Coronavirus and DCL Megathread - Suspension of Departures for the fleet until early November. Booking only available from early December.

[coloradocutie]

That picture is puzzling. These people may be susceptible to catching the virus due to the lack of precautions they are taking. For example, Some don't have glasses on. One has glasses, but it is on the top of her head. The guy is not wearing a glove, and is touching his face.

Just having that same conversation with my hubby!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It is also not that simple to switch a ship's home port on the fly. Disney has no infrastructure at Port of Seattle.

We sailed DCL to Alaska from Seattle. It was only there for 1 season, 2012. We jumped on it because Seattle flight prices and times were much better for us flying to Seattle.

 

[Gentry2004]

I’m surprised they haven’t extended their dates of closure yet. Trump has already said the US ports are closed for 30 days.

 

[Giraffe Lounge]

I’m surprised they haven’t extended their dates of closure yet. Trump has already said the US ports are closed for 30 days.

Same here, my cruise falls in that window so anxious to get the ball rolling on a cancellation or rebooking. I wonder if they’re just trying to space out those a little and work through the two weeks worth of those previously announced first.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I’m surprised they haven’t extended their dates of closure yet. Trump has already said the US ports are closed for 30 days.

It is going to happen. So many of these closure and shutdown dates will get extended. Disney needs to start taking the lead here and be more proactive.

 

[ghtx]

I’ve got a Bahamian cruise booked for mid-June. Hoping it still sails.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Looks like Pres. Trump is going to get me a refund. I see that the notice on Costco Travel isn't up to date. If they get a cancellation online option, I'll happily use that. Looking forward to getting my money back. As soon as things slow down, I'll be cancelling my October cruise as well. I had a great time on my past cruises. Made lots of nice memories. From here on out, cruising will be a "been there done that" type of thing for me.

 

[MomOTwins]

It is going to happen. So many of these closure and shutdown dates will get extended. Disney needs to start taking the lead here and be more proactive.

Their phone lines are already overwhelmed. They are doing this in phases because they need to control the call volume.

 

[Husker Mike]

Yes, but they should email everyone to say "hey, your cruise is cancelled, and we will be contacting you over the next couple of weeks to arrange for a refund or credit. We apologize, but due to the magnitude of this unprecedented disruption, it will take time to process everyone's transactions."

If only to limit the calls that ask "Is my cruise cancelled? How do I get a refund/reschedule?"

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I don't think Viking has that much influence. Aren't they are mostly in Europe? Plus they attract a unique clientele they are more expensive then DCL.

Actually, Viking and DCL are comparable in cost for similar accommodations. In fact, we can do Med, Northern Europe, Panama Canal, Alaska, and Transatlantic cruises for slightly less than we have been paying to Disney for midship verandah staterooms (Viking is all verandah on their ocean cruise ships, each of which holds 930 passengers). And Viking includes an excursion in each port, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and some other amenities. However, no children under 18, only two passengers per stateroom, much different entertainment offerings, etc. The demographic of their clientele skews much older, of course, and they have even less ocean cruise capacity than DCL.

 

[smmco]

I cannot imagine any port in Mexico or the Caribbean that is going to allow docking when US cases get to 10k/20k/50k. And, although there are always people who go to the beach to watch the hurricane and seem to ignore expert/government/common sense warnings, I really doubt thousands of people will line up to board cruise ships in a month. If it wasn’t for being past PIF dates, almost everyone would be cancelling now.

The cruise lines won’t really be in the position of deciding to run for awhile- either ports will shut them out or passenger lack of demand will. I think it’s going to take things being a lot more certain before demand increases enough to run a ship.

I can't imagine any port in the Caribbean being able to survive without tourism. Most of the people on those islands are already dirt poor.

 

[ramwitz]

Yes, but they should email everyone to say "hey, your cruise is cancelled, and we will be contacting you over the next couple of weeks to arrange for a refund or credit. We apologize, but due to the magnitude of this unprecedented disruption, it will take time to process everyone's transactions."

If only to limit the calls that ask "Is my cruise cancelled? How do I get a refund/reschedule?"

Exactly this! I even received a mass email from Carnival (who I do not have a cruise scheduled with) basically updating everyone on this mess and their cancelled cruises and reassuring those with a canceled cruise that they will be getting in touch with them within 4 weeks to discuss their options. Disney needs to do the same.

ETA: Not even my TA has heard anything from them!

 

[Naeher]

May and June sailings on the Wonder are no longer on sale.

 

[smmco]

May and June sailings on the Wonder are no longer on sale.

Yesterday's news

 

[Naeher]

Yesterday’s news was the announcement Canada is closed to ships. Scott updated his blog 30 minutes ago confirming the ships aren’t being rerouted or anything at this time.
Let’s not turn against each other...

 

[DIS_MIKE]

May and June sailings on the Wonder are no longer on sale.

Definitely gives you an idea of where we are headed. They will likely all get cancelled.

 

[monkeydawn]

Yesterday's news

How is this a positive contribution to the tread?

 

[BadPinkTink]

I just did a check for The Magic for May, the Transatlantic and the Med cruises are still on sale, no changes, so fThe Magic is still scheduled for Europe in the summer

 

[tidefan]

That picture is puzzling. These people may be susceptible to catching the virus due to the lack of precautions they are taking. For example, Some don't have glasses on. One has glasses, but it is on the top of her head. The guy is not wearing a glove, and is touching his face.

Ha. I agree. They had another one today which looked a little better. (Though I can't figure out what the guy with nothing on is doing...)



I spoke with a friend of mine here at The University that had done some work in Epidemiology. His thought is that this whole focus on drive-thru testing is to model things on the approach in South Korea, the thought being that the more people they keep away from major health facilities, the less spread. I want to say that the positive rate is something in the 2-4% range (of all people taking tests overseas from the data). I think that the thought is that if you do the testing with the least amount of exposure, it "flattens the curve". On the other hand, in places where they have had testing in medical facilities, if you show up and are one of the 96-98% that are actually negative, but you are now standing in line or sitting next to someone that has the virus, you now have exposed yourself and contribute to exponential growth of cases...

Now... I don't think that the messaging of this (if this is the case) was great, but it does make sense...

 

[smmco]

How is this a positive contribution to the tread?

And....