Any rumor when 2014 dates come out?

[Disneylandfanatic]

I have my plan B cruise already planned...NCL Epic, I know the date of the sailing all the ports, and can get a balcony for a great price right now (yes, yes I know that NCL is not as good as DCL, but my last three cruises have been with NCL and we love it!). It is taking a lot of will power for my to continue holding out until the 2014 dates are released. It will still ultimately depend on pricing for me though, I won't be able to convince the BF that we should spend twice as much for an inside cabin on DCL (hoping to snag a good price on opening day). DCL would be a dream come true for me though, so if 2014 is not in the cards certainly my next cruise will be with them!

 

[StephenKay]

I keep hearing about people checking out other cruise lines due to the perceived delay in releasing 2014 dates.... I wonder how many people will be going with these alternatives...

Hi there,

I am one of a number of DCL fans on this side of the atlantic who have simply decided to give up, we spoke so many times to DCL about the possibilities of returning with the Magic after drydock in 2013. DCL have simply said wait out, we even said just say "no" and we can then plan our vacations later that year in a different way, they simply refuse to answer, even when a banner was held overboard during a recent Dream cruise. O'well our daughter is no longer doing every cruise with us after this year and we are know looking at other cruise lines and spending pounds/dollars, we are not alone, at a transatlantic meet in London earlier this year many of us are up in arms about it. It's not the fact that it's not happening , it's the lack of effort DCL put into communicating with it's customers. I think DCL will start to have a hard time soon, well it's all ready happening, they simply can fill ships and they need too. We are cruising 3 times with DCL in the next year after that we shall be looking at other cruise lines. Would it have hurt them to say no?

We even contact DCL via facebook and comment on the DCL blog, for a company that prides itself on customer service, it's a poor show, and we all know that pride comes before a fall and in my opinion that's where DCL are headed. For whatever reason since the delivery of the new ships they simply don't seem to be the same in either future planning or customer experience. I am aware not all people feel the same, but these are our thoughts from 5000 miles away.

 

[RedSox68]

Hi there,

I am one of a number of DCL fans on this side of the atlantic who have simply decided to give up, we spoke so many times to DCL about the possibilities of returning with the Magic after drydock in 2013. DCL have simply said wait out, we even said just say "no" and we can then plan our vacations later that year in a different way, they simply refuse to answer, even when a banner was held overboard during a recent Dream cruise. O'well our daughter is no longer doing every cruise with us after this year and we are know looking at other cruise lines and spending pounds/dollars, we are not alone, at a transatlantic meet in London earlier this year many of us are up in arms about it. It's not the fact that it's not happening , it's the lack of effort DCL put into communicating with it's customers. I think DCL will start to have a hard time soon, well it's all ready happening, they simply can fill ships and they need too. We are cruising 3 times with DCL in the next year after that we shall be looking at other cruise lines. Would it have hurt them to say no?

We even contact DCL via facebook and comment on the DCL blog, for a company that prides itself on customer service, it's a poor show, and we all know that pride comes before a fall and in my opinion that's where DCL are headed. For whatever reason since the delivery of the new ships they simply don't seem to be the same in either future planning or customer experience. I am aware not all people feel the same, but these are our thoughts from 5000 miles away.

VERY well put!

I've said previously, we sailed other cruise lines and compared prices and there is a huge savings going with other lines and the pricing and way they do first day bookings on Disney is nowhere near improving. Any other cruise line does not have their prices shoot up after one day on the market the way Disney does. There is no need for it and they know it, but also know people will book anyway. They can prevent that horrific tier pricing, but don't have any interest as they know it will make people jump on the bookings early. When we booked our HAL Alaska cruise last year, their pricing opened in January and as of April the prices were virtually the same, not thousands more!

Just my opinion, but I find Disney's method of communication, booking procedures and pricing to be very tiring any more and I don't need to sail on them that bad that I have to pay thousands more. I miss them and they will always be our home cruise line, but enough is enough

 

[deanimal]

I agree totally with those who are starting to get frustrated. For me the recent spate of itinerary changes/cancellations is close to being a deal breaker. I understand that things may have to change once in a while, but to just change a whole cruise after people have made plans, booked airfare etc is just a horrible way to treat your customers. (I'm thinking of the Dec 2012 Mexican cruises and the spring 2013 Galveston changes especially). What's the point of waiting so long to release dates when they will just change them anyway if a certain cruise isn't bringing them enough $$$$$?

I'm days away from booking our spring 2014 cruise on another cruise line, and if all goes well we may stay away for good. Sure, we love the Disney magic, but I agree that its getting to be a little less magical and these itinerary delays and change tactics are only part of it. We can always take the money we save and use it for cabin upgrades or another trip to the parks!

 

[RedxPanda]

I have my plan B cruise already planned...NCL Epic, I know the date of the sailing all the ports, and can get a balcony for a great price right now (yes, yes I know that NCL is not as good as DCL, but my last three cruises have been with NCL and we love it!). It is taking a lot of will power for my to continue holding out until the 2014 dates are released. It will still ultimately depend on pricing for me though, I won't be able to convince the BF that we should spend twice as much for an inside cabin on DCL (hoping to snag a good price on opening day). DCL would be a dream come true for me though, so if 2014 is not in the cards certainly my next cruise will be with them!

