DCL doesn't give a crap about customer loyalty...

[SeaSpray]

This is going to be the last Disney cruise that we take. I do not agree with their policy of opening up Guaranteed priced cabins 2+ months before a cruise, which is right *after* final payment is due, which means that anyone who booked previously has no chance to take advantage of the better prices.

And yes, of course I know the benefits to booking early VS the negatives of booking a guarantee. I just don't like that our choice is gone, unless we totally cancel, and lose our deposit ($512. for this cruise).

Other cruise lines either lower your rate or give you an online credit if their rates fall or they offer guarantees to new bookings. Nope, not good old warm, fuzzy Disney Cruise Line.

Yes I'm venting, and I'm sure some of you will disagree with me, but it's how I feel.

We'll be spending our cruise dollars with Royal Caribbean from now on.

 

[kcashner]

They care about filling ships and making money.

While it may not be "policy," when they lowered the cost on our cruise after the penalty date, we did get an upgrade...so I indirectly got a benefit out of paying more. Granted, I didn't have a choice in the matter, but I didn't feel burned either.

 

[Namsupak]

Are the guaranteed price cabins you are talking about the IGT, OGT, VGT categories? This is relatively new and we kind of view these as last minute type deals. Previously they did not even have these types of deals, just the regular GTY. We have not cruised Royal Caribbean but do the they price match special deals if you are paid in full much earlier? Do they let you cancel your current booking and then rebook the new deal?

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Your post piqued my curiousity, so I went out and looked at our upcoming June cruise. We are still not to final payment date, yet there are all three last minute guarantees available (IGT, OGT, VGT).

We have two rooms booked, the VGT is over $700 more than what we paid with Day 1 pricing. The IGT is nearly $1,000 more than what we paid with Day 1 pricing. The VGT and IGT rates are each significantly lower than current "rack" rates.

That said, if the prices were lower and since it's not quite yet final payment date, I assume that I could cancel and rebook the lower fares.

Sorry you feel wronged by Disney, but not everyone is the same boat (no pun intended).

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

This is something that we are also having a major issue with right now. DCL opened up restricted fares on our Fantasy cruise 2 or 3 days after our paid in full date had passed. We could have gotten two cat 5 staterooms (4 guests) for LESS then the cost of our one cat 5 with an onboard booking discount and platinum OBC. We didn't even get our preferred stateroom because we had to switch to a 4-person room, so there was almost no benefit to us booking in advance. I work in the tourism industry so I completely understand Disney trying to fill the ships (especially in this economy), but this is pretty ridiculous. While we will still be sailing with DCL in the future, we definitely won't be booking our cruise in advance again any time soon.

 

[ilovetexas]

Well, I get it because the same thing just happened to us. Doesn't look like the Fantasy is selling quite like they hoped it might. That said, I booked when I booked and if I didn't like the price, I would have made a different decision.

I normally book pretty late in the game and get to take advantage of those last minute specials but I wasn't willing to take the chance this time. It's a special occasion cruise for me and DH; he wanted DCL and I wanted this itinerary. We both got what we wanted although we paid more than we wanted to.

If you're so mad that you aren't going to enjoy your cruise, maybe you should just cancel, lose your deposits and book with RCI. I'm irritated about it, but not enough to spoil my vacation. You deserve to have a good time, regardless of which line you cruise with.

 

[disneyholic family]

many other cruise lines do the same thing..

go read the posts on the cruise critic forums - very similar sounding complaints.

 

[RaeRaeMagic]

This is going to be the last Disney cruise that we take. I do not agree with their policy of opening up Guaranteed priced cabins 2+ months before a cruise, which is right *after* final payment is due, which means that anyone who booked previously has no chance to take advantage of the better prices.
...

Other cruise lines either lower your rate or give you an online credit if their rates fall or they offer guarantees to new bookings. Nope, not good old warm, fuzzy Disney Cruise Line.
...

We'll be spending our cruise dollars with Royal Caribbean from now on.

When was your last Royal Caribbean cruise? They haven't given a credit or price change since 2010. If prices drop after final payment you get nothing or if before final payment the new price is a "sale or promo price on new bookings" you are out of luck too.

It is the industry standard now.

 

[goofymama]

I understand your concern. You can see another pst from me today. Gty rates came out 5 days after final payment date. The gty rate was so much below what I pad, that I paid a $1400 penalty and still saved $900! So yes, I am frustrated that if the gty was offered 5 days earlier, I could have saved $2300!!!! But I do understand that Disney is a for profit company and if they lowered all the prices and refunded passengers already booked, they probably wouldn't make up that difference with new bookings ...... Or they wouldn't be able to lower the price enough to entice new passengers to book.

