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Old 23 Sep 13, 09:08 PM  
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bigc40sc
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So who to book dcl with

Hi all,
So having never been on a cruise before and really never wanted to "because I don't like boats - well the ones that go across the English channel anyway, I know I know its not a boat" we are seriously thinking about booking a 3 night stay on the Dream next September the only thing i'm confused about after reading through the threads is where and who to book it with, ordinarily I would just book direct with DCL however it seems as though some are suggesting that would not be the best way and that by using a US travel agent I should be able to get some on board credit included,can someone tell me firstly which travel agents to look at (I have seen TOAD mentioned would you contact her via pm on here or just go direct to the website)and secondly how much OBC can i reasonably expect to get, many thanks all advice appreciated
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Old 23 Sep 13, 09:37 PM  
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Originally Posted by bigc40sc View Post
Hi all,
So having never been on a cruise before and really never wanted to "because I don't like boats - well the ones that go across the English channel anyway, I know I know its not a boat" we are seriously thinking about booking a 3 night stay on the Dream next September the only thing i'm confused about after reading through the threads is where and who to book it with, ordinarily I would just book direct with DCL however it seems as though some are suggesting that would not be the best way and that by using a US travel agent I should be able to get some on board credit included,can someone tell me firstly which travel agents to look at (I have seen TOAD mentioned would you contact her via pm on here or just go direct to the website)and secondly how much OBC can i reasonably expect to get, many thanks all advice appreciated

You seem to have done your research very well already, either book direct on DCL website in pounds or use a USA TA, you mention a very good one there.

I use another USA TA but ensure you get personal service, know there address, and have some phone contact possible.

USA TAs that deal with Disney can give you on board credits.

The only downside is the cost is in $ and so there is exchange rate risk.

Most TAs will quote you how much OBV you will get, mine quotes it on their website, but they may also give me a gift in the room, ( not a gift basket like one online only TA).

You can google authorised Disney agent or Disney cruise line authorised travel agent.

For a small cruise the OBC will be small, the longer the cruise or a suite might get more OBC as it's like a part refund of TA commission.

Edited at 09:42 PM.
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Old 23 Sep 13, 09:55 PM  
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caj
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We used dreams unlimited and they were fantastic. Really went the extra mile for us.
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Old 23 Sep 13, 10:01 PM  
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Originally Posted by DISNEY FANTASY View Post
You seem to have done your research very well already, either book direct on DCL website in pounds or use a USA TA, you mention a very good one there.

I use another USA TA but ensure you get personal service, know there address, and have some phone contact possible.

USA TAs that deal with Disney can give you on board credits.

The only downside is the cost is in $ and so there is exchange rate risk.

Most TAs will quote you how much OBV you will get, mine quotes it on their website, but they may also give me a gift in the room, ( not a gift basket like one online only TA).

You can google authorised Disney agent or Disney cruise line authorised travel agent.

For a small cruise the OBC will be small, the longer the cruise or a suite might get more OBC as it's like a part refund of TA commission.
Thanks for that can I ask which TA you use please
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Old 23 Sep 13, 10:50 PM  
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We use ToaD and you can contact them via their website of Travel on a Dream.com. You can see how much OBC you would receive on their website, but bear in mind, a 3 night cruise doesn't give you much (if anything).

DU are also a popular one here too.

Have you read the sticky thread at the top? Or listened to the latest DibbCast? Both will give you extensive info on DCL, with the DibbCast interviewing Tracy Whipple who is a DCL guru.

Have fun learning more!
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Old 24 Sep 13, 05:15 PM  
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I also use dreams too.

If you google Disney Cruise specialists you will find lots of them.
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Old 24 Sep 13, 06:48 PM  
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Originally Posted by bigc40sc View Post
Thanks for that can I ask which TA you use please
Hi

I used DU in the last for WDW and DCL but moved all my business away from them, they are interest based only and many people report communication problems with them. There marmite people love them or hate them.

