I'd like to respectfully disagree on some points (that is on the points brought up - NOT regarding the poster).
Any company we deal with should at least listen to it's consumers. Whether they listen is another matter, and for some companies it may well end up affecting those companies' bottom line. An attitude of it's "well it's XXX company" will only go so far. It may well work for quite awhile, but at some point it is going to affect them.
I will agree, there are things that are out of our control, as well as any company's. However, there are many issues and situations that are not based solely or largely on those situations, and in those cases, consumers should let companies know their feelings. They are there to sell, and we are there to buy.
If companies start thinking "we don't care who buys our product" will start having problems. Thinking that well, we are "XXXX" and someone will always buy our product is a problem. I am not just talking Disney here - this is a very broad statement as there are many companies who have dealt with that same issue and have suffered, and then have to scramble to get that "we care" feeling back.
As for the announcement coming in plenty of time for people to plan, that is only for some people. There are many who have to plan in advance and they will not be able to go on this trip. Okay, that is reality.
IF DCL is waiting because of port schedules or drydocks, then that is understandable. I personally (again MY opinion) feel that at this point those have to be set. My problem with DCL on this is the inconsistency of information. (and that is also for many other areas where the lack of consistency is starting to make people think twice) We get DCL reps that say "fall", we get DCL VP's saying "in a few weeks" and then we get other scenarios.
It would serve them far more if they would just come out officially and say "we are still exploring our options, and don't anticipate announcements until ....."
In the end, it doesn't matter what I think for DCL will announce (or not) when they announce. But letting them know as consumers what we feel is at least letting them know that the people who buy their products are thinking where they will use their purchasing powers.
One could say, "well if you don't like their policies, just go elsewhere, you are free to do so". That is totally true, and sadly I am starting to hear more and more people who are doing exactly that. I love sailing DCL, and have not sailed another line. I want very much to go on this particular sailing. However, a year or so ago, I'd never have even thought all that much about other lines.
With this particular sailing, there is much emotion attached. So many of us were SO excited to book this many, many months ago. Then the big let down. With the back-and-forth information, it's become emotionally wearing for many. For others it's just not as big a deal.
For me personally sending an email made me at least feel like I was expressing my opinion to DCL. Now like Pinky, I'm not feeling optimistic that it did any good, or even that anyone even read it. But for my own satisfaction, at least I did something.
) Working for the Fed. Gov (he's an Air Traffic Controller) really limits how/when they can take vacation. They bid in rounds by seniority so he is already near the bottom and they go 7 days at a time. So the earlier they announce the easier it will be for him to talk with people to ensure he gets those dates. 
As I said in my original post it was my opinion.....I didn't say you (or anyone else for that matter) can't send an email to express your opinion.
to everyone.
