9/11 cruisers - port charge and tax refund

[mrsltg]

Hi all-

I was wondering if anyone received their refund yet from the port charge/tax? In the letter that we were given upon embarkation I believe it said that it would be credited to our account. I thought that meant it would be applied to room credit, but it wasn't. We called guest services on Saturday morning and we were told that they were still determining the amount owed back. Anyone have any other information?

Thanks!
Erin

 

[ldb1030]

I think since they really were not 100% sure of where we'd end up each day, it was something they could not do early on in the cruise.
If I don't hear something from them in a week or so, I'll call and check on it!

 

[Fish Finder]

My wife called DCL yesterday as we did not receive this refund on our final stateroom account and did not have time on Saturday morning to stand in line at the Guest Services desk and inquire about it (we had checked earlier in the week and were told it would show up on our statement once we had actually started arriving in ports-- this, however, did not happen).

The DCL CM told my wife that he would send an inquiry to the ship's accounting dept. and they would research the issue and someone should get back to us within the week. He said that since it was a 'ship-wide' issue, it might take longer to process and they might not have been able to get it refunded in time to show up during our cruise on our room account (???). After reading that the people expecting refunds on the shortened/cancelled cruises are to be waiting 4-6 weeks, somehow this does not surprise me....

I don't even know how much we should be getting back per person-- anyone have any ideas on that??

 

[scrapperjill]

I'm wondering the same thing. Anyone with information...please share.

 

[selvey]

I talked to Deidra (CM supervisor) today. Because the amount they have quoted me to credit back was less than expected, I inquired further today. It turns out, in our case, they are keeping $139.00/person for port fees/taxes because "DCL has to pay these port charges regardless of whether we go there or not." That is what she said!!!! That's ridiculous.

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Originally posted by selvey
I talked to Deidra (CM supervisor) today. Because the amount they have quoted me to credit back was less than expected, I inquired further today. It turns out, in our case, they are keeping $139.00/person for port fees/taxes because "DCL has to pay these port charges regardless of whether we go there or not." That is what she said!!!! That's ridiculous.

selvey,

So, am understanding correctly that DCL is saying you are getting a credit, but not as much as you thought? We were on the 9/11 cruise as well and have no idea what to expect back. I suppose we should call DCL and inquire. We were hoping the credit would just appear on our credit card statement and we wouldn't have to ask for it. Naive?

Erin

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by selvey
It turns out, in our case, they are keeping $139.00/person for port fees/taxes because "DCL has to pay these port charges regardless of whether we go there or not." That is what she said!!!! That's ridiculous.

Can't wait to see the Disney-apologists' answer to that one.

I had a similar situation once with concert tickets. I bought a pair of tickets to see a band - with the usual Ticketmaster service charges. Due to poor sales, the band canceled and I got a refund - except for the service charge. I was livid because, in my mind, I paid money to see a band and it didn't happen due to no fault of mine, ergo I shouldn't be out any money. Ticketmaster wouldn't budge on the issue, but American Express gladly resolved it for me.

Sam

 

[Fish Finder]

We did receive a letter at Port Canaveral from the Sr. VP of DCL stating that due to the changes in itinerary that they "will automatically credit your onboard account for the adjustment in port taxes" so it seems odd that they would now try to back out of that commitment. I find it curious that they were not able (or did not try) to issue this credit while we were onboard-- seems like it would have been simple enough (but I am not an accountant).

I think there may be a difference between port charges and port taxes and we are maybe only getting the taxes refunded?? It would seem fair to me to refund us both but perhaps that is what the CM meant about DCL having to pay the port charges regardless of whether the boat arrived...it doesn't seem right that the guests should have to 'eat' this cost especially considering we got nowhere near the cruise we were expecting in terms of ports....The CM at the Magic Guest Services didn't know how much the refund would be but indicated she thought only a few dollars per person.

I'm not going to lose sleep over a few dollars but I do think they need to live up to their promise of a refund. It would be nice if they did the 'right thing' and refunded the entire cost of one port visit (charges/taxes/fees/whatever) but I'm not holding my breath...

 

[amgpmg]

I too inquired on board and again when I got home. I was told at guest relations that they did not understand why people were iquiring about this because it would not come from them. I had already packed my letter so could not prove to her what we were told.

DCL ressies did not know anything about it and told me to email Guest Communications. He said this was the best way to get intouch with them. I have also inquired with my TA and they are looking into it too. I have not heard back from DCL but here is the email address I was given.

DCL.Guest.Communications@Disneycruise.com

If we all email maybe they will work a little faster on answering. I would like to know what we should be entitled to get back. Does not make much sense that we should be charged even if we did not stop at a designated place.

Will keep everyone updated as I hear more.

Kathy

 

[allears]

Can't wait to see the Disney-apologists' answer to that one.

Oooo, aren't we condesending. Better an apologist than an antagonist any day. Our phone bills and blood pressure are lower.

 

[mrsltg]

I just received an e-mail from my TA saying that DCL will be refunding $279.02 for a family of three. I was IMPRESSED!

Erin

 

[selvey]

Anyone who has cruised lately and is expecting a refund should call DCL and theCM should be able to tell you what they are refunding you. Actually, better to ask for a supervisor. Then, after you hear what they tell you, write or email a letter to Guest Communications. I'm hearing/seeing a lot of different stories on this.
9/4 cruisers should be getting back 50% off the whole total paid minus any insurance paid.
Karen

 

[selvey]

mrsltg - I just received an e-mail from my TA saying that DCL will be refunding $279.02 for a family of three. I was IMPRESSED!

I have no idea what you are talking about - could you explain it. Thanks,
Karen

 

[mrsltg]

selvey- The 9/11 cruise only went to three ports instead of four, one being their "home" port of Nassau. DCL is obligated to refund the port charges and taxes that were not used. This is The money that I am speaking of.

Thanks-
Erin

 

[selvey]

mrsltg
So sorry, I just realized the date of the cruise you are talking about. Wrong cruise, but helpful since we only went to 1 port. Thanks,
Karen

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Originally posted by mrsltg
I just received an e-mail from my TA saying that DCL will be refunding $279.02 for a family of three. I was IMPRESSED!

Erin

Erin-

Wow that's more money than I thought it would be. We aren't waiting any more. We will call our TA today. Thanks for passing on that information.

Erin

 

[cali4niacruisin]

Erin-

I just sent you a PM.

-Erin

 

[mrsltg]

Hi Erin-

I just sent you a response.

So, raise your hands if you're tired of DCL giving you the run-around....

Erin

 

[ldb1030]

Just got off the phone w/ DCL. They asked that I fax the letter to them as they know nothing about it!
Don't have it here w/ me at work so I'll do it tomorrow but she said "accounting is probably still working on it"!
Standard response I'm sure!

 

[ldb1030]

mrsltg - did you get something in writing from your TA/DCL?
I just heard from Carol at DCL and she said the refund would just be a 'head tax' per person and could not give me an amount yet. We are also a party of 3. Your refund seems high for that but hey, I'd take it!