Booking cruise through Disney vs. other?

Hello,

Wondering if there are any specific advantages or disadvantages of booking a Disney cruise through DCL versus an independent agent or website.

Thank you,

We booked our first DCL cruise through Disney, but I've now switched to using an agent. The big benefit of the agent was getting an onboard credit. (Cruise price is the same as direct booking, so it's like free money).

The down side as I understand it is that all reservation changes need to go through the agent.

Correct--The only "benefit" of going directly thru DCL is that you can talk to DCL about anything. That doesn't mean you will get correct info though.

Advantages of an experienced, DCL expert TA will be an onboard credit as well as their experience. THe downside is that if you need to change your reservation, add or delete people, cancel, etc. you must go thru the TA. You can still make all your own dinner, nursery, excursion, etc. reservations on line. DCL will answer general questions for you, but not questions specifically about your reservation.

Another good thing about an agent is that if for any reason you feel that DCL has messed up something, it is far better to have an experienced agent to work on your behalf rather than it being you against the big corporation. Example--many cruises ago I booked a package that included transfers. This reservation had to be altered at Disney's "request" as they were canceling my cruise date. They offered to move me to another date that they specified. My understanding and that of the TA was that we were moving exactly what I had booked previously, but just to the new date. Following the cruise, DCL billed the credit card that I had used on board for transfers and claimed that I hadn't booked them. It took about 3 months, but they did eventually refund the money. I'm sure there was some sort of mix up with the date change, but I also believe that I never would have seen the money again working thru DCL as it took a long time and a lot of effort for the TA to get it!

Thank you! Some good insight which I hadn't previously considered.

The reason to book with a TA is service. many will help you along the way and let you know some of the things going on on the ships, tricks of the trade, help you with online check in, etc. I know some base who they pick as an agent based on OBC...however a lot of agents are steering away from it now, especially those that really strive for good service. There is a rumor that disney is going to stop agents eventually from giving obc or at least limit it. I don't see that happening soon, but the rumor makes me think that Disney realizes that people shop for agents based on what they can get rather than how well the agent performs.

The reason to book with a TA is service. many will help you along the way and let you know some of the things going on on the ships, tricks of the trade, help you with online check in, etc. I know some base who they pick as an agent based on OBC...however a lot of agents are steering away from it now, especially those that really strive for good service. There is a rumor that disney is going to stop agents eventually from giving obc or at least limit it. I don't see that happening soon, but the rumor makes me think that Disney realizes that people shop for agents based on what they can get rather than how well the agent performs.

Exactly--I have a whole speech about an experienced agent and service (you don't want to read it....) Part of the problem is that not all agents are experienced, particularly with DCL. There are agencies that are little more than a loose cluster of people working from cell phones as they go about their days. There are agencies that pay agents $10 for each booking they process. Is it an wonder that they do nothing more than press the same computer buttons you could? A professional, experienced agent is worth his/her weight in gold. You may feel that you didn't get anything extra on a trip where everything goes completely smoothly...but just maybe they contributed to that experience. However, the real proof comes in when things do not go smoothly. What does your agent or agency do for you then? That's where they earn their pay.

DCL has made at least 2 policy changes that resulted in a decrease in commissions. That may also be impacting any OBCs or other benefits agents give.

I base it on obc. If I'm not getting an obc, then it is easier to make the reservation myself, as I have done before. Any questions I have, ya'll can answer. 😀

The downside, the time consuming downside, was our second Disney cruise when our TA was no where to be found, I couldn't pay! If you're booked through a TA, you have to pay through a TA! It was a mess. Finally, I reached someone at Disney willing to help, required work on her part, and I was able to pay, before the deadline.

We booked the next two ourselves, but back to a TA, a GREAT ONE so far, for our next cruise. I'm really wanting to find a good one to start receiving the perks I see others receiving.

Unfortunately, we're not able to post info on our favorite TA here.

