On hold with reservations for an hour

I’ve been on hold w Disney Cruise Line for an hour. Not cool. Is this normal??

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I’ve been on hold w Disney Cruise Line for an hour. Not cool. Is this normal??

 

 

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The new itineraries are being booked today for the public so yes, it’s normal for today. :)

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My travel agent says that Disney's systems crashed about an hour ago, FWIW.

It appears that their website is working.

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That's why I have my travel agent make my day 1 reservations. They have additional lines (not available to the public) and if someone is on hold, it isn't me!

my agent told me wait times were up to 5 hours yesterday to book our Panama Cruise for Feb 2019, received an email from her this morning that we were all set

My travel agent got everything figured out early this afternoon after a few exchanges of e-mails. In the crush of reservations today, we originally thought we were getting deck 6, but then went to deck 5 briefly before thinking better of it..now we're on deck 7 for about $150 more for a 4 night cruise.

This is our first Disney Cruise; in fact, it's the first time I've worked with a travel agent in 18 years. She didn't offer any sort of on-board credit; I was wondering if that's something I need to ask for, or since we've already got a room reserved pending a deposit, that we're past that point. (She might feel that considering the first day crush, she doesn't need to offer any incentives for the business.) I know Costco is offering a $380 gift card for bookings on that cruise. Does it hurt to ask?

My travel agent got everything figured out early this afternoon after a few exchanges of e-mails. In the crush of reservations today, we originally thought we were getting deck 6, but then went to deck 5 briefly before thinking better of it..now we're on deck 7 for about $150 more for a 4 night cruise.

 

This is our first Disney Cruise; in fact, it's the first time I've worked with a travel agent in 18 years. She didn't offer any sort of on-board credit; I was wondering if that's something I need to ask for, or since we've already got a room reserved pending a deposit, that we're past that point. (She might feel that considering the first day crush, she doesn't need to offer any incentives for the business.) I know Costco is offering a $380 gift card for bookings on that cruise. Does it hurt to ask?

I would ask. Otherwise what’s the point of giving up control of your reservation?

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My travel agent got everything figured out early this afternoon after a few exchanges of e-mails. In the crush of reservations today, we originally thought we were getting deck 6, but then went to deck 5 briefly before thinking better of it..now we're on deck 7 for about $150 more for a 4 night cruise.

 

This is our first Disney Cruise; in fact, it's the first time I've worked with a travel agent in 18 years. She didn't offer any sort of on-board credit; I was wondering if that's something I need to ask for, or since we've already got a room reserved pending a deposit, that we're past that point. (She might feel that considering the first day crush, she doesn't need to offer any incentives for the business.) I know Costco is offering a $380 gift card for bookings on that cruise. Does it hurt to ask?

You may as well ask, but as you noted, it is a little late now. That should have been negotiated before he/she did the work. Costco offers gift cards based on the amount you pay for the cruise, not the date of the cruise--a more costly cabin means a higher gift card value. And they give more than any other business I've seen.

As to loss of control of your reservation...I've seen that reported many times. I do not feel that I lose control by using an agency or agent. I can do everything that does not involve a change in the reservation itself (like financial stuff). If it costs money or involves money, I have to go thru the agent. I can still call DCL directly and as "generic" questions, but not questions specific to my reservation. I can go on line and make all my own advance reservations, do my on line check in, etc. OR (as in one case when I was on a cruise when my date rolled around), I can ask my TA to do it for me. I'd rather do it myself because I can see what is available and I know what I'm willing to change, but it sure was great to have someone do it for me when I wasn't available! Yes, if I want to make a name change, make a payment, add or remove transfers, I have to go thru my agent. On the other had, when DCL charged me twice for transfers and insisted they hadn't, my agent got my money refunded for me.

I have a professional who can advise me concerning on my own excursions in new ports, help with choosing travel insurance companies, and be wonderful when an airline is trying to bump me on an international flight. And I do get a nice onboard credit as well as her great services.

My travel agent got everything figured out early this afternoon after a few exchanges of e-mails. In the crush of reservations today, we originally thought we were getting deck 6, but then went to deck 5 briefly before thinking better of it..now we're on deck 7 for about $150 more for a 4 night cruise.

 

This is our first Disney Cruise; in fact, it's the first time I've worked with a travel agent in 18 years. She didn't offer any sort of on-board credit; I was wondering if that's something I need to ask for, or since we've already got a room reserved pending a deposit, that we're past that point. (She might feel that considering the first day crush, she doesn't need to offer any incentives for the business.) I know Costco is offering a $380 gift card for bookings on that cruise. Does it hurt to ask?

sounds like you didn't use a disney cruise specialist.

.

Something important to ask your travel planner is if they have actually been on a cruise or to those ports. Several years ago I was booking a one-way cruise from Barcelona to Venice and called an 800 number because of what they advertised. The rep on the phone had never been to the Mediterranean and I could tell she was reading the same thing I could read online, but what blew me away was when she said she would love to take a cruise some day.

What?!?

And that happened not once but twice.

So I did some research and learned some agents just get a job or sign up with a home based agency with zero background.

Others go through online training with cruise lines.

Some also do ship inspections.

Then there is CLIA where you can search your zip code and see if the specific agent is CLIA accredited. CLIA has various levels and requirements to achieve each level that is all public to view. That is on cruising.org

First cruise was in 2000 and I've learned a little over the years haha.

Somewhat like getting my principal certification - it wasn't just a matter of me competing my masters degree but also exams, internships and more. Searchable online in our state and public.

One could always ask about seeing an agent's accreditation or travel resume. Not the agency but the specific person you are working with, and their various accreditations.

So like with any profession - there are specialists (just like doctors- some are specialists in certain areas). Just research in advance and don't be afraid to ask. You might be receiving a great perk in obc but spending hours doing the legwork if you are not working with someone knowledgeable who has a clue.

Absolutely, there are agents and there are professionals! As well as the general certifications for agents and agencies, there are Disney certifications. At the lowest level, the agent has taken an on line Disney course. The next level involves trainers from Disney who travel the country and present courses, and at the highest level are agents who are invited to WDW to take a Disney TA course. But to make it even more confusing, if ONE agent in an agency has taken the on line Disney course, the agency can hang a sign in its window claiming to be a "Disney Specialist." That means that if you are dealing with a nationwide agency, only one agent in the entire nation needs to have completed the on line course!

And the people on the end of the phone at DCL have sometimes never even seen a DCL ship! At various times, a tour was part of the training, but not at all times....and some have taken advantage of CM discounts, others have not. They are good at reading computer pages!

Yes, ALWAYS look for an agent who has cruised on the line you are considering, hopefully some time recently. Look for an agency where ALL the agents have Disney training and many years of experience as well as CLIA certification. You are "purchasing" both the agent and the agency--shop carefully.

Yes, the agent I picked is primarily Disney...in fact, she was on an Alaska cruise on the Wonder in August. And I checked with her, and we'll get a $50 credit. Better than nothing, I guess. Perhaps I should have hit harder before booking...or maybe that's the best she'll do on first day bookings.

I’m still having trouble getting through. Any suggestions? Is there an alternate number you can call if you already have a reservation booked?

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