DCL CHaNGES PAYMENT DUE DATES

[Pens Fan]

I know Princess and Royal Caribbean are doing it. I think Carnival has a non-refundable deposit option - but I don't think it defaults you into that. I was looking at NCL the other day (why I don't know...I do NOT want to be stuck on a ship with my principal and that is the only line she cruises) and I'm pretty sure that it was non-refundable and I'd have to opt out of it...but it could have been Princess also as I was looking at both.

I'm curious, as this has not been my experience with them (and I look at a lot of cruises on their site ) Was it for one of the all inclusive cruises on the Sky or Sun? I've never looked at those as I kind of assume they end up being party cruises, but I guess their cancellation policy could be different. For everything else I've ever looked at (as long as you are looking on the US site - international versions of their website have different rules), all deposits on NCL are fully refundable up to PIF as far as I know - even the Haven. I have never seen, nor heard anyone mention a non-refundable deposit.

Just curious, as I know this seems to be a trend in the industry lately. I hope NCL and Disney don't join Princess and RCCI on this as they are currently our cruise lines of choice.

 

[Dug720]

I'm curious, as this has not been my experience with them (and I look at a lot of cruises on their site ) Was it for one of the all inclusive cruises on the Sky or Sun? I've never looked at those as I kind of assume they end up being party cruises, but I guess their cancellation policy could be different. For everything else I've ever looked at (as long as you are looking on the US site - international versions of their website have different rules), all deposits on NCL are fully refundable up to PIF as far as I know - even the Haven. I have never seen, nor heard anyone mention a non-refundable deposit.

Just curious.

Like I said, I was looking at a few lines and could have gotten it confused. But it would have been one with studios if it was NCL.

 

[Pens Fan]

Like I said, I was looking at a few and could have gotten it confused. But it would have been one with studios.

That eliminates the Sky or Sun. I hope you were confused! I'm not a fan of these cruise lines going with non-refundable deposits.

 

[Dug720]

That eliminates the Sky or Sun. I hope you were confused! I'm not a fan of these cruise lines going with non-refundable deposits.

It may well not have been - I remember I don't like that they up the price if you opt for the "included" unlimited beverage choice, and that even the majority of the studios connect (EW! talk about making it seem like a singles' love den - it they are designed for ONE person, make them for ONE and not connecting) AND I always remember that the possibility of running into my principal exists (and with my luck would happen), so I quickly change to something else. (Plus the whole "freestyle" dining thing and being gluten-free don't seem to go too well together.)

But since I always gravitate back to Disney (as a solo there is not THAT much difference in price for the cabin, so I have difficulty justifying going on something I don't fully trust), everything else runs together.

 

[MomOTwins]

It says the cancellation penalty still does not kick in until 75 days so I don't mind. Just the payment date is moved two weeks.

 

[kaseyC]

That eliminates the Sky or Sun. I hope you were confused! I'm not a fan of these cruise lines going with non-refundable deposits.

It's not NCL and never has been. I just recently booked a suites on the Pearl for a European cruise and the Joy for Alaska next summer while I decide which one I'm going to keep. I know RCCL, Princess and Celebrity have non-refundable deposits but also offer refundable deposits for a higher rate.

 

[kaseyC]

It says the cancellation penalty still does not kick in until 75 days so I don't mind. Just the payment date is moved two weeks.

From seeing the policy posted on other websites and FB groups, I'm pretty sure that's a typo. Penalty kicks in at the 89 day mark.

 

[Pens Fan]

It's not NCL and never has been. I just recently booked a suites on the Pearl for a European cruise and the Joy for Alaska next summer while I decide which one I'm going to keep. I know RCCL, Princess and Celebrity have non-refundable deposits but also offer refundable deposits for a higher rate.

Thanks! I was pretty sure that was the case. We've booked three with them and they all had refundable deposits, even in suites. Thanks for the verification.

 

[MomOTwins]

From seeing the policy posted on other websites and FB groups, I'm pretty sure that's a typo. Penalty kicks in at the 89 day mark.

Argh, thanks for clarifying--I only looked at the one link.

 

[lilsonicfan]

It may well not have been - I remember I don't like that they up the price if you opt for the "included" unlimited beverage choice, and that even the majority of the studios connect (EW! talk about making it seem like a singles' love den - it they are designed for ONE person, make them for ONE and not connecting) AND I always remember that the possibility of running into my principal exists (and with my luck would happen), so I quickly change to something else. (Plus the whole "freestyle" dining thing and being gluten-free don't seem to go too well together.)