NCL is our alternative cruise line of choice too. So much fun, and a fraction of the cost! We are looking at Epic, Pearl, and Dawn for 2014. Possibly the Sun if we decide to try a southern instead of Western.

 

[DionneEvette]

I am thinking of booking somewhere else for 2014 also. Who do you like better? NC or Royal? Why? I sailed with carnival before and I really dont want to book another cruise with them. I hate to leave DCL, but I have to plan now .

 

[chateau]

If DCL are waiting to release, due to many people in NY and NJ being without power, I can appreciate that. Those poor folks have gone through a lot... it'd be another blow to think they missed out on the opening day because of the mess also. What would be really cool is if DCL SAID "we're waiting for some of our valued customers to have some things back in order before we release 2014 dates".... I'd totally get that, if it's something else, like some kind of PR or marketing ploy... BOO!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am thinking of booking somewhere else for 2014 also. Who do you like better? NC or Royal? Why? I sailed with carnival before and I really dont want to book another cruise with them. I hate to leave DCL, but I have to plan now .

I would recommend visiting cruisecritic.com for lots of info on other cruise lines.

 

[DionneEvette]

I have been spoiled by DCL. For those of you that have said you are going with someone else (2014), who?...why? Royal or NCL?

 

[Vertigo127]

If DCL are waiting to release, due to many people in NY and NJ being without power, I can appreciate that. Those poor folks have gone through a lot... it'd be another blow to think they missed out on the opening day because of the mess also. What would be really cool is if DCL SAID "we're waiting for some of our valued customers to have some things back in order before we release 2014 dates".... I'd totally get that, if it's something else, like some kind of PR or marketing ploy... BOO!

There were rumors of delayed release well before Sandy, so I seriously doubt that it had anything to do with it! The recent changes in itineraries seems to point at some business decisions being struggled with. I am looking forward to our first DCL cruise in January! I hope it is worth all of the cost for our family since we have saved and sacrificed to go. I have concerns about the declining customer service, however...

 

[valbob89]

Here it is, less then 2 months until 2013 and yet when I went to the DCL site to order a planning DVD for my sister, I got the following message
"The 2013 Disney Cruise Line Vacation Planning DVD is currently in production and will be ready for release very soon. While the delivery of your DVD may be temporarily delayed, rest assured that your DVD will arrive in the mail in the near future. Thank you for your patience and your interest in Disney Cruise Line."
My guess is they pulled the DVD for major changes.

 

[WolfpackFan]

NCL is our alternative cruise line of choice too. So much fun, and a fraction of the cost! We are looking at Epic, Pearl, and Dawn for 2014. Possibly the Sun if we decide to try a southern instead of Western.

We love NCL and did a cruise with them out of New Orleans last March. I just love their Freestyle cruising and not having to dress up for dinner.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

I agree totally with those who are starting to get frustrated. For me the recent spate of itinerary changes/cancellations is close to being a deal breaker. I understand that things may have to change once in a while, but to just change a whole cruise after people have made plans, booked airfare etc is just a horrible way to treat your customers. (I'm thinking of the Dec 2012 Mexican cruises and the spring 2013 Galveston changes especially). What's the point of waiting so long to release dates when they will just change them anyway if a certain cruise isn't bringing them enough $$$$$?

I'm days away from booking our spring 2014 cruise on another cruise line, and if all goes well we may stay away for good. Sure, we love the Disney magic, but I agree that its getting to be a little less magical and these itinerary delays and change tactics are only part of it. We can always take the money we save and use it for cabin upgrades or another trip to the parks!

I agree, it is very frustrating. But I am trying to look at it that I would rather they wait and get it right and then put out dates and change an itinerary on me. Now that would make me mad.

 

[NancyIL]

I have been spoiled by DCL. For those of you that have said you are going with someone else (2014), who?...why? Royal or NCL?

I have upcoming Disney cruises on the Fantasy (December) and Magic (May), and have no plans at this time to book another Disney cruise beyond those. ( I haven't been spoiled by DCL!) I am not anxiously awaiting DCL's 2014 announcement.

I am cruising in 2014 with Celebrity and Royal Caribbean because of itinerary/price/ship. I also have future cruise deposits paid on HAL and Princess.

 

[Jane1967]

We love NCL and did a cruise with them out of New Orleans last March. I just love their Freestyle cruising and not having to dress up for dinner.

Can you please tell me who NCL is?

 

[kindsoul73]

Can you please tell me who NCL is?

Norwegian Cruise line?

 

[Jane1967]

For those of you whom have traveled other cruise lines (with children...mine are 12 and 7) and are not planning to rebook on DCL. Which line do you prefer next after DCL?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Norwegian Cruise line?

 

[Mariellen102]

My Opinion is... if they are having problems filling the ships for 2013..get a head start on filling the ones for 2014..offer the 10 percent deposit promotion and release the schedule!!

 

[NancyIL]

My Opinion is... if they are having problems filling the ships for 2013..get a head start on filling the ones for 2014..offer the 10 percent deposit promotion and release the schedule!!

DCL doesn't want people to "jump ship" from 2013 to 2014!