Can someone explain Dummy Cruises to me?

momof2n2 said:

Can someone explain what is the point of a dummy cruise? It doesn't lock you into a lower rate, does it? If as soon as you decide which cruise you want you have to pay the deposit, how do dummy cruises help? I'm genuine in my questions.

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SillyInventor said:

If you know which (released) cruise you want you can book the specific cruise as before and have all OBB benefits applied to that cruise. The cancelation policy will be applicable and you pay the required deposit for the cruise.

If you don't know which cruise you will book next or the dates you want to cruise haven't been released you can book a general placeholder for a flat fee of $200 per stateroom. i think you will have to specify all the names on the reservation, but not sure about that.
For 2 staterooms you will have to book 2 placeholders and pay a $400 deposit. Additional staterooms can be booked, but they will not receive the 10% discount, just the OBC.

When new cruise dates have been released and you have decided on the cruise you wish you just change the placeholder into your actual cruise. This must be within 24 months of the day of booking the placeholder. The two placeholders must remain together. You cannot move one to a cruise and the second to another.

As no cruise date has been specified (and neither concierge or not) the placeholder downpayment is fully refundable at any moment. If you do not use it within the 24 months you can still apply it to a future cruise, but you will of course loose all OBB benefits.

Have a great cruise and if you are so lucky to become pregnant, please note the restrictions for future mom's and young babies to cruise to avoid disappointment.

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ChicosWife said:

So, you just have to book within the 24 months, or the actual sail date of the cruise has to be within the 24 months of booking?

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ChicosWife said:

What are all the benefits of booking OBB? I know there is the reduced deposit of $200, what else? And these benefits apply to any future Disney cruise booked onboard?

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DahliaRW said:

The terms in my confirmation email say:
This reservation must commence on or before the Travel By date listed above or the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit will be refunded.

So it must start on or before the date I made the reservation + 2 years (so for me, I made the ressie 6/12/2015, I must start my sailing no later than 6/12/2017).

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SillyInventor said:

You get:
1. 10% discount on the cruise fare (excluding taxes and port fees) for the first two staterooms booked
2. OBC of $100 (cruises less than 7 nights) or $200 (cruises 7 nights and longer) per stateroom on all staterooms booked
3. You have a reduced deposit of 10% instead of 20% of the cruise fare on cruises of 7 nights or longer

These benefits apply to all cruises within 24 months of your original day of booking. Except block-out cruises that are specifically noted on the booking form. These cruises do not offer the 10% discount, but only the OBC and reduced deposit (if 7n or longer).

If you book more than one stateroom they have to be on the same cruise and can only be moved to another cruise together. Only the first and second stateroom receive the 10% discount. All additional staterooms do not ge the discount, but only the OBC and reduced deposit. This limitation is per household sailing. So if you cruise with your sister or a friend who is not living on the same adres as you are each of you can book OBB. If you sail with your important other or kids that live with you, you are counted as one.
To complete: the only exception on the one cruise - two staterooms rule is a B2B cruise where you can book two staterooms on each leg with OBB benefits if you specify and book this at the moment you reserve your OBB. A second leg cannot be added once you have left the ship.

The full current offer can be found here:
https://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/DCL/DCL_OnboardFlier.pdf

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Ajojo said:

Wow, this explains a lot. When I book on board, do I just pay the $200 or do I also need to pay the deposit at the same time

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maeK89 said:

Are we locked into a pricing tier when we book on board as a placeholder? Or do we have to pay the price as of the day we switch to a real cruise?

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Grumpy's Wife said:

If you get the 10% off card in the mail does it work the same way as a place holder? I cruised in May and didn't book another cruise while on board. This week in the mail I received my Cast-A-Way Cay member number, magnet and a card offering a 10% discount on a future cruise. My sister who also received the packet did not get the discount card. Does anyone have an information they can share on this? Thanks.

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SillyInventor said:

The "Future cruise desk" is the place to go. Opening times of the desk will be published in your Personal Navigator. As an additional service you can also request (and book) a future cruise using the form provided in your stateroom, which can also be picked up the FCD. Just fill out the form with your credentials and the cruise you wish and within 24 hours the quote will be in your fish. You can then approve the quote and return it to the desk without even speaking to the Future cruise sales person.

Be warned that on the last day of your cruise this desk is always very busy, so if you want some time there to discuss your choice of future cruises go early in the cruise and have a quote before the last day.

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Steamboat Girlie said:

What do you fill in on the form if you are doing a "placeholder" and you don't know the date you actually want to go?

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DISNEY FANTASY said:

Doesnt matter people want to book cruises before they come out, that is what a placeholder is.

On the form just say placeholder/ dummy booking.

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