using OBB placeholder when i'm unsure about exact cruise date

[jtba]

i have a dilemma. i'm planning to use the OBB placeholder from my recent cruise on opening day for a spring 2017 cruise. it's my understanding that the release date will be this october - november. however, my kids' 2016-17 school calendar will not be released until spring 2016.

i was originally thinking i would just book the three weeks surrounding easter 2017, then cancel two of them after i know the exact dates, but am not sure how that would work with the 10% OBB discount. i would only be able to apply the discount to one week anyway.

what is the best way to go about this? or should i not book until the calendar is released so i can be sure of when exactly we will be able to go?

 

[adamki]

You can only use the OBB discount for one at a time, even if you're just trying to hold dates, as far as I know.

Possible strategies:

1. Use the OBB on the most expensive or most probable of the three weeks; when the School calendar is released either rejoice in gambling correctly or switch to the less expensive but correct cruise (where the price may or may not have increased substantially).
2. See if you can figure out the school system's website scheme to preview the next year's schedule. For example, I can look at an additional year at my school by advancing the date in the URL ... meaning I can change "someSchool.edu/2015-2016Calendar.pdf" to "someSchool.edu/2016-2017Calendar.pdf" to see the next year's draft calendar. Not necessarily official, but they probably won't change it.

 

[adamki]

I thought of strategy #3 (which is obvious, I suppose). Look at next year's calendar and the past two or three years that you have and figure out the pattern. Our school system is relatively predictable except for a couple of days that revolve around the state's educators' convention (but that can be figured out as well).

 

[jtba]

cool.

if i do option 1 but end up having to switch, can the 10% discount be transferred?

 

[lanejudy]

cool.

if i do option 1 but end up having to switch, can the 10% discount be transferred?

Yes, the 10% can be moved to a different date. But it will be 10% the prevailing rate at the time you change dates not the opening day rate.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jtba]

thank you, @adamki & @lanejudy !

 

[jtba]

one more question: so you wouldn't book all three weeks, then cancel two? i'm willing to pay the deposits for all three, with the hope that i'll 1) get two deposits back when i figure out the correct week and 2) be able to transfer the 10% to the one we really want.

 

[adamki]

I might book multiple dates. In that case, if the prices for the non-discounted cruises go up by more than 10% + $200 OBC then you could keep the opening day rate (and use the OBB discount for another sailing, or just have them apply the deposit to the non-discounted cruise).

But you should analyze the school calendars and target the OBB discount for the week that you think will be your school's holiday. Are you looking to cruise during Spring Break? Does your school always break the week before/after Easter?

 

[KristiMc]

You can not transfer the 10% to a cruise that is already booked. If the price has not gone up more than the 10% + OBC you can cancel the cruise and rebook it with the 10% but if the price has already gone up you have already got the best deal.

 

[adamki]

You can not transfer the 10% to a cruise that is already booked. If the price has not gone up more than the 10% + OBC you can cancel the cruise and rebook it with the 10% but if the price has already gone up you have already got the best deal.

Right, that's why you have to do the math to see if keeping the opening day rate is better than the OBB discount + OBC.

 

[CM Dad]

Go on two more cruises before the 2017 dates are released and book 2 more placeholders

 

[jtba]

You can not transfer the 10% to a cruise that is already booked. If the price has not gone up more than the 10% + OBC you can cancel the cruise and rebook it with the 10% but if the price has already gone up you have already got the best deal.

that's good to know. i was wondering about that!

ok, @adamki , i took your suggestion and did figure out the pattern with the school calendar: i went all the way back to 2012-13 and forward to 2015-16, and it looks like it's always the 2nd week of april.

so i will target the 2nd week of april 2017, then compare the rates once the calendar is confirmed a few months after that. thank you for your help!

@CM Dad : i like the way you think!

 

[adamki]

Go on two more cruises before the 2017 dates are released and book 2 more placeholders

I like the way you think!