How to Book a Disney Cruise
Why Using a Travel Agent is a Smart Choice
You can easily go to the DisneyCruise.com and find
everything you need there to book your cruise for yourself. Itineraries,
Information on cabins to help you pick what type you wish, prices and even some
things you can add, like ground transfer are all there. You can just click away
and book it for yourself. No additional fees added. Sounds easy enough, and honestly it is! Please
read on!
There is another way to book. You can contact your trusted travel agent and tell them when
you wish to sail, and cabin type (or ask for help deciding on cabin category),
and they will book the cruise for you. If they have done the College of Disney
Knowledge and they are working closely with Disney they should NOT charge any
fees! Ask before booking if there are fees. If there is a fee, I highly suggest
looking for another TA. TA’s are paid by commission from Disney, or whatever
other company they are booking. The only time I honestly believe there might
be a ligament fee is if the TA is doing something they normally do not do that
does not pay commission. For some of us that is booking flight outside of
Disney. With a reputable TA you should be able to look online for the same
cruise, cabin category and see the cabin is the exact same price, with no fees
added. That means even the quotes are FREE!
Why book with an TA when you can do it yourself?? If you
find a good TA they will answer any and all questions. They should ask you
questions, such as do you need a Handicapped Cabin. Do you have any special
needs/concerns they should be aware of? Have you ever cruised before? Do you
get motion sick? (If you get motion sick they should offer a cabin midship.) Have
you ever sailed with DCL before?
The TA should be willing to tell you the pros and cons for
every type of cabin level and help you decide what category and area of the
ship is best suited to your needs. Should you book an Inside Cabin or one with
a Oceanview, or Veranda? Will you be most comfortable in the forward section of
the ship, midship, or aft? A good TA will be happy to give you a 2nd,
3rd, or even 4th quote if you want to compare or if the
price is out of your budget. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is something for a
lower price.
A good TA will be able to tell you what type of activities
are available for every person in your traveling party. There is something for everyone
to do on a Disney Cruise! Kids have Kids Clubs but also have some special, must book in advance
(some with a fee) character meet and greets and there is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Teens
and Tweens have their own special areas as well!! Your TA should tell you about
the Adult Only Fun! From Adult only pools to Adult only dining. There are
things to do! Your TA should be knowledgeable! Your TA should be able to tell
you what type of Family Fun you can find on the ship.
Do you have special needs? Do you use a wheelchair/scooter
or other mobility aide, CPap, or need a special diet due to medical need or
allergies, have vision or hearing issues?? A good TA will know or take the time
to find out what is available to assist you. They should find answers to all
your questions. This is one of my personal specialties! If you have special
needs and the TA refuses to look for information for you, I suggest you walk
away. I personally learned that the hard way.
Don’t like or have time for sitting online trying to figure
it all out? Don’t like sitting on hold, possibly for 4-7 hours for several days
in a row to get an answer or a problem solved? Use a TA!! A TA dedicated to
helping their clients be happy and safe and will be willing to make the calls
and/or do the research for you! Post Covid-19 hold times are insane for all travel destinations, especially Disney!
What Information will you or your TA need to quote or book a Disney Cruise? Your TA cannot get an official and accurate quote without the following.
- Date of Cruise you wish to go on.
- Name of the Ship of choice,
- Category of Cabin(s) you are interested in (With me you can ask for comparisons, price two cabins of different categories so you can better choose what is best for you.)
- FULL Legal Names (First, Middle, and Last name) of all guests traveling with you in the same or linked cabins if your family/group needs more than one.
- Physical address (If the traveling group has different addresses, you should give all address to the TA).
- Email address.
- Phone number(s).
Once you have accepted the quote and decided to go on the
cruise you will need to give your TA your Credit/Debit/Gift Card payment
information. The TA should ask you to sign a Credit Card Authorization Form.
This authorized the TA to charge the specified amount for your trip and that
trip ONLY. You can make a deposit and then hold off on paying until the Pay In
Full Date or make monthly payments. It is up to you. All you do to make a
payments is contact your TA. They will make the payments. All charges should be
made directly to Disney Cruise Line and NOT to the Travel Agent or Travel Agency.
If charges, go through the Travel Agent or Travel Agency that is a red flag for
possible mishandling of the funds.
Your TA should keep you updated on any changes with the
Cruise Line. More than ever things change quickly! From Pay in Full Dates to Covid
Testing requirements changes happen often. The TA should remind you when you
are getting near to your Pay In Full Date. Your TA should remind you of the date
you can book things to do on the ship and in ports and tell you if to do it you need to pay earlier than
the Pay In Full date so you can start booking. When the time comes for Online
Check-In your TA should offer to do it for you or explain the process so you
can do it yourself if you wish. Your TA should remind you of the Pre Cruise Covid
Requirements and assist you if needed in fulfilling the requirements.
In short, a TA will do the work so you, the client can
PLAY!! A good TA should answer every question you have and even some you did
not know to ask. Your TA is a valuable resource that is really FREE to use!
Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney vacation?
Let me know!
Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com
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