I use
allseastravel/

They give me excellent personal service, they call me from the USA to my home in our UK time, and seem to get best rooms best locations on release day.

They always courted my business, look after me making me know they value my business, and have personally sailed numerous times so know the ships well.

DU treated me like they assumed I would always use them and didn't appear to value my very high level bookings.

Tracy at Toad has a high reputation and if I wasn't brand loyal and very happy with my current TA I personally would use her.

Edited at 06:51 PM.
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Old 24 Sep 13, 07:12 PM  
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Originally Posted by DISNEY FANTASY View Post
Hi

I used DU in the last for WDW and DCL but moved all my business away from them, they are internet based only and many people report communication problems with them. They're marmite people love them or hate them.

I use
allseastravel/

They give me excellent personal service, they call me from the USA to my home in our UK time, and seem to get best rooms best locations on release day.

They always courted my business, look after me making me know they value my business, and have personally sailed numerous times so know the ships well.

DU treated me like they assumed I would always use them and didn't appear to value my very high level bookings.

Tracy at Toad has a high reputation and if I wasn't brand loyal and very happy with my current TA I personally would use her.
I think we need to put this into perspective ... DU is a large company, but they haven't received loads of complaints at all, not on here anyway. I also don't think it's anything like Marmite .. I don't use them but I don't hate them and I personally don't know anyone that does. Maybe they don't use them, but that could be for all manner of reasons and I would guess it's not because they don't value our 'very high value bookings'

Andrew, please stop scaremongering people on this forum (I refer also to a previous post where you advised someone not to stay on a lower deck as 'remember the Costa Concordia'). If you're brand loyal, then great, recommend your TA when asked, but please be careful with the way you word things against other companies.

To the OP .. get quotes from all and see how you feel. Both ToaD and AllSeas are smaller than DU, but it doesn't mean you should ignore them. We all have our favourites (for me ToaD), but if you're not bothered about getting phone calls at home, not bothered about gifts in your room or anything else specific to one TA, get quotes from all.

The up side is, no matter who you book with, you're sure to have a great time.
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Old 24 Sep 13, 07:38 PM  
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We booked our 3 day on the dream direct, and whilst we didn't get the few $ on board credit! we were upgraded to a 1 bed suite...it was better for us to have a guaranteed sterling price...in fact it went down before the balance was due, not sure why?

Now I have no way of knowing for sure, but if there are upgrades to be had my guess is they go to the castaway club and direct bookings...something to consider perhaps when deciding who to book through when'd the incentive is only a few $ or a small gift?

We have had quotes from toad and du in the past and both were absolutely fine btw, I would not hesitate to use them as well, and have never before heard anyone on this forum suggest they were anything less than professional in their approach.
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Old 24 Sep 13, 07:48 PM  
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Originally Posted by Bats View Post
I think we need to put this into perspective ... DU is a large company, but they haven't received loads of complaints at all, not on here anyway. I also don't think it's anything like Marmite .. I don't use them but I don't hate them and I personally don't know anyone that does. Maybe they don't use them, but that could be for all manner of reasons and I would guess it's not because they don't value our 'very high value bookings'

Andrew, please stop scaremongering people on this forum (I refer also to a previous post where you advised someone not to stay on a lower deck as 'remember the Costa Concordia'). If you're brand loyal, then great, recommend your TA when asked, but please be careful with the way you word things against other companies.

To the OP .. get quotes from all and see how you feel. Both ToaD and AllSeas are smaller than DU, but it doesn't mean you should ignore them. We all have our favourites (for me ToaD), but if you're not bothered about getting phone calls at home, not bothered about gifts in your room or anything else specific to one TA, get quotes from all.

The up side is, no matter who you book with, you're sure to have a great time.
I am not scaremongering and if the other board is reviewed regularly I would say about once a fortnight there is a complaint about DU.

I only posted my TA when asked, and avoided using their name before.

It's been rather clear recently you do not want me posting here so I will stop.
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