Onboard "booking"?

[Figee17]

We just got off the Fantasy last week and while we really wanted to book another cruise while on board, nothing fit our schedule and budget. But, the woman at the booking desk encouraged us to put down a $200 refundable deposit that, from what I understand, entitles us to the 10% discount and onboard credit for a future cruise if booked and taken within 2 years. I didn't get much more instruction on it, and, of course, I had waited until the last night and the line was long so I kind of rushed out of there to enjoy the last few hours of my cruise.

Any advice/information on this? TIA!!

 

[Disneyteachers]

I have an additional question...is the two yrs from the time your current cruise starts/ends/something random. Is the 24 mo strict?

 

[dmunsil]

It's exactly what you said - you put down a $200 deposit, you get 10% off a future cruise as long as you take one within 2 years and the cruise is not on a blackout date (generally holidays). Whether or not it's on a blackout date, you also get $100 onboard credit, or $200 for 7+ day cruises, and for 7+ day cruises you only have to supply a 10% deposit instead of 20%. The $200 counts towards your future cruise deposit once you find the cruise you want. And if you never end up taking the cruise (or change your mind), they'll refund your $200 any time.

The 2 years is from the date you put down the $200. It's totally strict.

It's a good deal. I recommend getting it next time.

 

[Figee17]

Awesome! Thanks so much - we DID do it, I just wasn't sure how well it worked (probably shouldn't be admitting that I paid $200 for something I didn't understand but I DID understand that it was refundable and that it was going to make another Disney cruise a tiny bit more affordable!! LOL)

 

[dmunsil]

Awesome! Thanks so much - we DID do it, I just wasn't sure how well it worked (probably shouldn't be admitting that I paid $200 for something I didn't understand but I DID understand that it was refundable and that it was going to make another Disney cruise a tiny bit more affordable!! LOL)

Oh great! It's a good way to save real money. And on a Disney cruise, every little bit helps. Have a great (future) cruise!

One thing to note: it's a good idea to settle on your future cruise as soon as you can (or if you want to take one in Fall 2016 or after, as soon after those cruises are released), because the 10% is off of whatever the prevailing rates are when you book. So booking early plus using the future cruise discount is the best combo.

One nice thing is that you keep the rates from your original booking even if you change categories. So if you originally book an inside cabin and then move up to a verandah, you get the verandah price from the day you booked, not the current price.

 

[Figee17]

Thanks, dmunsil! I assume that I'd have to call DCL vs. booking online?
My issue is choosing a date that works for us and doesn't break the bank - not easy when I have to follow the school schedule (teacher). This year, I took the year off from teaching while we moved our family to another state and the "luxury" of being able to travel at "off-times" was amazing!!!! But, back to the grind...lol.

 

[dmunsil]

Thanks, dmunsil! I assume that I'd have to call DCL vs. booking online?
My issue is choosing a date that works for us and doesn't break the bank - not easy when I have to follow the school schedule (teacher). This year, I took the year off from teaching while we moved our family to another state and the "luxury" of being able to travel at "off-times" was amazing!!!! But, back to the grind...lol.

No you can change it online. You should have gotten a confirmation number, and you can log in to the DCL website and view that reservation, then click the "modify" button to change anything you want/need to change. Personally, I recommend transferring the booking to a good travel agent in order to get some bonus onboard credit, but not everyone likes working with an agent. If you do that, you'll just email the agent once you have that set up, and they'll do whatever needs to be done.

If you need to go during school periods, late summer is probably going to be the cheapest; it's early hurricane season, which depresses demand (which, IMO, is not a huge thing; the number of cruises that have suffered serious issues as a result of a hurricane is miniscule in the grand scheme of things). And it's hot in the Caribbean, and there are lots of other nifty options to choose from in the Northern hemisphere in the summer, like Europe, Canada, the northern US, etc.

The next best is going to be early summer. Basically the earlier or later you go, the fewer kids are out of school and the cheaper the rates go. Spring break and Christmas are going to have eye-poppingly high fares unless your spring break is very different from any other school's.

 

[tltay2005]

We are definitely doing this. Our first cruise is in 26 days and I already have my 2016 date picked out so I can book while on board.

 

[Disneyteachers]

Our first cruise is in 2016 and we totally plan on doing this too! No brainer!

 

[bcwife76]

Our first cruise is in September and I'm 99% sure we will be booking for 2016 while onboard!

 

[Seamama]

We are definitely doing this. Our first cruise is in 26 days and I already have my 2016 date picked out so I can book while on board.

I might be wrong about this (haven't done it myself, but I read a lot here) but I think it's best to book your cruise now (prices are cheapest when they first come out) and then RESHOP while on board. Not sure if that's still true now that they changed to more of a "voucher" system but I wanted to throw that out there...

