on-board ship credit question

[sartini-co]

We are booked for our first cruise Oct 9, 2004. I have heard and seen on other web sites, that there is a special 'First-time Cruise' on-board credit of $50 available. Also, a 'Referral Shipboard Credit' of $50 available. We have mentioned it to our TA, and they are denying these exists (they, meaning TA and DCL). Can someone clear up the existence of these credits that are available. I had heard that the code is CTC.

 

[aprilgail2]

The code used to be REF for first time cruisers but not sure if that is still in use

 

[traycie2201]

Hi, i'm also going on that cruise and had heard the same thing, however i rang member services yesterday ( DVC) and they rang through to the cruise who said there are no credits available like this , the only one they would advise of is if you were to book another cruise onboard. let me know if you find a code that works as onboard credit sure would help. see you in october.

 

[starboard]

Sometimes onboard credits are offered by your travel agent, as an incentive to book with them or from the cruise line directly.

Some agents give customers gifts or take that money and put it towards an onboard credit or reduce the cruisefare itself.

Be sure to shop around for your cruises before purchasing. Buying from a large cruise broker can save you hundreds per person in some cases.

 

[mcorbo]

I believe that the on board credit for first time cruisers/referrals expired and is no longer available. This promo was supposed to only be valid at the time of initial booking though.

Current code DCC is for Disney Visa card holders and will get them $50 on board credit if they pay in full with their Disney Visa Card.

 

[sartini-co]

mcorbo,

thanks for the info.

traycie2201,

see you in Oct. Since we have never cruised with DCL before, could you explain the benefits ($$) of booking another cruise while onboard. Also, are there any restrictions on this? ie, must be within X-months, must be a like cruise (days, persons). Thanks in advance.

 

[crisi]

The most recent deal (AFAIK) on onboard booking is 10% a seven day cruise, plus a shipboard credit of $200 (?) per stateroom.

3 and 4 day cruises have a smaller shipboard credit, but no discount on the cost of the cruise.

You can book whatever cruise you want, and if you want, move the dates around later. For instance, we booked a cruise for October 2005, but have no intention of cruising then. Apparently, we can rebook for 2006 when the dates are released with the same credit and discount (the rates, however, may be adjusted).

 

[sartini-co]

crisi,

you answered my next question already, which was 'can we change our dates, once booked onboard, since next year's school schedule is still up in the air?'. Thanks.

I assume then, we could always cancel the booking too. Then, why wouldn't everyone rebook, if they even had the tiniest of inkling they would want to go again? Do most people rebook onboard?

 

[crisi]

Because you need to give them $250 dollars. And I think technically its $250 a person (that's what we did, and that's what my paperwork says, but the person booking did say we could hold it with just $250). Not everyone has an extra grand lying around after going on vacation.

And because you do need to go a little out of your way to do it and make an effort to swing by the desk and do it. It apparently can get busy the final sea day of your cruise, and some people don't want to wait and don't plan ahead to do it early.