Booking on board then transferring to a travel agent

[Cackyschmackers]

And this is in addition to the OBB OBC?

So, for a 7+ night cruise at a cost of $5000 the stateroom would get $200+$125?

And does the rate stay the same with the 10% discount?

Yes. But we have always done this at the Future Cruise desk on board and named our TA. I didn't read all the above threads, so not sure if you are talking about a future cruise you are going on or a current placeholder (I've never done a placeholder so i don't know anything about those).

 

[Geomom]

And this is in addition to the OBB OBC?

So, for a 7+ night cruise at a cost of $5000 the stateroom would get $200+$125?

And does the rate stay the same with the 10% discount?

Yes, you'd get your 10% off, the $200 OBC for a cruise of 7 nts or more ($100 for cruises under 7 nts) AND the Dreams Unlimited OBC that you circled. You get both because one is from Disney and the other is basically a 'gift' from Dreams Unlimited. Back when you could get the $50 OBC with the Disney Visa (eventually for beverages only), you couldn't combine THAT with your OBB benefits--I think because they are both Disney branded. One other benefit with Dreams Unlimited is that they will send you a gift basket (if you live in the US or Canada) before your cruise with various things you might need on a cruise. It's just a fun little thing to get in the mail before the cruise. I found it a very a nice gesture that leaves you feeling good about the company.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

It is actually much less complicated to book a placeholder. That way you still have the benefits and time frame of 24 months to book. The confirmation/reservation number is the same whether it is a placeholder or an actual booked cruise.
Placeholder confirmation number ABC1234 is still going to be actual cruise confirmation number ABC1234.

When you are ready to use the placeholder you call DCL and give them that confirmation number as well as what actual date you want to sail. The number is now attached to a real cruise and you have not had to book a phony date knowing you are going to change it.

Not unless she booked you on the cruise you are on. They will ask you if you want to retain the agent on file but they cannot add one.

This is what I mean by I don't see why they care. Why don't they just let you name the new agent instead of creating an extra step?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Yes, you'd get your 10% off, the $200 OBC for a cruise of 7 nts or more ($100 for cruises under 7 nts) AND the Dreams Unlimited OBC that you circled.

Then yeah, I agree that sounds like a good deal. So long as I would continue to get 10% off and not lose my OBB OBC then I can't think of a reason I wouldn't transfer it. I've always been under the impression I couldnt combine the OBCs.

Thanks again, I'll give DU a call.

 

[hanscarlet]

yes my understanding is both, you get the OBC from Disney from the placeholder and an additional credit from your TA... the credit from the TA just wouldn't be the normal amount because of the reduced commission... interesting to hear that there are some agencies that are more public about the amount of OBC they give... it always seems very hush hush in most conversations I've been a part of

eta: even though I've transferred my placeholder to a TA, I've still done everything myself, special requests and bookings like on board fun, PAT, etc, I don't feel like I've given up control, jmho

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Then yeah, I agree that sounds like a good deal. So long as I would continue to get 10% off and not lose my OBB OBC then I can't think of a reason I wouldn't transfer it. I've always been under the impression I couldnt combine the OBCs.

Thanks again, I'll give DU a call.

It "pays" to ask!

Completely forgot about the gift basket perq... we have absolutely used every single thing in them on board!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

yes my understanding is both, you get the OBC from Disney from the placeholder and an additional credit from your TA... the credit from the TA just wouldn't be the normal amount because of the reduced commission... interesting to hear that there are some agencies that are more public about the amount of OBC they give... it always seems very hush hush in most conversations I've been a part of

eta: even though I've transferred my placeholder to a TA, I've still done everything myself, special requests and bookings like on board fun, PAT, etc, I don't feel like I've given up control, jmho

It's actually right on their cruise front page and is also an ad on these Boards. I've booked on other cruise lines with DU and have gotten the same OBC.

 

[lanejudy]

This is what I mean by I don't see why they care. Why don't they just let you name the new agent instead of creating an extra step?

They used to allow you to name any TA when doing an OBB. However a few years ago there were some problems with reservations going to the wrong TA or something. Once a reservation is given to a TA, that TA essentially owns the reservation and must officially release it for another TA to take over. So when/if mix-ups occur, it potentially can create quite a messy situation if the TA with ownership refuses to release the reservation. DCL has removed themselves from that equation by only allowing guests to name the same TA as the current sailing. At least, that's my understanding of why you cannot change TAs or name a new TA to an OBB.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I didn't read all the posts, so sorry if this has been said.

To book a placeholder with Costco as the TA when you haven't previously used Costco: Book the placeholder, telling DCL that you don't want a TA named. When you get home, contact Costco and tell them you want to transfer a booking to them. They'll send you an email, you fill out the paperwork and send it back. A few days later, you'll phone Costco and they'll tell you that they can't put a placeholder in their system because, essentially, there is no cruise to list. As long as they've sent that paperwork to DCL, you're fine. You call DCL and check if Costco is named as the TA on your reservations (which will be on your Castaway Club page, if you didn't get any emails or paperwork with them). If they tell you that Costco has been listed as the TA, you don't need to do anything else until you're ready to book. When it comes time to book, you call Costco and tell them you have a reservation with them and you want to use it to book the new cruise. They will find that number and book it for you. That's it. After the cruise, you get your very nice Costco gift card in the mail, which can be used at both the store or at their online site.

 

[KashasMom]

so I booked a place holder on our last cruise. The dates to the cruise I wanted to sail were not released yet. When the dates were released I bought my tickets with my place holder and then called to transfer my booking to Costco. Disney then explains I could not do this because the 30 day count down starts when I bought the place holder. I could swear I see people booking on board and using it a year later still being able to transfer..... what did I do wrong?

This happened to us as well and actually I was pretty annoyed since no one mentioned there was a 30 day window. We may have gotten an OBC from our TA but I really just wanted her to get the "credit" for the booking (she's excellent).

 

[Sytrace]

This is what I mean by I don't see why they care. Why don't they just let you name the new agent instead of creating an extra step?

I would imagine that it has to do with being able to verify and list every single travel agent in their files. TA's need to take and pass training via Disney in order to be able to sell and book for the company incuding cruises. They are only able to assign the booking to the agent who has already noted as the agent used prior on the ship. They have no way of verifiying that the agent you want to transfer to has been qualified to sell Disney travel. The 30 day transfer process gives them ample opportunity to check the certification of the agent/agency before putting them in charge of the reservation and paying them commission.