Booking a Dummy Date

[peachygreen]

I have read a lot of threads on dummy dates but I'm still confused. I've even tried to ask questions at the end of some threads but I haven't really gotten a response. So here are my questions about dummy dates.

We are traveling in Feb/Mar 2011. I want to take our next cruise in Mar 2013 over spring break or in the summer of 2013 during summer break depending on what they do with the Magic and Wonder by 2013. It would be a 7 night cruise that we would want to take. I would also want to ultimately take a verandah room. When booking the dummy date can I book basically the cheapest room and cheapest date available and then just pay the difference in deposit when I rebook for the 2013 date? Do I have to book the same category, # of people in the cabin and # of days planned? With the new deposite requirements it would make a lot more sense to book an inside cabin on a 3 night cruise when booking a dummy date than booking a 7 night balcony and then pay the deposit difference when you rebook it? I'd love to only have a couple hundred tied up for 2 years than $500+.

 

[RedSox68]

You've pretty much got it.......our dummy cruise was for the lowest category on a 3-night cruise. Deposit was only $97.13. I used that one to book the 7-night on the Fantasy in a verandah room. Just had to pay the difference in the deposit, but got the 10% and OBC. Of course, OBC goes up depending on the category too!

 

[MaineFam3]

That's great info to know. Might try that during our first cruise in 5/11 on the Dream. Thanks very much!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We have had 3 DCL cruises and love them!

I can't seem to follow, why the dummy dates?......you make a reservation on the wrong cruise?, the wrong cabin? and the wrong vessel? to save laying out a big deposit?....

and what is the 10% and OBC?

Why not just wait to make the dates, cabin and vessel you what?

Many thanks from a confused ex deep water sailor here

AKK

 

[cmadara]

The reason I am thinking of booking a "dummy date" when we sail in 2 weeks, is because it won't be until sometime in the summer of 2012. I don't know the exact date or even what cruise we want to take. But.... I want to get the 10% off and the OBC. So, I realize that I am taking a chance by waiting, but I really don't KNOW exactly what I want right now- does that make sense
I guess I want to reap the benefits of early on board booking, but not be tied down to a date until I find out the info I need to know- school vacation dates, itinerary, etc.
One thing I do have to find out is how long I have to make up my mind. Of course the sooner the better to get exactly what I want, but when do I have to make a decision by? Does anyone know this info?

 

[peachygreen]

We have had 3 DCL cruises and love them!

I can't seem to follow, why the dummy dates?......you make a reservation on the wrong cruise?, the wrong cabin? and the wrong vessel? to save laying out a big deposit?....

and what is the 10% and OBC?

Why not just wait to make the dates, cabin and vessel you what?

Many thanks from a confused ex deep water sailor here

AKK

If you rebook your next cruise onboard you get 10% off the cruise price, additional on board credit (OBC) and 1/2 price deposits.

The reason to book a dummy cruise is that the cruise you want is not available yet (in my case 2013 - I can only manage one big vacation a year due to time and in 2012 we are doing a WDW grand gathering of 4 families) or you are uncertain of your date. So you can book a dummy cruise that you can change before the Paid in Full date (PIF) to the ship and time you want and keep the benefits (10% off and OBC etc) of booking on board. I was just trying to find the most economical way to do this so I don't tie up a large deposit for 2 years when it would only need to be tied up to secure the room/category/price I really want for 1-1/2 years (assuming 2013 dates come out in the fall of 2011).

 

[Anjelica]

When you book OBC a dummy date and its say a 3-night you book - can you still get the 10% off the total fare if you were to move it to say a 7-night cruise?

 

[cmadara]

When you book OBC a dummy date and its say a 3-night you book - can you still get the 10% off the total fare if you were to move it to say a 7-night cruise?

I was wondering the same thing? It would make sense to book a 3-day (smaller deposit). But can you get the 10% off a more expensive cruise or are you stuck with just getting the 10% of the less expensive cruise?

 

[mickeyluv]

I was wondering the same thing? It would make sense to book a 3-day (smaller deposit). But can you get the 10% off a more expensive cruise or are you stuck with just getting the 10% of the less expensive cruise?

The 10% is taken off of the base fare (before taxes and fees) for the actual cruise you are booking to if you decide to change your dummy reservation.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

OK, now it makes sense .thanks for your help!

