How to use an onboard booking placeholder? (Costco? blackout dates?)

[ciniminis]

When I went on my first Disney cruise with my son, I was thinking of it as a "once on a lifetime" activity and didn't buy a placeholder.

I did love it though, and decided to take my parents on this amazing "once on a lifetime" Disney cruise experience too - that was my second time, and still I didn't buy a placeholder.

And what do you know... My mom loved it so much, she brought it up to do it again earlier this year - not that I could have said no to that! This was my third time, and I finally learnt my lesson and booked that placeholder onboard, since it's just silly not saving the money while we're obviously repeat customers! Not sure why it took me so long to realize LOL. And you know what? Having a placeholder definitely helps with that "post-cruise blues" feeling I used to get afterwards!

I have now read through lots of information about onboard booking on this board, but still have a couple of remaining questions:

- How do you tell which future cruises are blackout dates for placeholder benefits?

- When we're ready to book an actual cruise with the placeholder, I'll want to use Costco as TA (same TA as the previous cruise where I bought the placeholder). Can I use Costco's website to reserve the new cruise then call to link things up? Or, do I have to call either Costco or DCL to reserve the new cruise and apply the placeholder, instead of using their website?

Thanks in advance!

 

[LizGirl]

I can't remember on the blackout dates. Maybe they are in the email that was sent with the confirmation?

As for booking, you have to call Costco travel with your reservation number and they will take it from there. I don't believe you can book it online. Did you tell Disney that you want Costco to be your TA again? I think they must assign it OR you have 30 days to get it transferred to Costco.

I booked my placeholder a week ago today and I can't wait to get a real trip on the books! The post-cruise blues are no joke.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, the placeholder has to be transferred to Costco within 30 days. Costco may tell you that they can't transfer if there isn't a date, but if they send you paperwork, you can get them to put their name on the reservation. It won't be in their system until you book something, but as long as DCL has Costco as the TA on their system, you're good. Then, when you want to book, you phone Costco to use that reservation number to book. You don't book on their website. You can use the website to see prices and rooms, but you can also use DCL's site for that.

 

[ciniminis]

the placeholder has to be transferred to Costco within 30 days

Thanks for the tip! On the placeholder form I filled out, there was this question:

"Did you use a travel agent for this cruise? Would you continue using this travel agent for your future booking?"

I circled "YES" for that on the form, but will give DCL a call within the 30 days to make sure Costco made it into their system.

 

[dcassetta]

Thanks for the tip! On the placeholder form I filled out, there was this question:

"Did you use a travel agent for this cruise? Would you continue using this travel agent for your future booking?"

I circled "YES" for that on the form, but will give DCL a call within the 30 days to make sure Costco made it into their system.

I would call Costco to make sure they have it in their system. You will need the Disney confirmation number.

The current blackout list from the DCL Blog - http://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/itineraries/onboard-booking-blockout-sailings/

 

[Geomom]

Blackout dates are generally the cruises during holiday weeks: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and all 2 day cruises. There can be other dates as well.

 

[ciniminis]

The current blackout list from the DCL Blog - http://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/itineraries/onboard-booking-blockout-sailings/

Blackout dates are generally the cruises during holiday weeks: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and all 2 day cruises. There can be other dates as well.

Thank you both, that's very helpful! Wouldn't it be nice if DCL's own website could display blackout info right where you browse through the cruise dates and itineraries though!

 

[Vicki106]

We recently booked a cruise for next Thanksgiving using the placeholder from our August 2018 cruise. Costco is our travel agent. I was sure that the fine print said that Thanksgiving was a blackout week. My husband called Costco and inquired about booking the Thanksgiving 2018 cruise. Costco called DCL and we were very happy when we were told that we could book with our placeholder and obtain the 10% discount on the cruise price. When in doubt call and ask, it is worth a try!