Why Use a Travel Agent to Book a Disney Cruise

Your vacation should be a time to unwind, relax, and have fun. Planning a cruise sounds straightforward; however, many unique cruising features make it slightly different from planning a standard vacation.

Experienced and first-time Disney Cruisers should work with a Disney Travel Agent. You’re leaving a lot of value on the table if you book directly through Disney.

Pro Planning Tip: We recommend using Jessica Lieb with ET Family Travel to book your Disney vacation!

Perks of Using A Disney Travel Agent

It’s Free

Disney Travel Agents don’t charge for their services because Disney pays your Travel Agent. Using a Disney Travel Agent means an expert can help you plan and provide professional advice.

Whether you use a Travel Agent or not, you pay the same price, so take advantage of a free service that makes your life easier.

Save You Time

Planning a cruise can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never cruised. There are cruise-specific details that need to be considered when planning. Like, “Do you need a passport?”, “When can you arrive at the port?”, “How do you book excursions?” and “What items are prohibited on the ship?”

You can read blogs and watch videos to learn what each ship offers and what is required from passengers, or you could consult with a Disney Travel Agent. The knowledge of a Disney expert will save you time when planning your Disney Cruise.

Save You Money

Disney Travel Agents keep up with the latest deals and can apply new discounts to your booking if applicable, saving you money. Disney releases discounts throughout the year; if you book before a discount is released, your travel agent will apply the discount to your booking.

You don’t have to do anything; they will call Disney to apply the promotion. If you use a Disney travel agent, they can save you time and money.

Knowledgable Resource

Disney Travel Agents receive training through Disney’s College of Knowledge, giving them expert knowledge of their product. They will help you navigate the ins and outs of planning a cruise. They know the features of each ship, which travel documents are required when you can book excursions, and much more.

Disney Travel Agents love Disney and love to talk about Disney. Whenever you have a question, they are happy to give you an answer.

Easy to Contact

Your Disney Travel Agent should be easy to contact. If you have a question about your trip or need to adjust your plans, you can easily contact your travel agent. When you plan a trip on your own and need help, calling Disney can be time-consuming.

The Travel Agent can handle the details if you have an emergency and need to cancel or modify your trip.

*Your Travel Agent will highly encourage you to purchase Travel Protection through Disney to protect you in an emergency.

More than Just a Cruise

Most Disney Travel Agents can help you book more than just your cruise. If you want to extend your trip to include a few days at Disney World, Disneyland, Universal, or other resorts, they can help you plan. They can help you plan transportation, hotel accommodations before and after your cruise and any additional services you require.

Again It’s Free

Disney has built the commission for Travel Agents to their costs, so you’re leaving money on the table if you don’t use a travel agent.

What Does A Disney Travel Agent Do?

Help You Book Your Cruise

A Disney Travel Agent will help you select the best cruise.

When planning a Disney Cruise, you will need to answer these questions:

• When do you want to sail? If you can only cruise during specific times of the year, it will determine which ships and ports are available.
• How much money do you want to spend? Cruising during holidays will be more expensive than during the week. Rooms with a balcony will be more expensive than inside rooms. Knowing your budget will help the travel agent select cruise packages that fit your needs.
• How long do you want to cruise? Most cruises last between 3-7 days. Some repositioning cruises can be longer.
• Where do you want to sail from and to? Knowing which port you can sail from will affect your destination options. If you want to sail to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, you will most likely sail out of Port Canaveral in Florida.
• Which ship do you want to sail on? Certain ships sail out of specific ports. If you’re going to sail on Disney’s newest ship, you must travel to Florida to sail out of Port Canaveral.
• How many people are sailing with you? And what are their ages? Most staterooms can accommodate 4 to 5 people. If you have a larger party, you must book multiple staterooms.

A travel agent can help you navigate these questions when booking your cruise. They can help you find the perfect cruise for your family.

Help You Transfer Your Cruise

If you’ve booked your cruise within the last 30 days and haven’t paid the total balance, you can transfer your cruise to a Disney Travel Agent. If you’ve already made your reservations and feel overwhelmed, you can easily transfer your reservation to a travel agent. They can help you book all of the extras and navigate the process.

Set up a Payment Plan

After you pay your deposit for your Disney Cruise, you may wish to set up a payment plan to pay off the remaining balance. Your travel agent can help you gradually pay off your cruise before the final payment date. They can help you apply Disney gift cards to your balance or use different payment methods to break up your payments.

Guide You Through the Process

Booking a cruise is different than planning a typical vacation. A travel agent will let you know if passports are needed for your cruise and, if not, what additional documentation is required. They will help you navigate the ins and outs of booking excursions, planning onboard activities, and securing your port arrival time during online check-in.

Advise You on What to Book

You will have the option to book onboard and shore activities. A travel agent can help you decide which activities will fit your family. Not all port adventures are equal. Port excursions are an added cost, so knowing how to spend your money is important.

Your travel agent will know which activities will suit your family.

Personalized Service

Your travel agent will know your family’s needs and likes. They can help you plan an itinerary to fit each person’s interests perfectly. If traveling with young kids, you may wish to book child care in the onboard nursery. You may want to book adult-only dining if you are a group of adults. You may want to purchase the wine package if you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Your travel agent will be able to give you the specifics of all additional services available.

Pre and Post Cruise Travel

Your Travel Agent can help you arrange pre and post-travel accommodations, parking or transportation, and added days at a Disney park or Universal Studios. They can help you purchase tickets to special events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

*Most Disney Travel Agents don’t book air travel, but they will advise you on which flight times will best fit into your travel plans.

Packing Tips

Most cruise lines have prohibited items that are not allowed on the ships. Your travel agent will help you avoid having items confiscated by advising you on what to pack for your cruise. They will also help you know what clothing may be required at adult-only restaurants. You may wish to pack pirate-themed costumes if your ship includes a pirate night.

How to Find a Good Travel Agent for Disney

Using a travel agent with specific Disney knowledge is essential when booking a Disney Cruise. Disney requires all agents that book travel to Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise lines, Adventures by Disney, and Disney’s Aulani to train through the Disney College of Knowledge.

How to Find A Disney Travel Agent:

• We recommend using ET Family Travel agents, who are qualified and experienced in booking Disney, Universal, Cruiselines, All-Inclusive resorts, and more.
• Talk to your friends. Personal referrals are the best way to find a reliable, experienced travel agent.
• Search the internet. Many Disney-specific websites will recommend travel agents or agencies that are Disney-specific.

What to Look for in a Disney Travel Agent:

Things to look for when choosing a Disney Travel Agent are:

• Authorized Disney Vacation Planner – Your agent should work for an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency and ideally be a part of Disney’s Earmarked program. Disney’s EarMarked Program acknowledges agencies that have met strict qualifications, demonstrated a high level of sales, and kept up with all required destination training.
• Certification – Your agent should have completed the Disney College of Knowledge each year.
• Experience – Your travel agent should have experience traveling and booking Disney vacations.