Cruise credit amount for cancelled sailings through March 31

[ray3127]

I've pieced together the cruise credit amounts offered for the cancelled cruises from different postings on here. I gather the following:

This weekend's sailings were offered a 100% refund or a 150% cruise credit.

Next weekend's (thru 3/31?) sailings were offered a 100% refund or 125% cruise credit.

I am unsure about the expiration dates.

The problem is, earlier this week the offer was only a 100% cruise credit for 12 months. We were to sail this Saturday, March 14, but decided late Tuesday to postpone. We miraculously made it through to Costco (our travel agent) and rebooked for early 2021.

Now it sounds like had we held out, we would've received a 150% cruise credit instead of only 100%?

Is anybody else in this situation, and if you rebooked before the 150% offer, have you asked your TA/DCL about making up the difference as a cruise credit?

I know others have more pressing needs right now, so I'm not going to try to bother Costco at the moment, as we are "safely" rebooked. But I think it's a fair question.

 

[MarkLT1]

I absolutely feel for you, but unfortunately, I think it will end up being much like people who volunteer their seats in the gate area on a full flight. Those who volunteer early, get less. As time goes on, the compensation goes up, to the point where if the airline cancels on you, you are much more well compensated.

In your case, DCL could argue- you cancelled early, and were reimbursed in a way both you and DCL agreed to at the time. Due to cancelling early, you were able to avoid travel, and last minute travel cancellation. Those who still believed they were going on the cruise (or held out) and did not cancel early, were more inconvenienced as it was not planned, DCL unilaterally canceled their trip, and it was last minute.

I hope, for your sake that DCL comes around and offers a bit of an olive branch to those who cancelled early, but I don't know if I'd hold my breath for that to happen.

 

[BlueRibbon]

This is what was in the cancellation email I received for our cruise next week 3/23 out of Miami:

"We would like to offer you the choice of a 125% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of your original sail date, or a full refund. If you select a future cruise credit and are not able to use it, you will be eligible for a refund up to the amount you paid in full. "

This is one reason I held out. Personally, even with what's going on today, I think we still would have gone if they hadn't cancelled, but I knew they had to cancel to ensure I'd get any kind of refund.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Check with DCL because they may still give you the better offer. I know Princess is. We had a Princess cruise booked for April 18th. We were in the period where we would lose 50% of our fare. I cancelled the day they changed their cancellation policy to give me the 50% back in the form of a future cruise credit. Then they ended up cancelling the cruise earlier this week and offered a bonus cruise credit, but they extended the offer to anyone who was paid in full and cancelled after February 4th. I just had to go online and fill out a form requesting it. I am getting my 50% penalty back as a refund plus 25% as a future cruise credit.

 

[randumb0]

It looks like not everyone is receiving a greater than 100% credit. Only certain cruises

 

[Boardwalk Family]

I am in the exact same "boat" as Ray and am none to thrilled about it. Supposed to be on the 3.14 cruise. At first, they said you can to change but it will cost you $1200 ($300x4). Then, as we got closer, it was you can change without the penalty, so we transferred to March 2021. Now, if we would have waited, I would have received another $4500 (cruise is about $9000). So,
1. Disney has had my money in the form of a paid in full cruise since 12.19
2. Others who waited will receive another $4500 (jthink moving from my statement to concierge, or think Palo and Remy, excursions and almost unlimited shopping on board)
3. I believe that others who will book new reservations later this year will be given a substantial discount over what I paid in December 19 for my March 2020 cruise. I believe this will have substantial long term impact on cruise - IMHO.

We have cruised Disney quite a bit, and I feel awful - just awful - for the. economic problems that this virus will inflict on the cast members. But seriously, those who wait another 2 days receive an additional $4500.

 

[ray3127]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Boardwalk, I'm right there with you. Feel awful about everything going on, and happy to be rebooked ... But also feel cheated. We were to fly from Nebraska tonight (Friday), and didn't feel like we could delay our decision further.

