Why Use A Travel Agent?

[Rigby]

We just started planning our 3rd DCL cruise and I'm wondering why I see so many posts from people either recommending or thanking their Travel Agent. We know the time to book for the cheapest rate, the ship and the cabins we want, and just wondering why use them. Every question I've had has always been answered by Disney or by a quick search online. Thanks!

 

[taishartrueblood]

Well, travel agents can take care of all the booking for you and simplify your life... for free. Add to that, the larger travel companies can offer benefits such as on-board credit.

http://www.smallworldvacations.com/...board-credit-of-up-to-1000-on-a-disney-cruise


When adding the savings that they can get you, the convenience, the onboard credits.... why would you NOT use a travel agent?

 

[jtba]

[deleted]

 

[Oursweetworld]

[deleted]

I usually like to book all our trips myself, but since this was our first cruise trip I decided to use a travel agent. The price for the cruise was exactly the same; however I received $850 onboard credit that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. In addition I also paid for both rooms w my Disney visa and earned $50/per room beverage credit (that I still would have gotten through Disney). I still did all my own research and planned my own excursions. When I wanted a room change I just had to go through my ta.

 

[Jesslm80]

We use a travel agent for all our Disney trips, world and cruises. Makes my life easier that she makes all the phone calls, organizes our schedule, makes all the requests we have, answers all my dumb questions, and she's a fellow military spouse working for Moments of Magic. And bonus: on board credit.
Our travel agent is also just an all around awesome person who is super passionate about anything Disney.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I use one only for the onboard credit, which is always several hundred dollars - too much to turn down.

 

[Muskegon78]

I usually like to book all our trips myself, but since this was our first cruise trip I decided to use a travel agent. The price for the cruise was exactly the same; however I received $850 onboard credit that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. In addition I also paid for both rooms w my Disney visa and earned $50/per room beverage credit (that I still would have gotten through Disney). I still did all my own research and planned my own excursions. When I wanted a room change I just had to go through my ta.

Who did you use?

 

[Oursweetworld]

Who did you use?

We used small world vacation. Our travel agent was Jo. She was always very quick to get back to me with questions and requests that I had.

 

[Stephcaz]

We use a travel agent as well. We do book future cruises while on board to recieve the Disney discount and the onboard credit Disney offers. THEN within 30 days, we transfer the cruise to our established travel agent and get that onboard credit as well. Who doesn't like free money?

 

[Shadowboxerkd]

We are using a travel agent, but we haven't gotten any credits. Are you guys using agents that specialize in Disney? I wonder if I can ask my agent for credits?

 

[Stephcaz]

We are using a travel agent, but we haven't gotten any credits. Are you guys using agents that specialize in Disney? I wonder if I can ask my agent for credits?

What travel agent are you using? I'm only familiar with ours (small world vacations). I can't speak for any others.

 

[Shadowboxerkd]

We are using VIP Vacations

 

[jdb in AZ]

When DCL opens a new itinerary, it's often difficult to get through on the phone on the first day the bookings are open to silver castaway cay club and new cruisers. It's so nice to have a travel agent to take care of booking for us.

 

[bovioask1]

I thought all travel agents offer the same OBC and extras, no? I mostly go through bj's travel online for my cruises...except for when I booked Oasis and there was a ton of mistakes with the travel agent.

 

[bumbershoot]

I use one only for the onboard credit, which is always several hundred dollars - too much to turn down.

Yep. Except I use costcotravel.com (by the way, we're supposed to give a full URL for TAs so that we aren't accidentally bypassing any filters that might have been put up) so I get a costco giftcard in a really decent amount after a DCL cruise. With Royal they give OBC, but with DCL they give the giftcard.

We use a travel agent as well. We do book future cruises while on board to recieve the Disney discount and the onboard credit Disney offers. THEN within 30 days, we transfer the cruise to our established travel agent and get that onboard credit as well. Who doesn't like free money?

As far as I know only costcotravel.com gives the FULL OBC once you've transferred. If you haven't done the above in a couple years, note that it has changed, and there aren't many that give the full amount if you transfer to do them.

Of course, if you booked with that same TA for the current cruise you're on, as far as I know any future cruise you book onboard is automatically credited to that TA, no transfer required.

I thought all travel agents offer the same OBC and extras, no?

Nope. Some TAs give nothing! (the horror)

 

[taishartrueblood]

The larger the travel agency, the better the OBC (as a rule). Some TAs don't give anything or anything more then room gifts (bottle of wine, chocolate, ect.)

 

[diznymom]

We use http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/. We get an OBC, and they take all the stress out of planning our vacations.

 

[squirk]

As others said, at no additional cost, you get:

1.) the OBC; and
2.) one single point of contact who is familiar with you and your family, and will get things done for you vs. you waiting on hold with DCL or dinking around on the web site.

 

[CM Dad]

Of course, if you booked with that same TA for the current cruise you're on, as far as I know any future cruise you book onboard is automatically credited to that TA, no transfer required.

I'm not sure about automatically. If you want to keep the same TA, I would make sure that that TA is named when making the booking onboard. If you don't have a current TA, or want to switch to a different TA, you will need to book with DCL and then transfer to the TA within 30 days.

Even if you to book onboard with the same TA, you may not get the same stateroom credit as a new direct booking. I know the dreamsunlimited.com only gives 1/2 the credit for OBB as they do for new bookings

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure about automatically. If you want to keep the same TA, I would make sure that that TA is named when making the booking onboard.

Automatic in that you can't change from that TA.

Always make sure things are correct, that's for sure.