Oh did I goof...

[thinkoflaura]

OP here, Just wanted to post an update...

It's been 4 months since our cruise and no discount has been offered to us. We received our "silver" level magnets, but no discount post card. I've called multiple times and no luck. I'm really bummed because the whole family has unanimously declared that they want to cruise again. So, lesson learned.... Next time, I will book a placeholder while on board.

DO NOT beat yourself up! The truth is, with all the blackout dates restricting where you can apply your OBB discount, you might find yourself better off just booking your next dream cruise as soon as dates get released.

 

[Quellman]

I believe you can fill out a form at the future cruise desk to book a placeholder cruise. This will save you from waiting in line. I believe there are signs at the future cruise desks that explain this.

MUN

I know when you posted this back in October, it was true, but OP was sailing on the Dream. There are no longer forms in which you can just fill out and drop off. You must visit the new 'vacation planning center.' If there is a line, you can input your information and they will call you on your wave phone when your appointment is ready, at which time you return and go front of the line.

You would think that they could just use the iPad that you sign up with, to put in your information and have it charge you the place holder right then and there. They could then just call and confirm later. But it is what it is.

OP here, Just wanted to post an update...

It's been 4 months since our cruise and no discount has been offered to us. We received our "silver" level magnets, but no discount post card. I've called multiple times and no luck. I'm really bummed because the whole family has unanimously declared that they want to cruise again. So, lesson learned.... Next time, I will book a placeholder while on board.

Super tough luck. Maybe you will be able to take advantage of some of the on board credits offered by some of the travel companies instead to help offset some of your future costs.

 

[Jennifer777]

We had a different issue. We booked a 5 day cruise on board to get the discount and then found out less than a month after we got home that we weren't going to be able to do that one, and thought it may be as long as 2 yrs before we could cruise again. We didn't want to have a nearly $700 deposit sitting out there that long so we called to cancel. Shortly after canceling, we found out they had started this placeholder option that was actually available when we had canceled, the CM just never told us about it. We called to see if we could get that, after all, $200 is far more reasonable than $700. Had we been made aware of this option, we would have done it in a heartbeat. I called twice and they wouldn't budge. Emailed them expressing my disappointment that, even after we explained to the CM when we canceled that the large deposit combined with not knowing when we could cruise again were our only reasons for canceling, she never mentioned the placeholder option. They called to tell me they were sorry, but no OBB discount/placeholder for us. We've also never received a discount offer in the mail. We paid full price for the cruise we're taking in March even though we've taken 2 Disney Cruises in less than 2 years.

I understand not giving it to someone who hasn't cruised recently but give people a short grace period to book something once they get home for crying out loud. Your time on the ship is so limited to begin with, who wants to waste it standing in line at the OBB desk? I learned my lesson and will be filling out the placeholder card in our room as soon as we unpack this time so it doesn't happen again.

 

[party-of-five]

Not the end of the world, just bummed to know I left money on the table.

I didn't notice any forms, but I didn't really look for them either. Those 4 nights went by WAY too fast! I would have loved a grace period to come home and think it over. I've said as much to the CM's I've spoken to. DH and I chose cruise for that vacation because it was our anniversary and we wanted to give it a try. I never in a million years would have thought the kids would pick a cruise over the parks for future vacations!

Just wanted to give an update that despite making the calls, despite waiting 4 months, I haven't been offered a discount.