Aug 24 2014 cruise canceled!

[Disneefun]

Man, I'm so sorry for you all. I'm not on that cruise, but if I were and I was being treated as is reported, you can bet I'd be torching the phone lines, emails and snail mails with flaming hot complaints. And then I'd be running straight over to RCL or NCL.

I'm surprised they feel like they can do this with no repercussions, esp. since final payments haven't been made and people can just cancel with no financial repercussions and take their money to another cruise line. If I were Disney I'd be bending over backwards to keep that from happening.

 

[honeymo78]

Again, this is not the first time DCL has done this. People have vocally complained in the past. Brides have had to change wedding dates and have complained. No amount of complaining this far has made DCL change its policy or has made it suffer financially. I'm not saying a calm and well worded complaint isn't warranted but I doubt the 2014 cruise will be the straw that broke the camel's back. If it was going to happen I would have put money on the chartered med cruise that was only a few months before sail date.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I don't think that is the problem necessarily, as stinky as that is.

The problem is that the Disney reps are sticking the guests with the price difference. It's not cool. Getting a family on board, paying tips, etc is much more valuable then being inflexible. I'm seriously hoping they will do the right thing. I think all of us will feel a bit let down otherwise...

 

[Disneefun]

Again, this is not the first time DCL has done this. People have vocally complained in the past. Brides have had to change wedding dates and have complained. No amount of complaining this far has made DCL change its policy or has made it suffer financially. I'm not saying a calm and well worded complaint isn't warranted but I doubt the 2014 cruise will be the straw that broke the camel's back. If it was going to happen I would have put money on the chartered med cruise that was only a few months before sail date.

No, I doubt it will change anything at Disney, but if it were me, it would certainly change who I would be cruising with. That's what I'm saying. As a corporation you can do what you want and set whatever crazy rules you want, but I don't have to put up with it and I surely would not.

I would tell them exactly why I'm no longer doing business with them in the hopes that it might change things for future cruisers, but I wouldn't put up with it. There are too many vacation choices out there for my money that are just as good or better than Disney.

 

[LizzieandLuke]

Well I sent my email/letter off to Disney and hope everyone else will too. They are definitely putting profits ahead of their guests. Since they sold out that cruise on Aug 24 they really don't care what happens if you were on it. They feel they are being generous by using the January rates to reschedule and giving me $100 on board credit.

 

[cruisecrasher]

There are too many vacation choices out there for my money that are just as good or better than Disney.

So (and I'm honestly curious at this point) are you leaving DCL? You've found out how they are treating people. You could complain and leave. So could the people who are upset that their cruise is moved.
If all of them did, as you said, they might not do this to future cruisers.
But they won't. Or at least not many.
If I were I'd probably complain here on the boards and to DH then pout a lot when everyone said (rightly so) that it was unjust of DCL.
Then probably cry (as I do when frustrated.)
Then probably DH would talk sense into me and I'd view it as an opportunity to try a different itinerary. "Well, we haven't done the Med/Panama Canal/etc." and adjust.
And probably still love my vacation.
And probably rebook onboard.

Which is why they probably won't change.

 

[Disneefun]

So (and I'm honestly curious at this point) are you leaving DCL? You've found out how they are treating people. You could complain and leave. So could the people who are upset that their cruise is moved.
If all of them did, as you said, they might not do this to future cruisers.
But they won't. Or at least not many.
If I were I'd probably complain here on the boards and to DH then pout a lot when everyone said (rightly so) that it was unjust of DCL.
Then probably cry (as I do when frustrated.)
Then probably DH would talk sense into me and I'd view it as an opportunity to try a different itinerary. "Well, we haven't done the Med/Panama Canal/etc." and adjust.
And probably still love my vacation.
And probably rebook onboard.

Which is why they probably won't change.

If this happened to me, on DCL or any other line, yes, I would leave them in a heartbeat. It hasn't happened to me, yet, so I stay with them. And if it did happen, I would complain and hope that they would make it right. But if they ever treated me this unjustly, yes, I would leave.

