Changing cruise date after PIF, booked in concierge - what options?

[Docmum]

Hi folks, could you please help me, since I do not find an answer to my specific question.

We are booked on the Fantasy in November 2021, Merrytime cruise, in concierge and definetely wanto to go IF - and that is maybe the problem - we are allowed to. Since we are from Europe, we are right now barred from entry to the US due to COVID. My husband and I are fully vaccinated, our children (14 and 10) not yet. While I am quite optimistic, that my 14year old will be available to get vaccinated anytime soon, I am not sure about our 10year old.

So what, if we are not allowed into the US until November and can`t go on our cruise for that reason ? Our PIF is in July so I need to make sure, that not all my money is lost in that case. I would be ok, to push the amount paid on a future cruise in that case though, if that would be possible.

I strongly hope, that the travel ban will be lifted anytime soon, since we are also DVC member and AP and right now don`t get anything of it, but the upcoming payment for the cruise is bothering me right now the most. I simply can not afford to lose that amount of money.

I appreciate any insight on this ! Thanks in advance !!

 

[OpieDoodle]

My understanding is if Disney is cancelling the reservations for COVID you can reschedule for a future sailing or get a refund I believe. The rescheduling part you can see in the announcements on the website if you look up past cancellation notices.

EDIT: now if YOU cancel that's a totally different story

 

[Trera]

You could move the deposit to another cruise but it is not refundable. It would be definitely work a call to DCL to see if they would refund you should the USA not allow you to enter the country.

I am assuming you didnt have travel insurance?

 

[Calantha]

We are booked on the Fantasy in November 2021, Merrytime cruise, in concierge and definetely wanto to go IF - and that is maybe the problem - we are allowed to. Since we are from Europe, we are right now barred from entry to the US due to COVID. My husband and I are fully vaccinated, our children (14 and 10) not yet. While I am quite optimistic, that my 14year old will be available to get vaccinated anytime soon, I am not sure about our 10year old.

So, our cruise is a few weeks before yours and I got an email from Disney last month that says: "These temporary changes are in addition to our Cruise Date Flexibility* Option that already allows Guests the flexibility to change their sail date up to 15 days prior to departure for any cruise booked by May 31, 2021, for scheduled sailings on or before October 31, 2021" ... so I know you are right outside the window, but I expect that as cruising continues to be delayed that scheduled sailing date will move out.

I would call though. You will definately be able to reschedule, but I think if you cancelled you would lose your deposit.

 

[lanejudy]

Generally-speaking, if you try to change the date after the official PIF date then you will lose at least the deposit. Once you hit that PIF date it goes into the penalty phase. Any time prior to PIF you can CHANGE the cruise date (never say the word "cancel") and shift all funds to the new date with no penalty.

It sounds like you have about a month or 6 weeks before PIF. I'd sort of keep an eye on things and ride-out the current flexible booking policy to see if that extends further to cover your date. Or just bite the bullet now and decide to move the cruise.

 

[JWG]

I think your circumstance is unique as your choice to travel isn't really yours. I'd call before the PIF date to speak to someone and decide from there.

 

[Docmum]

You could move the deposit to another cruise but it is not refundable. It would be definitely work a call to DCL to see if they would refund you should the USA not allow you to enter the country.

I am assuming you didnt have travel insurance?

I have an insurance, but it is still unclear, if this special case would be insured as well. Right now, all insurances claim, that an entry ban to a certain country would be something so special, unprecedented, that they are not sure if it falls under protection, so as of now it is suggested, to talk in that case to the tour operator, so DCL in this case. I will try to call them the next days, but fear, that even for them this is such a special possible scenario, that they don‘t have any regulations set up yet. I think, right now everything is centered around COVID infections and how to handle those issues, but not possible travel bans for non US cruisers, as we are probably a minority. I‘d rather have something like a written statement from DCL, to be on the safe side.