Who should I book a cruise through?

[puffkin]

I am planning on taking a cruise for my honeymoon in July 2004. My fiance told me that I could book the cruise in a few weeks after I take the CPA Exam (something to look forward to!). We plan on doing the parks and either a 3 day or 4 day cruise. I don't want to do a package, because I can get a better deal booking things on my own. Who should I book the cruise only through in order to get the best deal? I am a little wary about some of the companies on line. Is AAA a safe bet, or can I do better elsewhere. Thanks for any info. BTW, we are first time cruisers.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I would check into www.kimskruises.com
or dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

I've used dreams for land vacations and Kim's for cruises. They are both good companies. Kim's seems to beat all cruise quotes usually.

HTH

 

[Gillian]

I've used Dreams a couple of times & they're great!

About AAA, although I think they're a good company, I have found that their agents are not very knowledgeable about Disney. They sell packages, and that's about it! I don't think it's bad to book through them if you know what you want & the price is right, but if you're looking for something more, I'd look elsewhere. I also avoid packages so I avoid AAA

 

[DisneyKids]

We always book directly through DCL (www.disneycruise.com). There really aren't that many deals out there for Disney cruises aside from a stateroom credit. Although that is always nice, I have read many posts that they have better luck with DCL directly because if you have questions, you can go right to the source. I agree with this. With a travel agent, you have to go to them , they will go to DCL, and then you will get your answer.

All of that said, I know there are some very good travel agents. I have heard that dreams unlimited is one of the best for Disney cruises.

 

[ruvidu]

We have used DCL for the last two cruises and have been very pleased. I don't see any need in using a third party.
We had our documents way before other cruisers who were booking through TAs. You can always pick up the phone and get an answer to any question.

Russ

 

[Wishing on a star]

We booked thru Dreams Unlimited... I think they are still offering a discount. From $50.00 to $200.00, according to your cruise costs.

Have heard of several occasions where Dreams knew more on the inside-track than info others were able to get even thru DCL reps on the phone!! ( like the REF-first time cruiser shipboard credit, that DCL reps do not always immediately offer....)

May be a few discounts out there... I have heard that COSTO can be cheaper, but usually on the 7 nites. I did not find a discount anywhere on the 4 nite that we booked!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

We booked thru Dreams Unlimited... I think they are still offering a discount. From $50.00 to $200.00, according to your cruise costs.

Have heard of several occasions where Dreams knew more on the inside-track than info others were able to get even thru DCL reps on the phone!! ( like the REF-first time cruiser shipboard credit, that DCL reps do not always immediately offer....)

May be a few discounts out there... I have heard that COSTO can be cheaper, but usually on the 7 nites. I did not find a discount anywhere on the 4 nite that we booked!!

Also, If you want some personalized service for your plans to the Parks, what to see, dining reservations, etc.. I have always heard that Dreams is exellent there - May not get that specialized Disney input and service from AAA.

PS: I am hitting 'submit' again. Sorry if this takes twice!! It just messed up????

 

[tstobb]

Our last cruise was booked thru http://www.mouseearvacations.com . Sue was very knowledgable and beyond patient with our many requests & changes. While they did have a toll free #, we did everything thru e-mail.

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Dreams Unlimited is very good and offers information and personal attention for your cruise. Their price for the cruise is competive with AAA and most other places, the difference is there service. If you are a pro at DCL cruise, Costco is the lowest in price but you are on your own after that.

 

[my3kids]

Costco all the way! They will take 10% off the best price you can find from Disney directly. They saved us many hundreds of dollars. AAA would certainly be a safe bet, as would Dreams Unlimited

 

[KLDESQ]

We were on the 4 night Halloween cruise last year, which I booked through American Express Platinum Travel Service. I travel often for business (attorney) and use PTS very often and have had great luck with them. However, the only issue with them or probably any other TA is that for any questions specific to your cruise, ie. "how much to go from a Cat 4 to a Cat 3?," or "which Cat 3's are available," etc. my PTS agent had to call DCL who then relayed the info to me.

Further, if my individual PTS agent was out or on another line, that was it. I tried to call DCL directly and they referred me back to my TA which, IMHO was a pain in the ***.