I have very low tolerance for that kind of thing, be it from travel providers, service providers (like cable, etc.) or any other sort of service that is either a luxury item or for which I have a choice of providers. I vote with my wallet. Since Disney has not yet messed with me, personally, I stay with them (but not exclusively -- I haven't cruised with DCL since 05 and, although we're cruising with them this fall, I have chosen to spread my vacation dollars around to a variety of places in the last 8 years).

But if I were ever messed with in this way, you can be I'd be gone and unlikely to return.

 

[lbgraves]

...Now Disney is offering me the week before at $800 more and a lousy $100 on board credit or the week after which my husband is forbidden to take off. ....

Those aren't the only cruises you can switch your reservation to. The cruise before this is not during some traditional school calendars, so that would have a higher price. They are honoring the price of that cruise at the time you made your original reservation, so that is a lower price than what is currently listed. You can switch it to a different date as well and get the same offer.

I hate to sound harsh but DCL generally does this at least once a year and I doubt they will stop. They aren't hurting for business over it and what they offer is reasonable.

.... if this is the member cruise it's definitely farther notice than last year, if its not, expect another fall cruise to be cancelled for the DVC charter.

ITA with this. Also, don't forget the fact that they still have to cancel a couple cruises for the Wonder in 2014 that they haven't announced yet to have the basic dry dock conducted. They have to do the dry dock. They knew that before the dates were released months ago. However, just like they have every single dry dock, they are waiting to announce the cruises that are going to be cancelled to get the work done until later.

....The problem is that the Disney reps are sticking the guests with the price difference. ...

While some CSRs for DCL are not being personable in how they are handling some calls, it isn't their decision to make. I wouldn't expect DCL to ever offer someone a discounted cruise because their original cruise over a year in the future has been changed in some way, even all the cruises that were just switched around between the Magic & Wonder.

 

[LizzieandLuke]

I agree with Disneefun. And why should I have to shell out more money to sail 1 week earlier. I understand its busier but they cancelled me - I didn't cancel on them - that is the difference. They gave me a price which I agreed to - they need to honor it. I am not asking to sail Christmas week, or Thanksgiving week, etc. If you can really justify Disney charging me for Disney changing my plans you're way to loyal to Disney. That is until they do it to you.

 

[jcemom]

I agree with Disneefun. And why should I have to shell out more money to sail 1 week earlier. I understand its busier but they cancelled me - I didn't cancel on them - that is the difference. They gave me a price which I agreed to - they need to honor it. I am not asking to sail Christmas week, or Thanksgiving week, etc. If you can really justify Disney charging me for Disney changing my plans you're way to loyal to Disney. That is until they do it to you.

I agree! I can't believe, after all the slamming I've seen of Carnival, that they have better customer service than DCL! I truly am surprised!

 

[AquaDame]

Thank you twin mermaids for the words of encouragement.

I would have never thought this would happen to me and when it did I still can't get over Disney didn't make it right. All she kept saying on the phone was that I needed to pay what other people paid for the previous week - that was her justification of the $800 difference. I kept saying that I am not the one the cancelled and they needed to make it right - she said that was the $100 on board credit was for - so I would only be out $700. This has left such a bad taste in my mouth. I think its amazing anyone who says that it is OK that they do this. I do encourage anyone who got kicked off the boat to look at RC. Especially if they need to shell out more money. Disney not care about you.

I am so sorry Lizzie... I accepted years ago that I am a tiny speck to them, but I STILL don't think its right to make you pay more. It's cruel. The cruise likely started out higher to begin with, so they can't go lower than that as it is likely under more people's summer break (at least that is how the Alaska cruises are structured - early June & Sept are way cheaper than the other months). The real problem here is that they are SUCH a high priced line that it really IS *only* $700 to them. Chump change. Yeah right! $700 is a TON, you really are being given NO option, and I wish they would see that. It is NOT OK, but they have run the numbers and decided the short term gain is worth any possible long term consequences. Its not fair.

So sorry this has happened to so many. We had it happen for a cruise in Dec 2014, luckily it wasn't a problem for us, but I don't understand how Disney can be so uncaring.

I must admit, we are finding this attitude quite often at WDW also. Not everyone but still, there is a definite lack of caring that they used to have.

