Booking a cruise and hoping it's canceled

[JasonMak2000]

I feel like there is a good chance cruises won't be running at all this summer. Is it a bad idea to book a cruise for early Aug. hoping it gets canceled so I can get a 125% credit to use on a future cruise? Worst case scenario- I take an amazing cruise in August on a ship that is probably not even sold out!

 

[FightingIrishman]

Worst case scenario, DCL declares bankruptcy to restructure debt and you don't recuperate 100% of what you paid.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I feel like there is a good chance cruises won't be running at all this summer. Is it a bad idea to book a cruise for early Aug. hoping it gets canceled so I can get a 125% credit to use on a future cruise? Worst case scenario- I take an amazing cruise in August on a ship that is probably not even sold out!

There's no guarantee that the 125% future cruise credit will continue on cancelled cruises. Especially if the cruise was initially booked after the pandemic was announced.

 

[RysMomma]

There's no guarantee that the 125% future cruise credit will continue on cancelled cruises. Especially if the cruise was initially booked after the pandemic was announced.

I agree with this. We booked March of 2019 and we're waiting it out but I have a feeling there won't be any cruises going out this summer. Even if lockdowns start loosening, I can't see being on a ship in tight quarters. All you need is one person who is a carrier without knowing.

 

[mostlytraveling4food]

I would rather throw it in VTI tomorrow and it’ll be up 25% by June.

 

[LAX]

There's no guarantee that the 125% future cruise credit will continue on cancelled cruises. Especially if the cruise was initially booked after the pandemic was announced.

Even if it continues, I have heard reports that prevailing rates on some itineraries for rebooking often end up being more than if it were booked on opening dates. It's certainly not a sure win bet.

LAX

 

[Garyjames220]

Worst case scenario, DCL declares bankruptcy to restructure debt and you don't recuperate 100% of what you paid.

I then they call there credit card and gets it all back

 

[pearljammer]

Personally you can do what you want but as others have commented, at this point everything is a risk. If you are willing to do that, well...that’s on you but don’t go whining if it doesn’t work out for you, if they cruise or not (risks there as well but it’s still early yet). I had an opportunity with my NCL to take an increased credit but I opted for the refund. It’s been a month and I still haven’t received my refund (And it was paid in Full). So, only you know what your comfortable gambling. I personally don’t need a discount that bad.

 

[Garyjames220]

Personally you can do what you want but as others have commented, at this point everything is a risk. If you are willing to do that, well...that’s on you but don’t go whining if it doesn’t work out for you, if they cruise or not (risks there as well but it’s still early yet). I had an opportunity with my NCL to take an increased credit but I opted for the refund. It’s been a month and I still haven’t received my refund (And it was paid in Full). So, only you know what your comfortable gambling. I personally don’t need a discount that bad.

I think we will all be getting heavy discounts anyway in the future

 

[MomOTwins]

I have a cruise booked for August that was rebooked from May--though a lot went into that decision, including expiring airline travel funds, the WDW free dining rebooking offer etc., and if I was starting for scratch I don't think I'd book a new cruise then. Even setting aside the risk of Covid, I think that there are some operational downsides to sailing in August. For one thing, there may be enhanced preventative measures that could interfere with cruise enjoyment, like closed pools, no face character interactions, no pirate party etc. There is also a increased risk the whole ship may be confined to rooms if there is positive case on the ship. And risks of being quarantined upon return, which could have varying consequences depending on policies of employers.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I have a cruise booked for August that was rebooked from May--though a lot went into that decision, including expiring airline travel funds, the WDW free dining rebooking offer etc., and if I was starting for scratch I don't think I'd book a new cruise then. Even setting aside the risk of Covid, I think that there are some operational downsides to sailing in August. For one thing, there may be enhanced preventative measures that could interfere with cruise enjoyment, like closed pools, no face character interactions, no pirate party etc. There is also a increased risk the whole ship may be confined to rooms if there is positive case on the ship. And risks of being quarantined upon return, which could have varying consequences depending on policies of employers.

Not to mention that August is the beginning of peak hurricane season...

 

[mmouse37]

Hurricane season does not bother me in the least...we travel all the time between June and November but if I were the OP I would just wait and book when cruising starts again....as mentioned I also believe there will be many discounts to be had to fill the ships once cruising starts up again. And, no wondering if the cruise I booked will be cancelled or not.

MJ

 

[SL6827]

I am sure Disney has already thought about people booking a cruise in hopes of getting the 125% credit. I would never chance that.

 

[mousefan73]

You may think you are smarter than DCL to take advantage of a horrible situation, but they will be smarter. Manyy travel companies and I assume DCL too, will have it in the small print that additional 125% FCC ( or other goodies) only valid for those who booked before XXX date. or they might not even offer you that deal.

 

[pearljammer]

I think we will all be getting heavy discounts anyway in the future

So interesting you say this.....just a few days ago I received an email from NCL saying they’ve changed their categories and the room I have booked next year and the new category has a few new perks to it. So that was a nice surprise!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I am sure Disney has already thought about people booking a cruise in hopes of getting the 125% credit. I would never chance that.

Good point. Going forward, they might not give the 125% to people who booked after a certain date, excepting those that moved their cruises to that date from another cancelled one.

 

[SL6827]

Good point. Going forward, they might not give the 125% to people who booked after a certain date, excepting those that moved their cruises to that date from another cancelled one.

Right, and could you blame them?

 

[Bonnie1222]

That is a lot of money to play with, my luck is never that good. I wouldn't do it.

 

[pjacobi]

DCL could simple raise cruise prices by 125% until they work through backlog of people with 125% credits.

-Paul

 

[MomOTwins]

Good point. Going forward, they might not give the 125% to people who booked after a certain date, excepting those that moved their cruises to that date from another cancelled one.

But even you if book last minute for a summer 2020 cruise, they still would rather you book a future cruise with 125% credit than just take the refund and not book anything. They aren't giving 125% out of the goodness of their hearts--it's a discount just like any other because they desperately need the cash and are worried many cruisers would be skittish about cruising in the next year or two without a discount.

It is really no different than the 20%-25% off discounts they are offering on certain cruises, new Canada, Florida or Military rates, or the increase in *GT fares--all of which are available to many more people than those whose cruises are cancelled in the next few months.