Cancelled 7 day Magic cruiser, still no responce from Disney, anyone else??

[icartjetta]

My family was also cancelled and the week we were supposed to be having the time of our life, I was fighting with DCL (all week). My original cruise I had a cat.11 and was upgraded to cat.8, needless to say we were all thrilled, a window! When I tried to get my cat 8. they said NO WAY that was a gift. So who takes gifts back? Since we resceduled our cruise for the time it was the Florida rate (luckily, we live here in Orlando) we took that money and put it back into the cruise getting a veranda and still getting some $ back. We went on the Jan11 eastern cruise and met some friends for life, who were right across the hall. In our case it was a true blessing that were cancelled and then went when we did. We did have a fabulous time, and the veranda was the best part of the trip. Next time it will be RCCL. Icart

 

[icartjetta]

I have been reading this topic and I keep hearing that people spent time in the parks. I live here in Orlando, I guess my question is, did people get to stay at disney and get 50% off there next cruise? Since I live here I got my 50% off but nothing else. And to tell you the truth I would have liked to stay on property. Anyone?
Icart

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Some people I have talked to got 1/2 of their origional package and 3 extra nights at disney (Sat.,Thurs.,Fri,) and the 4 night Dec 1 cruise along with vouchers for meals at Disney resourts for the time they were to be cruising. Some people only got 1/2 off of the 4 night cruise and meal vouchers, some recieved 1/2 off origional including meal vouchers, and a 50% voucher off of a future cruise. So were offered a free upgrade on a future cruise. I guess the reason for delays is the Disney is really taking this on an individual basis. If that is the truth and they are taking the time to review each case individually I'm O.K. with that.

 

[Michelemouse]

We spent time in the parks but it was at our cost, not Disney's. We received all of our DVC points and cash back (we were paying part with points, part with cash) and then used our points to book our stay at WDW. We also paid all of our own expenses. We then were able to book a cruise at 50% off.

Those who chose not to get a refund and went on the 4-day cruise were entitled to the 3 nights hotel stay and the meals because that was the only way to get a fair value for their cruise. They were paying for a full week w/meals and the got a full week w/meals...instead of a refund. I would assume they would also get the 50% off cruise in the future. It was either refund plus 50% off or exchange plus 50% off.

I really believe that you have to roll with the punches and that things always happen for a reason. We ended up spending the week at AKL w/another displaced 11/30 family and now we are all cruising together next year. They only live about an hour away and we have all become great friends. I have absolutely no ill will toward DCL over what happened. That's life.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Just a guess, but perhaps attitude had a lot to do with how DCL treated passengers (or how they compensated people).

I'm sure they had a set plan: to give all passengers 1/2 off their next cruise. (That's a lot of money!). If passengers complained further, they probably had the okay to give a bit more here and there. If passengers complained rudely, etc., I'm sure it was more of a too bad, so sad attitude by DCL and rightfully so.

I think it's obvious by some of the posts that we've read in the past that some passengers were just yelling and screaming at Disney. The squeaky wheel may get the grease, but it's far easier to get what you want when you are calm, relaxed and not yelling.

Trust me on this one, lol. (been there, done that with Princess cruiselines). You just have to let it go. Be happy with what you have and move on. Some people NEVER get to vacation. Some people on these boards seem to complain because they can't vacation enough.

 

[SweetCaroline]

Melrosgirl,

I'm not going to say it again. We complain and discuss on this board because it is a DISCUSSION board. I think it is very presumptuous of you to think people were ranting and raving. I believe this thread was for people who hadn't heard anything from DCL. Just curious people who wanted to talk to others in the same situation. For the record, I haven't even been in contact with DCL. We wrote a letter and it is going through our TA. The frustration for alot of people is the helplessness of the sitation.

As much as this is an open forum. I think you should stand clear of passing judgement on people, their situation, and their vacationing schedules!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K, I got a faxed copy of my Dec 11,2002 letter I never recieved, offering me 50% off my next cruise, no holidays, offer expires Dec 20, 2003. You all talked me into it, cooler heads prevailed, I just booked a carbon copy of my last cruise, Thanksgiving at WDW and 7 night Eastern Sat. Nov. 29th. They even offered me a one catagory upgrage!!! Warm and fuzzy feeling is definately back, even if it is -3 degrees windchill here in the Chicago burbs. Time to start a new link for nov. 29th cruisers?????

 

[Melrosgirl]

Sweet Caroline,

I'm not going to argue with you. No where in my post did I single anyone out. I simply said many posters have complained about the canceled cruise in the past. I think many people will agree with me that there have been tons of rants and raves on this board since November.

I was simply offering advice on how to get what you want...by being nice. If your correspondence with DCL is anything like it was to me in your response to me above, you will not get far with DCL most likely. As I stated in my post, I have been in similar situations before with other cruiselines.

 

[SweetCaroline]

Melrosgirl

Although you think your post may have been trying to help, it comes off as condescending. I do apologize if you think I was being abrupt in my previous post, however it seems we get lots of advice to just suck it up mostly from people who didn't go through what we went through. We all are "sucking it up", but we just like to talk to each other. It is cheaper than therapy (ha, ha)!

