9/10/2012 ~ 6 WONDERful nights ~ VC to L.A.

[mickeyfan1]

Wow, I am so sorry DCL could not figure this out in a more timely and reasonable fashon. I guess we will need to do a recount for the FEs once the dust settles. But for those stayig with this sailing. there will be a meet up at 3pm in the Promenade Lounge on embarcation day and one at 10am the following morning as well.

 

[Tehanna]

I just posted this on the main boards, but I thought I'd share it here as well:

I feel just awful for those of you who are dealing with having to cancel a cruise! I'm especially sad for those of you who won't be joining us on the repositioning cruise, but I understand if you want to book the Alaska cruise.

Now, for any DCL folks who are lurking, I have some suggestion for some of that Disney pixie dust that might make this better for some heartbroken and angry people, especially since many people posted that they asked about DCL specifically this law months ago, and made plans based on the reassurance they were given. Others took the word of those that had talked to DCL and planned accordingly.

Here are my suggestions:

For those folks who end up canceling the Alaska portion of the trip:

An offer to fly the impacted passengers, paid by Disney, to Florida to enjoy WDW from a deluxe resort of Disney (dining plan and park tickets included) on September 3 (the day they would have embarked on their Alaska cruise). Followed by an offer to either stay at WDW until September 9, or an offer to take the 3-night Bahamas cruise on September 6. Then a free flight to Vancouver on the 9th to join the repositioning cruise on the 10th as planned.


For those folks who opt to cancel the repositioning portion of the cruise:

The same offer as above, but with the 3-might Bahamas cruise on September 13, ending on Sept 16, and a complimentary return flight to Los Angeles (unless your passengers were planning to fly somehwere else from LA)

Disney should cover all transportation, and pay the difference in the costs. The passengers should automatically get upgraded to the next category of stateroom for free. An additional shipboard credit would be a nice touch.


If neither of those scenarios work for the passenger, Disney should work with them for any vacation option that fits to make things right, be it a Disneyland stay, a future cruise, or whatever works.



While I am getting ready for my first cruise, I work in customer service for a well-known company, and I have seen over and over again how brand loyalty impacts the consumer. I have noticed the passion that so many DCL fans have, and I think DCL would find further "Customer evangelism" if it simply owned up to the mistake, and (pardon the pun) went overboard to make it right.

I hope that DCL does just that.

 

[DVCTigger]

Disaster, we need to cancel a cruise everything paid for to say I am not a happy DCL person is an understatement out of order
devastating call I have made to DCL on the back of Disboard chat. Don't know when DCL were going to advise us after fully paid up flights & cruises along with a hotel in Seattle, hotel & flights non refundable, we need to choose a cruise to cancel because of that daft Govt Law.

What do we do? It was such a fab cruise to do, great price but now all blown to pieces, Fine if you live in the States but because we have so far to travel it is a nightmare for us to sort. What do you suggest?

Since you have non refundable air from LA, maybe DCL can fly you to LA after the cruise, where you can spend the extra days at Disneyland? Maybe use the money back from the cruise and spend it for lodging and tickets at DL? I understand your frustration, to some degree. We are not coming from UK, but are dealing with the "what to do now".

 

[DVCTigger]

Yes, we are frustrated with the situation. But I believe that DCL is working on their customer service.

We are obviously getting the refund for the cancelled cruise. They are also giving us a percentage off the cruise we are keeping and an onboard credit. Said they will cover costs involved with changing travel arrangements as well. Hopefully we will get this money back! Little things like we have pre-paid, non-refundable tickets for an Alcatraz tour that we can no longer use. From what they are saying, they are still in the process of figuring out what can and cant be covered.

 

[cyclenut]

Totally bummed for you folks, but I would seriously consider picking another cruise line for Alaska that has the same dates either sailing out of Vancouver or Seattle. None of the others will have the same repo schedule as they don't sail out of LA,or you could consider that.

Changing to a different line with the same dates in Alaska seems the least disruptive to travel plans and the way DCL seems to be handling the refunds and discounts, you will end up getting the same trip for far less.

It means no Disney in Alaska, but you will get Disney on the second leg and Alaska is more about Alaska anyway.

So ... Scenario 1 is you find a cruise sailing out of Seattle with the same sail dates on another line. It returns to Seattle and you leave the ship early, board the Amtrak and take the train into Vancouver. We are actually staying the night in Seattle and taking the train into Vancouver that morning so i know this works.

Scenario 2 is you find a cruise sailing out of Vancouver with the same sail dates on another line. You keep your flights and whatever you are doing in Seattle and instead of boarding the ship, board the train which takes you to Vancouver and THEN board the ship.

Check ports and times. You are likely to be able to do same or very similar shore excursions. You may even get DCL to allow you on a Disney exclusive excursion.

 

[Imagineer2Be]

Not sure what David and I will do. We booked the Sept. 3 cruise as our honeymoon. We get married Sept. 2nd. It's not as easy as rebook since we then need to figure out what to do. It sure feels like the world is crashing around us. 7 weeks to figure out a new honeymoon that may or may not include a mouse...

Doesn't Disney understand why this is so horrible???

