Booked on opening day for summer 2018. Now what??

[LAX]

I made a reservation for a June 2018 itinerary on opening day. I know I need to transfer the reservation to Costco within 30 days if I want to get a cash card. Besides that and the PIF date (some time in April of next year), what are some important dates that I should be aware of? Plus, what do you suggest I should do before transferring the reservation?

I welcome any suggestion as it will be our first ever cruise on any cruise line. TIA.

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I made a reservation for a June 2018 itinerary on opening day. I know I need to transfer the reservation to Costco within 30 days if I want to get a cash card. Besides that and the PIF date (some time in April of next year), what are some important dates that I should be aware of? Plus, what do you suggest I should do before transferring the reservation?

I welcome any suggestion as it will be our first ever cruise on any cruise line. TIA.

LAX

You need to know when you online check in/excursion and activity booking windows open. For first time DCL cruises this is 75 days out from your cruise.

 

[havaneselover]

PIF with Costco will be earlier. My cruise is 8/20/18 and my PIF day is 4/8/18.

Not sure how you plan on paying but I pay with gift cards (Kroger fuel points) deposited in my DVA ($20 off $1000 through the end of this year--account has to be open 120 days before spending). Anyway my point is I start paying now to smooth out my free gas and cash flows and take advantage of the DVA bonus.

 

[Disneypeach]

I think Costco pulled my PIF funds (credit card) automatically 2 weeks prior to DCL's PIF date to give them/me time to fix things if an issue developed. Transferring a booking to them was also easy, just fill out a form and send it back within 30 days of booking.

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

[Shanti]

I made a reservation for a June 2018 itinerary on opening day. I know I need to transfer the reservation to Costco within 30 days if I want to get a cash card. Besides that and the PIF date (some time in April of next year), what are some important dates that I should be aware of? Plus, what do you suggest I should do before transferring the reservation?

I welcome any suggestion as it will be our first ever cruise on any cruise line. TIA.

LAX

Request main dining (as opposed to late dining) if you'd rather have dinner at 5:45pm than 8:15pm.

 

[LAX]

I think Costco pulled my PIF funds (credit card) automatically 2 weeks prior to DCL's PIF date to give them/me time to fix things if an issue developed. Transferring a booking to them was also easy, just fill out a form and send it back within 30 days of booking.

Hope you have a great cruise!

Wait! There is a form for the transfer? I better get things rolling so that I don't miss the deadline. Thanks for the heads up.

Request main dining (as opposed to late dining) if you'd rather have dinner at 5:45pm than 8:15pm.

Already did shortly after I booked. Thanks anyway.

PIF with Costco will be earlier. My cruise is 8/20/18 and my PIF day is 4/8/18.

Not sure how you plan on paying but I pay with gift cards (Kroger fuel points) deposited in my DVA ($20 off $1000 through the end of this year--account has to be open 120 days before spending). Anyway my point is I start paying now to smooth out my free gas and cash flows and take advantage of the DVA bonus.

That's my plan as well! I need to watch those 4X fuel points promo more closely now.

LAX

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You may wish to consider third-party trip/medical insurance. If you want it, and you buy it soon (10-days?) after your booking, you will be covered for pre-existing conditions as well as other things. Even better than the cancellation protection, in my opinion is the medical coverage, as many US insurances don't cover things in other countries.

 

[havaneselover]

You may wish to consider third-party trip/medical insurance. If you want it, and you buy it soon (10-days?) after your booking, you will be covered for pre-existing conditions as well as other things. Even better than the cancellation protection, in my opinion is the medical coverage, as many US insurances don't cover things in other countries.

I bought mine from Travel Guard (special Costco policy). Has to be purchased within 21 days to cover pre-existing conditions. Rate for my 74 year old mom was a ton better than what I would pay elsewhere.

 

[Shanti]

Wait! There is a form for the transfer? I better get things rolling so that I don't miss the deadline. Thanks for the heads up.



Already did shortly after I booked. Thanks anyway.



That's my plan as well! I need to watch those 4X fuel points promo more closely now.

LAX

If you want to book a hotel or flights via DCL, sooner is better than later.

 

[LAX]

I have read somewhere about rotating dining, is that something I need to request?

LAX

 

[Dug720]

I have read somewhere about rotating dining, is that something I need to request?

LAX

Nope. Each ship has 3 main dining rooms and you will rotate through them with your servers. It's automatic - EVERYONE has it.

 

[LAX]

Nope. Each ship has 3 main dining rooms and you will rotate through them with your servers. It's automatic - EVERYONE has it.

Thanks.

LAX

 

[cgolf]

Congrats on booking your first. Best advice I can give is to not over plan your first trip. In a way I am glad we weren't on the boards before our first trip.

Onboard don't try to pack every activity you can into your day or you run the risk of the trip flying bye and being exhausted at the end of each day. On future cruises you can do the stuff you missed out on.

Also don't forget to book a placeholder thing to get the discount for the next cruise.

Find your chill out spot on the ship to relax and forget about life a For us that is deck 4, it is really nice to be out of touch for a bit