Placeholder questions... (New question added5/2)

[Dug720]

OK, while I HATE that they took away the ability to book a specific date cruise while you're on board and defaulted to the generic placeholder, I'm thinking I'll get one when I'm on my Wish cruise in August. I've only ever done the onboard booking to actually book a specific cruise, so I'm not positive how these future cruise certificates work (I also don't get why they're called placeholders because they are NOT holding a place. But that's neither here nor there.)

I know they are $250.

Do they give you any discount when you book a cruise? Or just the fact that you've already paid $250 towards your deposit.

I'm pretty sure you can't apply them to a cruise already booked, but you could rebook that cruise using the future certificate, right? I'm not super picky about the cabin - I'm more about the cruise than the cabin.

Anything else I need to know about them?

Thanks!

 

[auntlynne]

Yes! 10% discount. Probably with limitations on that. Like cannot be applied with other discounts edit: eg, guarantee with restrictions and others.

You can cancel a booking you already have (following regular cancellation penalties - I sound like fine print, here). Especially as you are not set on a specific cabin.

If you are on a 7-N or longer cruise, your required deposit is reduced. (Leaves some money in the bank until PIF date).

There are black-out dates. I don’t know if it will work in the Treasure.

You can get your $250 deposit back before the 24-month expiration date. Just ask for it. If you haven’t sailed in the 24 months after purchasing the deposit, you get your money back.

If you even think about cruising again, it’s a nice way to save some money. Obviously, you are.

 

[auntlynne]

If you buy the Placeholder, you have to be a guest on the future cruise.

Two people sharing a cabin and living at the same address (address per Disney’s records) can only purchase one Placeholder Reservation. Even if they are unrelated.

Your Reservation can be for two (2) cabins on a single sailing (allowing for a larger party).

The difference between $250 and your required deposit will be collected at the time of booking.

Once you use your Placeholder, you can modify the Reservation. But if you cancel the Reservation, you lose the Reservation # and the right to book with the associated discount. (Your money is returned if cancellation fees as not applicable).

Not available for Concierge level.

From DCL:

• Onboard Offer Terms and Conditions​

  
  The Disney Cruise Line Onboard Booking Offer allows Guests to make a Placeholder Reservation for a future Disney cruise and enjoy 10% savings off prevailing rates as quoted on disneycruise.com, plus enjoy a reduced deposit on sailings 7-nights and longer. The offer is valid for up to 2 staterooms on one sail date per household on board regardless of the number of adults in the household. This offer is valid for Categories 4 to 11 only. The cruise must commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation was booked or the reservation will automatically cancel.
  • A Placeholder Reservation is an open-ended reservation that allows Guests to select their future sail date at a later time. A $250 deposit must be paid while on board and is fully refundable if the reservation is canceled. Once a sail date is selected, standard cancellation fees apply.
  • 10% savings applies only to sailings that commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation is booked on board.
  • Blockout dates apply; please contact Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent for specific blockout dates. Reservations for future cruises that fall on blockout dates are not eligible for the 10% savings offer.
  • The offer cannot be combined with Florida Resident Rates, U.S. Military Rates or with any other special offer or discount. Not valid on VGT, OGT, or IGT Categories with Restrictions or 2-night sailings.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks! I'm solo, so just me.

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks! I'm solo, so just me.

So your fare definitely needs the 10% off!

 

[Dug720]

So your fare definitely needs the 10% off!

That'll definitely help! And the cruise I currently have booked for Feb is not blacked out.

 

[CastawayCayLover]

If you buy the Placeholder, you have to be a guest on the future cruise.

Two people sharing a cabin and living at the same address (address per Disney’s records) can only purchase one Placeholder Reservation. Even if they are unrelated.

Your Reservation can be for two (2) cabins on a single sailing (allowing for a larger party).

The difference between $250 and your required deposit will be collected at the time of booking.

Once you use your Placeholder, you can modify the Reservation. But if you cancel the Reservation, you lose the Reservation # and the right to book with the associated discount. (Your money is returned if cancellation fees as not applicable).

Not available for Concierge level.

From DCL:

• Onboard Offer Terms and Conditions​

  
  The Disney Cruise Line Onboard Booking Offer allows Guests to make a Placeholder Reservation for a future Disney cruise and enjoy 10% savings off prevailing rates as quoted on disneycruise.com, plus enjoy a reduced deposit on sailings 7-nights and longer. The offer is valid for up to 2 staterooms on one sail date per household on board regardless of the number of adults in the household. This offer is valid for Categories 4 to 11 only. The cruise must commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation was booked or the reservation will automatically cancel.
  • A Placeholder Reservation is an open-ended reservation that allows Guests to select their future sail date at a later time. A $250 deposit must be paid while on board and is fully refundable if the reservation is canceled. Once a sail date is selected, standard cancellation fees apply.
  • 10% savings applies only to sailings that commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation is booked on board.
  • Blockout dates apply; please contact Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent for specific blockout dates. Reservations for future cruises that fall on blockout dates are not eligible for the 10% savings offer.
  • The offer cannot be combined with Florida Resident Rates, U.S. Military Rates or with any other special offer or discount. Not valid on VGT, OGT, or IGT Categories with Restrictions or 2-night sailings.