We are on the 7 night Western next month--11/9 and we booked that trip on the ship last year. The advantage is that we got the best price and a $200 shipboard credit. I've made several calls to DCL and the conceirge desk, ie. making Palo ressies, checking on table assignments, etc. and anyone who answered the phone at DCL could help me directly. That alone would make me book directly with DCL the next time (which I hope will be a DCL trip in EUROPE!) Hope that helps.

 

[lruggiero]

We booked through WWW.ALLSEASTRAVEL.COM
we got a great rate for a balcony room about a 30% discount from disney direct. Also you can try vacationstogo.com. They also offer discounts on disney cruises just the same but I liked the first girl I talked to better.

Good luck

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Another vote for Dreams Unlimited! I've used them for my past two cruises and didn't hesitate to use hem again for my upcoming trip. As a matter of fact, I don't think I'd use anyone else for a trip to Disney or the cruise!

Kathy

 

[4nana]

Our group is booked thru http://www.cruise411.com/.

We did a lot of research, got a dozen quotes, including all the above and no one could top Cruise411's price. Even when Disney
dropped the FF and did across the board cut, our TA was right on
it and our cruise was reduced appx $175pp. We have received wonderful service and an answer to our ever so many questions, not to mention on going changes. When we made our final paym. we rec'd a pkg of info on shore excursions, gift pkgs available, etc.
Also rec'd the $50 first time cruiser 'REF' credit per cabin. We have also used Cruise.com in the past and been very pleased.

I wish you luck in your decision, there are many good TA's and
web travel sites to accommodate you. Congratulations!

 

[Lisa7mike]

Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com is the only way I will book anything Disney! When we booked our January 2002 cruise the price went down at least $500 and they automatically credited our account. I DID NOT have to call and request the difference. They monitor the price for you! Also, their customer service is great!

Good Luck!

Lisa

 

[mivvers]

We booked our land and sea package through DCL last year, and then I found out about Dreams Unlimited. This time, we went with them and I will DEFINITELY be using them for any future trips.

We received a $200 rebate, but what makes them so special is the personal service you receive. Our travel consultant, Beth Czada, even e-mailed an excellent trip report from her family's vacation this past August. Every time I have e-mailed with a question, she has responded within the half-hour. I wouldn't go with anyone else.

Just go to www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

 

[nedleycan]

We used cruise.com and they were great. I just got my docs today, so it seems all went well. I got quotes from approx. 5 on-line companies including Dreams and Disney and cruise.com beat them all. There was a lot of negotiating and back and forth. It was similar to buying a car. Irene at cruise.com was the only one who was willing to go the final step. I believe we saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

 

[puffkin]

Thanks for all the great advice!

With this being our first cruise ever, I wasn't sure what the best route is. I am willing to pay a little bit extra this time to get the individual service we will probably need. Plus, with booking the rest of the vacation on my own as well as planning the wedding, I won't have a lot of time to dedicate to the cruise. I will probably check with Dreams Unlimited, DCL, and AAA to see who gives me the best rates and perks. Some of these other sites look great too, so I may also check them out as well. Thank you so much for the great info!

 

[thebecka]

Call Felice at Cruise Savers 1-800-238-7944-she has consistantly beaten anyone elses quotes that we've presented to her. She even beat DCL prices!! My neighbor had his doubts and she saved him $100.00!! Call for a quote and tell her that Rebecca sent you. I've looked at other agencies-AAA is always high. Good Luck and feel free to e-mail any questions to me directly.

I wanna go sailing with Mickey

 

[kstelzner]

I, too, used www.allseastravel.com. No one came close on the price. They list the prices on their website so you can compare without having to call (but again, I eventually called because they were lowest)!

Also, word of caution to cruise.com.... we booked them in 2000 for a Royal Carribbean cruise. Great price and great service until we returned home..... there was a charge on our credit card for a Carnival Cruise (a couple hundred bucks)..... seems the agent we dealt with charged our card for someone else's vacation. Turns out after an investigation... she did this with numerous people's credit cards at a couple hundred here and there to pay for someone else's trip... and it looks inconspicuous because it's only a couple hundred and most people don't look at their statements as closely as my husband does!