 

[mickeyfan1]

Not sure what David and I will do. We booked the Sept. 3 cruise as our honeymoon. We get married Sept. 2nd. It's not as easy as rebook since we then need to figure out what to do. It sure feels like the world is crashing around us. 7 weeks to figure out a new honeymoon that may or may not include a mouse...

Doesn't Disney understand why this is so horrible???

I am sure there are people at DCL who feel badly about this happening. However, before they had a final answer as to whether B2B wold be allowed, they should never have let anyone book them. You can still sail on the September 3rd cruise to AK, and cancel the repo.

 

[BEAV]

I'm so sorry for those who had booked the B2B. I don't understand why DCL continues to allow the bookings in the first place. When I read about the "arrangements" with the May B2B cruisers (disembark in Vancouver, go through customs, then reboard the second segment in a DIFFERENT stateroom), I wondered if they had made some sort of last-minute arrangement with U.S. Customs/Border Protection. If that was the case, it was obviously a one-time only arrangement given the fact what's happening to the Sept B2B folks.

For anyone looking at alternatives and remain on the Sept 10 repo cruise, Princess, Holland America and NCL each have ships leaving Seattle doing 7 night round trips on both Sept 1 and Sept 2. Yes, you'd have to get to Vancouver after the first cruise, but hopefully DCL would cover that cost due to the circumstances.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I'm so sorry for those who had booked the B2B. I don't understand why DCL continues to allow the bookings in the first place. When I read about the "arrangements" with the May B2B cruisers (disembark in Vancouver, go through customs, then reboard the second segment in a DIFFERENT stateroom), I wondered if they had made some sort of last-minute arrangement with U.S. Customs/Border Protection. If that was the case, it was obviously a one-time only arrangement given the fact what's happening to the Sept B2B folks.

For anyone looking at alternatives and remain on the Sept 10 repo cruise, Princess, Holland America and NCL each have ships leaving Seattle doing 7 night round trips on both Sept 1 and Sept 2. Yes, you'd have to get to Vancouver after the first cruise, but hopefully DCL would cover that cost due to the circumstances.

If you do this there is a shuttle that goes from Seattle to Vancouver.. Quick shuttle I believe is the name...
You should be able to get Disney to pay for it.. As I believe it is only $50 something? per person
They could at $50 in state room credit or something...

Hope this helps

 

[BEAV]

If you do this there is a shuttle that goes from Seattle to Vancouver.. Quick shuttle I believe is the name...
You should be able to get Disney to pay for it.. As I believe it is only $50 something? per person
They could at $50 in state room credit or something...

Hope this helps

That's correct, and there's also twice-daily train service Seattle-Vancouver in the $40-$50 range. A very scenic ride....

 

[ByKnight]

It seem like a colossal screw up on DCL part all they had to do was The last August cruise go from Seattle to Vancouver then Sept 3 Vancouver to Vancouver and then the repo. It would have solved all the problems. But no they tried to keep more tourism dollars in the US rather than in Canada but now a Dumb US Law is going to strip those Tourism Dollars yet again.

I feel so sad for those of you effected and especially for our Honeymooners what an amazing stress to have to re-plan what should be such a joyful time. I hope things can work out for you.

If any of you end up dropping this cruise we will be sad to see you go. If Disney does anything for you please let us know as I would like to believe they will try to help people out after this mess. I feel like I am getting to know so many of you and I am disappointed I will now not get to meet some of you.

 

[jlwhitney]

It seem like a colossal screw up on DCL part all they had to do was The last August cruise go from Seattle to Vancouver then Sept 3 Vancouver to Vancouver and then the repo. It would have solved all the problems. But no they tried to keep more tourism dollars in the US rather than in Canada but now a Dumb US Law is going to strip those Tourism Dollars yet again.

I feel so sad for those of you effected and especially for our Honeymooners what an amazing stress to have to re-plan what should be such a joyful time. I hope things can work out for you.

If any of you end up dropping this cruise we will be sad to see you go. If Disney does anything for you please let us know as I would like to believe they will try to help people out after this mess. I feel like I am getting to know so many of you and I am disappointed I will now not get to meet some of you.

Actually Disney didn't go out of Seattle this year so tourism dollars could go to the states. They went for the convince of travelers, cheaper to get to seattle than vancouver. THat is the biggest reason. In the end what is happening only affects a very small percantage of DCL cruisers.

 

[tobyjasper1970]

Actually Disney didn't go out of Seattle this year so tourism dollars could go to the states. They went for the convince of travelers, cheaper to get to seattle than vancouver. THat is the biggest reason. In the end what is happening only affects a very small percantage of DCL cruisers.

which makes it ok? no.....

 

[giftcard]

For anyone looking at alternatives and remain on the Sept 10 repo cruise, Princess, Holland America and NCL each have ships leaving Seattle doing 7 night round trips on both Sept 1 and Sept 2. Yes, you'd have to get to Vancouver after the first cruise, but hopefully DCL would cover that cost due to the circumstances.

