No wbta 2013

[MagicMe]

I did write to DCL last week and even though I'm lucky that I don't have to worry about when I schedule my vacation, I wrote to them asking if they had an expected release date since I needed to put in for my 2013 vacation by the end of the month.

Their repsonse was:

Thank you for your interest in a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

As you are aware, we have itineraries for Disney Fantasy and Disney
Dream through 2013.

As far as sailings for Disney Magic past August, 2013, Disney Wonder
past September, 2013, or all sailings for 2014 and beyond, we are still
waiting for these to be announced.

We do not have a projected time when these will be available to reserve.

I've mentioned in past emails that I had sailed the Dream and Fantasy itineraries previously on the Magic and Wonder and had sailed the Dream last October with the Fantasy scheduled for this fall so was interedted in finding what itineraries were set for the Wonder and Magic for Fall 2013. Same basic response.

So I'm guessing the only email campaign that might work is for all of us to email directly to the head of DCL!!

[TotallyAngelic]

Originally Posted by MagicMe

I did write to DCL last week and even though I'm lucky that I don't have to worry about when I schedule my vacation, I wrote to them asking if they had an expected release date since I needed to put in for my 2013 vacation by the end of the month.

Their repsonse was:

Thank you for your interest in a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

As you are aware, we have itineraries for Disney Fantasy and Disney
Dream through 2013.

As far as sailings for Disney Magic past August, 2013, Disney Wonder
past September, 2013, or all sailings for 2014 and beyond, we are still
waiting for these to be announced.

We do not have a projected time when these will be available to reserve.

I've mentioned in past emails that I had sailed the Dream and Fantasy itineraries previously on the Magic and Wonder and had sailed the Dream last October with the Fantasy scheduled for this fall so was interedted in finding what itineraries were set for the Wonder and Magic for Fall 2013. Same basic response.

So I'm guessing the only email campaign that might work is for all of us to email directly to the head of DCL!!

Do you have his email address Melodie ?

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Isn't it Karl Holz? I had his address once - will go look it up.

ETA: karl.holz@disney.com

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I just sent an email. I also said I was sure I'd get the "stock" reply back, but that I wish someone really would read it.

[annichan]

Originally Posted by ThePhantomsGirl

I just sent an email. I also said I was sure I'd get the "stock" reply back, but that I wish someone really would read it.

Would you mind posting what you wrote in the email, Holly? It takes me quite long to put together a proper "business email" in english, so it would be much quicker if you allowed me to use yours with a little variation. Then I could email Mr Holtz straightaway ... Maybe it really helps if we all do it!

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Here is what I wrote. I was mainly trying to hit home that so many cruises are looking at other lines. I probably could have been a bit more polite:


Dear Mr. Holz,

While I realize DCL tends to do things in their own time frame, it really is well past the time that is reasonable for the announcement of whether there will, or will not be, a westbound transatlantic cruise for the Magic in 2013. There are many people who would really like to book it, but have to bid for or put in for vacation schedules. Other lines have announced their 2013 schedules.

It may not seem like a big deal to you, but many of those formerly interested people have had to book other cruise lines as they have had no choice, are tired of waiting, or got frustrated. With the economy the way it is, and the hit to the cruise line industry, I'd think DCL would want to do all it can to get bookings, not encourage people to go to other lines.

I am sure this email will not be taken all that seriously, and I'll get the "stock" reply back. But I do wish someone would listen. I have sailed several times with DCL, two of those in concierge. I have two future cruises booked, but I am starting to re-think that decision as I can't wait much longer to know if the cruise I want will or will not happen. People have to plan far out in advance in many cases.

So please, just announce the schedule already! It is unfathomable that DCL does not have port bookings or drydock contracts in place by this time. You are losing what would have been sure bookings daily.

[Pinky166]

Originally Posted by thedonduck

We have just over a month before DH bids his leave. If there isn't an announcement before then, we most likely won't go. It's VERY hard to get two + weeks in a row as it is, so we just have our fingers crossed at the moment!

Could your DH put in a leave request even if the WBTA hasn't been formally announced, we know the dates are more than likely to be 12 - 26 October (going by the dates the Magic is booked in some of the Ports). Could you do that then cancel the leave if need be?

Originally Posted by ThePhantomsGirl

Maybe we should try to spearhead a mass email writing campaign?

Of course I wonder if DCL even reads the emails....sigh...

I don't see the point in bombarding Karl Holz with emails, they obviously have a reason why it has been delayed for so long. Afterall it's not as though Disney don't want our deposits in their bank account! I am sure they are doing their best to get things sorted and will announce as soon as they can. Just my opinion.

Fingers crossed it won't be much longer now!

[LindaBabe]

Originally Posted by Pinky166

I don't see the point in bombarding Karl Holz with emails, they obviously have a reason why it has been delayed for so long. Afterall it's not as though Disney don't want our deposits in their bank account! I am sure they are doing their best to get things sorted and will announce as soon as they can. Just my opinion.

Fingers crossed it won't be much longer now!

Claire, you are obviously much nicer and more optimistic than I am. My email has been sent.

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Well, he's hardly going to get bombarded, nor is he likely to read them as it'll be some poor assistant, and only a few have written.

I will admit to being terribly impatient when it comes to this cruise.

Maybe someday soon we'll all be laughing at how long they made us wait?

[Pinky166]

Originally Posted by LindaBabe

Claire, you are obviously much nicer and more optimistic than I am. My email has been sent.

I wouldn't say that, i'm probably less optimistic as I don't think the emails will do anything to speed up the announcement....afterall this IS disney!

Originally Posted by ThePhantomsGirl

Well, he's hardly going to get bombarded, nor is he likely to read them as it'll be some poor assistant, and only a few have written.

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.

[thedonduck]

Originally Posted by Pinky166

Could your DH put in a leave request even if the WBTA hasn't been formally announced, we know the dates are more than likely to be 12 - 26 October (going by the dates the Magic is booked in some of the Ports). Could you do that then cancel the leave if need be?

We have actually had many discussions of this. He can only "cancel leave" if there is someone else who would like to take his vacation (if that makes sense?? ) 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.

I have no idea if that all makes sense. I just wish they would announce it already so that we can start making plans! Grrr Disney... I'm a planner and organizer and not being able to do this STRESS ME OUT!

[Pinky166]

Originally Posted by thedonduck

We have actually had many discussions of this. He can only "cancel leave" if there is someone else who would like to take his vacation (if that makes sense?? ) 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.

I have no idea if that all makes sense. I just wish they would announce it already so that we can start making plans! Grrr Disney... I'm a planner and organizer and not being able to do this STRESS ME OUT!

Yes that makes sense, that is quite a strict policy. I can definitely see how stressful it is for you, I would hate it if my DH had to have his leave authorised like that. Fingers crossed you can book the cruise before the deadline.

[davidls]

Good Morning to all. I haven't been on here for sooooooooooooooo long. I have been reading all the posts, and trying to keep my hopes up for an annoucement. Holly, I too will send Karl an email. Did this one other time a while back, but like you got the stock responce. Also, I would like to thank everyone for the great information you provided on Barcelona. There is so much to see and do, must make plans to spend extra days there to do it all!!!!

[pillow]

I was told by a DCL rep that Fall 2013 will not be released until the Fall of this year (Aug-Oct). :-(

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Originally Posted by pillow

I was told by a DCL rep that Fall 2013 will not be released until the Fall of this year (Aug-Oct). :-(

We've been told so many different things it isn't funny. Just a few weeks ago a DCL VP told someone it'd be "a few weeks".

At this point....who knows....