Ahoy, Bree-Na!
Thank you for cruising by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with these excellent questions! I like that you are already thinking ahead about booking a placeholder cruise while you are aboard this summer. I typically go ahead and book one each time we sail because I love taking advantage of the onboard booking discount. When you book a placeholder cruise you do not need to specify the length of cruise, but you will need to give the names and ages of the Guests including your mom even though she won't be aboard this time. The rules to booking a placeholder is that the cruise must take place within 24 months of the onboard booking date and that one adult on the original booking must remain on the cruise reservation. Also, there will be some blackout dates, but you won't know these until the 2019 cruise dates are released. Typically, blackout dates are around holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Disney Cruise Line also blacks out any 2-night sailings. You will place your deposit on your future cruise, and it will be applied to your cruise fare once you select your cruise date for 2019. My recommendation is to book early on during your cruise this summer because the lines can be long at the Disney Vacation Planning Desk as your cruise draws to a close.
First-run movies are one of my favorite activities when cruising with Disney! You'll love catching the latest Disney flicks in the
Buena Vista Theatre on your sailing this summer! Movies shown at sea are always subject to change so my best advice is to reach back out to us in late July for the current movie schedule.
We are so glad you stopped by, Bree-Na! Please keep us posted with any additional questions about your upcoming Disney Cruise vacation.
Nancy