New Placeholder Policy

[Dug720]

Another question. Can you still pay the deposit with gift cards?

Pretty sure you can... But hold onto that gift card because if there is a refund it will go right to that card.

 

[NYIceQueen]

I would recommend, however, making sure about this by talking to the insurance people you may be doing business with. Different insurance companies may have different requirements. And I'm not sure how DCL will handle it.

I actually went through DCL because we don't need a medical coverage policy. We already checked with our current insurance provider and DH's coverage provides for international coverage, including medevac, as if it's local in-network. (yep...his benefits are one reason we moved from Florida TO Buffalo LOL)

 

[mmouse37]

bump

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

this COULD speed up the on-board booking process!

Here's hoping!

Absolutely love this change.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Please note while this is a new process for confirming placeholder date reservations, there are no other changes to the current onboard offer policies, including the number of bookings allowed or the need to complete travel within 24 months from the date the reservation is booked.

It just occurred to me...will the 24 month clock start ticking from the day you book the placeholder or the day you actually choose a specific cruise then?

 

[KristiMc]

It just occurred to me...will the 24 month clock start ticking from the day you book the placeholder or the day you actually choose a specific cruise then?

From the date you book the placeholder.

 

[Mommb]

Trip cancellation insurance is not necessary until you have actual expenses you would incur by cancelling your trip. That's why Disney Cruise doesn't actually charge you for insurance until your final payment date. If you cancel a dummy booking, you'll get a full refund of your deposit, so you don't need insurance until after you've chosen a cruise and made your actual payment.

If you have a pre-existing condition that may affect your ability to travel (or require medical care during your cruise), though, it's more complicated. You would need to find your own insurance, because the insurance booked through Disney doesn't cover pre-existing conditions anyhow. Many travel insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions only if the insurance was purchased within a short time after the first payment was made. (Insurance companies don't want you to wait until you're diagnosed with something, then buy trip insurance.)

I would guess that the clock for buying such insurance would begin only when a specific cruise was booked, but obviously if you want to buy insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, you should check with insurance companies as soon as possible after making an onboard booking (or even before your trip), just to be sure what they require.

 

[Kewz1]

Question about the 24month booking policy...

We are cruising May 14-18, 2015. We know we want to take an Alaskan cruise in May 2017. How strict is the rule if our dates fall just slightly past May 18?

I'm just wondering if there is a "grace" period. I'd love to be able to take advantage of this deal.

Thanks,
Kristen

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Question about the 24month booking policy...

We are cruising May 14-18, 2015. We know we want to take an Alaskan cruise in May 2017. How strict is the rule if our dates fall just slightly past May 18?

I'm just wondering if there is a "grace" period. I'd love to be able to take advantage of this deal.

Thanks,
Kristen

No grace period. The cruise must be taken (as in completed) with 24 months of initial payment.

Looks like you'll have to book another cruise to cover it.

 

[Dug720]

Update on the question of "What if I know the date I want?" thanks to my friend who was just on the Fantasy:

If you know the date you want (and it is open for booking) you may book that with the standard OBB deal.
If you don't know the date you want (or it is not open for booking) you may do the $200 placeholder booking.

So yay!! You can do either!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

nevermind, answering wrong question.

 

[Kewz1]

No grace period. The cruise must be taken (as in completed) with 24 months of initial payment.

Looks like you'll have to book another cruise to cover it.

I hate it when that happens!

 

[Saamh]

Does anyone know if I can pay for a placeholder and note a different TA than the one that's listed on the booking I'm sailing on? We're on the transatlantic next month but I've recently switched TAs and have 2 upcoming bookings already booked with my new TA. I don't think I want my placeholder to be assigned to my old TA since when I book using that placeholder I'll want to go through my new TA.

 

[CM Dad]

Does anyone know if I can pay for a placeholder and note a different TA than the one that's listed on the booking I'm sailing on? We're on the transatlantic next month but I've recently switched TAs and have 2 upcoming bookings already booked with my new TA. I don't think I want my placeholder to be assigned to my old TA since when I book using that placeholder I'll want to go through my new TA.

I think you might have to book directly with Disney (no TA assigned) and then transfer to your new TA within 30 days.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's my understanding also. If the current cruise (the one you are making the booking on) was booked with a TA you have to use them or specify none. And then transfer it to whatever (other) TA you wish after you return home.

 

[mkmommy]

Question about the 24month booking policy...

We are cruising May 14-18, 2015. We know we want to take an Alaskan cruise in May 2017. How strict is the rule if our dates fall just slightly past May 18?

I'm just wondering if there is a "grace" period. I'd love to be able to take advantage of this deal.

Thanks,
Kristen

I thought the policy was the cruise must start before the 2 years , so if booked April 1, 2015 the cruise must start by March 31, 2017, or is it the cruise must end by March, 31, 2017?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought the policy was the cruise must start before the 2 years , so if booked April 1, 2015 the cruise must start by March 31, 2017, or is it the cruise must end by March, 31, 2017?

Apparently DCL uses a 730 day calendar. Here's a link to a calculator to figure out when the cruise must be completed by:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/onboard-booking-benefits-expiration-date-calculator/

 

[disneycrazy2004]

This is the email I got regarding my booking.....


"As you may recall, you were advised onboard that in order to maintain the onboard booking benefits you'll need to complete travel within 24 months from the date your reservation was booked, excluding block-out dates*. "

 

[closetmickey]

From the date you book the placeholder.

Is it from the date you book, the date you embark or the date you debark?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it from the date you book, the date you embark or the date you debark?

The date you book.