I'm sure it doesn't matter if you won't sail NCL but my first thought about the studios connecting is that they would be great rooms for travelling with an adult parent for example. I do think NCL has a crazy upcharge on drinks. Another reason I'm excited to sail MSC next year.

 

[Dug720]

I'm sure it doesn't matter if you won't sail NCL but my first thought about the studios connecting is that they would be great rooms for travelling with an adult parent for example. I do think NCL has a crazy upcharge on drinks. Another reason I'm excited to sail MSC next year.

So have a couple but not almost all of them!

 

[TestingH2O]

Tangent - I think we can be assured that the first part of 2020 won't be released before the new policies kick in though. Lol!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Tangent - I think we can be assured that the first part of 2020 won't be released before the new policies kick in though. Lol!

Entirely possible that is the reason for the timing of the announcement and when it goes into effect.

 

[dvcdisney]

As others, it won't affect us as we need to pay 120 days prior to check in/book. However, I can see how upsetting this would be for first timers and silver cc. Even gold members have to pif over 2 weeks earlier.

I agree with everyone about the motivation. But ships do sell out so I don't understand why they need to offer last minute deals earlier....perhaps they want to implement this prior to the 3 new ships in case they don't sell out....

 

[Sleepyluke]

Do we assume that we will also push back the Platinum and Gold booking window to be more like the ADR and fast pass at WDW and have to decide what i want to do by 180 days out?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I agree with everyone about the motivation. But ships do sell out so I don't understand why they need to offer last minute deals earlier....perhaps they want to implement this prior to the 3 new ships in case they don't sell out....

DCL has been offering more and more last minute rates, Canadian Rates, Military discounts, Florida resident discounts, discounts to CM's, etc. lately. I'm not sure they are selling out for all cruises at rack rate. (summer and holiday or special sailings yes, but there are lots of offers out there right now - including some that range into January 2019).

 

[mcd2745]

They've moved up the PIF date several times already, I believe. Eventually, they will do away with deposits and just have everyone PIF at time of booking.

 

[dvcdisney]

DCL has been offering more and more last minute rates, Canadian Rates, Military discounts, Florida resident discounts, discounts to CM's, etc. lately. I'm not sure they are selling out for all cruises at rack rate. (summer and holiday or special sailings yes, but there are lots of offers out there right now - including some that range into January 2019).

Thanks for posting. I was not aware.

Although the only discount I have ever been able to participate in are the placeholder discounts, I do understand that there are other discounts (Military and Florida residents) available, but I thought (quite erroneously) that these rates are offered before PIF. If these and last minute rates are being offered more frequently, then I can see why the interest in extending the PIF to cruise time.

However, it seems a bit unfair that they would require those who booked earlier to move up their PIF dates (and for most this is a major modification in their finances) so that they can offer others with a discount. Doesn't this seem like they're penalizing those who booked early? We've been booking with Disney for many many years, and most are rewarded for booking early.

I guess I'm just not convinced of their motive.

 

[Jess_S]

Thanks for posting. I was not aware.

Although the only discount I have ever been able to participate in are the placeholder discounts, I do understand that there are other discounts (Military and Florida residents) available, but I thought (quite erroneously) that these rates are offered before PIF. If these and last minute rates are being offered more frequently, then I can see why the interest in extending the PIF to cruise time.

However, it seems a bit unfair that they would require those who booked earlier to move up their PIF dates (and for most this is a major modification in their finances) so that they can offer others with a discount. Doesn't this seem like they're penalizing those who booked early? We've been booking with Disney for many many years, and most are rewarded for booking early.

I guess I'm just not convinced of their motive.

I would imagine the motive is knowing whether people are really coming a month earlier. Until PIF date, people can cancel a room without penalty. With just 90 days until sail date, I would guess it's hard to sell the cancelled rooms without discounting them. With more time to resell cancellations, they will probably be able to discount fewer rooms.

 

[dvcdisney]

I would imagine the motive is knowing whether people are really coming a month earlier. Until PIF date, people can cancel a room without penalty. With just 90 days until sail date, I would guess it's hard to sell the cancelled rooms without discounting them. With more time to resell cancellations, they will probably be able to discount fewer rooms.

I understand. I guess I haven't notice DCL having issues with filling their ship. I check a month after I book a cruise and I'm so glad I was able to book it early...most popular staterooms are booked...there would be a few here and there and a lot on deck 1 or 2 left.