Can you book a future cruise while you are onboard for someone else?

[ReneeQ]

We have been having some family discussion amongst my husband and his siblings about sending their parents on a 7-day Disney cruise next year for their 40th anniversary. Right now it is a surprise.

My husband and I are crusing in Oct. for our 15th anniversary, and have been discussing whether or not to book a future cruise for us while we are onboard. Then I got to thinking, can I also book a cruise for his parents while onboard? Anyone know? Can I book two totally different cruises at different times for us and them? Can I book just one for them and not one for us?

Thanks.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Yes, you can book a cruise for anyone but the down payment has to be paid by you when you book. Also, we were told that once you book the room you can not change who is in the room. So if you book a cruise for your parents and they don't want to go. You woudl have to cancel the cruise and forfiet your onboard credit, it can not be changed into your name. I haven't tried it, that's just what they told us.

 

[DisneyBill]

As stated, you can book for someone while onboard and get any discounts or stateroom credits. The lead person on the ressie cannot change without cancelling. So if you book your DM & DF, your DF could drop off the ressie and your mom could bring say your DS in DF's place.

 

[ReneeQ]

Wow, thanks! I totally expected the answer to be no. Cool!

One more question - how far out are these future cruises that you can book while onboard? Are they within the next year only, or are they available even further out than that, like 2 years?

 

[mommasita]

Wow, thanks! I totally expected the answer to be no. Cool!

One more question - how far out are these future cruises that you can book while onboard? Are they within the next year only, or are they available even further out than that, like 2 years?

As of NOW, you can only book up to 2006...It is reported that soon they will open up 2007..But,you can book a phantom date and then change it, as soon as your dates come out...Many have done this, and some more than once.

When the new dates come out, you just switch your existing ressie without losing any discounts or credits.

 

[ReneeQ]

This just gets better and better! Thanks.

Another question - can the "phantom date" only be for a date that isn't released yet, or could you book a "phantom date" for late 2006, even though those dates are released, because you weren't sure of the date you wanted to cruise yet in late 2006?

 

[Laurabearz]

If I were you, I would try and decide the date now... that way you not only get the booking onboard credit, but you get the early booking prices.

If not, you can switch from one 2006 cruise to another, with what ever price increase or decrease that is applicable.

 

[ReneeQ]

Thanks. Deciding a date to cruise again for my husband and myself isn't a problem. But I'm just checking all options for the in-laws. My husband and his siblings want to send their parents on a Disney cruise for their 40th anniversary, which is Aug 2006. They would probably cruise in Sept 2006. Right now it is a surprise and they have no idea we are planning this.

My father in law is retired, but my mother in law will still be working for 2 more years until she can get Social Security. Since I don't know her exact work schedule now for Sept '06, and since we don't want to tell them yet, was just trying to figure out if I could book it for them while my husband and I are on the Magic in Oct. '05. Then, when we finally tell them about it, probably at Christmas, I could change the date if need be, due to her work schedule.

Thanks!

 

[ReneeQ]

We now have a plan! MILs 60th BD is tomorrow and my husband's sister is in town for this. His other sister (and my husband) all live in town. The other brother lives out of town, so we talked to him on the phone. We discussed and decided tonight that we ARE sending their parents on the 7 day Magic next year for their 40th annivesary. Since 3 of the 4 kids are currently in town, we will make the presentation tomorrow while everyone is together for MILs BD. They won't all be in town again until Christmas.

We will present it with the date open, and give them two months to pick a date, so husband and I can book it when we cruise in Oct. I am so excited, I cannot wait until tomorrow to tell them! They have only cruised once before, I don't even remember the cruise line, in a category 12 (or equivalent). They talk all the time about wanting to cruise again. We are getting them a cabin with a verandah.

Thanks everyone for your help!