Can you get credit for a cruise you purchase but don't use?

[Rob1872]

OK, I know this sounds weird, but hear me out.

We are booked for the Dream in May 2019. My wife and kids want to do Alaska in summer of 2021.

My wife also prefers to delay until July for the Alaska cruise (i.e. peak time $$$); however, that would push us past 24 months from our next cruise.

Using the current 2019 prices as a guide, it appears that it could be cheaper to me to book an inexpensive 3 night Port Canaveral or 2 night San Diego cruise for 2 that we don't use in 2020 just to be able to get the 10% discount and OBC for the very expensive Alaska cruise in summer 2021. (That is, the cost of the inside cabin off-season short cruise is less than 10% of a verandah peak-season Alaska cruise.)

If I were to do an actual cruise and make the booking for 4 and include airfare to Florida, etc. then it costs more. (I'm sure that the predominant response will be to take the extra cruise in 2020 anyways; however, I just wanted to know if there would be any way to book a placeholder on a cruise that you were not physically onboard.)

 

[Dug720]

No. You have to take the cruise to get credit. It is the same on all lines, hotels, airlines, etc.

 

[Rob1872]

Oh well; it was a creative, "out of the box" thought!!!

Thanks.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As Dug720 said, you have to actually take the cruise. There's no way to make an onboard booking without actually being onboard.

 

[Dug720]

As Dug720 said, you have to actually take the cruise. There's no way to make an onboard booking without actually being onboard.

That too. I was just thinking someone wanted to move up in Castaway Club status.

 

[Ben E N]

Could one of us go for you and book a new cruise in your name, or does it all have to be in the same name?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Could one of us go for you and book a new cruise in your name, or does it all have to be in the same name?

I believe you could only do that if you were also going to be taking the same cruise that you would be booking for the OP. I don't know if it is still this way, but at least at one point there was an option to make an onboard booking for family or friends who would be traveling with you on the same cruise you were making an OBB for.

 

[FigmentSpark]

OK, I know this sounds weird, but hear me out.

We are booked for the Dream in May 2019. My wife and kids want to do Alaska in summer of 2021.

My wife also prefers to delay until July for the Alaska cruise (i.e. peak time $$$); however, that would push us past 24 months from our next cruise.

Using the current 2019 prices as a guide, it appears that it could be cheaper to me to book an inexpensive 3 night Port Canaveral or 2 night San Diego cruise for 2 that we don't use in 2020 just to be able to get the 10% discount and OBC for the very expensive Alaska cruise in summer 2021. (That is, the cost of the inside cabin off-season short cruise is less than 10% of a verandah peak-season Alaska cruise.)

If I were to do an actual cruise and make the booking for 4 and include airfare to Florida, etc. then it costs more. (I'm sure that the predominant response will be to take the extra cruise in 2020 anyways; however, I just wanted to know if there would be any way to book a placeholder on a cruise that you were not physically onboard.)

Why do all four of you have to go on the quickie cruise? What if just you and your DW goes to get the placeholder? Or, send DW and a friend/relative (with a separate address) who will pay half and each can book 2 placeholders for the Alaska cruise.

 

[AngelDisney]

Please note that the placeholder perk doesn’t apply to 2-night cruises.

 

[Dug720]

Please note that the placeholder perk doesn’t apply to 2-night cruises.

Right.

But you could book a placeholder on board a 2-night, so I think that the OP was thinking they would waste money (and let a cabin sail empty - affecting the tips of the servers/host) and book a 2-night but not take it.

Not sure how they thought they were going to book onboard without being onboard though.