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

[mdvlprof]

many other cruise lines do the same thing..

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

Nearly all cruiselines do the low-price GTY after PIF date. Unless you booked special, they won't offer discount or OBC. [inc RC]. Once you hit that PIF date, you're SOL.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

I understand how you feel and then I realize that Disney is in the business to make money. I pray that you get a Wonderful upgrade. I think what DCL is doing will change the way many of us will book. I really don't understand what Disney is doing with the prices for next year they are higher than this year! I am booked on the Fantasy for next year and only because I got one of the cruises that had a glitch in the system the day it opened and the prices were way below what they should have been, so I am safe on that end because I know that wont go as low as what I paid. I do have another future cruise for the end of next year and plan on moving it to one of the last minute deals in 2014. I knew when Disney came out with the Fantasy that the demand would go down which meant the price would to. My prediction is that you will see more and more of these last minute deals, and more people like myself who don't care what room we are in will benefit from these deals. I have cruised with RCCL as well and you may want to call to see what there policy is because they no longer do things the same. I do know that they have a 48 hr price guarantee, meaning that once your final payment is made if your cruise goes down in 48 hrs you get 110% back of the difference, I could be wrong but just look into it. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Dizzyworld]

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.

Vent away. I do agree about how DCL feels about customer loyality as we see the little things they do for us decrease or disappear (i.e. return passenger gifts - remember the nice blanket we got on our cruise?, the discount in the onboard stores just went from 25% to 10%, and now the new onboard booking policy, to name a few). I have a problem with the cost going up in some cases a lot, but yet I'm not getting much of anything in return.

If DCL can't fill all of their ships and have to offer these discounts, then I think they do need to be more aware of customer loyality. When they had only two ships, they could easily fill them. Return passenger numbers were always impressive. Now they are spread out over 4 ships.

We love DCL, like I know you and your family do. They are not perfect. Also, we too are moving into doing something else for vacations or also jumping ship as the kids move into the gray area of 18 -21. We are no longer their demographic family. Oh well.......

 

[jilljill]

I understand how you feel and then I realize that Disney is in the business to make money. I pray that you get a Wonderful upgrade. I think what DCL is doing will change the way many of us will book. I really don't understand what Disney is doing with the prices for next year they are higher than this year! I am booked on the Fantasy for next year and only because I got one of the cruises that had a glitch in the system the day it opened and the prices were way below what they should have been, so I am safe on that end because I know that wont go as low as what I paid. I do have another future cruise for the end of next year and plan on moving it to one of the last minute deals in 2014. I knew when Disney came out with the Fantasy that the demand would go down which meant the price would to. My prediction is that you will see more and more of these last minute deals, and more people like myself who don't care what room we are in will benefit from these deals. I have cruised with RCCL as well and you may want to call to see what there policy is because they no longer do things the same. I do know that they have a 48 hr price guarantee, meaning that once your final payment is made if your cruise goes down in 48 hrs you get 110% back of the difference, I could be wrong but just look into it. Enjoy your trip!

You will not have any benefits to keeping your dummy booking and moving it to a last minute deal. The last minute deals can't be combined with any other offers from DCL.

 

[jilljill]

Vent away. I do agree about how DCL feels about customer loyality as we see the little things they do for us decrease or disappear (i.e. return passenger gifts - remember the nice blanket we got on our cruise?, the discount in the onboard stores just went from 25% to 10%, and now the new onboard booking policy, to name a few). I have a problem with the cost going up in some cases a lot, but yet I'm not getting much of anything in return.

If DCL can't fill all of their ships and have to offer these discounts, then I think they do need to be more aware of customer loyality. When they had only two ships, they could easily fill them. Return passenger numbers were always impressive. Now they are spread out over 4 ships.

We love DCL, like I know you and your family do. They are not perfect. Also, we too are moving into doing something else for vacations or also jumping ship as the kids move into the gray area of 18 -21. We are no longer their demographic family. Oh well.......

The discount was never 25% off in the shops - it was $25 off any purchase that totaled over $100. I'm happy that they changed the discount to 10% each purchase, I saved a nice chunk of change on a gold necklace I bought in Jan on the Dream. The old discount of $25 was a drop in the bucket to the 10% I saved. So in essence, this is an increased benefit for some or even many cruisers.

 

[goofymama]

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.

Hmmm. I would think that you could "upgrade" your room without penalty. Unless it is perhaps a GTY rate which has to be a new booking.

But, if they are discounting it is possible that the ship might not sell out, so you can check at the port to see if any upgrades are available and the additional cost may be even less than the current discounted rate.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

The discount was never 25% off in the shops - it was $25 off any purchase that totaled over $100. I'm happy that they changed the discount to 10% each purchase, I saved a nice chunk of change on a gold necklace I bought in Jan on the Dream. The old discount of $25 was a drop in the bucket to the 10% I saved. So in essence, this is an increased benefit for some or even many cruisers.

Good point. If you buy $80 worth of stuff and have to add $20 more of things you don't really want just to reach the $100 threshold to "save" $25, are you really saving 25% or are you saving 6.25% on the original $80?

