Multiple family planning question about placeholder

[my523]

We are planning a multi-family cruise next year. My in-laws have a 2 room placeholder from their previous cruise. 3 adults, 2 kids were on that trip. The placeholder is with DCL.
My family is 2 adults and 5 kids, we we need 2 rooms no matter what. I would love to book through Costco for the shop cash.
The current plan is to have one of their adults (my MIL) in one of our rooms so that we can utilize one of the placeholders.
I’m already assuming this means we can’t book it as connecting on one reservation, which is fine.
Is it possible for the room with half my kids and my MIL be linked to my 2nd room after booking? Is this still possible if I book one through Costco while the first is booked through DCL?

 

[lanejudy]

When did your IL's make the placeholder? If it was more than 30 days ago it cannot be transferred to Costco. You'll need to decide which is the better savings option -- the placeholder discount or the Costco shop card.

Each stateroom always has it's own reservation number but you should be able to book connecting rooms. Any rooms (up to a max of 4 or 5) can be linked after booking, regardless of how booked.

 

[my523]

When did your IL's make the placeholder? If it was more than 30 days ago it cannot be transferred to Costco. You'll need to decide which is the better savings option -- the placeholder discount or the Costco shop card.

Each stateroom always has it's own reservation number but you should be able to book connecting rooms. Any rooms (up to a max of 4 or 5) can be linked after booking, regardless of how booked.

It was more than 30 days ago for sure. We know that they would need to book direct. I would plan to book the other one of my family’s rooms via Costco. Would that work? To clarify, the other family of 4 is also going, so they will use the other placeholder.

It sounds like you are saying it is possible to do the following:
Room 1 - book 2 adult, 2 kids directly though DCL for placeholder discount
Room 2 - book 1 adult, 4 kids directly through DCL for placeholder discount (my kids)
Room 3 - book 2 adults, 1 kid through Costco (my kids and adults)
Then, link rooms 2 and 3 so that we can connect staterooms, reservations, etc.

Please correct me if I’m working or that doesn’t make sense! I appreciate the help!

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, you should be able to do that. If you want all staterooms near each other check the deck plans and availability together in advance. Then I suggest having MIL make the 2 reservations using the placeholder and you can then book through Costco and get near or connecting.

I'm pretty sure linking can be done through the DCL app which will have you together for dinner and allow booking excursions, etc.

It looks like you have most of your kids in with grandma. You don't mention their ages but be aware 1) they will need to go to muster with her and 2) she will have to give you (the parents) permission to take the kids off the ship. Not hard and not a problem, though if the kids are little you may want them with you for muster/emergency. Just something to of which to be aware.

 

[sponica]

If you want room 2 and room 3 connected physically, timing is more important than anything. I would book rooms 1-3 at the same time then transfer room 3 to costco after you've booked.

On the sailings my mom comes with us, I book her room at the same time I book mine to guarantee connecting rooms. Then I give her the reservation number so she can link it to her account (sometimes it's automatically linked, sometimes it isn't)

 

[lanejudy]

I would book rooms 1-3 at the same time then transfer room 3 to costco after you've booked.

good idea!

 

[my523]

Yes, you should be able to do that. If you want all staterooms near each other check the deck plans and availability together in advance. Then I suggest having MIL make the 2 reservations using the placeholder and you can then book through Costco and get near or connecting.

Can my sister in law book for my MIL? Since they were all together on the original cruise that got them the placeholder? My MIL is not able to book due to language barrier.

It looks like you have most of your kids in with grandma. You don't mention their ages but be aware 1) they will need to go to muster with her and 2) she will have to give you (the parents) permission to take the kids off the ship. Not hard and not a problem, though if the kids are little you may want them with you for muster/emergency. Just something to of which to be aware.

Oh, I did not know this! Yes, neither of us would feel comfortable with her doing this on her own. I was trying to figure out how to save the most money with placement of everyone. I can just move myself as another adult to that room. So we can all be moved around.

 

[lanejudy]

Can my sister in law book for my MIL? Since they were all together on the original cruise that got them the placeholder? My MIL is not able to book due to language barrier.

Sure, SIL or MIL or even you if you have access to MIL's DCL account.