Dummy booking am I missing out on something?

[puppytrainer]

We are planning on going on our first cruise summer 2014. I’ve been reading, researching on websites, etc. to learn about cruising, but shame on me, did not come to the boards until I heard the rumor 2014 might be released soon. I was just hanging out, waiting for 2014 to be released before contacting a TA for a quote.

Now that I’m back on the boards I see all these posts for dummy bookings. Aside from someone who booked a dummy booking while on another cruise to receive a discount, what benefits would a dummy booking give me? Am I going to be at a disadvantage not having one because by having one you already have your foot in the door so to say, so your TA will take care of those first before any new quotes that will come in? At this point should I bother booking a dummy? How do I do that, just pick any 2013 date on the quote form and include a note that it’s 2014 I really want??

Having never cruised before I feel so dumb about how to do things. WDW no sweat, cruising, no clue. TIA for any advice!

 

[kcashner]

Yes, you are at a disadvantage by not having a dummy booking to move--a 10% discount. This is the discount that someone will get if they move a dummy booking.

The term "dummy" or "placeholder" is used when one books on board with little or no intention of sailing on the cruise they booked, but knowing they will move it to another date. You do this specifically to get the benefits of an onboard booking--discount, onboard credit, lower deposit.

As far as making a 2014 booking, there should be no difference in doing that whether you have a dummy or not; you can book directly thru DCL either on line or by calling them or your TA can make a booking for you. Frankly, in terms of 2014 bookings thru a TA, I don't think the issue is whether or not you have a dummy booking. The issue is whether or not you have a relationship with the TA. I suspect that many TAs will give priority to established customers, getting the reservations they want first. Then they will make the reservations for new customers.

 

[maciec]

Do TA's get priority over the general public for bookings or does everyone open at the same time?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do TA's get priority over the general public for bookings or does everyone open at the same time?

For regular itineraries, it opens for everyone at the same time. For new itinteraries, Platinum & Gold CC members get first crack (a couple of days).

 

[kcashner]

While TAs have their own set of phone numbers, they can't book any earlier than anyone else. When booking opens for platinum CCs, that's all a TA can book--platinum clients. When it opens for gold, they can book gold level clients.

As to how much advance booking time DCL gives....a day to a week depending on someone's mood in the main office. My guess is that it will be toward the shorter time period.

 

[puppytrainer]

Ahhhh, got it. Thanks!

 

[CMW0021]

So if you book a dummy cruise on board, you just book a cruise with one person as far out as you can? So when the opening day prices come out for the year/itinerary you want, you move this dummy cruise to this date and still get the benefits of the OBC and the 10% discount off the already low opening day rates? I am also a newbie, so I love these questions!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So if you book a dummy cruise on board, you just book a cruise with one person as far out as you can? So when the opening day prices come out for the year/itinerary you want, you move this dummy cruise to this date and still get the benefits of the OBC and the 10% discount off the already low opening day rates? I am also a newbie, so I love these questions!

Yes, you got it! When you move your dummy cruise to a cruise you truly want to sail, be sure to add the rest of your family at that time to insure their spot on the ship. (Muster stations fill up and then you can't add guests even if your cabin is capable of sleeping more.)
Not just the discount but DCL offers an onboard credit (OBC) just for booking onboard. Many TAs will also offer some OBC as a thank you for booking through them.
Also you pay 50% deposit compared to a land based res. Also applies to your family on the same res.
Also pay attention to the final payment due date for your dummy cruise. This is still a real cruise. If you fail to move to a later date and miss the FPDD, you lose your deposit and the res gets cancelled. This just happened to my SIL. She completely forgot about it.