I think it is rather standard in the industry that the best deals are had by either booking very early or last minute. When DCL had just 2 ships, last minute deals were few and far between. Now with 4 ships and following a cruise industry disaster, last minute deals abound.

 

[Happy99]

This is going to be the last Disney cruise that we take. I do not agree with their policy of opening up Guaranteed priced cabins 2+ months before a cruise, which is right *after* final payment is due, which means that anyone who booked previously has no chance to take advantage of the better prices.

And yes, of course I know the benefits to booking early VS the negatives of booking a guarantee. I just don't like that our choice is gone, unless we totally cancel, and lose our deposit ($512. for this cruise).

Other cruise lines either lower your rate or give you an online credit if their rates fall or they offer guarantees to new bookings. Nope, not good old warm, fuzzy Disney Cruise Line.

Yes I'm venting, and I'm sure some of you will disagree with me, but it's how I feel.

We'll be spending our cruise dollars with Royal Caribbean from now on.

I hear you and not to burst your bubble RCCL also has the policy with many of their promotions where it specifically says NEW bookings only.

I agree with one of the above posters. My cruise is outside the penalty phase but the price with the VGT is $1100 more than what I am paying for booking 18 months in advance so it doesn't benefit me to cancel and rebook even though I can

Each situation will be different and the biggest difference will be how much the cruise price has increased since it was booked

 

[ilovetexas]

And BTW, with Carnival, you have to specifically book price protection. Then, you actually have to notice that the fare decreased and submit a written request for the OBC. It's not automatic, by any means.

 

[Alexander]

It has absolutely nothing to do with loyalty and has to do with being a business. DCL isn't there to give you a deal, they are there to fill the ships. If they allowed you to change to the lower priced room they wouldn't be filling anymore rooms and thus defeating the purpose of lowering rates to fill the ships.

Sorry OP but it is what it is. It is good business practice. Losing you as a customer isn't going to hurt their bottom line. This is no different than any other types of travel promotions. Sometimes you can take advantage and sometimes you can't. If I book my air tickets and the rate drops, I don't get a refund.

 

[SeaSpray]

Just to clarify: I don't want a lower price; I want the opportunity to book a higher category cabin at the price they're offering now. I want to pay more money for a better category, just like someone who didn't give money to DCL over a year ago. But I can't, because I'd lose $512. by cancelling my original booking, then have to pay the new amount. All in all, right now I'd have to pay $1400. more for the same cabin that Joe Shmoe new cruiser would have to. That's what I meant by customer loyalty.

I don't care that they're selling cabins at a reduced rate to fill the ship, of course they're a business, I'm a Disney stock holder. What I do care about is that because I was loyal to DCL and booked this cruise over a year out when bookings first opened, I'm at a disadvantage over someone who has never booked with them before, or who has not booked this cruise yet.

This won't ruin the fun that I have the cruise, but I won't book another Disney cruise. We've cruised Royal Caribbean as much as we've cruise DCL (and more recently), and they offer a very nice ship experience.

Some will agree with me on this issue, and some won't. That's fine with me.

 

[ilovetexas]

Some will agree with me on this issue, and some won't. That's fine with me.

Don't worry, I think we all agree with you. I would much rather they put me in a more "expensive" room for what I already paid and give the new booking discounts on the lower end rooms they weren't going to make as much money off of, anyway.

I told my DCL representative that I'm fine with an upgrade to the Walt Disney suite if they don't manage to book it.

 

[MommieMouse]

I told my DCL representative that I'm fine with an upgrade to the Walt Disney suite if they don't manage to book it.

Hahaha

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Just to clarify: I don't want a lower price; I want the opportunity to book a higher category cabin at the price they're offering now. I want to pay more money for a better category, just like someone who didn't give money to DCL over a year ago. But I can't, because I'd lose $512. by cancelling my original booking, then have to pay the new amount. All in all, right now I'd have to pay $1400. more for the same cabin that Joe Shmoe new cruiser would have to. That's what I meant by customer loyalty.

I don't care that they're selling cabins at a reduced rate to fill the ship, of course they're a business, I'm a Disney stock holder. What I do care about is that because I was loyal to DCL and booked this cruise over a year out when bookings first opened, I'm at a disadvantage over someone who has never booked with them before, or who has not booked this cruise yet.

This won't ruin the fun that I have the cruise, but I won't book another Disney cruise. We've cruised Royal Caribbean as much as we've cruise DCL (and more recently), and they offer a very nice ship experience.

Some will agree with me on this issue, and some won't. That's fine with me.

You can always try to upgrade at the port.