I know this is what they say but in reality it's not monitored as I've bought one and my wife bought one on the same cruise.

 

[auntlynne]

I know this is what they say but in reality it's not monitored as I've bought one and my wife bought one on the same cruise.

(Sticking out my tongue at you). My sister and I live together, have different last names and have no shared financial / legal respinsibilities. And we only could get one from our stateroom booking? Boo. (Not to you, but for us).

I thought we actually tried to book it on the app with no success. Maybe we try again this month.

 

[lanejudy]

Two people sharing a cabin and living at the same address (address per Disney’s records) can only purchase one Placeholder Reservation. Even if they are unrelated.

Each household on the cruise is allowed two (2) placeholders. The 2 are expected to be used on the same future cruise (YMMV).

Your Reservation can be for two (2) cabins on a single sailing (allowing for a larger party).

Each stateroom on the future cruise must have a placeholder to get the discount. Therefore to book 2 cabins you must buy 2 placeholders (see above about 2 per household).

 

[Flip flops in winter]

One thing to know about them is that to book your cruise once you pick it, you have to pick up the phone. Seems antiquated in this day and age. So you secure it on the app while on board and then they email you a reservation #. That will be the number you give the person on the phone and it stays your reservation # for the cruise.

 

[Calantha]

I know this is what they say but in reality it's not monitored as I've bought one and my wife bought one on the same cruise.

so you were able to use it for 2 different cruises?

 

[CastawayCayLover]

so you were able to use it for 2 different cruises?

yes

 

[Dug720]

One thing to know about them is that to book your cruise once you pick it, you have to pick up the phone. Seems antiquated in this day and age. So you secure it on the app while on board and then they email you a reservation #. That will be the number you give the person on the phone and it stays your reservation # for the cruise.

That's what my travel agent is for!

 

[lilsonicfan]

We sailed in two staterooms in 2019 (family of 5) and booked two placeholders each, two in DH's name and two in mine. We ended up booking all four on the same cruise in 2022 but I got the feeling I could definitely have used them on two separate cruises. The rules are a bit odd.

 

[Erica1016]

Once you use your Placeholder, you can modify the Reservation. But if you cancel the Reservation, you lose the Reservation # and the right to book with the associated discount. (Your money is returned if cancellation fees as not applicable).

We had originally used a placeholder discount on our upcoming cruise, but then rebooked with an IGT discount. Instead of cancelling the original booking (and losing our placeholder discount), our travel agent first moved our booking to another cruise...and then booked the IGT. So, you can modify the reservation to another sailing, if needed, and will keep the discount if used within 24 months of purchase.

Yes! 10% discount. Probably with limitations on that. Like cannot be applied with other discounts.

You cannot use the 10% placeholder in conjunction with a *GT, but you can use it with a GTY rate.

 

[Dug720]

One more question...

Are you able to use a Disney Gift Card for the payment on the "placeholder"? Or does it need to be a credit card? And can if be a different card than the one you have on file (assuming you have one on file - I often leave mine as cash and put money from a gift card on the account to cover things)?

I'd prefer to have that deposit money separate from my general checking account, and the easiest way to do that would be put it on a Disney Gift Card. Or barring that put it on a Visa Gift Card.

(Yet another reason I don't like this new system. When I could book a specific cruise with a person I was able to use a Disney Gift Card and it was so simple.)

 

[CastawayCayLover]

One more question...

Are you able to use a Disney Gift Card for the payment on the "placeholder"? Or does it need to be a credit card? And can if be a different card than the one you have on file (assuming you have one on file - I often leave mine as cash and put money from a gift card on the account to cover things)?

I'd prefer to have that deposit money separate from my general checking account, and the easiest way to do that would be put it on a Disney Gift Card. Or barring that put it on a Visa Gift Card.

(Yet another reason I don't like this new system. When I could book a specific cruise with a person I was able to use a Disney Gift Card and it was so simple.)

I assume you can use a gift card, they just prohibit charging it to your state room account. Assuming they do allow it, you'll need to hang on to the gift card. In the event you're unable to use the placeholder, the refund will go back to the original form of payment.

 

[Dug720]

I assume you can use a gift card, they just prohibit charging it to your state room account. Assuming they do allow it, you'll need to hang on to the gift card. In the event you're unable to use the placeholder, the refund will go back to the original form of payment.

Yeah, I'm familiar with holding onto the gift card.

Curious if anyone has been able to book the future cruise certificate with a Disney gift card.

 

[Geomom]

One more question...

Are you able to use a Disney Gift Card for the payment on the "placeholder"? Or does it need to be a credit card? And can if be a different card than the one you have on file (assuming you have one on file - I often leave mine as cash and put money from a gift card on the account to cover things)?

I'd prefer to have that deposit money separate from my general checking account, and the easiest way to do that would be put it on a Disney Gift Card. Or barring that put it on a Visa Gift Card.

(Yet another reason I don't like this new system. When I could book a specific cruise with a person I was able to use a Disney Gift Card and it was so simple.)

I think they just use the card on file. It is a separate charge vs being on your stateroom account. Not sure how they do it if you just had 'cash' for your stateroom account though...so you would think you'd be able to do a different type of payment?

 

[Dug720]

According to Baxter on chat I can use a Disney Gift Card once on board.