DCL Policy Changed With out Notice

[benz0]

I'm frustrated today because I just found out that DCL changed their policy on moving bookings with out notifying me.

I booked a cruise on Disney Fantasy back in May with the understanding that I could move the booking to Costco after. I did it this way because we are traveling with family and we wanted to get rooms close to our family, but not everyone in the family is a Costco member. The idea was to move the booking to Costco after we got our tax refund and then just pay the remainder of the trip. We got our refund yesterday and called today to get details on moving the booking, but DCL told me that their policy has changed, and now you have to move your booking with in 30 days of booking the trip. This policy was made in February and we were not notified. So now DCL is refusing to allow us to move our reservation.

I feel like this is dishonest at best and I'm really frustrated about it. DCL is unwilling to bend on this even though we explained what we intended to do when we booked the trip. Do anyone have any tips to get around this?

 

[zippingalong]

If you're not in the cancellation phase, you can cancel and rebook. But, if the price has increased, you're out of luck

 

[benz0]

If you're not in the cancellation phase, you can cancel and rebook. But, if the price has increased, you're out of luck

That was given to us as an option, but they can't promise that we'll be able to get the same room, which defeats the purpose of booking through DCL at the beginning.

I'm pretty disenfranchised by this and I'm considering just canceling the entire trip. The change in policy with out notice and the inflexibility in handling the situation make me not want to give them any more money.

 

[networktek]

That policy is only going to affect people that are trying to change there reservation to a travel agent the policy came out on feb 1 that was what we were told when we book our rebook on the dream on feb 17 sailing.

 

[benz0]

That policy is only going to affect people that are trying to change there reservation to a travel agent the policy came out on feb 1 that was what we were told when we book our rebook on the dream on feb 17 sailing.

In this case the travel agent would be Costco. I wish they had given me a heads up before the policy was changed.

 

[barbarasc]

If you don't/can't move the booking to Costco is there some sort of a loss to you? OBC or discounts?

 

[Lisa Lisa]

If you don't/can't move the booking to Costco is there some sort of a loss to you? OBC or discounts?

Costco gives a generous cash card for DCL cruises, generally 8-10% of the cruise fare. You get the card after you return from the cruise. Several people here have posted that they had the card within a week of returning, and some have said that they were able to redeem the card for cash at Costco.

Someone posted here about the change right before it took effect. She had been notified by her travel agent. There was a lot of discussion about it at the time, but the consensus seemed to be that although it would have been nice if DCL had announced the change, they were under no obligation to do so. It makes sense that travel agents would let their clients know about the change since they stand to lose quite a bit if people don't know about the time limit for transfers.

To the OP, I totally understand your disappointment. The only thing I can suggest is that you try sending a transfer form to DCL and see what happens.

 

[AmyAnne]

I was in the same position last week. It is infuriating.

For me, cancelling wasn't an option because we are travelling with extended family and I couldn't do that to everyone else. But I did really resent making that final payment to Disney after what seems to me to be their dishonest behavior. It does take away from the magic and really does make me less excited about this cruise. I am hoping that feeling will pass.

PS I sent the transfer form anyway, I called Costco, Costco called DCL, I called DCL, and still no exception to the new policy.

 

[mickey2000]

Costco gives a generous cash card for DCL cruises, generally 8-10% of the cruise fare. You get the card after you return from the cruise. Several people here have posted that they had the card within a week of returning, and some have said that they were able to redeem the card for cash at Costco.

Someone posted here about the change right before it took effect. She had been notified by her travel agent. There was a lot of discussion about it at the time, but the consensus seemed to be that although it would have been nice if DCL had announced the change, they were under no obligation to do so. It makes sense that travel agents would let their clients know about the change since they stand to lose quite a bit if people don't know about the time limit for transfers.

To the OP, I totally understand your disappointment. The only thing I can suggest is that you try sending a transfer form to DCL and see what happens.

Sorry I'm lost here ? If Disney is giving an OBC and 10% for booking while on board then why change ? Costco is more?

 

[benz0]

Sorry I'm lost here ? If Disney is giving an OBC and 10% for booking while on board then why change ? Costco is more?

What is an OBC? Sorry if thats a dumb question, I'm new to this forum.

