Always Take This One Photo on DCL!

Disney Cruise Line is expensive. One of the ways my family has saved money on DCL over the years is to book the next cruise while on board. Currently, you can get 10% off your next cruise by doing an on-board booking (OBB).

You don’t even have to book the exact next cruise. For $250, you can book a placeholder. You just have to assign it to a cruise that departs within 24 months of the date on your placeholder. If you don’t book a cruise within that time period, DCL automatically refunds your money.

I’ve been a part of social media groups for each cruise we’ve sailed on. The biggest regret I see in these groups, time after time, is people NOT spending the $250 for a placeholder for 10% off a future cruise. People get busy on board, or they just don’t think they will book again. WRONG! A few months go by, they reflect on their DCL vacation and miss it, and wish they had the ability to book again with 10% off.

Completing an OBB

DCL has a special area set up on board each ship to book a future cruise or place holder. The desk is staffed with crew members and has the hours posted.

The future cruise area is usually quite busy. Fortunately, the latest DCL app has a feature where you can get in line for the future cruise desk virtually, and it will alert you when it’s your turn to make your way to the desk. That’s much better than waiting an hour or more in line.

However, if you just want to book a place holder without booking a specific cruise, you can simply fill out a request card found on the desk. Then, drop it in the labeled box in the area, and you don’t have to wait in line for one of the crew members. You will get an email with your reservation number, and your place holder will be charged to the same credit card as your on-board account.

I’ve skipped the line and filled out the card on our past several cruises. Easy peasy.

Take a Photo of Your OBB Card

I’ve had no issues with making an OBB until this cruise. When I returned home, I had no email with a reservation number. My credit card had not been charged the $250. I asked my travel agent, and she had not received an email either.

My travel agent contacted DCL, and they had no record of my OBB either. Oh no!

Thankfully, I took a photo of my OBB card before I placed it in the box. I’ve done that the past several cruises because I’ve read about this happening to a few other people. I’ve never had to use the photo until now.

My travel agent forwarded the photo to DCL. About a week later, I received an email with our reservation number. Would DCL have given me the benefit of the doubt without the photo? I’m not sure. But either way, I was glad I had proof that I booked on-board.

Bottom Line

If you are sailing on DCL, I highly recommend that you do an OBB while on board. If you decide not to use it, you can always cancel with no penalty.

But when you fill out the card, always take a photo of it before turning it in. And if you work directly with a crew member, always get the reservation number before you leave the desk.

DCL cruisers, has your OBB ever disappeared?

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Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.