Costco Travel

Has anyone else used them?They were cheaper, but everytime I call it's at least a 30 minute wait.

I am thinking about moving my booking and was wondering if anyone else has had simular frustration with their service.

I have used Costco 3 time now, and I understand what you mean by the wait, however, I always get such wonderful service, and great prices, I continue to go back to them. It is easier to get through to them earlier in the day, I've noticed. They are PST zone. If I find I have to wait, I just use the cordless phone, and do whatever else I have to do while on hold.

ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS

Our neighbors have booked the Island Princess to Alaska in August through them and so far they seem to be pleased with the service they have recieved.

They had been booking through a local agency, but found this through a friend of theirs and it was much cheaper than the local agent.

Sheila

Likes to cruise twice as much for half the price.

i too have booked 3 cruises with them. i agree that sometimes the wait is ridiculous. but i get great service from them all the time and their rates are a lot better than other TA's i have used in the past. No Va Mimi is right, if you call earlier in the morning when they first open the wait isn't that bad, maybe 5-10 minutes. also, they have an email address, so you can send them email. i usually have gotten a response within the same business day. also, i like the fact that they don't work on commission, so they don't ever push you to buy anything and they are more than willing to try and answer your questions.

i liked them so much so that i recommended them to my friend for her upcoming cruise. she checked around and found that they were far cheaper than anyone else and used them as well.

good luck!

jstducky!

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...til 9/04 - Jewel of the Seas - Canada / New England

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...til 7/04 - Zuiderdam - Western Caribbean

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7/03 - Zaandam - Alaska

4/03 - Norweigan Star - Hawaii

7/96 - Noordam - Alaska

7/96 - Golden Princess - Alaska

8/95 - Jubilee - Mexican Riviera

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I called and they were only $200 cheaper than AAA, so I booked through AAA because I like the face to face contact.

If you like to wait on hold 30 min, then go for it. Buy a speaker phone and free up both hands!!

Does Costco lower the price if other web sites drop their prices??

Brilliance of the Seas

Monarch Of The Seas

Whodunit Murder Mystery Cruise

Carnival Ecstasy 8/2001

Voyager of the Seas 8/2000

Carnival Holiday 3/1998

Viking Seranade 1/1996

Viking Seranade 4/1995

Can anybody put a rough number on the discount? I think Sams's is 4-5% off "street" price (Yahoo, Expedia, Orbitz), and of course they don't charge $15 for the priviledge of booking with them. I imagine CostCo is about the same, but if sombody knows...

Mike

Thanks for your responses.I tried the email option and they did respond more quickly, so maybe that is the way to go.

They told me they are typically $150 cheaper per stateroom than RC website, so I guess if you don't mind waiting than it's worth it.

I would think if you had a more complex booking (wedding or large group) I would prefer a face to face agent relationship.

This booking is just the two of us so I shouldn't have much need to contact them.

One difference is they require final payment 90 days prior to the sailing where as RC is 70 days.

Thanks again.

Hi,

Can someone give me a phone number or e-mail address for Costco?

Thanks Chris

Grandeur of the Seas

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Transatlantic

cheche01: as i understand it, i don't think that we're allowed to post a TA's phone number or email address publicly on the board.

however, i do have an email address and phone number for you.

if you want to email me

duckcrazy AT hotmail DOT com (i'm writing this way so I don't get spammed!).. i will email it to you. just write cruise critic in the subject of the email.

just so you know, you have to be a member in order to use their services. they also have specials on certain cruises on certain cruise lines, and if you are an executive member there can be up to a 2 category free upgrade on select sailings..

jstducky!

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...til 9/04 - Jewel of the Seas - Canada / New England

====================================

...til 7/04 - Zuiderdam - Western Caribbean

=====================================

7/03 - Zaandam - Alaska

4/03 - Norweigan Star - Hawaii

7/96 - Noordam - Alaska

7/96 - Golden Princess - Alaska

8/95 - Jubilee - Mexican Riviera

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Costo takes 10% off the room charge (not port charges, taxes and fees)

and they do not charge a service fee. You do need to be a costco member to book through them.

Try Costco.com (not a phone # or email adress).

Brilliance of the Seas

Monarch Of The Seas

Whodunit Murder Mystery Cruise

Carnival Ecstasy 8/2001

Voyager of the Seas 8/2000

Carnival Holiday 3/1998

Viking Seranade 1/1996

Viking Seranade 4/1995

I compared their rates against a cruise I've been watching and had several rates from other agencies. They were more expensive than the other online agencies, my TA, but definitely cheaper than RCI's rate.

Peggy - RCI since 1973

Has anyone booked a land vacation through costco? How did the rates compare?

Hi,

Thanks to all of you for your info on Costco, I did e-mail them and I am waiting for a response.

Grandeur of the Seas

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Transatlantic

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by crhenderson:

Has anyone booked a land vacation through costco? How did the rates compare?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I used them for an all inclusive Cabo deal. I saved the most by being an executive costco member. Free upgrade to ocean view. Plus other discounts.

Costco and AAA have never given me a better deal than CruiseQuick or Kim's Kruises....by a long shot.

And I don't think waiting 40 minutes on the phone as "great service"....what would you consider bad service?

Margie

Celebrating Our Parents 60th Anniversary - Legend of the Seas to Mexico 9/5/04!!

Join Our Legend Roll Call Here

Our Dawn Princess Caribbean Medley Family Cruise 11/23/04

Join Our Dawn Roll Call Here

Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991

Carnival Elation 1999

NCL Sun 2002

Star Princess 2003

Legend of the Seas 2003

My mother always told me, "Son, dont buy your travel at the same place you buy yuor bulk meat items."

And Im sticking too that!!

 Days Till We Leave For THE Cruise

Hi,

I did get a price from Costco, they were more expensive than CruCon, so far CruCon has given me the best price.

Grandeur of the Seas

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Transatlantic

They have always given us some of the best pricing and besides the wait on hold they have awesome service. I usually just put them on speaker and go about my business until they answer, it's a toll free # anyway.

Misty

Roll Call for the Grandeur 12/18/04. Come join us in New Orleans for the Christmas Season!! <A HREF="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=389105961&r=699105961#699105961

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Grandeur of the Seas / W. Caribbean / 12-18-04

Vision of the Seas / Mexico / 04-04-04

Radiance of the Seas /Alaska /07-05-03

Hello all,

As to the question about land based vacations with Costco travel, I saved a bundle on my upcoming Las Vegas trip. For airfare and hotel, their rates were by far the cheapest around.

Happy travels,

Sarah

6/95 - Majesty of the Seas

6/96 - Monarch of the Seas

6/98 - Majesty of the Seas

6/99 - Granduer of the Seas

6/01 - Granduer of the Seas

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6/21/03 - Explorer of the Seas

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