When we do get our response from DCL, the matter will be closed and we will move on and probably sail as individual families since agreeing on a date is almost impossible. We will cruise Disney and have a wonderful time. I hope you try and understand our points of view.

-Caroline

 

[nedleycan]

I called our agent just now, to ask about the free upgrade. She called Disney while I was on hold, and they are not aware of any upgrades being offered... oh well... category 5 is fine!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Catagory upgrages are good on 6-12 catagories, sorry not to mention that in the last post. I usually book a 6 so I paid for an 8 and got a 6.

 

[trishy]

I just want to say Good Luck to all of you who have had to reschedule. It is difficult to make plans, get time off, coordinate schedules, etc. I hope all of those who were denied passage on the Flu cruise get 50% off of what they originally agreed to pay for their voyage - no matter what time of year you have to travel. Just because November 2002 worked out last year doesn't necessarily mean November 2003 will work out just as well. Anyway, good luck and keep posting on this OPEN FORUM (some seem to forget it's a DISCUSSION board).

 

[imgoingtodisney]

again not here
We are paying with DVC points for a cat 6 to get a cat 6
We were going to pay with points for a cat 10 and get a secret porthole

 

[TChrist05]

Hello all....a fellow 11/30 canceled cruiser here....and I admit that I have read each post from the first to the last....and everyone makes some very good points....we booked our 11/30/02 cruise exactly one year before we were supposed to sail while we were on our first 7 day cruise.....anticipation really started to build in September....we had been upgraded from a category 8 to a category 5....and the wife and I were looking forward to the 7 days of magical relaxation.....and we even booked 5 nights in Disney World after the cruise....12 nights away from New York in pure heaven.....but then the flu started to hit the ship....and the call from DCL came to offer us a full refund if we chose not to cruise....nonsense we said....we are coming....but they did mention to us to call them on the special number before we left home....so after lunch on the day before Thanksgiving I figured I would give them a call....and they had the fateful announcement about the cruise being cancelled....so what were we to do....we had 12 nights down in Florida if we did not cruise....not going to happen..so we called and called...got disconnected...dealt with a couple of rude DCL cast members(however, they probably finally had enough of people yelling at them so I kind of understand) and finally we were able to be put on the 12/1 sailing of the Wonder....but we could not have our upgrade because we did not pay for it and Disney gave it to us....so we were out of luck....they put us up in a hotel on Saturday 11/30 and then for 2 nights after we got back...and yes, we did get meal vouchers for our meals...but I had to negotiate this and transportation to the airport....as much as the 12/1 sailing on the Wonder was nice, it stopped at 3 ports so we never really felt like we were cruising....and we did book our next cruise for 11/29 on the ship for 50% off which we have since changed to the 5/10 western swing....and we did have to pay the inflated prices for sailing in May and the western.....and I also have contacted Disney as well as writing the cruise director on the ship when we sailed...never heard from either one....I do believe Disney has tried very hard to make everyone happy....but they are afraid to do more for one person since whatever is done it ends up on the boards....and I think it is fair that everyone knows what is going on. This is a discussion forum...but people that did not get there vacation plans ruined really have no idea how upsetting it was for a lot of people....was it the end of the world...no...but a lot of kids as well as there parents got disappointed....and some people could not reschedule vacations......and the right thing to do is make the people happy.....Disney is a big enough company who usually does the right thing....and hopefully everyone will be happy with the end result....but as I said before...if you did not have your vacation plans blown up you really have no idea how upsetting it was....let's just take our 50% off cruise and have a blast--but make sure it is in the year 2003 or you are out of luck!
Tom

 

[LAMPSKIES]

TChrist05----check your pm

 

[SweetCaroline]

Well, I got the form letter from DCL Guest Relations. 50% off another cruise and they cannot protect my fare I was previously paying. Can't say I'm surprised.

Thanks again for all of your support and for listening to me vent. I wish you all happiness in your future travels.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

SweetCaroline,

Do you ming if I ask what that 50% off letter was dated? Mine was Dec. 11, 2002. I just got a faxed copy, I'm still waiting on the origionals.

 

[SweetCaroline]

Lampskies,

Our letter was dated Dec 20th and it was sent to our TA. We just received a second letter in response to our letter to DCL requesting them to honor our original cruise price. That letter, dated this Tuesday, basically said sorry we're sticking with our original offer of 50% off any cruise. The 50% doesn't include port charges or taxes and must be used by Dec 20, 2003.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Sounds like the same letter they wrote me, dated Dec 11. The only way I found ouy about it is they mentioned it in the letter they sent me dated Jan 15 2003, that was in responce to my letter I sent them telling of how disappointed I was in the way the castmembers handled us. That is the letter I was offered the upgrade on.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Sweet Caroline,

I rebooked the exact same dates as 2002, Thursday and Friday night at Port Orleans (Thanksgiving and the day after) and 7 night Eastern starting Saturday Nov. 29., 2003 I did book a catagory 8 and took the upgrade. The difference on the cruise (cat. 8 to a 6) was about 400.00 for all 4 of us. My oldest daughter is now going to be 13 and is 599.00 rather than 399.00 they changed the age cutoff and this time I am getting travel insurance elsewhere. My trip is 287.00 less. So add for cat 6 difference and 200.00 for my eldest and I found it to be real close in price.