responsive, professional, and upfront.

 

[Hundredacre]

Other TAs have similar facilities.

That is good to know. We had not seen that before. But we also only have one other TA experience.

 

[bumbershoot]

Don't want to derail the conversation too much, but are there any other perks using costcotravel than the cash card? I just compared the exact same stateroom on a cruise, DCL direct shows $4,215 while Costco shows $4,560 with a $355 cash card. I'm just wondering if there is more to it than a $10 savings.

You need to be signed in. There's a glitch hat hits many where the above happens. Sign into your costcotravel account and the prices will go to what you're seeing on Disney.

I've never had it happen in my account but many others have.

 

[LoverDisney]

Dreams Unlimited! They are very professional and the OBC is great!

 

[RedSox68]

I have used All Seasons for years. Love their attention to detail, their follow-up and their OBC offers. Chuck (owner) is awesome. Sandie is my travel agent.

 

[ahain]

Is there a post that lists the travel agencies we are not allowed to mention here? or are we not allowed to mention ANY besides DU & Costco?

 

[Trekker]

you can post any travel agent as long as you use the full URL for them: Such as www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com if that agency/site is not allowed for any of many reasons it will show in your post as all *********** - DO NOT try and get around the filter with creative ways of posting such as WWW dot SITENAME dot COM.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I have used All Seasons for years. Love their attention to detail, their follow-up and their OBC offers. Chuck (owner) is awesome. Sandie is my travel agent.

OK I didn't think we could post that here, I agree with you. That's who I use.