The agency that I work for (obviously I can't say who) always adds some sort of perk to every cruise. As a TA, I would say it's best to contact one of us, especially a firm like mine that specializes in cruises because with the volume we book, we can nearly always offer a better price, more/better perks etc than booing directly with the cruiseline. As a previous poster mentioned, the cost of these perks comes out of our commissions so we only have so much to work with.

Disney has an extensive online training program for TAs A good way to judge if they are experienced and/or knowledgeable about Disney is to ask if they have a College of Disney Knowledge certificate that you can see. They should be able to email you a digital copy.

I'll start by saying that I don't know JulieRose or her agency. However, I'm going to take issue with a few things in her post. Disclaimer--I am not and have never been a travel professional, and the info that I have has come from agents. It may not be fully accurate or current in the parts about training.

DCL does not allow any agent or agency to alter their set prices in any way. Other lines do, but not DCL. The price is the price, and any agent who tells you otherwise doesn't know the product!

The on line "College of Knowledge" is only the first step of the training that Disney offers. It is the bare minimum requirement in my mind. My understanding is that there are at least 2 steps beyond this, the final being held at WDW and is by invitation only to the agents/agencies who do the most Disney business. And agencies can be "tricky." The fact that you see a "Disney Specialist" sign in their window means that at least one agent in the entire agency has completed the "College of Knowledge" training. If the agency has multiple offices, there may not even be an agent who works at that office who has the training! Be sure that the agent you are dealing with has at least this much training and that it is current. But at least as important is that they have been on at least ONE of the ships in the last few years. DCL makes great rates available to TAs on cruises that have not sold out so that they can know the product. Yes, it requires an agency who can free them up on relatively short notice, but there is no substitute for personal experience. The owner of a great agency will want all the agents to have both components--training and personal experience.

Another thing I look for is a decent sized agency where most of the agents have been there for many years. Why? Experience, and the fact that if they are happy, the agency must be doing something right. And with a reasonably large agency, some agents can have areas of special expertise. At the agency I use, all the agents can and will handle most things. But there is one who specializes in international air, another who specializes in insurance issues, etc. When dealing with one of those areas, particularly with questions a little out of the ordinary, the agent I'm dealing with will either confer with the specialist or allow me to speak with him/her.

ANY deal or special that you can get directly thru DCL is available thru an agent who knows what they are doing...at least so far. Of course, DCL could change this at any time. Finally, I like to support small businesses. I've seen far too many of them close...not just travel agencies, but specialty stores, etc. If the price is the same, why not support an agent?

I mean no disrespect to JulieRose. The comment about a better price just made me feel the need to comment.

We booked one of ours though a large membership driven box/bulk store, Sorry i think one of the rules here is not to list travel agent names? A good trip to the store, tires check, Eggs check, random clothing for the kid check, Oh Caribbean cruise.... check

Agency is easy to use, its the same price as Disney on-line and came with $500 CXXXXco cash card. :D

I hate using travel agencies. I'm a control freak/super organized type who frequents boards like Cruise Critic and DIS to learn everything I can and know exactly what I want and get answers to my questions.

This being said, I always use a TA for cruises, because my TA gives very generous OBC. The cruise lines we sail do not allow TAs to discount fares, but an extra $300-$700 in OBC makes a big difference. I will (grudgingly) give up my control for this.

After our upcoming Disney Cruise in June, we are going to stay onsite at WDW. For the first time ever, I booked our room-only reservation with a TA, who gave us a $200 per night discount on Disney rack rates. That kind of money really adds up, so I decided to go with the TA.

So bottom line, you can gain your own expertise, but if a TA can save you money, that's a no-brainer in my book.

It may not be fully accurate or current in the parts about training.

 

 

The on line "College of Knowledge" is only the first step of the training that Disney offers. It is the bare minimum requirement in my mind. My understanding is that there are at least 2 steps beyond this' date=' the final being held at WDW and is by invitation only to the agents/agencies who do the most Disney business. And agencies can be "tricky." The fact that you see a "Disney Specialist" sign in their window means that at least one agent in the entire agency has completed the "College of Knowledge" training. If the agency has multiple offices, there may not even be an agent who works at that office who has the training! Be sure that the agent you are dealing with has at least this much training and that it is current. But at least as important is that they have been on at least ONE of the ships in the last few years. DCL makes great rates available to TAs on cruises that have not sold out so that they can know the product. Yes, it requires an agency who can free them up on relatively short notice, but there is no substitute for personal experience. The owner of a great agency will want all the agents to have both components--training and personal experience.

