Would you give up $250 Onboard credit to control reservation?

[alldiz]

Hi,
Just about to book my Disney cruise and I see Dreamsunlimited and smallworldvacations
has a promo for $250 onboard credit for the price of my cruise.

Am I totally crazy pants to consider giving this up just to be in control of my own
reservation?

Online companies make me nervous I like to be able to talk to people and change things if the price goes down
Thanks
Kerri

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi,
Just about to book my Disney cruise and I see Dreamsunlimited and smallworldvacations
has a promo for $250 onboard credit for the price of my cruise.

Am I totally crazy pants to consider giving this up just to be in control of my own
reservation?

Online companies make me nervous I like to be able to talk to people and change things if the price goes down
Thanks
Kerri

You don't actually lose total control of your cruise. Just all things related to money issues, reservation changes, etc must go through the TA. Once your online check in/excursion booking window opens, you can do those yourself.

 

[perditax]

I'm in the process of transferring mine to Costco for a $140 cash card. Or, I'm hoping so. The process seems slightly antiquated and when I sent the form off, I got a response back that the email I'd sent it to (the email it TOLD me to send it to) was an 'unmonitored inbox'. So God only. But ANYWAY. The only thing I will be control-freaking about is getting a Palo reservation (or two) and in the worst case scenario I think I'm armed with enough info to get those on board immediately after boarding.

Short version: seems worth it.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Its actually better, to me, to not have to handle my reservation. If I want to make a payment I send a quick message & it's done. Changes, questions, problems. I have a single person to contact. I don't have to sit on hold. I don't have to roll the call center dice. My TA also monitors pricing & things to maximize discounts for me when possible. Everything is quick, easy, and timely. I pop over an email and hear back within a couple hours max.

Find a good TA. Enjoy the services they offer. The onboard credit is just icing on the cake!

 

[mmouse37]

I'd take the $250

MJ

 

[Smuggs]

Check Magical Journeys (following rules http://yourmagicaljourneys.com/ ). They posted on their facebook that they are giving their OBC + another $100 off final price for verandah cabins, $50 for oceanview if you are sailing in 2015

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for all the replies
I am traveling 2016 and I didn't know I book my own excursions etc....actually thats the part I wouldn't mind someone else doing LOL

It's more about if I see the price go down and I can't get a hold of someone to get me the deal and then it's gone

So what would I give them a bunch of cabins that I want in order of preference?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks for all the replies
I am traveling 2016 and I didn't know I book my own excursions etc....actually thats the part I wouldn't mind someone else doing LOL Booking your own excursions is very simple. Just follow the steps on the web site.

It's more about if I see the price go down and I can't get a hold of someone to get me the deal and then it's gone If the price goes down, I want to know about it -- have never heard of that happening to an existing reservation.

So what would I give them a bunch of cabins that I want in order of preference? Yes.
Thanks
Kerri

Have fun!

 

[mom4fun]

Well I'm crazy too. I went with costco one time for 9% cash card. Even though everything went great, it drove me crazy having to call every time I wanted to change anything. I just like the control. I really think Disney should give us, do it yourselfers, a discount because we're saving them money. There is nothing a ta can do that I can't.

 

[Debbie]

Agree with the idea of a TA for cruises when you get the OBC. I do my own WDW (mostly-I am with Magical Vacations for a December trip-great deal), but for the cruises, it is nice to have that other person. And, as someone ^ ^ said....you remain in control of everything but the payment-that goes through the travel agency.

 

[lizabu]

I would take the credit. It's just as easy to shoot an email to your travel agent with your request.

 

[lbgraves]

Honestly, there isn't much of a chance of the price going down other than taxes/port fees. DCL automatically refunds those to you. If there is a discounted rate offered after your PIF date, you would need to cancel your existing reservation . That part would bother me if I didn't have a direct line of communication with my TA. I would let them know that you are willing to accept the penalty if the *GT would still save you money.

 

[AppleDGang]

Yes. You would be totally crazy not to take $250 to let them book it for you.

 

[perditax]

Tangent: If I successfully transfer my cruise to Costco, how much control do I actually lose?

Things I want to be able to do:

Get early PAT
Get as many Palo bookings as possible
Try to snag Rainforest Day pass
Request to dine alone if possible

...that's about it. Oh and I want to buy my own cruise insurance.

 

[lizabu]

You would have your travel agent make the request it dine alone and they could buy the rainforest pass for you. You check in yourself and choose your PAT and book your Palo and excursions yourself.

 

[tinkerone]

Tangent: If I successfully transfer my cruise to Costco, how much control do I actually lose?

Things I want to be able to do:

Get early PAT
Get as many Palo bookings as possible
Try to snag Rainforest Day pass
Request to dine alone if possible

...that's about it. Oh and I want to buy my own cruise insurance.

you order your own rainforest day pass from the dcl gifts site, you don't need the t.a. for it. I used to fax in the request however since I retired and no longer have easy access to a fax I phone it in. check it out here....http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/. its under Spa & Merchandise Pre-purchase Options. very easy to do.

 

[over50visits]

Getting OBC from travel agents is nice.

Choosing one that will actually talk to you on the phone (or better yet in person if you're local)....priceless.

Especially for new cruisers, someone to bounce ideas off of during a real two-way conversation, someone to laugh with you, someone to answer questions interactively, someone to give you a warm fuzzy "good choice!" - - that's worth a lot.

We get a great OBC from DCL when we rebook onboard, and it is a great feeling to pick up the phone and call DCL directly for immediate service when we have a change, question, or other cruise business.

Many are happy with using email to interact with they travel agent, and willing to wait for the answer. The only reason to deal with a company like that is (1) you don't need personal attention over the phone when you want and (2) the extra OBC makes up for that.

 

[Amunet]

Don't worry, you're not crazy. You're just as sane as I am

 

[jpeppers]

I'm shocked when people don't use a place like DU. It gave me a free $150 for my cruise in May. I still made my booking on board like usual just listed them and absolutely no extra work involved. I sent my payment through them and although I didn't get instant verification I had it with in 24 hours.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Well I'm crazy too. I went with costco one time for 9% cash card. Even though everything went great, it drove me crazy having to call every time I wanted to change anything. I just like the control. I really think Disney should give us, do it yourselfers, a discount because we're saving them money. There is nothing a ta can do that I can't.

When I need something from my TA I email her. I never have to call. Faster than or as fast as logging in & navigating the website. Whatever I need is handled quickly. Little to no effort or stress from me.

When you book direct thru Disney the commission dollars that would go to a TA go to Disney Travel Company. Think of it as Disney's travel agency. They're keeping that money.

Also, TAs have representatives who are their point of contact for business things direct to Disney. If something goes very wrong or they have difficulty resolving problems thru regular channels these representatives can intervene. TAs do have the benefit of additional resources to work on a client's behalf if needed. TAs can be an asset because they do have resources we don't.

I had a $$ discrepancy with a booking once. I didn't even catch it. But my TA sure did. She went up the ladder a good bit and made my situation right. The only effort or stress put forth from me was reading an email and thanking her.

I do all my own online check-in & bookings for excursions or extras. i do keep my hands on things some. But for actually booking the cruise, making any changes or requests, and shuffling money I do nothing aside from communicate via email with a very professional, knowledgable, outstanding lady who also loves Disney travel the way I do. That's my favorite part! I book with her..she goes on adventures with her family. It's like paying it forward for a fellow Disney fan!