One example last February I was backing off the monorail on my mobility scooter and I'm not sure what happened, but I went over the edge of the ramp. I fell off my scooter (I'm 72) and the scooter flew so hard, the battery flew off. The Disney employee was standing there staring at me, but never even asked if I was OK. Two very nice men came over and helped me up and put my scooter back upright for me. Not one Disney employee came to my aid. I wrote Disney and their response was that maybe they will discuss this with their employees at a training sometime. I wanted nothing out of this, just for someone to act like they actually cared, but that didn't happen. Luckily I was not hurt other than a scraped knee and a big bruise.

That is horrible! A scraped knee and big bruise is certainly enough for them to show some concern. In June the monorail operators were loudly mocking the crowd - it was awful and uncomfortable. I wonder if they are trained by someone else as Mears is? When I had an issue with my Mom's scooter and hit a water fountain the CMs FLEW to my side asking if I was OK and did not seem to care one iota that I had bent the fountain. They calmed me right down and I was very thankful!

Again, this is not the first time DCL has done this. People have vocally complained in the past. Brides have had to change wedding dates and have complained. No amount of complaining this far has made DCL change its policy or has made it suffer financially. I'm not saying a calm and well worded complaint isn't warranted but I doubt the 2014 cruise will be the straw that broke the camel's back. If it was going to happen I would have put money on the chartered med cruise that was only a few months before sail date.

We are seeing something that truly is *too big to fail* and I don't like it at all. All this means is that currently people are powerless - a scary thought. Voting with your dollars is supposed to work...

Well I sent my email/letter off to Disney and hope everyone else will too. They are definitely putting profits ahead of their guests. Since they sold out that cruise on Aug 24 they really don't care what happens if you were on it. They feel they are being generous by using the January rates to reschedule and giving me $100 on board credit.

Yep - in their minds eye every movement at this point is simply a NEW sale since someone else filled your spot. Money in the bank! If they assume you can absorb $700 easily imagine how much that $100 OBC hurts THEM.

So (and I'm honestly curious at this point) are you leaving DCL? You've found out how they are treating people. You could complain and leave. So could the people who are upset that their cruise is moved.
If all of them did, as you said, they might not do this to future cruisers.
But they won't. Or at least not many.
If I were I'd probably complain here on the boards and to DH then pout a lot when everyone said (rightly so) that it was unjust of DCL.
Then probably cry (as I do when frustrated.)
Then probably DH would talk sense into me and I'd view it as an opportunity to try a different itinerary. "Well, we haven't done the Med/Panama Canal/etc." and adjust.
And probably still love my vacation.
And probably rebook onboard.

Which is why they probably won't change.

What would you do if no other time worked though? And you can't just try another itinerary? There should be something they can do for those people, just as ultimately you can be happy with another time/price tag.

 

[LizzieandLuke]

I am also not asking for a discount _ just the price I was promised. And I know its a year away - but I also booked it six months ago.

 

[honeymo78]

Again not a fuzzy stance but DCL is a business. They can cancel the cruise and give you back your money and they are under no further obligation to you at least this far out.

They could easily say so sad, too bad. They are offering a discount on other cruises plus on OBC. They are under zero obligation to do so. That is their goodwill gesture. They calculate what will be acceptable and I bet most people take it and are fine. They will work with you if they possibly can. I have been in this situation.

Voting with your money only works for change if enough people feel the same way and it affects the business bottom line. Most of the year there is no problem filling the ships to an acceptable level, even with this not new practice.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Again not a fuzzy stance but DCL is a business. They can cancel the cruise and give you back your money and they are under no further obligation to you at least this far out.

They could easily say so sad, too bad. They are offering a discount on other cruises plus on OBC. They are under zero obligation to do so. That is their goodwill gesture. They calculate what will be acceptable and I bet most people take it and are fine. They will work with you if they possibly can. I have been in this situation.

Voting with your money only works for change if enough people feel the same way and it affects the business bottom line. Most of the year there is no problem filling the ships to an acceptable level, even with this not new practice.

