Advice: Book 2023 cruise now or wait until on board?

[ssgtravel]

We will be sailing on the Alaska cruise, August 15. I am planning to book the 2023 September transatlantic Dream cruise, and my booking window opens July 27. I wondered if it would be better to wait to book until while we are on the Alaska cruise when I can get a discount (I believe)? I wonder how quickly the cabins will fill up, we normally book Deluxe Oceanview with Veranda (Category 5). We have never been on the Dream, just the Magic and Wonder.

 

[happycamper47]

You can't actually book the cruise all you get is a "placehold" for a future cruise which allows for the discount. Once you get that then you can proceed to book the specific cruise you want, but you have to do that through the call center or your TA.

 

[Milky]

Book now. The once you get place holder, make a comparison. At least that wway you have options.

 

[nancipants]

You can't actually book the cruise all you get is a "placehold" for a future cruise which allows for the discount. Once you get that then you can proceed to book the specific cruise you want, but you have to do that through the call center or your TA.

I thought you could book actual cruises onboard? Granted it was in 2013, but we booked our Alaska cruise for the following summer while onboard.

We are booking next week for Panama Canal. If there’s still availability, and the price hasn’t gone up enough to make the 10 percent discount pointless, we will try to cancel and rebook.

 

[Cheburashka]

I thought you could book actual cruises onboard? Granted it was in 2013, but we booked our Alaska cruise for the following summer while onboard.

Since reopening, the Future Cruise Desk has been closed and you can only book a placeholder via the app.

I hope they change back to what it used to be because I really enjoyed booking a specific future cruise while onboard, and selecting the stateroom. Having to call in to transfer the placeholder to a cruise upon getting home is a bit of a pain. It's probably another cost-cutting measure, though, so likely to not change. One or two fewer people for DCL to pay...

 

[nancipants]

Since reopening, the Future Cruise Desk has been closed and you can only book a placeholder via the app.

Ahh okay, thanks for the info. That is annoying

 

[holula]

Since reopening, the Future Cruise Desk has been closed and you can only book a placeholder via the app.

I hope they change back to what it used to be because I really enjoyed booking a specific future cruise while onboard, and selecting the stateroom. Having to call in to transfer the placeholder to a cruise upon getting home is a bit of a pain. It's probably another cost-cutting measure, though, so likely to not change. One or two fewer people for DCL to pay...

I would say that I’m sure they could work out a way to fully book a future cruise on the app but this is disney IT we are talking about.

 

[racingfandj]

Ahh okay, thanks for the info. That is annoying

I agree. Scrolling the board today as we just got off our AK cruise where we booked a placeholder. I am extremely disappointed in the limitations and process. I may not get them all, but here's a few:

Have blackout dates
Not valid on *GT cabins
No more on board credit for rebooking
Have to call in to use the placeholder (someone reported wait time was recently 1000+ minutes per the recording)

 

[Kwami]

Have blackout dates
Not valid on *GT cabins
No more on board credit for rebooking
Have to call in to use the placeholder (someone reported wait time was recently 1000+ minutes per the recording)

It's been like that since 2019 when they removed the onboard credit. The rest has been like that since forever.

The big change since the restart is that you can only book placeholders on board instead of specific cruises.

Anyway, @ssgtravel, if you book now, then you can compare the price that you paid vs. what it'll cost you with the 10% discount next month. I doubt that the price will go up 10% by then. But, if there's a specific room that you want, then you might want to book it as soon as you're able to.

Overall, category 5 rooms probably won't sell out by August. Transatlantic cruises aren't that rare. The eastbound cruise in May, 2023 still has plenty of rooms in all categories, except concierge.

 

[Milky]

Yep onboard cruise booking is a thing of the past. Now it's just a placeholder, and then you book a cruise after getting off the ship.

 

[Kathymford]

I am in a similar situation, but our cruise isn't until November. I booked the EBPC cruise with my TA. Once I have my placeholder when I'm onboard, can my TA re-book with my placeholder?

Now that I'm thinking about it, the price might go up by November, so that will probably be the issue. Am I thinking about this correctly?

