Two Completely Different Questions

[ChicosWife]

First: Other than the decreased deposit and OBC, are the actual cruise prices cheaper? We cruise in 2016 and I want to wait until 2018 itineraries come out to see when (we know where) we want to go. How does that work?

Second: Anyone ever use those waterproof/see-through pouches for your cellphones while at the port excursions? The ones where you can still take pictures through them while it's still in the pouch.

Okay, so I think that was actually 3 questions, but who's counting?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

First: Other than the decreased deposit and OBC, are the actual cruise prices cheaper?

Yes. 10% off prevailing rates (unless it's a black out date).

 

[Starwind]

Regarding the waterproof pouches, yes, but I only use quality brand name ones, not cheap knock-offs. Loksak ( http://loksak.com/civilian/ ). Aquapac ( http://store.aquapac.net/ ). I would not trust anything else.

My preference, though, is to:

Either leave the cell phone on the ship locked in the safe, or put the cell phone in a Loksak or Aquapac but do NOT use it as a camera in wet situations.

For wet situations (rain, swimming, might get dropped overboard) we bring a digital camera designed to be waterproof. The brand name camera manufacturers all have decent ones now. Deisigned to be waterproof to a specified depth, shockproof (i.e. can drop it from a certain height), dustproof, freezeproof (to a certain temperature), etc. We have used two Olympus models and been very happy with them. And they have survived various "bad things" happening to them where we are very glad it was a camera designed to survive that than a smartphone not designed to (even if the smartphone lives inside an Otterbox and is inside a Loksak).

We bring multiple SD cards for the camera and swap them out during the trip -- one way of insuraing only so many pictures would be "lost" should something happen to the camera.

I would much rather lose or damage a camera that is a fraction of the cost of the smartphone and only has pictures on it than a smartphone that has not just pictures but lots of information too. However, when a separate camera is not an option, Loksak or Aquapac (I have and use both).

SW

 

[over50visits]

First: Other than the decreased deposit and OBC, are the actual cruise prices cheaper?

For On Board Booking, what you pay is not 10% off current rates, but 10% off the cruise portion of the rates (which is almost all of it). You still pay the same fees and port expenses, for example. So if you compare with what you'd pay online or through an agent, the amount will be almost (but not fully) 10% less.

 

[ChicosWife]

Yes. 10% off prevailing rates (unless it's a black out date).

So, when you go to book the actual cruise that you reserved onboard, how does that work to get the discount?

Regarding the waterproof pouches, yes, but I only use quality brand name ones, not cheap knock-offs. Loksak ( http://loksak.com/civilian/ ). Aquapac ( http://store.aquapac.net/ ). I would not trust anything else.

My preference, though, is to:

Either leave the cell phone on the ship locked in the safe, or put the cell phone in a Loksak or Aquapac but do NOT use it as a camera in wet situations.

For wet situations (rain, swimming, might get dropped overboard) we bring a digital camera designed to be waterproof. The brand name camera manufacturers all have decent ones now. Deisigned to be waterproof to a specified depth, shockproof (i.e. can drop it from a certain height), dustproof, freezeproof (to a certain temperature), etc. We have used two Olympus models and been very happy with them. And they have survived various "bad things" happening to them where we are very glad it was a camera designed to survive that than a smartphone not designed to (even if the smartphone lives inside an Otterbox and is inside a Loksak).

We bring multiple SD cards for the camera and swap them out during the trip -- one way of insuraing only so many pictures would be "lost" should something happen to the camera.

I would much rather lose or damage a camera that is a fraction of the cost of the smartphone and only has pictures on it than a smartphone that has not just pictures but lots of information too. However, when a separate camera is not an option, Loksak or Aquapac (I have and use both).

SW

Good point about the cost comparison of a smart phone and a camera!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, when you go to book the actual cruise that you reserved onboard, how does that work to get the discount?

