Anyone on Sept2-Oct31 Dream/Fantasy or Oct2-29Magic NOT KNOW they're Halloween sailings?

[canyoncam]

This thread is directed at DCL communication and not to the extent Halloween theme affects the cruise.

I am upset with DCL communication! I am on the Sept 10th sailing on Fantasy booked last December. In April they changed this sailing to a Halloween one. I received no emails for either of my two reservations nor did it show up on my reservations on DCL website until the day after PIF. One reservation had a gold member in it and we PIF earlier and it still did not reflect Halloween until inside the penalty date.

We do not celebrate so this is upsetting but I am really upset with the communication (I have been reassured theming is minimal). At least one other person says they experienced the same thing for the exact same cruise. I want to let this go but feel it needs to be addressed by Disney. When I emailed I just got a brush off. I do understand not getting an email. Those can get lost or deleted easily. However for it not to be reflected on the reservation itself until after penalties go in effect is wrong. I was told it was advertised well on the website. But why should I have to "research" changes to my cruise? I only went to website to pay my reservation. The reservation is were the change should be reflected.

So I feel the issue is Disney IT (any surprise there?) and they need to be made more aware of it especially if this happened to more than the two I know it did. So please if others are not aware of this change please let Disney know.

 

[Tiffybuggie]

I was on one of the halloween cruises on the Fantasy last year and they have a halloween party with the characters dressed up one evening and the rest of the time is normal other than pirate night.
There are pumpkins and leaf garlands up for decoration, jack-o-lantern faces on some port holes, and a pumpkin tree. They aren't pushy with the theme and the party is confined to the lobby so you could avoid that area for the 30 mins of the party (usually around 3 or 4 pm)

In my experience the halloween cruises are always September and October and Christmas November and December even if not advertised at the time of booking. They have a generic link up for the halloween and christmas cruises but no dates usually. Not saying they shouldn't have made it clear, just for reference that is what I have always seen and understood.

 

[canyoncam]

Tiffy, not my point in this thread. The lack of communication from DCL is my issue here.

 

[Tiffybuggie]

Tiffy, not my point in this thread. The lack of communication from DCL is my issue here.

Ok, sorry.
Was just trying to give you an idea of how much halloweeny stuff to expect since you expressed you all don't partake in Halloween.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Our sailing became a Star Wars sailing a few months after we booked. I didn't get anything from them, either, but it is reflected on the reservation. Maybe the Halloween theme is less of a marketing point for them and they don't update reservations?

 

[MunFam]

They also changed the alcohol policy on people with pre-existing reservations. Unfortunately, I think DCL uses their disclaimer about "changing itineraries, etc." to be the blanket notice that translates to what you think you are paying for, might not be what you get in the end.

 

[canyoncam]

They also changed the alcohol policy on people with pre-existing reservations. Unfortunately, I think DCL uses their disclaimer about "changing itineraries, etc." to be the blanket notice that translates to what you think you are paying for, might not be what you get in the end.

True. And that was also after some PIF dates. So maybe they are marketing the old bait and switch. In my case I would have moved my sailing IF I had known before penalties were in effect. Which I certainly could have done had Disney actually made the change on my reservation. There is no reason I should have had to research this change beforehand. I have a cruise booked on another cruiseline in April 2017 and have already seen ON MY RESEVATION a change reflected THE DAY it took place.

Yes Disney did offer after a lengthy argument to MOVE my cruise without penalty fees but that would have cost more and we had everything else booked for these dates. Plus I was given only five hours to make up my mind for a new date. After another lengthy argument today, in response to my email, they said there was "nothing they are responsible for" (so apparently Disney is no longer a responsible company) I did manage to get a $25 OBC. But this is not what I want. I really only wanted a SINCERE apology. But Disney does not get this. Only one of the four people I have spoke to in this situation even hinted of an error on their part. The rest pretty much called me a liar.

Mostly I want it brought to their attention so they would take a moment to look into WHY this happened.

 

[RRB]

Wasn't your previous thread sufficient?

 

[memelit0]

I'm on the Sept 3 Fantasy, this information was available before your PIF date. I found out through this board, no it was not posted originally on their page but it was announced in April as others have mentioned. I'm still very excited that I'm going on the cruise even though I don't partake on Halloween celebrations either nor does my family but I'm not going to let that ruin our family vacation.

