Bounceback / Onboard Placeholder Details?

[twinsouvenirs]

I filled out one of the little placeholder booking slips onboard and didn't hear anything for a few days--then about 3 days after the cruise got a confirmation email!

The only problem is I had basically no details about what it entails. And since I was booking a placeholder, I just selected one stateroom and included the same traveling party.

My questions:

• What does the bounceback entail? I think it is a 10% deposit, and 10% off the total cruise price of a booking within 2 yrs of the end date of your sailing. Is that right?
• Once you select a party, can you later sub someone out, or are the names totally fixed? (i.e. bring my mom instead of my husband?)
• Is there any option of adding a second stateroom at the discount later, or would that have had to be done on board?

Any other details you think I should know, or challenges you may have encountered that might help me strategize, would be appreciated. I think I'm going to make a fall 2018 booking as a placeholder until spring 2019 dates are released.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

10% deposit is for 7 night and longer cruises. You cannot add a second room after you leave the ship.

 

[Dug720]

You have to either book an actual reservation or the placeholder (they don't really call it "bounce back" on the cruise line) while on board. No going back later and getting it - hence the term On Board Booking.

 

[Mommb]

Once you have a placeholder, there is no need to select a specific sailing until you are sure of what you want. That is, if you're waiting for Spring 2019 dates, you don't need to select a date until the cruise you want is available. If you select an actual sailing that departs less than 2 years from the date you booked the placeholder (which may or may not be the same as the end date of your sailing), you will get a 10% discount for booking onboard.

When you select a specific date, you will need to pay an additional deposit if the deposit amount is greater than the $250 deposit you already paid for the placeholder. The deposit is 20% for cruises less than 7 nights, and 10% for cruises of 7 nights or more (if they are within 2 years of the placeholder booking).

When you select a specific sailing, you will lock in the rates for that sailing as of the date you selected it. So, if you intend to take a cruise in fall 2018 if the spring 2019 cruises don't interest you, then it might be worth booking a 2018 cruise now in case prices go up. If you have no intention of taking a fall 2018 cruise, there's no advantage to booking one.

I am not sure of the effects of changing the travelling party. I'm sure you can do it, but I'm not sure whether a new person would get the 10% discount for the onboard booking and reduced deposit for a longer cruise.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Isn't there an on board credit that goes with the OBB/placeholder, too?

 

[Dug720]

Isn't there an on board credit that goes with the OBB/placeholder, too?

Yes. $100 for shorter cruises and $200 for 7-nights or longer. (Per cabin)

 

[lanejudy]

OBB benefits:

• 10% discount off cruise fare (does not include taxes, port fees, etc.)
• Onboard credit (OBC) of $200 for cruises of 7+ nights and $100 for shorter cruises
• Reduced deposit (10% deposit) for cruises of 7+ nights; shorter cruises will require the standard 20% deposit. NOTE that if you end up defaulting or cancelling within the penalty period, the full 20% will be the penalty regardless of a reduced deposit.
• Must be used on a sailing that departs within 24 months of the date you booked the OBB - check your paperwork if unsure of the date it was processed.
• Blackout dates apply, though I believe you still get the OBC just no discounted fare.
• You cannot add a 2nd stateroom. I believe you can change names but additional guests may not receive the discount, plus guests added after you select a date are subject to current fare pricing not necessarily the fare you booked.

Enjoy your cruise!