I'm not sure I'm understanding the question - but, when onboard, you talk to one of the future cruise CMs, and tell them what cruise you want to book. You put down the deposit (10% or 20% of the cruise price, depending on length of cruise), and the final price you pay will be 10% off the current price of that cruise (unless it's a black out date). That's off the base price, not including taxes/fees, insurance, transfers.

 

[ChicosWife]

I'm not sure I'm understanding the question - but, when onboard, you talk to one of the future cruise CMs, and tell them what cruise you want to book. You put down the deposit (10% or 20% of the cruise price, depending on length of cruise), and the final price you pay will be 10% off the current price of that cruise (unless it's a black out date). That's off the base price, not including taxes/fees, insurance, transfers.

Sorry for the confusion, but basically, here is what I am thinking. If we book onboard, but it is for 2018 (itineraries not yet available). It would be an open-ended booking. Then, when the 2018 itineraries open up, we can book the actual dates we want. How would be reserve the actual cruise dates/itinerary, after the fact and get the OBB discount?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sorry for the confusion, but basically, here is what I am thinking. If we book onboard, but it is for 2018 (itineraries not yet available). It would be an open-ended booking. Then, when the 2018 itineraries open up, we can book the actual dates we want. How would be reserve the actual cruise dates/itinerary, after the fact and get the OBB discount?

When onboard, when you talk to the future cruise CM, you will be booking a "placeholder" cruise. The deposit is $200 per room (up to two rooms max, per household). Once the itineraries come out with the cruise you want to book (must be started within 24 months of your original onboard booking date), you call DCL and change the placeholder to the specific cruise. At that time you will pay the difference in the deposit from your initial $200 to the correct deposit amount. And the total price you will be charged for the cruise will be 10% less than the prevailing rate (unless it's a black out date). Again, the 10% is off the base cruise price (not including taxes/fees, insurance, transfers).

 

[gismo1554]

The 24 month thing is very important as well so what I did (booked in Sept for 2017) was I asked the people at the desk to book as late as possible for me and they booked the last day of the cruise even though I had handed over the details on the first day. Just meant I got a few extra days to play with and can now book cruises up until the 28th September 2017.

 

[ChicosWife]

The 24 month thing is very important as well so what I did (booked in Sept for 2017) was I asked the people at the desk to book as late as possible for me and they booked the last day of the cruise even though I had handed over the details on the first day. Just meant I got a few extra days to play with and can now book cruises up until the 28th September 2017.

So, you booked a cruise while onboard and then changed it an earlier date later on?

 

[gismo1554]

So, you booked a cruise while onboard and then changed it an earlier date later on?

Not sure how you mean. As said (maybe not very well) I booked a placeholder cruise onboard but want it for a 2017 cruise. As these placeholders are only valid for 24 months from the date you purchase them and have to be moved to a cruise within these dates, the people at the desk said they could book it for me on the last day of the cruise. I didn't have to physically go to the desk on the last day I just handed my request in on the second day of the cruise and they put a note on it to book on the last day. It was then booked for me and all sorted so that I have a longer window to book and take my next cruise in. It was only a few extra days but as I know I'm looking at a September 2017 cruise it helps. As of yet I haven't transferred this to any actual date as the cruises aren't yet available to book.

Does that make more sense?

 

[ChicosWife]

Not sure how you mean. As said (maybe not very well) I booked a placeholder cruise onboard but want it for a 2017 cruise. As these placeholders are only valid for 24 months from the date you purchase them and have to be moved to a cruise within these dates, the people at the desk said they could book it for me on the last day of the cruise. I didn't have to physically go to the desk on the last day I just handed my request in on the second day of the cruise and they put a note on it to book on the last day. It was then booked for me and all sorted so that I have a longer window to book and take my next cruise in. It was only a few extra days but as I know I'm looking at a September 2017 cruise it helps. As of yet I haven't transferred this to any actual date as the cruises aren't yet available to book.

Does that make more sense?

Yes, great plan!