Good point. While inconvenient, DCL is NOT taking any money away from those affected. They can cancel for a 100% refund. No one HAS to take a cruise, and DCL is under no obligation to do anything but give money back since goods/service won't be delivered. I think a good will gesture would be to book those affected on another cruise (same length and itinerary) for the price that they paid, but they don't HAVE to do that.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[LizzieandLuke]

How is $800 a discount exactly? I realize most weeks are going to be more expensive but Disney is still making a profit. They were going to make a profit the week of Aug. 24 and they would still make a profit finding room for families on the ship on certain weeks - even if they offered more than one lousy option. You must work for Disney.

 

[jjje]

Again not a fuzzy stance but DCL is a business. They can cancel the cruise and give you back your money and they are under no further obligation to you at least this far out.

They could easily say so sad, too bad. They are offering a discount on other cruises plus on OBC. They are under zero obligation to do so. That is their goodwill gesture. They calculate what will be acceptable and I bet most people take it and are fine. They will work with you if they possibly can. I have been in this situation.

Voting with your money only works for change if enough people feel the same way and it affects the business bottom line. Most of the year there is no problem filling the ships to an acceptable level, even with this not new practice.

I most assuredly do not work for Disney but I agree with this. You were given a price for a cruise during a certain time period. Now that cruise is no longer an option so that price is no longer an option. Don't get me wrong, I would be very disappointed if Disney cancelled a cruise I had booked so I understand the frustration. I just don't think they have an obligation to give let you take a more expensive cruise. If it was me I might be researching options with other cruise lines.

 

[honeymo78]

Good point. While inconvenient, DCL is NOT taking any money away from those affected. They can cancel for a 100% refund. No one HAS to take a cruise, and DCL is under no obligation to do anything but give money back since goods/service won't be delivered. I think a good will gesture would be to book those affected on another cruise (same length and itinerary) for the price that they paid, but they don't HAVE to do that.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

The problem with honoring the price for another similar cruise would be that it would have to be limited by cruise season or original price range. I am sure some people would jump at paying late aug rates for a summer or winter holiday cruise.

I think back dating the rates is pretty fair. In most cases it's going to be way cheaper than a new booking for those dates. And depending on the dates you choose, cheaper than the original cruise. (Again a potential problem with using original price). They aren't going to do custom pricing for each person. There are just too many affected to look at every case individually. A uniformly applied policy is best in a situation like this.

 

[jcemom]

The problem with honoring the price for another similar cruise would be that it would have to be limited by cruise season or original price range. I am sure some people would jump at paying late aug rates for a summer or winter holiday cruise.

Why would it have to be limited in any way? Carnival offered my sister any 7 night Carnival cruise, with availability in her originally booked stateroom category, between now and December 31, 2014, at the rate she was paying for the canceled cruise. They did not exclude any week or any itinerary or any port of departure.

Did they HAVE TO do that? No, of course not. I understand that. It sure was a nice thing to do though. That is top-notch customer service in my book.

ETA: I wanted to add...that's what Carnival offered and my sister's cruise was not even canceled. It was just a change of ship for that sailing.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I just don't think they have an obligation to give let you take a more expensive cruise. If it was me I might be researching options with other cruise lines.

Time is money and they wasted the customer's time. People have to move mountains sometimes to work in a vacation especially when there are many family members involved. This is about more than money. DCL is a business and they have a right to cancel, but have to expect that people will not be returning to them...especially since you can get a good quailty cruise elsewhere and cheaper.

 

[neg58]

Time is money and they wasted the customer's time. People have to move mountains sometimes to work in a vacation especially when there are many family members involved. This is about more than money. DCL is a business and they have a right to cancel, but have to expect that people will not be returning to them...especially since you can get a good quailty cruise elsewhere and cheaper.

How many customers have wasted DCL's time booking dummy cruises, changing dates, times, people? That's the deal-flexability. You can make changes and cancel and so can DCL, right up until that ship leaves port (and even then DCL can make changes during the cruise and while they usually do make adjustments, by contract they don't have to).

You are right, people don't return to companies that aren't consistant, don't deliver on what they promise. If you don't like the products, don't buy them. If enough people don't like them, Disney will make changes. I like Disney, but they've pretty much priced themselves out of my comfort zone for the parks.

Unfortunately for me, there are plenty of people willing to pay the rack rates for concierge, BBB, Remy... I those people would stop, Disney would see it my way and charge less for everything.

Nancy