Ahoy there, Robin! Welcome aboard planDisney!
Ah, the famous (at least among Disney Cruise Line enthusiasts) placeholder! Also known as "the best way to fend off the sadness of debarkation day!" It's perfect for when you absolutely know you're going to cruise again but you're not exactly sure when! I know when I am out of vacation days at work, I always book a placeholder so as soon as my vacation time resets I can pick my favorite
itinerary as soon as I find it!
Oh, that reminds me, since placeholders are good for 24 months from the time of booking, there's almost an unlimited number of itinerary options - even when it comes to those that haven't been released yet!
But what to do if 24 months go by and you're unable to find the perfect itinerary? Well I have good news! If for some reason you
don't call a Disney Cruise Line crew member to convert it into a sailing - or to cancel - by the time those 24 months are up, the placeholder will be automatically cancelled and your placeholder reservation fee will be refunded to the same method of payment you used to make it! Talk about a no-risk situation!
I think there has only been one time we have not managed to cruise within the two year window, and even then, it was JUST outside of it!
While I'd never WISH for anyone to miss out on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, I understand that life happens, Robin! Hopefully this answer puts your mind at ease a bit more about what happens if the seas get a little stormy ahead! Thank you so much for your question, and if any other questions surface while you're planning, please drop me another line here at planDisney!
Until then, fair winds and following seas!
Andrew