Doublechecking Placeholder timing

[Rob1872]

OK, a placeholder has to be used within 24 months. I have a cruise next year from May 27-31. Looking ahead, there might be an Alaska cruise in 2021 that if they are on the same schedule would end May 31, 2021. (and just barely give us time for our kids to get out of school and get up for the start.)

Is the 24 months to the start of your next cruise, or end of the next cruise? And is it measured from when we go to the desk or from the end of our initial cruise?

 

[lilsonicfan]

The timing starts from the day you buy it, so waiting till the last possible time is advantageous in your case. The future cruise guy told me that we had to complete sailing by the 24 month date, but from what I've read since, he was wrong (or maybe that isn't what he meant) - you have to commence your cruise by the 24 month date.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OK, a placeholder has to be used within 24 months. I have a cruise next year from May 27-31. Looking ahead, there might be an Alaska cruise in 2021 that if they are on the same schedule would end May 31, 2021. (and just barely give us time for our kids to get out of school and get up for the start.)

Is the 24 months to the start of your next cruise, or end of the next cruise? And is it measured from when we go to the desk or from the end of our initial cruise?

The 24 month clock starts ticking when you put the placeholder payment down. The cruise must begin before the 24 month clock stops ticking.

Here's a handy link to figure out the dates: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cr...-booking-benefits-expiration-date-calculator/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The timing starts from the day you buy it, so waiting till the last possible time is advantageous in your case. The future cruise guy told me that we had to complete sailing by the 24 month date, but from what I've read since, he was wrong (or maybe that isn't what he meant) - you have to commence your cruise by the 24 month date.

It used to be that the future cruise had to be completed by the expiration date. It was changed about a year or so ago (maybe a little more) to the cruise needs to begin by that date.

 

[Rob1872]

It used to be that the future cruise had to be completed by the expiration date. It was changed about a year or so ago (maybe a little more) to the cruise needs to begin by that date.

Outstanding! I thought I had remembered seeing that it had to be completed. If it just has to start, that gives us a little more flexibility. Quick follow-on question. Is the future cruise desk ever open on the disembarkation morning, or do you have to go the last day at sea?

 

[clten]

Future cruise desk is NOT open disembarkation morning. And they are very busy the last night so better to try earlier that day!

 

[Geomom]

They now have placeholder forms that you can just leave at their desk. We actually waited to see someone on our last day at sea, and he said we could have just left it. He processed it the day we got off the ship, which I was surprised about, so we have 1 day longer than I thought we would! I think when they started doing 'placeholders' is when it switched to 'must start by'. We booked our placeholder on 8/14/16--expiration was 8/14/18--used it for a cruise from 8/9-8/16/18 with no issues!

 

[southerngirl528]

Great tips for folks wanting to do an onboard booking or placeholder!

 

[ajo]

They now have placeholder forms that you can just leave at their desk. We actually waited to see someone on our last day at sea, and he said we could have just left it. He processed it the day we got off the ship, which I was surprised about, so we have 1 day longer than I thought we would! I think when they started doing 'placeholders' is when it switched to 'must start by'. We booked our placeholder on 8/14/16--expiration was 8/14/18--used it for a cruise from 8/9-8/16/18 with no issues!

A word of warning about dropping off the form. We had ours “lost” and never got the placeholder confirmation. Luckily for me I remembered the name of the crew member who I gave the form to and the DCL folks and my travel agent were able to eventually get me the placeholder. It was a huge hassle to try and figure out in the weeks after our cruise and I would have spent less time if I had waited in line on the ship!

 

[Dug720]

They now have placeholder forms that you can just leave at their desk. We actually waited to see someone on our last day at sea, and he said we could have just left it. He processed it the day we got off the ship, which I was surprised about, so we have 1 day longer than I thought we would! I think when they started doing 'placeholders' is when it switched to 'must start by'. We booked our placeholder on 8/14/16--expiration was 8/14/18--used it for a cruise from 8/9-8/16/18 with no issues!

I've seen enough reports of people having issues with this - cards being "lost", things not being booked, northings being booked incorrectly - that I'd go early and book in person. And if I got attitude, I'd be at guest services to talk with someone about it. If a person is going to be at the future sales desk, they should be there for anyone who wants to book OR get information about booking - whether it's a placeholder or they have a set date. If DCL wants people to just drop things in a box, then don't bother having anyone in that position and just have a drop box somewhere.