Cruises released while onboard

[mkh531]

So it looks like there's a good chance that 2019 cruises will be released while we are onboard in a few weeks. Is there a stampede to the Onboard Booking center if dates are released while onboard? Last cruise I knew exactly what we would book as soon as we got onboard and we didn't have to wait long to do OBB. I'm not even sure if we will reserve again, but do want to have my ducks in a row. Any advice?

 

[Budzooka]

Haven’t been onboard when itinieraeies are released before, but my experience has been that it’s a mad rush the last day because everybody waits until the last minute. I’ve always gone early and it hasn’t been a problem. I doubt it will be that different, but not sure.

 

[Babysaurs]

We were on board oct 2016 when itinerates were released, from memory there were quite a few people waiting the first time we went too book which I think was our last day of the cruise. So we ended up coming back later that I think or later that day. Morning was busy but arvo was better.

 

[Shanti]

No experience with this, but I have a feeling that most cruisers wouldn't even be aware of the new itineraries coming out. I've never seen more than a 1 or 2 person line at the Future Cruises Desk, at any time of any of our cruises.

I recommend at least getting a placeholder (on the last full day of your cruise, to maximize the placeholder's longevity), because it can be so valuable if you later decide to book a cruise. You have two years to use it, so if you're interested enough in DCL to post on these boards, you should get a placeholder.

 

[mkh531]

I recommend at least getting a placeholder (on the last full day of your cruise, to maximize the placeholder's longevity), because it can be so valuable if you later decide to book a cruise. You have two years to use it, so if you're interested in DCL enuogh to post on these boards, you should get a placeholder.

So I'm a iittle confused between a placeholder vs a downpayment on an actual cruise. A placeholder reserves you a 10% discount on a future cruise, within the next two years? so how much does that cost?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So I'm a iittle confused between a placeholder vs a downpayment on an actual cruise. A placeholder reserves you a 10% discount on a future cruise, within the next two years? so how much does that cost?

$250 per room. You can book up to 2 placeholders. Both must be used on the same future cruise (within 24 months of placeholder booking) to be eligible for the onboard booking perks.

 

[beachdrmn]

Also the placeholder is refundable if you don’t use it within two years.

 

[Shanti]

So I'm a iittle confused between a placeholder vs a downpayment on an actual cruise. A placeholder reserves you a 10% discount on a future cruise, within the next two years? so how much does that cost?

$250 for a placeholder. You get 10% off the cruise (as long as it's not a blockout date and you're not sailing concierge), and you get a $200 onboard credit for sailings of 7+ nights, and a $100 onboard credit for sailings of 6 nights or less.

You get the exact same benefits for booking a cruise onboard. A placeholder is just for when there is no cruise out that you currently want. They're both fully refundable, so as I said in my prior post, if you like sailing DCL, you should get one of them.

 

[mkh531]

Wow, thanks, everyone. We will definitely book a placeholder. This makes it so much easier than trying to plan another cruise right now when I need to focus on packing!

 

[lcvb]

Just off the Dream, not sure how recently they changed this because 2 years ago I had to stand in line but, you scan your ship card and reserve a spot. You then get a msg on your wave phone or the navigator app that you are next up.

 

[mab2012]

Wow, thanks, everyone. We will definitely book a placeholder. This makes it so much easier than trying to plan another cruise right now when I need to focus on packing!

Just keep in mind that if the new itineraries *are* released while you're on board, and if you have any idea what you might be interested in, it might be in your best interest to book the actual cruise onboard instead of a placeholder. I'd just be concerned that prices could rise before you can get home and figure out what you want to do, especially if you're likely to travel at a busy time. If you do book something and then change your mind, you'll have plenty of time to modify or cancel without penalty (except maybe concierge bookings - they're less flexible).

Have a great trip!

 

[mab2012]

Just off the Dream, not sure how recently they changed this because 2 years ago I had to stand in line but, you scan your ship card and reserve a spot. You then get a msg on your wave phone or the navigator app that you are next up.