AFAIK the cost is the same with Costco and they would give me close to $400 to spend at Costco. I'd spend that money at Costco anyway, so I consider this a considerable loss to me. Disney didn't have a comparable offer when I booked.

 

[mom2jcg]

Sorry I'm lost here ? If Disney is giving an OBC and 10% for booking while on board then why change ? Costco is more?

I THINK they can keep the Disney offers and combine them with the Costco offer if they transfer. I believe I read that somewhere on here.

 

[mom2jcg]

What is an OBC? Sorry if thats a dumb question, I'm new to this forum.

AFAIK the cost is the same with Costco and they would give me close to $400 to spend at Costco. I'd spend that money at Costco anyway, so I consider this a considerable loss to me. Disney didn't have a comparable offer when I booked.

Onboard credit.

 

[benz0]

I THINK they can keep the Disney offers and combine them with the Costco offer if they transfer. I believe I read that somewhere on here.

I don't know if thats true or not, it doesn't matter to me though. The value of the Costco credit > OBC for me.

 

[benz0]

Onboard credit.

Ah, makes sense. Thanks!

 

[mom2jcg]

I don't know if thats true or not, it doesn't matter to me though. The value of the Costco credit > OBC for me.

I'm not sure I was clear. I think you can get both the Disney OBC AND the Costco credit if you transfer making it a better offer. I think that's why everyone is upset.

 

[benz0]

Someone posted here about the change right before it took effect. She had been notified by her travel agent. There was a lot of discussion about it at the time, but the consensus seemed to be that although it would have been nice if DCL had announced the change, they were under no obligation to do so. It makes sense that travel agents would let their clients know about the change since they stand to lose quite a bit if people don't know about the time limit for transfers.

I don't know that I understand what relieves DCL from notifying customers when they make changes that directly effect their reservations. If I was paid in full it would be different, but in this case Disney is in effect taking money out of my pocket by their policy change. I would expect there to be some sort of grace period or to have people who made their reservations before the policy to be grandfathered into the old policy, but that isn't the case. I never agreed to be bound by this new policy like I would have had the opportunity to do when I booked initially.

 

[benz0]

I'm not sure I was clear. I think you can get both the Disney OBC AND the Costco credit if you transfer making it a better offer. I think that's why everyone is upset.

If thats true, then great. It wasn't what motivated me though.

 

[daisywithak]

Their new policy also effects the amount of onboard credit you get from travel agents. I just booked a cruise to Alaska with the intention of transferring the booking to Dreams Unlimited. I wanted to book myself the first day it was available because I wanted a specific room. Anyway, then I contacted DU and was informed that I would only get 1/2 of the onboard credit listed on their site because Disney now gives them a reduced commission for transfers. I would have gotten 250 dollars, but now it's 125. I decided against transferring because 125 isn't worth it to me since I would then have to go through them for everything instead of dealing with Disney directly.

 

[tweis]

Sorry I'm lost here ? If Disney is giving an OBC and 10% for booking while on board then why change ? Costco is more?

If you book onboard DCL does give you 10% off cruise cost plus OBC based on the length of your cruise. If you NAME your TA while making your onboard booking, many TAs such as Dreams Unlimited will also give you onboard credit based on the cost of your cruise. Until recently DCL pretty much gave you any length of time before your PIF to transfer your booking to a TA such as costcotravel.com but changed that policy in February. Now you have 30 days from the time of booking to transfer to a TA. Most TAs offer reduced OBC for transferred reservations but with costcotravel.com you could transfer and receive a cash card based on cruise cost.
In May I will be booking onboard and naming Dreams Unlimited as my TA that way I can receive $200 OBC from DCL for my 7 night plus $250 from DU!

 

[Bonniec]

Their new policy also effects the amount of onboard credit you get from travel agents. I just booked a cruise to Alaska with the intention of transferring the booking to Dreams Unlimited. I wanted to book myself the first day it was available because I wanted a specific room. Anyway, then I contacted DU and was informed that I would only get 1/2 of the onboard credit listed on their site because Disney now gives them a reduced commission for transfers. I would have gotten 250 dollars, but now it's 125. I decided against transferring because 125 isn't worth it to me since I would then have to go through them for everything instead of dealing with Disney directly.

Wait...what?? Does that effect if yo0u had already booked and paid your deposit before the change?