OBB Dummy Date using a travel agent

[robandkelly13]

Hi! We have never used the dummy date option when booking on board. Can someone explain to me how this works? We typically use a travel agent; so, would she take control over the dummy booking or would we be able to secure the future date (when we decide on it) ourselves and then turn it over to the travel agent? Also, if we decided not to use it in the booking window (18 months I believe), woul we get a refund?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi! We have never used the dummy date option when booking on board. Can someone explain to me how this works? We typically use a travel agent; so, would she take control over the dummy booking or would we be able to secure the future date (when we decide on it) ourselves and then turn it over to the travel agent? Also, if we decided not to use it in the booking window (18 months I believe), woul we get a refund?

Thanks!

It's no longer a dummy date booking. DCL has the option of booking a "placeholder". You put a deposit down and it must be designated for a specific cruise within 24 months (that is, the cruise must be within 24 months).

You can specific a TA at the time of booking the placeholder, or (I believe) at the time you actually select a cruise. Or you can book a specific cruise onboard (if you know which one you want) and either specify the TA at the time of the booking or transfer it to a TA later (within 30 days). Be aware any TA perks may be reduced on a transferred booking.

 

[robandkelly13]

Thanks! I meant to write placeholder; I got my terms confused. We have 3 future sailings booked, but I hate to get off one cruise without another booked; however, I am not sure which dates will work quite yet. So, a place holder sounds like the way to go, and 24 months is much better than the 18 months I was thinking

Can anyone confirm that I can wait to assign a TA until the Placeholder date is set? Also, if you have done this, was the process a smooth one?

 

[lanejudy]

Can anyone confirm that I can wait to assign a TA until the Placeholder date is set? Also, if you have done this, was the process a smooth one?

I believe it must be transferred within 30 days of booking the placeholder, whether you assign it to a specific date or not. I've heard some TAs make you turn it into a "dummy" (Costco maybe?) but others are able to deal with the placeholder until you choose a date.

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe it must be transferred within 30 days of booking the placeholder, whether you assign it to a specific date or not. I've heard some TAs make you turn it into a "dummy" (Costco maybe?) but others are able to deal with the placeholder until you choose a date.

Enjoy your cruises!

Good to know, I wasn't sure on that.

 

[CM Dad]

You can specific a TA at the time of booking the placeholder, or (I believe) at the time you actually select a cruise. Or you can book a specific cruise onboard (if you know which one you want) and either specify the TA at the time of the booking or transfer it to a TA later (within 30 days). Be aware any TA perks may be reduced on a transferred booking.

I believe you must transfer the placeholder to a TA within 30 days of making the placeholder reservation. Also, I know that Dreams Unlimited (https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/specials.htm) offers reduced shipboard credit for transferred OR onboard bookings (even if DU is named when you make the onboard booking).

 

[ajo]

I believe it must be transferred within 30 days of booking the placeholder, whether you assign it to a specific date or not. I've heard some TAs make you turn it into a "dummy" (Costco maybe?) but others are able to deal with the placeholder until you choose a date.

Enjoy your cruises!

IME Costco was just fine with a placeholder cruise that I booked onboard and we later changed to a specific sailing.

 

[lanejudy]

IME Costco was just fine with a placeholder cruise that I booked onboard and we later changed to a specific sailing.

Thanks for correcting that. It must be some other TA that I've read about.

 

[Flossbolna]

Can anyone confirm that I can wait to assign a TA until the Placeholder date is set? Also, if you have done this, was the process a smooth one?

Why do you not want to assign your travel agent to the placeholder from the start? I have done this multiple times. Itis just like a normal booking and your travel agent will be named on it. My travel agent has always been great to turn it into a real booking once we had dates to use the placeholder for.

 

[princessmommyx3]

Last time we were onboard, about a year ago, we were on a cruise that we had not used a TA for. While at the future cruise desk, I asked if I could assign the new placeholder to a TA and they said no, that I could only do that if the cruise that I was currently on had also been through that TA. And, that if the current cruise had been booked through a TA, I could only assign that same TA to the new OBB and not switch to a different one. So, we just did the OBB placeholder and then when I got home I transferred it to a TA within 30 days. Not sure if anyone else has had this happen or not......

 

[lanejudy]

DCL restricted the ability to name a TA to an OBB (or placeholder) maybe a couple of years ago. You can only name a TA for an OBB if that same TA handled your current cruise. Otherwise, if you want to change the TA or name a new TA, you'll have to book without a TA and transfer it after the cruise. Be aware that transferred reservations may result in decreased OBC offered by a TA.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[hanscarlet]

I just did this with our TA, I believe I gave our TA my reservation number and name and they just were able to book it. It was a very easy process. I got my reservation # from logging on to the website and going to the castaway club section of the website to see "my cruises" and my placeholder res# showed up there. It has to be within 30 days of booking the placeholder.