Book cruise not then rebook on ship for discount- possible?

[hollypoast]

I just learned that we may be in Europe next summer. I'd love to take a Disney European cruise.

I am assuming this is not possible--
Can I book the cruise now and then rebook when we are on our cruise this fall to get the 10% discount? If not, is it best to just book now or wait until our cruise in October to book for next summer?

What would you do???

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, you can do this. Just be aware that the price of your European cruise might have gone up by the time you sail in October. In general, its best to book early and then re-shop when on board to see if you can get a better price.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As PP mentioned, it is possible. But you have to pay the prevailing fare at the time of rebooking less 10%. If fares go up more than 10% in the meantime, you will be better off keeping your original booking.

 

[hollypoast]

Thank you! So nice to come here and get a quick question answered!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I did this last year. I booked my Norway cruise when they came out. When I went on my Alaskan cruise, I reshopped my Norway cruise and was able to still save several hundred dollars even though the price had gone up. When you reshop you will need to make an entirely new booking. Then, when you get home you will cancel your old reservation. You can move your stateroom to the new reservation if you want. Beware, if there was a specific room you wanted and there are no remaining rooms available in that category, you will not be able to rebook for the discount and OBB in that category. Does that make sense?

 

[tinkerone]

as long as you do not have a travel agent and you book it yourself just take a copy of your reservation with you and give it to the future cruise agent. they will just do their magic with the price and obc, you will not have to come home and cancel your old reservation. they will do it all. if you do book through a t.a. then you may have to have two reservations till you get home and speak with your t.a. as the ob staff can't change another agents booking.

we do this every year. last year when we booked, the category i wanted and had pre-booked, was not available (8A) so they booked me a new reservation (4A) for which i paid a new deposit. we had b2b's booked so we had to do this for 2 bookings. when i got home i called dcl and was able to have them cancel our original 8A reservations and then pick it back up with the new 4A reservations numbers allowing me to keep the 8A and still get the discount. it sounds confusing but it really was very easy.

 

[SillyInventor]

Best strategy is:
1. Book on opening day (or asap after that) to lock in the lowest possible "regular price" as well as a specific stateroom and dining time.
2. Once on board the first cruise: check with the future cruise desk if rebooking saves money. Prices go up when the Ships fill, so if the price went up 10% or more since you booked then OBB would not benefit you and you leave the existing reservation. If prices didn't rise you can rebook your future cruise while onboard and save the money. You never loose this way.

There have been reports on the DIS of future cruise desk CM's messing up a reservation when replacing with the OBB, so always check your final reservation before leaving the Ship to avoid long and awkward calls with the DCL call centre. If it's not ok then go back to the future cruise desk and have it fixed.

 

[SwimMom2]

Aren't the European cruises exempt from the onboard booking discount for 2016?

It never hurts to ask, but I recall this being the case when I booked a placeholder in June.

 

[Ofinn]

Aren't the European cruises exempt from the onboard booking discount for 2016?

It never hurts to ask, but I recall this being the case when I booked a placeholder in June.

Only a couple of the European cruises are blocked out. The 12 day med and the British Isles. Could be one more but I can't remember.

 

[SwimMom2]

I checked the brochure I have and the Magic blackout dates are 3/20, 3/24, 6/5, 7/13, 8/1, 10/2, 10/7, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/20, 12/23, 12/30.

So it looks like there are a few applicable cruises.

 

[hollypoast]

I checked the brochure I have and the Magic blackout dates are 3/20, 3/24, 6/5, 7/13, 8/1, 10/2, 10/7, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/20, 12/23, 12/30.

So it looks like there are a few applicable cruises.

Perfect! My dates are not lists so this is good news! Thank you.