Booking Place Holder Reservations on DCL and Travel Agents

[BWV Dreamin]

Hello, so I have some questions regarding booking a place holder reservation while onboard during my next cruise.

My travel agent says that Disney has changed the OBC that TA's can give if I book onboard AND give their names during that booking. I don't know all of the particulars since this will be my first time, but I think I get a 10% discount on the cruise price, OBC from Disney (how much? $100?) and a reduced amount required for the deposit. My TA says even if I use their name at the time of this reservation, their agency can only give me 1/2 of their regular OBC if I book this way.

I want to book a place holder for an upcoming Panama Canal cruise. I'm thinking I will still save more booking a place holder and transferring to my TA rather than getting the full OBC from my TA's agency. Plus I want her to book on opening day to get the lowest price.

Will all of that, I'm thinking I should still book the place holder, get the Disney discounts, transfer to TA, and book this cruise on opening day through my TA(with the place holder reservation) and that will definitely save me more than losing out on 50% of the agency OBC.

Advice appreciated!!!!!TIA

 

[Geomom]

If the cruise you are going on was booked with the TA you want, you can just name them as your TA when you make the placeholder on board, no need to transfer the reservation. (Would you like to keep this TA that was named on your current reservation? was the question I was asked.) The placeholder is $250/stateroom and this counts towards your deposit when you change the placeholder into an actual cruise reservation. In general, you will save more by doing the placeholder than just booking straight with the TA. Disney gives you 10% off a future cruise plus an OBC of $100 for cruises under 7 nts and $200 for cruises 7 nights or more. (Blackout dates do not get the 10% off--that is generally holiday times and 2 nt cruises.) The deposit is also only 10% on cruises of 7 nts or more. Yes, the TA's are giving 1/2 their regular OBC to placeholder and transferred bookings.

 

[cscream13]

This is consistent with my experience using our most recent OBB. We booked a placeholder when we were on the Dream in February 2017 and then just used it to book an October 2017 cruise -- and suddenly the OBC my TA could offer was much reduced from years past (and other cruise lines).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

If the cruise you are going on was booked with the TA you want, you can just name them as your TA when you make the placeholder on board, no need to transfer the reservation. (Would you like to keep this TA that was named on your current reservation? was the question I was asked.) The placeholder is $250/stateroom and this counts towards your deposit when you change the placeholder into an actual cruise reservation. In general, you will save more by doing the placeholder than just booking straight with the TA. Disney gives you 10% off a future cruise plus an OBC of $100 for cruises under 7 nts and $200 for cruises 7 nights or more. (Blackout dates do not get the 10% off--that is generally holiday times and 2 nt cruises.) The deposit is also only 10% on cruises of 7 nts or more. Yes, the TA's are giving 1/2 their regular OBC to placeholder and transferred bookings.

Thank you! No I don't want to use the TA that booked this upcoming cruise. The one I want to use DID book my spring BAJA cruise, but I fear the new sailings will be out before I take that cruise (We sail May 13). So, to change that TA, I think I need to book it myself, then transfer it over to my desired TA, correct? The one I want to use said Disney won't switch the TA upon booking, I'll have to transfer it to her after I get off the ship. Correct? I don't know why I can't just put it in her name from the git go but she says DIsney won't do it.

 

[Geomom]

Thank you! No I don't want to use the TA that booked this upcoming cruise. The one I want to use DID book my spring BAJA cruise, but I fear the new sailings will be out before I take that cruise (We sail May 13). So, to change that TA, I think I need to book it myself, then transfer it over to my desired TA, correct? The one I want to use said Disney won't switch the TA upon booking, I'll have to transfer it to her after I get off the ship. Correct? I don't know why I can't just put it in her name from the git go but she says DIsney won't do it.

Yes, that sounds correct...I suppose you could always ask to list a different TA at the desk, but just expect them to say 'no'.

 

[hanscarlet]

the OBC from a TA is at the discretion of the TA because it comes out of a TA's commission on the booking... DCL pays a reduced commission on placeholder cruises so typically TAs give a reduced OBC, it's still always cheaper to book with a placeholder for the 10% savings is what I find usually

 

[FigmentSpark]

You can ask them to list 'no TA'. They did that for us and when I got back home, I moved it to where I wanted it.

 

[wanderlust7]

Costco is still giving the full Costco cash card (about 7.5% of cruise cost) for placeholders if you want to go that route.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't know why I can't just put it in her name from the git go but she says DIsney won't do it.

The TA is correct, DCL won't do that. They will list the TA of record for the current cruise, or no TA (and you transfer once you get home). There were problems a few years ago where TA's were assigned even though guests didn't want to use a TA, then the TA didn't want to release the reservation, etc. So DCL made the rule that you can only list a TA on an OBC if that same TA handled the current cruise.

PP is correct about the reduced commission structure, which I believe went into effect last year. So, yes, it's possible a TA used to give more OBC.

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Costco is still giving the full Costco cash card (about 7.5% of cruise cost) for placeholders if you want to go that route.

Do you have to be a member of Costco to use their travel services?

 

[wanderlust7]

Do you have to be a member of Costco to use their travel services?

Yes, you need to be a member to get the Costco cash card. Membership is $60/year.