We had also heard horror stories about getting through to Costco Travel, so we started trying Wednesday, fearing we might not make it through on time. After no luck on the phone, I actually tweeted my displeasure ... and received a phone call within 30 minutes.

Again, I get the big picture ... this is a truly unprecedented situation. But it feels like we are being penalized for being proactive this week. Like Boardwalk, we are talking about $4,000 extra here.

 

[BlueRibbon]

After no luck on the phone, I actually tweeted my displeasure ... and received a phone call within 30 minutes.

Were you able to get anything?

 

[Sakura1017]

I've pieced together the cruise credit amounts offered for the cancelled cruises from different postings on here. I gather the following:

This weekend's sailings were offered a 100% refund or a 150% cruise credit.

Next weekend's (thru 3/31?) sailings were offered a 100% refund or 125% cruise credit.

I am unsure about the expiration dates.

The problem is, earlier this week the offer was only a 100% cruise credit for 12 months. We were to sail this Saturday, March 14, but decided late Tuesday to postpone. We miraculously made it through to Costco (our travel agent) and rebooked for early 2021.

Now it sounds like had we held out, we would've received a 150% cruise credit instead of only 100%?

Is anybody else in this situation, and if you rebooked before the 150% offer, have you asked your TA/DCL about making up the difference as a cruise credit?

I know others have more pressing needs right now, so I'm not going to try to bother Costco at the moment, as we are "safely" rebooked. But I think it's a fair question.

Its because you canceled on your own that Disney is offering equal amount becuase they understand covid 19 was a health concern and you were not as comfortable to sail with the situation. If you waited until they canceled on you then you probably would get more out of it since they were the ones that had to cancel since people were still willing to go. Im assuming more people got a better cruise rate of 150% if your sailing was march 14 because it was out of the blue and you were probably all prepared to fly out. The last week in march probably gets the 125% becuase its still late notice but enough to still be a good will gesture.

 

[ray3127]

Its because you canceled on your own that Disney is offering equal amount becuase they understand covid 19 was a health concern and you were not as comfortable to sail with the situation. If you waited until they canceled on you then you probably would get more out of it since they were the ones that had to cancel since people were still willing to go. Im assuming more people got a better cruise rate of 150% if your sailing was march 14 because it was out of the blue and you were probably all prepared to fly out. The last week in march probably gets the 125% becuase its still late notice but enough to still be a good will gesture.

I do understand this explanation, it just rings hollow. Again, this is an unprecedented situation. We did choose to cancel on our own, based on our assessment of the situation. DCL was a little late to the party, late in the day on Thursday.

Disney also changed the rules on who gets what as the week went along. Those that acted early end up with less; this doesn't seem fair.

I cancelled 3 days prior to the cruise. The cruises later in March are getting 125%. If you're on a March 21 cruise, that decision was made for you 9 days prior to sailing. If our sail date was March 21, I would've waited a bit longer as well, and received 125%.

It's obviously a unique situation. Given that fact, I think they should treat everybody the same. If you were supposed to sail on March 14, 16, 20, 21, etc., but switched earlier in the week when their offer was different, they should give you the same benefit as those who waited. For most of the last week our attitude was "if the ship is sailing, we are going." But that changed Wednesday, when a whole lot of other organizations changed their mind. It was last Sunday when the State Dept. said "don't get on a cruise ship." I don't think I should be penalized compared to others who waited it out. Can't see how that's fair.

I made my decision not knowing what the ultimate rules were going to be. Again, not fair. I understand the situation is fluid, but the corporation should be a little more careful how it treats its customers in this situation.

This comes from a lifelong fan, DVC owner of too many points, and family that spends 3-4 weeks a year at WDW, DL, and DCL. I know it is a challenging deal ... but now it feels like there's winners and losers. Not cool.

 

[ray3127]

Were you able to get anything?

