Cancellation when one person in party doesn't go

[itutorfortravel]

Hello, I just booked Christmas week for 4 people in my family. I know 3 of us will definitely be going, not sure about the 4th, but I am hoping. Unfortunately, due to school, work, and other family plans she may have, I may not know about the 4th person for sure until we enter into the penalty phase, sooo....

Does anyone know what happens if just one person in our stateroom cancels? For instance, let's say for argument's sake that the 4th person's fare was $1000 plus $59 for insurance. Here is how I am interpreting the cancellation policy. Please correct (or confirm) this information if you can.

If we cancel 75 + Days prior to sail, we will get a full refund of her fare

If we cancel 74-45 Days prior to sail, we will lose her $250 deposit + $59 insurance

If we cancel 44 - 8 Days prior to sail, we will lose 50% of her fare ($500) and cost of insurance ($59)

7 days or less before sailing, we will get no refund

I am also assuming that by taking her off the reservation at some point if we need to, that it doesn't affect the rate for the remaining 3 of us. Is that right?

I am sure we would know something by at least 45 days out, but in the event that we don't know anything until the very last minute, will our party of 3 have any trouble boarding if the 4th person isn't with us on the day of boarding?

Thanks!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Does anyone know?

 

[kcashner]

You are basically right, provided that she isn't the lead name (first name) on the reservation. If the lead name cancels, DCL considers the reservation canceled. You can avoid this even if she is currently the lead by moving one of the other adults to the lead name. The other situation is that if she is booked as an adult and the others are at a child's rate, one of the children would then have to pay full fare (adult rate). There must be 2 people in a cabin paying adult rate unless a person is traveling solo paying that surcharge.

Another option is that up to 31 days ahead, you can change a name on a reservation without penalty....so if there is someone else who wishes to take her spot, you'd lose only her insurance cost.

If you change a name on a reservation after the 30 day mark, there is a $35 fee.

Do read up on the policies of how you must cancel and confer early with your TA if you used one.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks! Glad to know I was thinking along the right path...She is considered an adult (she'll be 19) so it will be 3 adults and 1 child in the stateroom. So I am assuming if we take her off it will then be considered 2 adults and one child again and we would pay 2 adult fares and 1 child fare...

Hopefully we would not need to cancel her, but it's a situation where we don't have complete control over her schedule so we have to go with the flow...I just wanted to get her booked in that cat 12 when I could b/c it's not always easy to get one for 4 ppl.

Oh, and let's hope we don't find out at the final hour that she can't go, but if that happened and we showed up at the port without her, would we have any problems?

 

[kcashner]

If you showed up at the port without her, there would be no problems from DCL. The only issue would be that you wouldn't get any refund. Even if you notified them a day ahead, it might make life easier at check in.

With 3 adults and one kid, there would be no fare issues. Is it possible (if not a last minute thing) that you child would want to bring a friend? Not an ideal answer, but perhaps better than losing the money if DD has to cancel.

 

[msmith07101]

Along the same lines...what if I have two cat 12's with 2 people in each, but one person can't go. That would leave 1 adult and 2 kids and the need for only one room. Would I be able to add 1 child to my existing room that already has 2 people in it, for the same rate?? And I would be canceling the 2nd room all together.

 

[kcashner]

Along the same lines...what if I have two cat 12's with 2 people in each, but one person can't go. That would leave 1 adult and 2 kids and the need for only one room. Would I be able to add 1 child to my existing room that already has 2 people in it, for the same rate?? And I would be canceling the 2nd room all together.

This one is complicated...and of course depends on the timing of the cancellation. If you are 75 days out, it's no problem--you can move the child to the one room and cancel the second reservation. If you are less than 75 days out, it's going to depend on how strictly they decide to follow the rules. Technically, they can insist on the penalty for the canceled reservation (for both occupants of that cabin) and then make you rebook the third person at the then current rate into the other cabin. Since it is a child, the rate probably won't have increased (normally only the first 2 in a cabin increase), but you'd still have the issue of canceling 2 people. Now, if you get a reasonable CM, there is a much nicer way they could choose to handle it--let you move one and cancel only one. However, that's not how it's written and recently they have been going strictly by the written policy.

 

[msmith07101]

This one is complicated...and of course depends on the timing of the cancellation. If you are 75 days out, it's no problem--you can move the child to the one room and cancel the second reservation. If you are less than 75 days out, it's going to depend on how strictly they decide to follow the rules. Technically, they can insist on the penalty for the canceled reservation (for both occupants of that cabin) and then make you rebook the third person at the then current rate into the other cabin. Since it is a child, the rate probably won't have increased (normally only the first 2 in a cabin increase), but you'd still have the issue of canceling 2 people. Now, if you get a reasonable CM, there is a much nicer way they could choose to handle it--let you move one and cancel only one. However, that's not how it's written and recently they have been going strictly by the written policy.

It would be prior to the 75 day cut off. So then I would be OK. Thanks for the info...you are a wealth of information and so quick to respond...when you are here, that is!! It was a little quiet the last few days...hadn't seen you on here!

 

[DVC96]

We actually just had to cancel for our 20-year old DD on 7/1 for the 8/15 Eastern cruise. Because we were under the 75 day cancellation period, we lost about $184 but we were refunded the rest of her fare. She was the 4th person in a Cat 9, booked through DU with a military discount. We were refunded a total of about $350. DU was great at getting the cancellation through and DCL refunded the money in just a couple of days, although they said it could take up to 2 or 3 weeks. I thought we would lose more $ than what we did, so I was pleased at the ease, speed and amount of the refund.

 

[itutorfortravel]

We actually just had to cancel for our 20-year old DD on 7/1 for the 8/15 Eastern cruise. Because we were under the 75 day cancellation period, we lost about $184 but we were refunded the rest of her fare. She was the 4th person in a Cat 9, booked through DU with a military discount. We were refunded a total of about $350. DU was great at getting the cancellation through and DCL refunded the money in just a couple of days, although they said it could take up to 2 or 3 weeks. I thought we would lose more $ than what we did, so I was pleased at the ease, speed and amount of the refund.

Thank you for your post. This is exactly the type of situation I want to be prepared for...

 

[lbgraves]

Along the same lines...what if I have two cat 12's with 2 people in each, but one person can't go. That would leave 1 adult and 2 kids and the need for only one room. Would I be able to add 1 child to my existing room that already has 2 people in it, for the same rate?? And I would be canceling the 2nd room all together.

That will also depend on the lifeboat capacity at the time in the rooms you are actually assigned to. The majority of 12 GTYs are upgraded and there is no guarantee that they will be next to each other so it is very possible that each room will be in a different lifeboat station. If it is at capacity you will not be able to add anyone to the room.

 

[msmith07101]

That will also depend on the lifeboat capacity at the time in the rooms you are actually assigned to. The majority of 12 GTYs are upgraded and there is no guarantee that they will be next to each other so it is very possible that each room will be in a different lifeboat station. If it is at capacity you will not be able to add anyone to the room.

Than that would be a problem...I just need to firm this up now, just to be safe then.
Thanks!