 

[Geomom]

I agree. Scrolling the board today as we just got off our AK cruise where we booked a placeholder. I am extremely disappointed in the limitations and process. I may not get them all, but here's a few:

Have blackout dates
Not valid on *GT cabins
No more on board credit for rebooking
Have to call in to use the placeholder (someone reported wait time was recently 1000+ minutes per the recording)

You can transfer the booking to a travel agent within 30 days of buying the placeholder and then they'll be the one calling to do the booking. We use Dreams Unlimited (a sponsor of these boards.). They give on board credit, which is why we used them the first time. Now we love that our TA does all the work. Especially thankful to her after our 2020 cruise was cancelled and we rebooked that cruise 3 times.

Blackout dates are generally just around Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and 2 day cruises. (Years ago there were more blackout dates, so it has actually improved.)

 

[Kwami]

I am in a similar situation, but our cruise isn't until November. I booked the EBPC cruise with my TA. Once I have my placeholder when I'm onboard, can my TA re-book with my placeholder?

Now that I'm thinking about it, the price might go up by November, so that will probably be the issue. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Your TA can rebook with the placeholder, but the rebooking will be done at the current rates when that happens. So, if the price goes up more than 10%, then you'd be better off keeping the original booking.

The best strategy is to book now, then check prices again once you get your placeholder discount to see which reservation would be cheaper. The only drawback is that your TA is essentially booking your cruise twice, but only getting one commission. But if he's OK with it, then all is well.

 

[nancipants]

I am in a similar situation, but our cruise isn't until November. I booked the EBPC cruise with my TA. Once I have my placeholder when I'm onboard, can my TA re-book with my placeholder?

Now that I'm thinking about it, the price might go up by November, so that will probably be the issue. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Correct. We booked the WBPC. We sail next month, so we'll book a placeholder and then look at prices then and see if they went up more than 10 percent.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Since reopening, the Future Cruise Desk has been closed and you can only book a placeholder via the app.

I hope they change back to what it used to be because I really enjoyed booking a specific future cruise while onboard, and selecting the stateroom. Having to call in to transfer the placeholder to a cruise upon getting home is a bit of a pain. It's probably another cost-cutting measure, though, so likely to not change. One or two fewer people for DCL to pay...

I "thought" I booked a placeholder at Guest services when I was on board the Aug 1st Dream. It's been two weeks without any confirmation email or charge to my credit card. Should I call Disney now or give it a couple more days?

TIA

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I "thought" I booked a placeholder at Guest services when I was on board the Aug 1st Dream. It's been two weeks without any confirmation email or charge to my credit card. Should I call Disney now or give it a couple more days?

TIA

Get on the phone with DCL now. I booked a placeholder on the Fantasy (July 21-30) and nothing just like you. It was supposed to go directly to the TA at DU, but nothing. I called (and waited) for DCL. It took her about 20 minutes of on and off holds to verify the PH (I had a screenshot of the PH info and confirmation). Finally got it but it was sent to me and not the TA. So there was additional paperwork from DU, and it's finally recorded. CALL.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Get on the phone with DCL now. I booked a placeholder on the Fantasy (July 21-30) and nothing just like you. It was supposed to go directly to the TA at DU, but nothing. I called (and waited) for DCL. It took her about 20 minutes of on and off holds to verify the PH (I had a screenshot of the PH info and confirmation). Finally got it but it was sent to me and not the TA. So there was additional paperwork from DU, and it's finally recorded. CALL.

Tomorrow…Shall I select option 3. Book a cruise?
lol
Is it still a long wait time?

 

[Cheburashka]

Tomorrow…Shall I select option 3. Book a cruise?
lol
Is it still a long wait time?

Not if you choose option 3.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Tomorrow…Shall I select option 3. Book a cruise?
lol
Is it still a long wait time?

Option 3 was exactly what I used. Holding for the CM to find the PH and get a supervisor to help took longer than the Option 3 hold.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Option 3 was exactly what I used. Holding for the CM to find the PH and get a supervisor to help took longer than the Option 3 hold.

Same here! Option 3 asked me to enter my Castaway Club number and before I could look it up, Madison answered. Yes I was then on hold for a half hour as she needed help with my PH request. But I got to listen to Disney music while on hold which brought tears to my eyes. I got the reservation #, my credit card has been charged. Now I am waiting for confirmation email. Then I can send placeholder to Karen, at DU. I know I have to upload some form. Any helpful hints?

All is good! Awaiting 2024 release itineraries!