Discount for Placeholder

[KashasMom]

Is the discount for a placeholder cruise 10% of listed price? How do you find our the black-out dates?

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

When the new iteniraries come out DCL lists blackout dates. For 7 night cruises the deposit is 10%. For shorter cruises the deposit is regular amount.

 

[KashasMom]

The discount for the cruise, not the deposit.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The discount for the cruise, not the deposit.

The discount for any onboard booking (placeholder or specific cruise) is 10%.

I find the blackout dates on http://disneycruiselineblog.com/ Just do a search for black out dates

 

[DisneyConvert]

Is the discount for a placeholder cruise 10% of listed price? How do you find our the black-out dates?

I learned this (slowly, painfully) from my wife over our past few cruises.

Start here: By paying a deposit for an upcoming cruise while one is on-board, a party can qualify for a 10% discount on a future cruise. So, if a 3-person, Category 9-B cruise for a 4-day Bahamian is currently listed at $4,000, it would then cost $3,600 . . . And yes, the deposit on a $3,600 cruise is 20% or $720.

Important Exception: Not all future cruises allow for the 10% on-board booking discount. For example, I noticed the Summer 2018 Bahamian Cruises with 2 visits to Castaway Cay did NOT. Many, most of the higher-priced European cruises DO offer these 10% on-board discounts, and if one is in position to consider doing one of these, booking from an on-board reservation is an excellent savings strategy.

So here's the trick: DCL is incredibly flexible, and, can-I-say, generous when it comes to both refunding and here's-the-big-catch transferring deposits. Once one has booked a "placeholder" cruise, we put up 20% of some phantom cruise when we were on the Wonder in February; it cost us $250. That might have been a 3-day Bahamian, cruise of one person in an 11-C stateroom for all we cared, it was our placeholder that helped us "lock-in" a 10% discount on a future cruise.

And the payoff: So a month or so ago, when the Summer 2018 cruises went on sale, we transferred the reservation on the placeholder to the 10-day Norwegian Fjords - Iceland cruise we really wanted and, yes, retained the full 10% discount off the opening day rates. The deposit for that cruise is $758 more than the $250 we already paid, so we had to pay that of course. The upside of giving DCL $1,000 over a year before we take our cruise is a) the 10% savings on a substantial vacation; and b) getting close-to-1st-choice on the stateroom of our choice. We love the modest discount for Navigator's Verandah and find that Deck 7 - Aft (Catg 7A on Deck 7 - Aft !) on the smaller ships works incredibly well.

Another flexibility is using the Disney Visa which currently gives one 6 months to pay any DCL Vacation (not on-board fees) charges. So we got that going for us, which is nice.

Of course, all deposits are completely refundable. We had to do that last year when my wife lost her job and we weren't sure if a PCEB would be prudent (We went to DisneyLand instead).

So, I think this is how placeholders work. Corrections welcome.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Of course, all deposits are completely refundable.

Except for Concierge deposits.

 

[ajo]

I learned this (slowly, painfully) from my wife over our past few cruises.

Start here: By paying a deposit for an upcoming cruise while one is on-board, a party can qualify for a 10% discount on a future cruise. So, if a 3-person, Category 9-B cruise for a 4-day Bahamian is currently listed at $4,000, it would then cost $3,600 . . . And yes, the deposit on a $3,600 cruise is 20% or $720.

Important Exception: Not all future cruises allow for the 10% on-board booking discount. For example, I noticed the Summer 2018 Bahamian Cruises with 2 visits to Castaway Cay did NOT. Many, most of the higher-priced European cruises DO offer these 10% on-board discounts, and if one is in position to consider doing one of these, booking from an on-board reservation is an excellent savings strategy.

So here's the trick: DCL is incredibly flexible, and, can-I-say, generous when it comes to both refunding and here's-the-big-catch transferring deposits. Once one has booked a "placeholder" cruise, we put up 20% of some phantom cruise when we were on the Wonder in February; it cost us $250. That might have been a 3-day Bahamian, cruise of one person in an 11-C stateroom for all we cared, it was our placeholder that helped us "lock-in" a 10% discount on a future cruise.

And the payoff: So a month or so ago, when the Summer 2018 cruises went on sale, we transferred the reservation on the placeholder to the 10-day Norwegian Fjords - Iceland cruise we really wanted and, yes, retained the full 10% discount off the opening day rates. The deposit for that cruise is $758 more than the $250 we already paid, so we had to pay that of course. The upside of giving DCL $1,000 over a year before we take our cruise is a) the 10% savings on a substantial vacation; and b) getting close-to-1st-choice on the stateroom of our choice. We love the modest discount for Navigator's Verandah and find that Deck 7 - Aft (Catg 7A on Deck 7 - Aft !) on the smaller ships works incredibly well.

Another flexibility is using the Disney Visa which currently gives one 6 months to pay any DCL Vacation (not on-board fees) charges. So we got that going for us, which is nice.

Of course, all deposits are completely refundable. We had to do that last year when my wife lost her job and we weren't sure if a PCEB would be prudent (We went to DisneyLand instead).

So, I think this is how placeholders work. Corrections welcome.

Only two of the 2018 summer DD cruises are blackout dates — June 29 and July 4. You can use the 10% OBB on any of the other DD cruises.

 

[Geomom]

Just to add on to others comments: the 10% OBB is just off the fares, not the port fees/taxes.
Blackout dates are usually around holidays--Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. AND all 2 day cruises are blacked out.

You also get OBC of $100 for cruises less than 7 days, $200 for 7 days or more.

 

[KristiMc]

Another flexibility is using the Disney Visa which currently gives one 6 months to pay any DCL Vacation (not on-board fees) charges. So we got that going for us, which is nice.

