Who best to book with

[skelfbsfb]

As its our 25th wedding Anniversary next year I would like to book a surprise Disney Cruise for my wife as she has always wanted to do this. Who is the best to book through. Looking for 4 days visiting castaway cay. We are DVC members if anyone knows of discounts for this. Any recommendations. Thanks

[gismo1554]

So I know you can use DVC points for cruises and you get access to new itineraries early. Cruise wise its actually rare that anywhere other than direct will give you the best price but you can sometimes with US travel agents get onboard credit for your booking. I've used travel on a dream as well as pixie vacations and not had issues with either.

[skelfbsfb]

Thank you will have a look at these to see what's available.

[catlady]

There's no DVC discount on cruise bookings although as gismo says there are DVC special cruises every year but only one or two? Think you can book through member services using points but not considered a good use? The price doesn't really alter much between the different US TA's and direct it's just the difference at the time for the exchange rate? And you'll get on board credit with most US travel agents? Usually 10% ish of the cruise price? I've used Travel on a Dream and dreams unlimited.

One option is to rent your points out to pay for the cruise? Dave's has a whole bit on their website about this? Worth a look?

[skelfbsfb]

Thank you for information.

[2point]

Don't use your points to book a cruise. Terrible value.

If you don't need those points that year then rent them out via David's.

[Bats]

We book with Travel on a Dream (Deb), but you may want to look at booking this way and booking direct.

Booking with ToaD, for instance, will give you some on board credit (not tons so don't get excited - it comes out of the TAs own commission), but you'll need to pay in $$$$, something that may work out well or may not due to the currency fluctuations.

A good TA will have sailed on the ships and can then steer you towards best cabin choices for you and your family. They can also inform you of the tip process, dining arrangements and will make requests for you to DCL for particular things.

Booking direct does mean you have 100% control as opposed to 95% when using a US TA, but you then have the joy of calling/mailing the DCL reps who have not stepped foot on the ship and have no clue about the 'real life onboard'.

Benefits to both, but we use Deb at ToaD.

Joa

[kevbrydon]

Another Vote for for ToaD (Tracy)... we have used them 3/4 times and have just booked the Fantasy B2B fo next year with them... as Joa says their knowledge is supreme and always a phone call or email away... managed to get us a great stateroom and the more you use them the more it becomes a personal service as they get to know you're likes and dislikes and preferences...

[Bats]

Originally Posted by kevbrydon

Another Vote for for ToaD (Tracy)... we have used them 3/4 times and have just booked the Fantasy B2B fo next year with them... as Joa says their knowledge is supreme and always a phone call or email away... managed to get us a great stateroom and the more you use them the more it becomes a personal service as they get to know you're likes and dislikes and preferences...

See more...

Just so the OP knows, Tracy is not accepting anymore personal clients now, she's sending them to Deb.

Joa

[skelfbsfb]

Well thanks all for your advice. I finally booked up tonight but went through a british travel agent who Ive booked disney resort with.