AKK

 

[Anjelica]

The 10% is taken off of the base fare (before taxes and fees) for the actual cruise you are booking to if you decide to change your dummy reservation.

Cool - thank you!!!

 

[chernabogfamily]

When you book a dummy cruise, do you have to book it for all the people in the party.
Example: family of 4
Can you book it for say 1 person and add others later if you are unsure of exaclty who is going (adults only, girls trip, just the boys, etc)?

 

[disney 2010]

What are the OBC for booking on on board. I read it depends on the category you book but what is the $$ value?

 

[PearlySwan]

When you book a dummy cruise, do you have to book it for all the people in the party.
Example: family of 4
Can you book it for say 1 person and add others later if you are unsure of exaclty who is going (adults only, girls trip, just the boys, etc)?

^^^ You can book the stateroom with only one person in it. That will ensure the lowest possible downpayment on your cruise. However, keep in mind that when you transfer your reservation to the actual date you'll be sailing, you'll have to pony up the additional fare for any added passengers.

 

[livingis2me]

Ok. So when I change my dummy date to my actual date, is the deposit still 1/2 of the normal deposit? I understand that if the cruise is more expensive that the 1/2 of the normal deposit would likely be more expensive than the deposit I already placed down.

Also, does the obc default to the higher obc when switching my dummy date to a longer cruise?

I'm cruising in 10 days and my mid September 2012 Fantasy date has yet to be released, so I'm looking for the least expensive way to rebook a dummy date and still have the full $200 obc when my desired date goes on sale. And hopefully my deposit will still be 10% as opposed to 20%.

 

[PearlySwan]

Ok. So when I change my dummy date to my actual date, is the deposit still 1/2 of the normal deposit? I understand that if the cruise is more expensive that the 1/2 of the normal deposit would likely be more expensive than the deposit I already placed down.

Also, does the obc default to the higher obc when switching my dummy date to a longer cruise?

I'm cruising in 10 days and my mid September 2012 Fantasy date has yet to be released, so I'm looking for the least expensive way to rebook a dummy date and still have the full $200 obc when my desired date goes on sale. And hopefully my deposit will still be 10% as opposed to 20%.

^^^ If you rebook onboard, your deposit will still be 1/2. The least expensive way to shop for a 'dummy' reservation is by booking, just yourself, on a 3-Night cruise. I booked a 2011 'dummy' cruise while onboard this past Summer. In order to avoid putting down the extra deposit money, I could have made the reservation for a 3-Night cruise in my name only. However, I decided to make the reservation for all travelers sailing on a 6-Night cruise and gave DCL the additional money down. Yesterday I transferred my reservation to a 2012 7-Night Fantasy sailing which cost less than my 'dummy' cruise, so I didn't have to give them any additional money. As I said earlier, the 'dummy' cruise I had booked onboard was only 6-Night. Since the 'dummy' reservation was less than 7-Nights the original OBC was for $100. However, after I switched my dates to a 2012 7-Nights cruise, I now have $200 OBC attached to the new reservation. So to answer your question, Yes! the OBC defaults to the higher amount when switching the 'dummy' booking to a longer cruise. Hope that answers your questions!

 

[livingis2me]

^^^ If you rebook onboard, your deposit will still be 1/2. The least expensive way to shop for a 'dummy' reservation is by booking, just yourself, on a 3-Night cruise. I booked a 2011 'dummy' cruise while onboard this past Summer. In order to avoid putting down the extra deposit money, I could have made the reservation for a 3-Night cruise in my name only. However, I decided to make the reservation for all travelers sailing on a 6-Night cruise and gave DCL the additional money down. Yesterday I transferred my reservation to a 2012 7-Night Fantasy sailing which cost less than my 'dummy' cruise, so I didn't have to give them any additional money. As I said earlier, the 'dummy' cruise I had booked onboard was only 6-Night. Since the 'dummy' reservation was less than 7-Nights the original OBC was for $100. However, after I switched my dates to a 2012 7-Nights cruise, I now have $200 OBC attached to the new reservation. So to answer your question, Yes! the OBC defaults to the higher amount when switching the 'dummy' booking to a longer cruise. Hope that answers your questions!

Yes, you answered my question quite well.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[PearlySwan]

^^^ I'm so glad I could offer assistance regarding your inquiry. Have a fantastic Disney cruise and don't forget to come back and tell us all about it. Trip Report!!!