Three years ago, there was no such thing as Gold or Platinum. Now we've resorted to complaints about perks.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

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.

...

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 what I was thinking. I'm not trying to sound like one of those "Disney can do no wrong" cheerleaders, but this kind of thing happens all the time on airlines, so why should cruises be any different? Heck, it can even happen just going to buy a pair of shoes at that mall.

I'm still 10 days away from my paid in full date, but since I got opening day pricing the new fares are still higher. That said, once that date passes I know that there will be people who had to cancel and Disney just might discount those cabins. I booked in advance for the certainty of getting exactly what I want. The downside to that is someone might come in at the last minute and score a great deal.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

You will not have any benefits to keeping your dummy booking and moving it to a last minute deal. The last minute deals can't be combined with any other offers from DCL.

Thats a good point, I will just have to use a TA for a OBC or hope some good regular GTY's get offered where I can transfer my Dummie Cruise.

 

[cyclenut]

So I'm probably in the minority here, but it is REALLY HARD for us to book far in advance when we're taking the kids. They are so active that we often have to wait until just a few months out. We've been frustruated with the previous DCL policy that made cruises really out of reach unless you jumped on the bandwagon more than a year ago.

The discount packages that they seem to be offering now really help some of us be able to select a DCL vacation.

I also don't understand why this is a question of loyalty. You don't appear to be all that loyal to DCL or the brand (neither am I frankly ... as you'll note by my signature below). The truty is, you booked early because you believed it would get you the best price. You have since found out that a change in policy will afford a few guests a price that is higher than you would have originally paid, but might cost you more now to upgrade than it would cost them to just book that category to start with. I don't understand the problem ... and I'm no Disney appologist.

It seems to me that you want to be able to book at the lowest fare at any point during the cycle. Well, it just doesn't work that way ... on ANY cruise line.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

That's what I was thinking. I'm not trying to sound like one of those "Disney can do no wrong" cheerleaders, but this kind of thing happens all the time on airlines, so why should cruises be any different? Heck, it can even happen just going to buy a pair of shoes at that mall.

I'm still 10 days away from my paid in full date, but since I got opening day pricing the new fares are still higher. That said, once that date passes I know that there will be people who had to cancel and Disney just might discount those cabins. I booked in advance for the certainty of getting exactly what I want. The downside to that is someone might come in at the last minute and score a great deal.

This is exactly what I was trying to say.

Your post did raise a question for me though. If you are Gold and PIF at 106 days out (so that you can book Palo, excursions, check-in, etc. at the 105 day mark), but then at 85 days out, you see an excellent VGT rate, can you still get a full refund? I assume you lose all of your reservations in that event. I wouldn't expect any different, but was just curious.

 

[MrsMas]

This is very interesting. This post makes me want to wait last minute to book. This Jane Schmo may get a better deal on the cruise she would like to take. I don't care that I have to wait for Disney to place me, as long as I am on the Fantasy. I guess I never paid attention because once I booked, I was focus on the final pay date so I could book excursions, not check what the price of the cruise is "now."

 

[MrsMas]

Well said!

 

[Makayna]

This is very interesting. This post makes me want to wait last minute to book. This Jane Schmo may get a better deal on the cruise she would like to take. I don't care that I have to wait for Disney to place me, as long as I am on the Fantasy. I guess I never paid attention because once I booked, I was focus on the final pay date so I could book excursions, not check what the price of the cruise is "now."

The risk is that not every cruise has these restricted GT reservations, and even if the cruise you want does, not every reservation type is offered. But, if you're flexible as to what TYPE of room you stay in, and are flexible on the dates, and can just pick up and go with just a couple of months' notice, and aren't worried about airfare eating up any of the money that you'd be saving on the cruise, then it's great! But if you're someone who's not happy on a cruise unless you're in a Verandah, or you need a lot of time to request off of work, or you have to fly to get to wherever the cruise departs from, then these restricted GT reservations may not be the best deal for you.

 

[goofymama]

Your post did raise a question for me though. If you are Gold and PIF at 106 days out (so that you can book Palo, excursions, check-in, etc. at the 105 day mark), but then at 85 days out, you see an excellent VGT rate, can you still get a full refund? I assume you lose all of your reservations in that event. I wouldn't expect any different, but was just curious.

yes, you lose your check in time and any reservations. I did this today. My TA told me right when she was canceling so I could log in immediately and rebook my palo reservation that just came back available (it was sold out otherwise). I lost my 11am arrival time, but was able to get 12 noon. My excursions weren't soldout anyway, but I did have to rebook.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. I appreciate it.

Our best bet is to see if there are upgrades available at the port. If not, then we'll be in the cabin that we chose and booked, and will be happy anyway, just to be on the cruise.

Regarding airfare: I never look at it again once I book it, either. Guess I should've used my own advice regarding cruisefare, but someone on our cruise meet happened to mention the new pricing for the guarantee cabins, so of course, I looked, and was shocked at the low prices for the verandah cabins. We're in an inside, and will be happy with it, but boy... such a small amount of money more than what we paid... for a balcony.