 

Another thing I look for is a decent sized agency where most of the agents have been there for many years. Why? Experience, and the fact that if they are happy, the agency must be doing something right. And with a reasonably large agency, some agents can have areas of special expertise. At the agency I use, all the agents can and will handle most things. But there is one who specializes in international air, another who specializes in insurance issues, etc. When dealing with one of those areas, particularly with questions a little out of the ordinary, the agent I'm dealing with will either confer with the specialist or allow me to speak with him/her.

 

ANY deal or special that you can get directly thru DCL is available thru an agent who knows what they are doing...at least so far. Of course, DCL could change this at any time. Finally, I like to support small businesses. I've seen far too many of them close...not just travel agencies, but specialty stores, etc. If the price is the same, why not support an agent?

 

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That's partially right. All agents in an earmarked agency HAVE to take the college of knowledge. There is no way around it and be earmarked (which is also called authorized Disney agency). The agency is earmarked, NOT the agent. No agent is allowed to say they are or that they are a Disney specialist.

And thats it, There are not any steps after it. There are education trips to WDW, DL & DCL that are held a few times a year. In the past any agent could sign up for it. It's just a bonus/hands on experience. Now they have lessened what they offer so they invite agencies randomly throughout the year and give each agency 1 or 2 spots. It depends on the agency. Some send newbies, some send those with high sales and some just put it out there and who ever signs up first and is accepted can go.

Of course experiencing DCL is always helpful too.

 

You are right though that some agencies only have a few agents that know what they are doing with Disney.

 

And small business support is a huge factor to use an agent. If you book directly to Disney then they get all your money, but using an agent a portion of that sale (however small it is) is going to support a small business.

 

I hate using travel agencies. I'm a control freak/super organized type who frequents boards like Cruise Critic and DIS to learn everything I can and know exactly what I want and get answers to my questions.

 

This being said, I always use a TA for cruises, because my TA gives very generous OBC. The cruise lines we sail do not allow TAs to discount fares, but an extra $300-$700 in OBC makes a big difference. I will (grudgingly) give up my control for this.

 

After our upcoming Disney Cruise in June, we are going to stay onsite at WDW. For the first time ever, I booked our room-only reservation with a TA, who gave us a $200 per night discount on Disney rack rates. That kind of money really adds up, so I decided to go with the TA.

 

So bottom line, you can gain your own expertise, but if a TA can save you money, that's a no-brainer in my book.

 

There is NO way an agent can discount a room $200 unless the room is VERY expensive and the current discount is taking that much off per night. If she is rebating and doing that on her own, then Disney can pull the rug out from under her/him at any time as they don't allow that.

There is NO way an agent can discount a room $200 unless the room is VERY expensive and the current discount is taking that much off per night. If she is rebating and doing that on her own, then Disney can pull the rug out from under her/him at any time as they don't allow that.

I agree for cruises. My TA does not discount the rooms. But they do give extremely generous OBC.

The TA for the WDW hotel room is through an agent that deals directly with Disney for large room blocks. They offer them during the year at specified times, and yes, the rates are about $200 per night less than rack rates (for deluxe onsite hotels). Many people on DIS use them, which is how I found them.

I agree for cruises. My TA does not discount the rooms. But they do give extremely generous OBC.

 

The TA for the WDW hotel room is through an agent that deals directly with Disney for large room blocks. They offer them during the year at specified times, and yes, the rates are about $200 per night less than rack rates (for deluxe onsite hotels). Many people on DIS use them, which is how I found them.

Aha....it's a group discount. I know who you are talking about. I will just say no comment. LOL. I know some love them but I know a lot of horror stories with them from people who used to work for them. But if you have a good agent (and I know they have a few their) and it sounds like you do, then you are in good hands.