DCL Cruise w/Points

[TiszBear]

HI All!

While the cruise I will be on has not been cancelled yet, I am wondering what will happen if the cruise is cancelled but I used my points. Some of the points were from last use year that I banked into this use year and while I knew that cruising in September was a risk, it was one I choose. So, what happens if the cruise is cancelled? Do I get the points back or do I loose them?

Thank you all

Jennifer

 

[supersnoop]

Very interesting question! Not one I've seen before. During a hurricane, the answer may not be so straight forward.

Officially, when you book a cruise (or anything else from the "concierge collection," Your vacation points become "reservation points." Then can never be converted back, not can they be banked or borrowed. So, even if your points were refunded, they'd only be valid for other concierge collection reservations, and they'd expire at the end of your use year.

The cancellation policy may vary based on the category. This seems to be the policy since you're wishing a month:
"29 to 15 Days Before Sail Date/Forfeiture of 75% of Reservation Points or 75% of cash payment made

14 Days or Fewer Before Sail Date/Forfeiture of all Reservation Points or all cash paid"

That said, policies sometime have exceptions during a hurricane. And travel insurance would be useful.

 

[DVC Sue]

It's also possible that Disney reroutes your cruise to a safer itinerary. That happened to us once. We were switched from the Eastern Carribean to the Western Caribbean. The new itinerary took less points but we weren't refunded the difference. I never paid points for a cruise again.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

They just cancelled 3. Itineraries may be an issue because the USVI and BVI are going to get pounded, as will San Juan.

 

[erionm]

DVC's Hurricane Policy:

From June 1st to November 30th, in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence within 7 days before the scheduled arrival date, the Member may call Member Services prior to check-in to cancel or reschedule, based upon availability, their Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

Note: This policy pertains to hurricane warnings only. Other weather advisory levels are handled on a case by case basis and Members should contact Member Services.

QUESTIONS

• When does this temporary policy become effective?
• What can I do if a hurricane warning is issued?
• Will I be responsible for any cancellation or modification penalties or other amounts?
• What if I prefer to reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning? Will I be able to get my same accommodations?

ANSWERS

When does this temporary policy become effective?
The temporary policy is effective in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence.

What can I do if a hurricane warning is issued?
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date, you may call Member Services in advance to modify, based on availability, or cancel your Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

If you are to be staying on a Member Getaway and a hurricane warning is issued for that destination, please contact Member Services.

Will I be responsible for any cancellation or modification penalties or other amounts?
If you have products and services provided by third party suppliers that were not obtained through Member Services, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation penalties or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences (e.g. Member cruise).

What if I prefer to reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning? Will I be able to get my same accommodations?
If you are scheduled to arrive within seven (7) days of the hurricane warning, you may call Member Services prior to check-in to reschedule, based upon availability, without penalty. We cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. The policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.

 

[Dean]

DVC's Hurricane Policy:

From June 1st to November 30th, in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence within 7 days before the scheduled arrival date, the Member may call Member Services prior to check-in to cancel or reschedule, based upon availability, their Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

Note: This policy pertains to hurricane warnings only. Other weather advisory levels are handled on a case by case basis and Members should contact Member Services.

QUESTIONS

• When does this temporary policy become effective?
• What can I do if a hurricane warning is issued?
• Will I be responsible for any cancellation or modification penalties or other amounts?
• What if I prefer to reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning? Will I be able to get my same accommodations?

ANSWERS

When does this temporary policy become effective?
The temporary policy is effective in the event a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence.

What can I do if a hurricane warning is issued?
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, Vero Beach area, Hilton Head Island, Oahu or for the Member's place of residence no more than 7 days before your scheduled arrival date, you may call Member Services in advance to modify, based on availability, or cancel your Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation without any cancellation or modification penalty.

If you are to be staying on a Member Getaway and a hurricane warning is issued for that destination, please contact Member Services.

Will I be responsible for any cancellation or modification penalties or other amounts?
If you have products and services provided by third party suppliers that were not obtained through Member Services, such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies, you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation penalties or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences (e.g. Member cruise).

What if I prefer to reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning? Will I be able to get my same accommodations?
If you are scheduled to arrive within seven (7) days of the hurricane warning, you may call Member Services prior to check-in to reschedule, based upon availability, without penalty. We cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. The policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences.

This isn't specific to DCL and actually reads to be applicable to DVC resorts only. The DCL policy for cancelation is reimbursement to the original form of payment. I'd presume that means you'd get your points back and that you'd likely be able to bank them but ultimately that'd be up to DCL and DVC. But that doesn't cover air or other similar non Disney expenses. And it only covers cancelled cruises per the DCL guidelines. I'd email DVC though I'd suspect these will have to be case by case with no absolute answer.

 

[TiszBear]

Thank you all for your replies. I called DVC and at this point my cruise is still "active" but that could change and as for my points, no definitive answer yet. So until Irma moves past Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas and Florida I am in a hold pattern but I do have a back up plan. I just pray that all stay safe and no one takes any chances.

Jennifer