Explain procedure for opening day of bookings?

[kodes]

I'm not booking tomorrow as I am hoping for a March 2017 cruise, but I am curious after reading a thread that said there were hundreds of calls in line. What do you do if you want to book on opening day - do you call in and book, then transfer reservation to an agent for on board credit or whatever... or do you rely on the agent to book on opening day?

 

[3Down1Up]

If you have an agent you trust and knows Disney to get through on opening day, then use the agent and save the time on hold LOL. Although I was only on hold for 30 minutes today - not as bad as others.

 

[kodes]

Thanks! I've never cruised with DCL before and being on these boards makes me feel like if I don't get through in the first hour, the price will be ridiculous afterward!

 

[su_A_ve]

If you are Gold/Platinum, you have to call in (or have the TA do it for you). But Silver or first timers can simply do it online. Much easier than calling.

That said, March 2017 when/where matters. If you are looking at a cruise during school days, and/or a 3 or 4 night, there's nothing for you to worry. These don't change the prices for a while.

The ones that fill up are the new itineraries or those during school holidays (xmas, new years, spring break, summer, etc).

Regarding transferring after to a TA, you can do this up to 30 days after making your reservation, however, you will more than likely loose some/most/all of your on board credits (typically it's half). So if it's a long cruise where you would get a considerable OBC, you should contact a TA ahead of time and have them switch it for you on opening day.

 

[kodes]

Oh thanks very much! I thought from my very brief glance at some of the popular TA's that even transferring a cruise on the day of booking would mean losing half the OBC so thanks for the info. March 2017 is spring break for us here in Canada (or my part of Canada at least) but it's mid to late March, which is probably not spring break for most of the US.

 

[su_A_ve]

Oh thanks very much! I thought from my very brief glance at some of the popular TA's that even transferring a cruise on the day of booking would mean losing half the OBC so thanks for the info. March 2017 is spring break for us here in Canada (or my part of Canada at least) but it's mid to late March, which is probably not spring break for most of the US.

Mid march is typically college spring break. Take a look at cruisefish for historical prices. Hover over the categories to see any price changes. A brief look at mid march Fantasy for this past March doesn't show any changes.