Yes, we got on a Feb. 2021 sailing. Our room choice was a bit cheaper, so we got the remainder as a shipboard credit. The overall amount was limited to 100% of our initial cruise fare, but the Costco agent was able to get us into the room we wanted.

Had I known what was coming, I obviously wouldn't have done anything.

 

[axfather]

We were booked on the 3/14/20 cruise from Miami. I held out, but not because of the $. I wanted to go dang it! I
Instead of offering a % off a future cruise and a refund, the % of $ already paid (and retained) is clever for DCL as they can better control revenue/cash flow, along with charging higher prices (with the discount remaining at a static $#) once the virus plays out. They managed to thread a needle of both being shrewd and fair at the same time.....not easy.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

We were supposed to be on the sailing leaving today but took the credit earlier in the week because the Canadian government and medical board said we shouldn’t be sailing and based on that took what we thought was going to be the credit being offered to everyone only to find out that now that the cruises are canceled people are being offered 150% credits or 100% refund and like OP said it’s not fair and all people who have been affected should be offered the same deal. I contacted DCL yesterday and they took my name and number and said someone would get back to me....so far no word yet....

 

[ray3127]

We were supposed to be on the sailing leaving today but took the credit earlier in the week because the Canadian government and medical board said we shouldn’t be sailing and based on that took what we thought was going to be the credit being offered to everyone only to find out that now that the cruises are canceled people are being offered 150% credits or 100% refund and like OP said it’s not fair and all people who have been affected should be offered the same deal. I contacted DCL yesterday and they took my name and number and said someone would get back to me....so far no word yet....

Were you booked through a TA or direct with DCL?

Please let us know what DCL says.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Were you booked through a TA or direct with DCL?

Please let us know what DCL says.

We booked ourselves and we will keep you posted as soon as DCL lets us know (keeping our fingers crossed)

 

[MomOTwins]

We were supposed to be on the sailing leaving today but took the credit earlier in the week because the Canadian government and medical board said we shouldn’t be sailing and based on that took what we thought was going to be the credit being offered to everyone only to find out that now that the cruises are canceled people are being offered 150% credits or 100% refund and like OP said it’s not fair and all people who have been affected should be offered the same deal. I contacted DCL yesterday and they took my name and number and said someone would get back to me....so far no word yet....

I can understand why you are upset, but I don't see why it is unfair for Disney to treat the two groups of customers: those who opted out and those who didn't, differently here for two reasons.

First, they are compensating the customers for the inconvenience of having to scramble to change travel plans at the last minute, despite very high call times, and despite the fact that they may already have flown/driven down to Florida or incurred other non-refundable expenses from the last-minute cancellation. We flew Southwest once during a winter storm, had a long exhausting day of delays, rerouting etc (3 hour flight became a 12 hour ordeal with small kids), and received a $100 per person credit from Southwest. Under southwest's policy, we could have cancelled or rebooked up to 10 minutes before the flight and gotten credit for what we paid, but we got additional compensation because we experienced difficulties that people who did cancel or rebook did not.

Second, they are rewarding people who would have sailed with them and lessened the financial blow to them. Like Southwest in my example, if we had cancelled, they would have flown a closer-to-empty plane which is costly for them. Likewise, if Disney had not had to cancel the March cruises, your cruise would have gone without you and the many others who opted to rebook, which would have been costly to Disney because they would have been sailing with fewer paying customers but still have expenses for staff, fuel, food etc. So they are giving them better perks as thanks to those people would have saved Disney money, whereas people like you who cancelled would have cost Disney money.

I don't say this to be unsympathetic--I know how sad I will be if I end up not being able to sail on my cruise. But to envy people who are getting compensated for a greater inconvenience than you had, and who are being rewarded for taking on risk that you weren't willing to take and that helped keep Disney Cruise Line afloat, just doesn't make sense.

 

[ray3127]

I can understand why you are upset, but I don't see why it is unfair for Disney to treat the two groups of customers: those who opted out and those who didn't, differently here for two reasons.