 

[BigredNole]

I would look at this completely differently. I would look at it that I am going on a cruise, be in the Caribbean, and not at my desk working. They could put XMas decorations up in June and I wouldn't care. I would just have a blast regardless.

If you are looking for people to agree or sympathize, I don't think much will happen. The best thing to do is look at the contract you agreed to, follow it word for word, and see if there is anything that will allow you out of it. The only thing that could potentially force their hand is a religious belief that documents anything Halloween related is against the religion. It is not unheard of that September and October are Halloween times for Disney. November and December are XMas times. The ships are also registered out of the Bahamas which follow Bahamian and not US law. This is done for tax and legal reasons. Usually small island countries are more willing to accommodate or change laws for the big draw of money cruise ships bring in.

If it is that upsetting, call DCL directly, explain the change was after the penalties kick in, and that you want to reschedule.

 

[Suruat68]

I'm on the Sept. 3rd Fantasy sailing and I seem to recall reviewing an email. It was a few weeks after it was announced on the site, but I'm pretty sure I received one.

 

[Bettyscruise]

We are on the Sept 24th cruise and were not aware it is a "Halloween" cruise when we booked. I see the point of there not being any warning or notice when looking for cruise info, a fault in communication especially when novice cruisers are involved but not to the end effect of the ruination of a vacation. Seems a bit early to associate with the holiday but having been on one Halloween cruise, (actually on Halloween night that time), we know it isn't that big of a deal. We actually had a great time participating in the fun. The costumes people wore that night were incredible. If seeing a 4 year old dressed as Tigger one evening is going to put too much stress on your family then you should attempt to change dates.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Was it something I was emailed specifically about? No. I found out from boards like this and my Facebook group.

 

[shelbell77]

Wasn't your previous thread sufficient?

This!!!!!

 

[Suruat68]

I would also like to add that, historically, by Sept. 10, DCL has implemented Halloween decorations/activities. I simple Google search could have prevented your disappointment.

I hope you are able to get past your frustrations and have an enjoyable vacation with your family.

 

[canyoncam]

Apparently I come across worse then I mean to.

Here is what I wanted to have addressed: DCL communication. That is all.

I started another thread because I felt if it truly is a communication issue then others may not know their sailing is a Halloween one and thus would not even be reading my other thread which was titled and started out more to deal with the actual themeing. Apparently they do have communication issues as others have not been aware of theme changes except through these boards are searching on their own Which I maintain should not be your responsibility after booking-it should be on your reservation when you look it up-not saying they need to personally call you. And to that end why DID it show up the day after penalties go in effect?

I will drop this now. Was hoping to accomplish something that I guess everyone else feels is a non issue. And I really do not want to be thought of negatively on these boards.

Our sailing became a Star Wars sailing a few months after we booked. I didn't get anything from them, either, but it is reflected on the reservation. Maybe the Halloween theme is less of a marketing point for them and they don't update reservations?

Wasn't your previous thread sufficient?

I'm on the Sept 3 Fantasy, this information was available before your PIF date. I found out through this board, no it was not posted originally on their page but it was announced in April as others have mentioned. I'm still very excited that I'm going on the cruise even though I don't partake on Halloween celebrations either nor does my family but I'm not going to let that ruin our family vacation.

 

[Kuzcotopia1]

In my experience the halloween cruises are always September

I would also like to add that, historically, by Sept. 10, DCL has implemented Halloween decorations/activities.

I have taken two September cruises, both on the Fantasy (2013 and 2014), and neither have had Halloween decorations. To be sure about the dates, I logged into my Castaway account and checked. This September is the first time I will be on a Halloween cruise.

 

[kmix78]

I am on the 10/1 Fantasy. I knew it was a HOTHS sailing, but not because of any emails from DCL. Doesn't bother me though.

 

[MunFam]

@canyoncam We were on the same 2015 WBPC cruise as you...I was SO glad we sailed last year! They abruptly added the new liquor rules after our cruise. I would have lost my mind if I had paid for the cruise knowing we could bring unlimited liquor and then switched it, but in the end there is nothing I could have done because it was in the terms and conditions of the contract. We specifically chose the Panama Canal with Disney for their lax liquor rules. Anyways, it was a great trip. I hope you had a nice time too!

 

[canyoncam]

Thanks MunFam. I enjoyed WBPC so much I did it again this year.