Another option is taking a round-trip Alaska cruise from Vancouver. I had looked cruises up yesterday and there are 8 round-trip Alaska cruises leaving from either Vancouver or Seattle on both Sep 1 & 2. 2 Princess, 2 NCL, 3 HAL and one Celebrity.

Sending lots of to those affected.

Cheers,
Marsi

 

[jlwhitney]

which makes it ok? no.....

Actually as long as the fix things to the best of there ability, yes it does. we all make mistakes, no one is perfect. Things do not always work out like we planned and the crazy thing is life still goes on.

Its not like they didn't try to come up with a solution, like they did in May with the first Repo/Alaska.

 

[cyclenut]

Actually as long as the fix things to the best of there ability, yes it does. we all make mistakes, no one is perfect. Things do not always work out like we planned and the crazy thing is life still goes on.

Its not like they didn't try to come up with a solution, like they did in May with the first Repo/Alaska.

I do agree with the general sentiment, nut there are a couple of things troubling me on this one.

First, DCL may be new to this itinerary, but they have been in the cruise business now long enough where they should know better. Furthermore, their own customers alerted them to this problem long before now. As a matter of law, the rules are quite clear. Disney obviously felt that they were going to be afforded special treatment. They come across as a bit arrogant and I don't easily excuse arrogance.

It seems they are doing quite a lot to accommodate these relatively few passengers who are being affected. For some, it is a relatively easy change. For others, there are far greater difficulties. Worse is the possible PR nightmare should others conclude as I have that this is not a simple mistake, but a willful attempt to try and circumvent the law ... And choose to make this issue public.

A mistake is losing a bag or something like that. This one doesn't feel like a mistake. They should have known better.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I do agree with the general sentiment, nut there are a couple of things troubling me on this one.

First, DCL may be new to this itinerary, but they have been in the cruise business now long enough where they should know better. Furthermore, their own customers alerted them to this problem long before now. As a matter of law, the rules are quite clear. Disney obviously felt that they were going to be afforded special treatment. They come across as a bit arrogant and I don't easily excuse arrogance.

It seems they are doing quite a lot to accommodate these relatively few passengers who are being affected. For some, it is a relatively easy change. For others, there are far greater difficulties. Worse is the possible PR nightmare should others conclude as I have that this is not a simple mistake, but a willful attempt to try and circumvent the law ... And choose to make this issue public.

A mistake is losing a bag or something like that. This one doesn't feel like a mistake. They should have known better.

You have ZERO idea of what DCL was doing since they ran into this issue in May They may have been in talks with the officials to see if there was anything that they could do to make it happen. Before you "conclude" this was a "willful attempt to curcumvent the law", you better have some sort of verifiable proof. Making the issue public is going to help, how? I am sure this story will be picked up in a few days in various travel media, but I doubt it will make national news. Disney does make mistakes, and they seem to be doing their best to correct tis one to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Perhaps, when all is said and done, there will be a few people who are going to complain and be vocal, but to what end, DCL is following the law, and they do not have to do anything to compensate anyone further than refunding all monies paid to them. To help passengers out with non refundable air, hotels, etc is certainly very generous of them.

If I was affected by this, I would be upset, however, I am sure after working with DCL, I would be able to move on with my life. I recall that there was a gentleman who had his 10 night cruise cancelled by DCL and there was nothing that DCL was doing that was making him happy. To what end? I do not undrstand the mentality of DCL MUST do more, they OWE the passengers more. They don't.

 

[cyclenut]

Please don't be offended. I shared my opinion and i stand by it, but it is just an opinion. At the end of the day, they are doing what they can to help passengers now that they have discovered they are just like every other cruise line in the eyes of the law. I realize this sounds harsh, but I find no excuse for misleading passengers that they had this issue well in hand when they obviously did not.

 

[tobyjasper1970]

Please don't be offended. I shared my opinion and i stand by it, but it is just an opinion. At the end of the day, they are doing what they can to help passengers now that they have discovered they are just like every other cruise line in the eyes of the law. I realize this sounds harsh, but I find no excuse for misleading passengers that they had this issue well in hand when they obviously did not.

Agree there should have been a block on booking both cruises. I am still waiting on DCL to respond to phonecalls and emails to talk through options and solutions . All I ask for is communication and I am still waiting and nothing on the website. While I appreciate something will get sorted the courtesy of communication is all I am asking for ttxx

 

[tobyjasper1970]

Not sure what David and I will do. We booked the Sept. 3 cruise as our honeymoon. We get married Sept. 2nd. It's not as easy as rebook since we then need to figure out what to do. It sure feels like the world is crashing around us. 7 weeks to figure out a new honeymoon that may or may not include a mouse...

Doesn't Disney understand why this is so horrible???

We are now just off the phone with San Birch, who has been very helpful, of DCL and we have been removed from the repo cruise Vancouver to LA, San has confirmed all customers who are doing the B2B will be contacted regarding the removal of one of the cruises from the B2B.

The issue has arisen because the LA Port Authority are enforcing the Jones Act unlike the Port Authority in Seattle, who were far more accommodating.

If any one would like San's email address to discuss their own situation, please send me a private message as email is the best way to get a response and confirm your own requirements.
Take care & maybe see the repo cruisers sometime in the future but not this time.