Question about booking future cruise on board

[Paddle_Nut]

We put a $250 deposit on a future cruise while on our cruise this past week and are now done. We were told we would receive an email regarding how to book. We have not received one yet. When should we expect to get this? We didn't select a particular sail date as we were told we didn't have to do that at that time. TIA!
Karla

 

[clten]

I have booked several placeholder cruises (which is what you booked) and never received any follow-up on how to transfer it to an actual date. Don't know why they would have told you that you would be getting an e-mail letting you know. Did they give you your booking number? That may be what they thought would be e-mailed to you but I've never gotten that either. If you have your booking #, the only way to move it to a real sailing is to contact DCL - or if using a travel agent, have them contact DCL. You cannot modify a placeholder online. If you don't have your booking #, you can look on DCL website in the Castaway section, under future cruises and the placeholder will be listed there (think it lists it with a date in 2032!)

 

[Paddle_Nut]

T

I have booked several placeholder cruises (which is what you booked) and never received any follow-up on how to transfer it to an actual date. Don't know why they would have told you that you would be getting an e-mail letting you know. Did they give you your booking number? That may be what they thought would be e-mailed to you but I've never gotten that either. If you have your booking #, the only way to move it to a real sailing is to contact DCL - or if using a travel agent, have them contact DCL. You cannot modify a placeholder online. If you don't have your booking #, you can look on DCL website in the Castaway section, under future cruises and the placeholder will be listed there (think it lists it with a date in 2032!)

thank you! I found it! Now I can relax!!
Karla

 

[Drusilla99]

I booked a cruise with an actual date last week while onboard for next summer. I still haven't received any type of email confirming my booking, but the booking shows up on my cruise reservation page, so it must be set.

 

[moogiepet]

Is there any benefit to booking a place holder as opposed to booking a "dummy date" that you know you're going to be changing?

Last year, we booked a dummy date & before we decided to change it, they turned it into a SWDAS cruise, so we decided to keep it!

 

[ajo]

Is there any benefit to booking a place holder as opposed to booking a "dummy date" that you know you're going to be changing?

Last year, we booked a dummy date & before we decided to change it, they turned it into a SWDAS cruise, so we decided to keep it!

The $250 deposit for the placeholder will most likely be cheaper than the deposit you would be required to pay if you picked a specific cruise as a dummy date. So, the question is whether you want to hold on to the difference or let it ride with DCL.

 

[Mrslissaaa]

Do you save any money by booking on board?

 

[CM Dad]

Is there any benefit to booking a place holder as opposed to booking a "dummy date" that you know you're going to be changing?

Last year, we booked a dummy date & before we decided to change it, they turned it into a SWDAS cruise, so we decided to keep it!

I have used a TA for most of my cruises. We had a some placeholders that we wanted her to convert to real cruises on opening day for an upcoming family cruise for out 40th anniversary. This was 4 placeholders for our adult children and their families. She recommended that she convert the placeholders to a cheap cruise before opening day so that she could use the website to then change to the desired date on opening day. If they had remained placeholders, she would have had to phone in and wait for an available cast member to do the conversion and she knew how busy they are on opening day. The placeholder for my wife and I was left as a placeholder, since we could book the day before opening day, and that can only be done on the phone anyway.

I don't know of any other benefit.

 

[ajo]

Do you save any money by booking on board?

You get 10% off the cruise fare and an onboard credit ($100 for 3-6 nights or $200 for 7+ nights). And for the 7+ night cruises, you pay a 10% deposit instead of 20%.

 

[su_A_ve]

You get 10% off the cruise fare and an onboard credit ($100 for 3-6 nights or $200 for 7+ nights). And for the 7+ night cruises, you pay a 10% deposit instead of 20%.

And you can still name a TA and get their on board credits. Note that now you would get half of what you would get if you book directly with them.

 

[disneyfab]

I have used a TA for most of my cruises. We had a some placeholders that we wanted her to convert to real cruises on opening day for an upcoming family cruise for out 40th anniversary. This was 4 placeholders for our adult children and their families. She recommended that she convert the placeholders to a cheap cruise before opening day so that she could use the website to then change to the desired date on opening day. If they had remained placeholders, she would have had to phone in and wait for an available cast member to do the conversion and she knew how busy they are on opening day. The placeholder for my wife and I was left as a placeholder, since we could book the day before opening day, and that can only be done on the phone anyway.

I don't know of any other benefit.

Does booking this way affect your discounted amount? Do you only get the 10% off the cheaper cruise or does the 10% follow your changes and can be applied to another cruise?

And you can still name a TA and get their on board credits. Note that now you would get half of what you would get if you book directly with them.

I noticed that you only get half - is it because you get the 10% off?

 

[CM Dad]

I have used a TA for most of my cruises. We had a some placeholders that we wanted her to convert to real cruises on opening day for an upcoming family cruise for out 40th anniversary. This was 4 placeholders for our adult children and their families. She recommended that she convert the placeholders to a cheap cruise before opening day so that she could use the website to then change to the desired date on opening day. If they had remained placeholders, she would have had to phone in and wait for an available cast member to do the conversion and she knew how busy they are on opening day. The placeholder for my wife and I was left as a placeholder, since we could book the day before opening day, and that can only be done on the phone anyway.

Does booking this way affect your discounted amount? Do you only get the 10% off the cheaper cruise or does the 10% follow your changes and can be applied to another cruise?

As long as you keep the same reservation number and change to a new date (don't cancel and book a new cruise) you keep the on board booking benefit. You just have to make sure that you start your eventual cruise within 24 months of when you booked onboard.

 

[Luvmypetz]

I will have gift cards and dream dollars that I will bring to guest services Day 1. We spend very little besides auto gratuities so there may be some money left. Can some of the placeholder be paid for that way, the rest on cc on file?

 

[cwpoll]

We used a mickey travels travel agent to book the cruise using the discount. Worked like a charm. Getting ready to sail 30 weeks from today. can't wait.