Call DCL BEFORE your cruise and add credit to your account using your Disney Visa and you will get the 0%/6 months perk.

 

[Justacruiser]

Talking about PLACEHOLDERS, DCL allows you for $250, place a PLACEHOLDER while on board. You do not have to spend your time or the cast members time picking a cruise that will allow you to pay the least. Just information the booking agent on board that you want a placeholder cruise and they will charge the $250. Once off board and you decide the cruise, you can contact DCL and use the placeholder. You will probably owe some for the required deposit, but they can take care of that with you.

I also love the reduced discount sell. (not really) It is actually not a sell, you are just may be paying less up front. By the way, the get the refund back if you cancel outside the PIF date. DCL is good about giving us perceived discounts, when actually there is none.

just my thoughts....

 

[DisneyConvert]

Call DCL BEFORE your cruise and add credit to your account using your Disney Visa and you will get the 0%/6 months perk.

This is a good point, and is similar to the reason we have recently included estd. gratuities ($12/day per passenger) and other known charges, e.g, PCnvrl transfers in the original resv's.

No more $50 Onboard Credit when booking with the Disney Visa, but there are some merchandise and spa discounts.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Also, did we mention the $50 Onboard Credit one gets when booking with the Disney Visa?

I thought they took that away?

 

[lanejudy]

Also, did we mention the $50 Onboard Credit one gets when booking with the Disney Visa?

I thought they took that away?

That $50 offer is no longer valid. The 2017 offer for Disney Visa cardholders includes some onboard discounts.
https://disneyrewards.com/disney-cruise-line/

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[KdKyA]

Talking about PLACEHOLDERS, DCL allows you for $250, place a PLACEHOLDER while on board. You do not have to spend your time or the cast members time picking a cruise that will allow you to pay the least. Just information the booking agent on board that you want a placeholder cruise and they will charge the $250. Once off board and you decide the cruise, you can contact DCL and use the placeholder. You will probably owe some for the required deposit, but they can take care of that with you.

I also love the reduced discount sell. (not really) It is actually not a sell, you are just may be paying less up front. By the way, the get the refund back if you cancel outside the PIF date. DCL is good about giving us perceived discounts, when actually there is none.

just my thoughts....

Well it still helps. A lot of people can easily make payments up to the PIF date without an issue, but coming up with $2000 up front could be an issue. Easier to come up with $1,000 than twice that. Yes it still costs the same in the end, but it makes it easier to book.

 

[Dug720]

Well it still helps. A lot of people can easily make payments up to the PIF date without an issue, but coming up with $2000 up front could be an issue. Easier to come up with $1,000 than twice that. Yes it still costs the same in the end, but it makes it easier to book.

Plus if you know the cruise you want to take, the silliness of a placeholder just takes up MORE time.

I have never had to wait for the onboard sales person - of course I also do it as soon as possible and try to get there right when they open up. I have the dates and the cabin category if not cabin number I want, have my gift card with more than enough for the deposit, we get the information in, and I'm done. Easy peasy.

 

[KashasMom]

Plus if you know the cruise you want to take, the silliness of a placeholder just takes up MORE time.

I have never had to wait for the onboard sales person - of course I also do it as soon as possible and try to get there right when they open up. I have the dates and the cabin category if not cabin number I want, have my gift card with more than enough for the deposit, we get the information in, and I'm done. Easy peasy.

What is the silliness of a placeholder? If Disney can't get their act together and get their itineraries out in a reasonable amount of time then some people have no choice to use a placeholder, which actually takes up almost no time since you fill out a card at your convenience and leave it in the box at the future cruise desk.

 

[Dug720]

What is the silliness of a placeholder? If Disney can't get their act together and get their itineraries out in a reasonable amount of time then some people have no choice to use a placeholder, which actually takes up almost no time since you fill out a card at your convenience and leave it in the box at the future cruise desk.

And then deal with the stress others on here have had that their card got lost.

I make my plans and book accordingly. Not for some "maybe someday if" kind of thing.

 

[jenc842]

Talking about PLACEHOLDERS, DCL allows you for $250, place a PLACEHOLDER while on board. You do not have to spend your time or the cast members time picking a cruise that will allow you to pay the least. Just information the booking agent on board that you want a placeholder cruise and they will charge the $250. Once off board and you decide the cruise, you can contact DCL and use the placeholder. You will probably owe some for the required deposit, but they can take care of that with you.

I also love the reduced discount sell. (not really) It is actually not a sell, you are just may be paying less up front. By the way, the get the refund back if you cancel outside the PIF date. DCL is good about giving us perceived discounts, when actually there is none.

just my thoughts....

so just to make sure - placeholders refundable if you decide you won't sail within 24 months.
if you DO pick a date on board, then you are simply just putting the 20% deposit of the cruise assuming its <7 nts (no $250 deposit in play?)??

 

[dcassetta]

so just to make sure - placeholders refundable if you decide you won't sail within 24 months.
if you DO pick a date on board, then you are simply just putting the 20% deposit of the cruise assuming its <7 nts (no $250 deposit in play?)??

Yes, placeholders are refundable.
If you pick a specific date, then you pay the deposit for that sailing, which will vary based on date, stateroom chosen and party size. If you do not pick a specific date, you pay a $250 placeholder deposit.

 

[jenc842]

Yes, placeholders are refundable.
If you pick a specific date, then you pay the deposit for that sailing, which will vary based on date, stateroom chosen and party size. If you do not pick a specific date, you pay a $250 placeholder deposit.

and if we do choose a date, we can change the date while retaining the 10% discount?
have you ever put down a placeholder for another family? our friends want to go but not sure if we can put their names without ours.
sorry for all the questions!