Onboard place holder

[OffToDWD]

We just did a onboard place holder. We won't have a travel agent attached to it. I believe some travel agents offer additional incentives - do you know which ones offer the best incentives for onboard place holders? And if we transfer it to a travel agent, do we still get the money back if we don't use the place holder? Anything we should watch out for? Thanks!

 

[JWG]

You have to transfer it to a travel agent within 30 days (you can transfer the placeholder just as you can a real cruise). You could check a few out to see what their current deals are to understand who has the best and use that to make a decision. Just know that most agents will cut their stateroom incentive in half if you've booked the on board deal as their commission is less when you do so and then transfer it to Disney.

I don't know what filters here may cut out, but we used Small World Vacations and were very happy (they had the better offer at the time). We've also used Dreams Unlimited for a Universal trip and were fine with them as well. Dreams is the sponsor of Disboards.

 

[OffToDWD]

You have to transfer it to a travel agent within 30 days (you can transfer the placeholder just as you can a real cruise). You could check a few out to see what their current deals are to understand who has the best and use that to make a decision. Just know that most agents will cut their stateroom incentive in half if you've booked the on board deal as their commission is less when you do so and then transfer it to Disney.

I don't know what filters here may cut out, but we used Small World Vacations and were very happy (they had the better offer at the time). We've also used Dreams Unlimited for a Universal trip and were fine with them as well. Dreams is the sponsor of Disboards.

Thanks!!

 

[LAX]

We just did a onboard place holder. We won't have a travel agent attached to it. I believe some travel agents offer additional incentives - do you know which ones offer the best incentives for onboard place holders? And if we transfer it to a travel agent, do we still get the money back if we don't use the place holder? Anything we should watch out for? Thanks!

I am a newbie, so take it for what it's worth. From what I have read here, if you don't need a lot of hand-holding, Costco seems to offer the best "deal" for transferring a placeholder/cruise reservation. Most, if not all, of the other TAs would reduce the perks they offer if it's a transferred booking. However, Costco's offer stays the same, but in the form of a cash card and in some states, it can be exchanged for cash.

LAX

 

[dcassetta]

I am a newbie, so take it for what it's worth. From what I have read here, if you don't need a lot of hand-holding, Costco seems to offer the best "deal" for transferring a placeholder/cruise reservation. Most, if not all, of the other TAs would reduce the perks they offer if it's a transferred booking. However, Costco's offer stays the same, but in the form of a cash card and in some states, it can be exchanged for cash.

LAX

This is my experience with Costco also. The 30 day rule is firm, so if you are planning to transfer, you need to start looking into that right away. If you cancel a placeholder, your deposit is refunded, whether you are using a TA or not.

 

[OffToDWD]

Thank you!!! I can just transfer the place holder, right? I don't have to have a specific cruise picked out before I transfer?

 

[dcassetta]

Thank you!!! I can just transfer the place holder, right? I don't have to have a specific cruise picked out before I transfer?

You can with Costco.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Costco will send you a transfer form. You fill out your res. number and check off that you booked on board. Then you sign it and either email a scanned copy back to them or fax it to them (the instructions will be in their email). There is a place for details such as dates, ship and cat, but you can't fill those out without a sailing. I was told to just leave them blank. It takes 3 days for them to get it done once you give them the paperwork, so don't leave it too late.

 

[OffToDWD]

Thanks!! Is it better to book a cruise first with Disney and then transfer to Costco? Or transfer the placeholder and then book with Costco? Or doesn't make a difference! Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks!! Is it better to book a cruise first with Disney and then transfer to Costco? Or transfer the placeholder and then book with Costco? Or doesn't make a difference! Thanks!

When you make an onboard booking (either a placeholder OR an actual reservation) it must be transferred to a TA within 30 days of the booking. Regardless of type of booking.

If you know what cruise you want to take, it's probably best to go ahead and make an actual reservation. If you're unsure what cruise you want to take, just book the placeholder. But, if you want a TA (Costco) to handle the booking, you must either designate them at the time you make the booking onboard, or transfer within 30 days.

 

[OffToDWD]

When you make an onboard booking (either a placeholder OR an actual reservation) it must be transferred to a TA within 30 days of the booking. Regardless of type of booking.

If you know what cruise you want to take, it's probably best to go ahead and make an actual reservation. If you're unsure what cruise you want to take, just book the placeholder. But, if you want a TA (Costco) to handle the booking, you must either designate them at the time you make the booking onboard, or transfer within 30 days.

OK - Thanks!!