First, they are compensating the customers for the inconvenience of having to scramble to change travel plans at the last minute, despite very high call times, and despite the fact that they may already have flown/driven down to Florida or incurred other non-refundable expenses from the last-minute cancellation. We flew Southwest once during a winter storm, had a long exhausting day of delays, rerouting etc (3 hour flight became a 12 hour ordeal with small kids), and received a $100 per person credit from Southwest. Under southwest's policy, we could have cancelled or rebooked up to 10 minutes before the flight and gotten credit for what we paid, but we got additional compensation because we experienced difficulties that people who did cancel or rebook did not.

Second, they are rewarding people who would have sailed with them and lessened the financial blow to them. Like Southwest in my example, if we had cancelled, they would have flown a closer-to-empty plane which is costly for them. Likewise, if Disney had not had to cancel the March cruises, your cruise would have gone without you and the many others who opted to rebook, which would have been costly to Disney because they would have been sailing with fewer paying customers but still have expenses for staff, fuel, food etc. So they are giving them better perks as thanks to those people would have saved Disney money, whereas people like you who cancelled would have cost Disney money.

I don't say this to be unsympathetic--I know how sad I will be if I end up not being able to sail on my cruise. But to envy people who are getting compensated for a greater inconvenience than you had, and who are being rewarded for taking on risk that you weren't willing to take and that helped keep Disney Cruise Line afloat, just doesn't make sense.

Respectfully disagree.

This is an unprecedented situation where conditions changed rapidly every single day all week. Any attempt to compare it to previous situations is apples and oranges.

The fact that so many travel companies are allowing a huge amount of flexibility (see Princess Cruises example in post above) is proof of this.

We're also not talking about $100, but 25-50% of a DCL cruise fare ... Literally thousands of dollars.

DCL has created winners and losers based on the date/time you decided to cancel in the midst of a WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC where the government explicitly advised US citizens to not get on cruise ships.

So while I understand your argument, I do not think it is a fair one given the incredibly unique circumstances.

I hope DCL is able to come up with a solution that rectifies this, and look forward to hearing what others find out.

 

[Geomom]

My feelings on this is that those that changed their cruises early shouldn't get the 150% credit--as that is to compensate for those already in the midst of travelling to Orlando--there were people in the middle of driving down, people flying down early, etc. They really only had 1 day notice as the website didn't even update until after midnight. Those with later March cruises get the 125% credit, as they have more time to change their plans/cancel flights, etc.

What Disney should do for those who changed early, is to let them get a 100% refund if they wish (instead of just the 100% credit), and offer them OBC for the cruise they moved--maybe $100/person? More than what they offered before, but not equal to those that had more hardship. Oh, and to extend their credit out to 15 mths--the expiration date should equal the current offer.

 

[ray3127]

Those with later March cruises get the 125% credit, as they have more time to change their plans/cancel flights, etc.

I get the idea behind this, I really do.

But somebody sailing on March 21 gets 125%, and DCL canceled their cruise at 9 days out.

I canceled my March 14 sailing at 3 days out, and was only offered 100%.

How do you square that?

I don't mean to sound like this is a huge problem amidst what is going on. It's not, and we are happy to be rebooked when we are ... But put yourself in our shoes. If you cancelled based on what's going on in the world, and the next day Disney changed the rules, resulting in you missing out on $4,000, how would you feel?

I haven't heard anybody who is actually in my position say "I understand and have no issues with it." A few hundred bucks wouldn't bother me. But it's hard to just shrug off a $4,000 difference.

 

[axfather]

Honestly, I ignored all my family/friends advice, ignored the CDC, ignored the internet, and just wanted to get on that boat trusting that DCL would be hyper clean and even take care of us much better than Princess if denied entry back to port. For what was probably a bit of stupidity/naivete on my part, I am rewarded with a nice future discount. Those cruisers who handled this more maturely and cautiously get less. I think that might be part of the frustration expressed on this thread which is somewhat understandable.