I fully understand the new policies, new VGT OGT, etc etc. but that doesn't mean that I have to like it.

All I wish they'd do is offer that same rate to people who have previously booked. I could pay the difference, move to a better category, and they'd *still* have my empty cabin to offer for sale. I don't want money off of my cruise fare, I just would've liked the opportunity to pay more money for the upgrade. Like I said, and some of you mentioned, we'll check at the port to see if any upgrades are available.

Again, thanks for all of the replies.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

yes, you lose your check in time and any reservations. I did this today. My TA told me right when she was canceling so I could log in immediately and rebook my palo reservation that just came back available (it was sold out otherwise). I lost my 11am arrival time, but was able to get 12 noon. My excursions weren't soldout anyway, but I did have to rebook.

Thanks. This is exactly what I assumed, but was curious nonetheless.

 

[Makayna]

All I wish they'd do is offer that same rate to people who have previously booked. I could pay the difference, move to a better category, and they'd *still* have my empty cabin to offer for sale.

THIS is really the issue - if they did that, they'd still have the same exact number of rooms to fill as they did before they offered you the discount. Disney isn't doing this out of the goodness in their hearts - they're doing it to fill cabins. Every cabin that goes un-booked is lost revenue for Disney. They're offering these prices to fill MORE rooms - not offer discounts to people who've already committed themselves to the cruise. If they did that, it wouldn't be a very smart business move, and let's face it - Disney's a business out to make money. And, I can't fault them for that. They provide a great product that we all love and appreciate and are willing to buy, and we'd all like to see them keep on doing that so we can continue to take these wonderful cruises! But in order for them to do that, they need to fill as many cabins as they can. It's just business.

 

[MrsMas]

The risk is that not every cruise has these restricted GT reservations, and even if the cruise you want does, not every reservation type is offered. But, if you're flexible as to what TYPE of room you stay in, and are flexible on the dates, and can just pick up and go with just a couple of months' notice, and aren't worried about airfare eating up any of the money that you'd be saving on the cruise, then it's great! But if you're someone who's not happy on a cruise unless you're in a Verandah, or you need a lot of time to request off of work, or you have to fly to get to wherever the cruise departs from, then these restricted GT reservations may not be the best deal for you.

Yup, I very much understand that. Lucky for me I don't have to worry about flying, I can take off from work on short notice, I again, don't care where Disney put me as far as room/deck, so this is a real option for me. We'll see...

 

[tiggspring]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. I appreciate it.

Our best bet is to see if there are upgrades available at the port. If not, then we'll be in the cabin that we chose and booked, and will be happy anyway, just to be on the cruise.

Regarding airfare: I never look at it again once I book it, either. Guess I should've used my own advice regarding cruisefare, but someone on our cruise meet happened to mention the new pricing for the guarantee cabins, so of course, I looked, and was shocked at the low prices for the verandah cabins. We're in an inside, and will be happy with it, but boy... such a small amount of money more than what we paid... for a balcony.

I fully understand the new policies, new VGT OGT, etc etc. but that doesn't mean that I have to like it.

All I wish they'd do is offer that same rate to people who have previously booked. I could pay the difference, move to a better category, and they'd *still* have my empty cabin to offer for sale. I don't want money off of my cruise fare, I just would've liked the opportunity to pay more money for the upgrade. Like I said, and some of you mentioned, we'll check at the port to see if any upgrades are available.

Again, thanks for all of the replies.

Seaspray,

I totally get it. It would be nice if they ran the ships more like they do the resorts where if you know of a discount or an upgrade they will accomodate you. This can be considered good business practice too since customers who get "pixie dust" often come back to do bigger and more expensive trips the next time they go and they often bring others with them or help them plan their trips. WDW gets lots of free advertizing from me I understand the need to fill the ships but lets face it how many cruisers are as disney crazy as those on the Dis? How many take the time to know about any discounts? It may be penny wise and pound foolish to be this way especially when they are the most expensive cruises in this particular cruise market.

This is one time I'm glad we are a family of five. Usually it means everthing cost more because rooms/deals always based on 4. This is true with the late booking deals too. Therefore I dont even have to look and can't fret over a price I would never get. We dont have alot of extra cash so I feel like I've failed if I pay too much. I can smile and know that by booking early I saved $3000 over the last price I saw ,nearly double the price I saw the first day I looked got 250 ship credit and by using gift cards from my supermarket saved another 740+ in free gas perks and free food perks.

I'm peeved at how much I spent on insurance since I didnt know I had to buy it at booking 16 months in advance and that the price jumped $1000 in the time it took me to come up with a deposit for 5 people. Who knew you had to book sooooo far in advance???? Only very dedicated people book two years out. Which goes right back to your point that it should be obvious to DCL that you are a very valuable customer indeed.

I alowed myself to be peeved then reminded myself it could be worse. If I had waited they could have been booked full then I wouldnt be going at all.

Have a great trip.