 

[mmouse37]

I think we can all understand how you feel about joe schmo new booking getting a better price than someone who booked a year ago...it stinks...but it is just the nature of the travel industry. Feel free to vent. Happens all the time with airlines.....I can pay x amount for a fare from NY to FL because we all know airlines prices just go up and up....but low and behold they reduce the fare for the same flight a few months later....nope no refund.

This is going to be the last Disney cruise that we take. I do not agree with their policy of opening up Guaranteed priced cabins 2+ months before a cruise, which is right *after* final payment is due, which means that anyone who booked previously has no chance to take advantage of the better prices.

DCL wants to sell cabins....not reduce the fare for people who already booked. They recently started offering these LAST MINUTE DISCOUNTED FARES to attract NEW bookings to fill the ship.

Here is the info posted when they originally came out with the policy....clearly states they are for "last minute" travel.

Last-Minute Restricted Stateroom Discounts from DCL

In January 2011, Disney will begin offering a new way to save if you are flexible about your stateroom location and willing to book "last minute," meaning 21-75 days prior to departure.

When offered, new "Restricted" room categories be offered on select sailings at the discretion of Disney Cruise Line operations. If offered, here’s what you will see online:

Inside Stateroom with Restrictions (GTY IGT)

Oceanview Stateroom with Restrictions (GTY OGT)

Verandah Stateroom with Restrictions (GTY VGT)

These categories may provide a great rate if you are flexible with your stateroom location, but as the name suggests, they are heavily restricted, with a lot of rules.

Important details you need to know:

You will not be able to select a stateroom number or make special requests as to stateroom location. The stateroom is assigned at the discretion of Disney Cruise Line within a week of cruise departure. The only guarantee will be Inside, Outside or Verandah (based on the bookable category code listed).

Applies to new bookings only. Existing reservations cannot be modified to these new categories.

Full payment is due at time of booking. Booking holds are not permitted.

Reservation is non-refundable.

Reservation and applied payment are non-transferable.

Full legal names and birthdates for all stateroom occupants are required at time of booking.

Name changes after the reservation number is confirmed will not be permitted.

Sail date, stateroom category and cruise itinerary changes are not permitted once a reservation number is confirmed.

Not combinable with any discount or promotional offers, with the exception of $25 onboard credit for bookings made online and Disney Visa benefits.

The “Verandah Stateroom with Restrictions” category allows for a maximum of four stateroom occupants.

Restrictions and booking rules are subject to change.

-------------------------------------------

Booking with any travel provider has a built in risk that a lower price may become available that we can't take advantage of....hate to say it but it is what it is....but that doesn't mean we have to be happy about it....at least I understand it.

I stop looking at pricing after the paid in full comes and goes as I know I will just be upset if a better rate comes out.

MJ

 

[Disney Dreams]

...the opportunity to book a higher category cabin at the price they're offering now. I want to pay more money for a better category, just like someone who didn't give money to DCL over a year ago. But I can't, because I'd lose $512. by cancelling my original booking, then have to pay the new amount. All in all, right now I'd have to pay $1400. more for the same cabin that Joe Shmoe new cruiser would have to. That's what I meant by customer loyalty....

I don't understand how you will "have to pay $1400. more for the same cabin that Joe Shmoe new cruiser would have to."

If you want to book at the lower rate, you will have to pay the cancellation fee of $512 (based on your previous post), right? Then re-book. If the new fare is more than $512 less than what you paid, you come ahead.

As for your main point, I understand the frustration, except that you KNEW you will be able to book that cruise. If you waited until now to book it, you would NOT know. If the ship sold out, those who bought early would be onboard, and those who were hoping for a deal would be felt behind. It's a case of having a sure thing vs a gamble.

...I stop looking at pricing after the paid in full comes and goes as I know I will just be upset if a better rate comes out.

That's exactly how I am with airfare, tickets, etc.... Just can't look or it will drive me batty!

- Dreams

 

[Disney Dreams]

- oops double post -

Eh, why leave it blank... here's a random smile for all.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

So if I understand this thread correctly, the OP is going to boycott Disney for following the rest of the Travel Agency.

If you want to take the chance and book last minute, then you are perfectly free to do so. You may or may not get the cabin type of your choice. But if you want to take that risk, you might end up saving some money at times just like the other cruise lines. . You knew the risk when you made your final payment.

Some people do this all the time. Personally, we can't do it as any "savings" would probably be eaten up with last minute airfare. Plus, we need two rooms or room for 5 and we don't like to squeeze into a Cat 4.

In the past, demand for Disney generally didn't allow this. With the extra supply, they are following the rest of the industry. What am I missing?