Nice! I waited (and waited, and waited) on Fantasy last March. And it is so painful, because most people have no idea what they want to book, so they take forever. I really wished they had a "placeholder only" line; the placeholders take about 2 minutes to book, since they already have all your information. It was my own fault though. I knew I should have done it earlier in the cruise. This new process sounds far more pleasant!

 

[olafLover]

.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Just keep in mind that if the new itineraries *are* released while you're on board, and if you have any idea what you might be interested in, it might be in your best interest to book the actual cruise onboard instead of a placeholder. I'd just be concerned that prices could rise before you can get home and figure out what you want to do, especially if you're likely to travel at a busy time. If you do book something and then change your mind, you'll have plenty of time to modify or cancel without penalty (except maybe concierge bookings - they're less flexible).

Have a great trip!

I agree with this.

Also, the castmembers working the future cruise desk will process first-day bookings for platinum, gold, and silver CC members as they become open up on consecutive days. On the Wonder EBPC last October-November, the early-2019 itineraries were released. We were able to look at the listings and complete a request form to book as platinum, so we got first-day pricing. The castmember who took our request said she would process them right away on opening day in the order in which passengers had submitted them. We gave her four different alternative stateroom choices and were booked into our first choice.

 

[mkh531]

Just keep in mind that if the new itineraries *are* released while you're on board, and if you have any idea what you might be interested in, it might be in your best interest to book the actual cruise onboard instead of a placeholder. I'd just be concerned that prices could rise before you can get home and figure out what you want to do, especially if you're likely to travel at a busy time. If you do book something and then change your mind, you'll have plenty of time to modify or cancel without penalty (except maybe concierge bookings - they're less flexible).

Have a great trip!

Thank you!!! This is great advice. I am Bringing the school calendar for 2018-2019, thankfully it was just finalized!

 

[Trera]

Thank you!!! This is great advice. I am Bringing the school calendar for 2018-2019, thankfully it was just finalized!

We were on the Magic 2 years ago when the new itineraries were released and I grabbed a coffee and headed to the booking desk about 20 min before it opened and was the first one there. When the CM showed up I gave her my sailing date and room preference and she booked it and I was gone in just a few minutes.

Keep in mind the booking desk on board opens an hour before it opens up for everyone else trying to book. It was the easiest opening day booking I have ever done and got exactly what I wanted.

Good Luck!

 

[shoes99]

We were on the Fantasy in October 2017 when the early 2019 WBPC came out. We are platinum
but went to the future cruise desk on the morning of the 2nd day the cruise was released and
we were shut out of any accessible cabin. Disappointed, so if you want a hard to get cruise go there
early and even fill out the cruise request form asap and take it with you. The fantasy did have the
kiosk that you log in and wait for your name to be called up on the tv monitors.. I've been watching the
Feb 2019 WBPC and only cat 7 is a GTY, all other cabins are sold out. I did get opening day pricing
so that was a good thing now we wait to see if an HA cabin opens up.
This cruise leaves from Port Canaveral and ends in San Diego, ca

 

[mareed]

We were on the Fantasy in October 2017 when the early 2019 WBPC came out. We are platinum
but went to the future cruise desk on the morning of the 2nd day the cruise was released and
we were shut out of any accessible cabin.

I was on the Wonder EBPC when this came out and it was crazy busy since there are so many PC repeat cruisers! I had a placeholder and my TA at home booked it for me on Platinum day with no trouble. There were 2 CM's working the future cruise desk that cruise.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Is there some sort of announcement for newly released itineraries while onboard?

 

[tutumomickey]

We knew cruises were being released in the middle of our last Panama canal cruise. Went to the OBB desk early in cruise and filled out the quote card for the agent. On opening day we slept in, enjoyed our day spent no time on hold on the phone and the quote card was in our room that evening. She had put a hold on the room for us and we had 48 hours put down the reduced deposit. Best opening day booking ever. Almost enough to chose my next cruise to be sure I'm on board on opening day!