Based on the current onboard booking discount policy (no open bookings), can the booking be made for a specific, but (maybe) undated cruise? To be precise, can I book the January '07 South America Circle while on the PG in November of '05 and get the discount? I assume that full deposit would be required at that time. Is there a dollar maximum on the 5% discount?

No you cant book a cruise that is not currently open to be booked.

YOu book a cruise that is as far in the future as you can but know that you will eventually cancel that cruise and then transfer the onboard booking to the cruise you eventually take. Even the cruise consultants on board advise you that is the way to handle this now.

At this time there is no dollar maximum on the 5%. They have a new "wrinkle" in the wording of the onboard bookings though that say the discount will be 0%, 5% or even a higher percentage on certain cruises. To date I have seen nothing but 5% but that clause is in there if they wish to not allow the onboard booking on a specific cruise or if they wish to enhance a date but adding more discount for an onboard booking.

Okay, on the first part, I understand. i.e., no more open bookings.

But the second part IMO is ludicrous. Let me see. You give them money and they decide in the FUTURE based upon the market, what your discount will be worth. In my opinion, discount benefits should be guaranteed, sort of like a "lockbox" that can't be raided by the cruiseline in the future. This proposed variable privatization, I mean "personal" discount savings plan is too dependent on the whims of the market. Oh well....

Maybe they can make a real exciting activity out of this, to follow trivia. They can construct a large spinning wheel like wheel of fortune with "0", "5" and "10" spaces. Anybody who books a future cruise on THAT day gets to play THAT day. Brian O'Brien, our most friendly on-board cruise consultant could emcee (great name for an emcee BTW!), and could have each contestant, er bookee, spin the wheel THAT day to determine their discount on their future cruise. "Step right up Sheri and spin...clack, clack, clack, claaaaack. "SOOO Sorry, my Sheri, but you get zilch. Who's next?" Doing it the same day you book would eliminate ADD (Anticipated Discount Disappointment). I have more to say but I lost my train of thought...

Bill

Bill, that's hilarious! Would we call it Wheel of (Mis)Fortune? :)

Actually I doubt they will have any "o%" dates or any dates of more than "5%". Just mentioned it because it is in there. AT least now ALL onboard bookings are 100% refundable and those "open" bookings were not refundable after 6 months. So if you dont like the "deal" you can always get your money back. Just have to watch the "cancel by" date on the booking you are using to hold your onboard discount so you dont move into penalty while "deciding" what cruise to take or you can lose your money that way.

I like that idea though Bill the room would be packed!!!!

Bill, you crack me up! Yes, the prospect of holding money for a "maybe" benefit at the whim of the depositary is a bit odd. But, thank you all for your help - I guess that the answer is to book any "bookable" cruise in November, and when the '07 SA cruise opens up, cancel and rebook, being sure to avoid a cancellation penalty.

Ngaire, aren't certain Caribbean sailings this coming fall 10% discount for onboard bookings?

One thing to think about when choosing a cruise to "temporarily" book to get on onboard booking is to look for a cheap one. You need to put 10% down soon after you return. A cruise of $2000 or less per person will be a wash given $200 per person you need to put down.

Good point, Marc.

It will be the Caribbean sailings that have larger savings.

Yes many of the 5 day December cruises have a lot of "parked" onboard bookings currently as no additional deposit is required. They will move to "real" bookings once the 2006 schedule comes out.

Thank you all for your input. I have to believe that more changes will be forthcoming. When those responsible for running the program suggest a method for "gaming" the system resulting in an inventory of "phantom"bookings, it seems that there is a definite ambivalence regarding the value to RSSC going forward. I would guess that there will be even more "tweaking" as time passes. I have had 2 occasions where the discount was applied retroactively (to a cruise already booked) it was done, when I suggested that the booking be cancelled and rebooked.

Remember when you book a cruise on board you know at that time what the discount will be 5% or more.

Although they have Phantom bookings it is easier to keep track of an onboard deposit when it is tied to an actual booking number. Those open bookings honestly were a nightmare to keep straight and I must admit although I did not initially like these new rules it is easier when an onboard is tied to an actual booking.

At this time Radisson will on a case by case basis retroactively apply the 5% to a booking already made as long as the fare has not increased and the same category is still available to be booked. Obviously as hrprof mentioned you can just cancel and rebook anyway.