 

[Seamama]

We just got off the Fantasy last week and while we really wanted to book another cruise while on board, nothing fit our schedule and budget. But, the woman at the booking desk encouraged us to put down a $200 refundable deposit that, from what I understand, entitles us to the 10% discount and onboard credit for a future cruise if booked and taken within 2 years. I didn't get much more instruction on it, and, of course, I had waited until the last night and the line was long so I kind of rushed out of there to enjoy the last few hours of my cruise.

Any advice/information on this? TIA!!

Here's some more info (including a PDF flier from DCL): http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...passengers-option-to-book-a-placeholder-date/

 

[dmunsil]

I might be wrong about this (haven't done it myself, but I read a lot here) but I think it's best to book your cruise now (prices are cheapest when they first come out) and then RESHOP while on board. Not sure if that's still true now that they changed to more of a "voucher" system but I wanted to throw that out there...

That's broadly true. If the cruise you want is out, there's not much downside to booking now, then reshopping once you get on board. The only minor issue would be if you want a very specific room that is hard to get. If you snag it on your initial booking, they can't absolutely guarantee that you'll be able to get it when you reshop. Typically what you do is book a different cabin of the same category when you reshop, then move your old booking to a new cabin, then move your new booking to the (now free) cabin you want, then cancel your old booking. Or some variation thereof.

The thing is, there's always a slim chance someone will swoop in and take your room between the time you let it go from booking 1 and the time you snag it for booking 2. You can minimize this chance by doing the swap at 2 in the morning (or asking your travel agent to handle it). Realistically, it almost always works.

And if you don't have a very specific room need, then there's no downside - book it now, and if it's still worth it, rebook it onboard.

 

[Mel2]

We will be cruising for the first time April 2016 and I'm already adding the onboard booking to our travel budget!

 

[Figee17]

No you can change it online. You should have gotten a confirmation number, and you can log in to the DCL website and view that reservation, then click the "modify" button to change anything you want/need to change. Personally, I recommend transferring the booking to a good travel agent in order to get some bonus onboard credit, but not everyone likes working with an agent. If you do that, you'll just email the agent once you have that set up, and they'll do whatever needs to be done.

If you need to go during school periods, late summer is probably going to be the cheapest; it's early hurricane season, which depresses demand (which, IMO, is not a huge thing; the number of cruises that have suffered serious issues as a result of a hurricane is miniscule in the grand scheme of things). And it's hot in the Caribbean, and there are lots of other nifty options to choose from in the Northern hemisphere in the summer, like Europe, Canada, the northern US, etc.

The next best is going to be early summer. Basically the earlier or later you go, the fewer kids are out of school and the cheaper the rates go. Spring break and Christmas are going to have eye-poppingly high fares unless your spring break is very different from any other school's.

I have a reservation number but the website doesn't seem to recognize it...I put it and my birthday in to the "retrieve your reservation" pop up and the pop up window comes back blank again. Weird.

I'll have to look at summer pricing for 2016, thanks for the info!!!

 

[Wenawen]

Why can't you book Concierge onboard. I would gladly book one and give up the 10% discount. I still get the onboard credit.

 

[Bree]

I have a reservation number but the website doesn't seem to recognize it...I put it and my birthday in to the "retrieve your reservation" pop up and the pop up window comes back blank again. Weird.

I'll have to look at summer pricing for 2016, thanks for the info!!!

Try logging in through the Castaway Club link to view it that way. I have seen a picture of what the new dummy booking looks like via someone in my upcoming cruise group. The date was January 2034, itinerary was a bunch of letters, departure was Port Canaveral, ship was XP and stateroom was GTY.

 

[dmunsil]

Why can't you book Concierge onboard. I would gladly book one and give up the 10% discount. I still get the onboard credit.

You can book concierge onboard, and you do get the onboard credit. However, you don't get a lower deposit or 10% discount, and your deposit is non-refundable. Still, onboard credit is free money, so it's still worth doing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have an additional question...is the two yrs from the time your current cruise starts/ends/something random. Is the 24 mo strict?

The cruise must be completed within 24 months of the original booking date (whatever day you put down the original deposit).

 

[Dug720]

I might be wrong about this (haven't done it myself, but I read a lot here) but I think it's best to book your cruise now (prices are cheapest when they first come out) and then RESHOP while on board. Not sure if that's still true now that they changed to more of a "voucher" system but I wanted to throw that out there...

As I understand it the future cruise voucher ONLY replaces the dummy bookings (which would make non-full cruises appear (and cost) as full). If you know the date you want to sail, you can still book that exact cruise while onboard.