DCL reducing deposits to 10% of the cruise fare on new reservations

[crazy4wdw]

https://dclfan.com/news/disney-cruise-line-reduces-required-deposit-for-new-bookings/

 

[o&smom]

So this is permanent new policy, not promo?

 

[SnowWhite2]

Gimmick - you still have to pay the full fare eventually.

 

[brentm77]

Gimmick - you still have to pay the full fare eventually.

This suggests an attempt to increase impulse bookings, likely to secure additional business. This is another indicator that DCL is experiencing heightened pressure to fill their ships.

Our recent booking of an $8,000 fare for three on the Treasure, after the placeholder discount, to visit long-repeated ports gave us pause. We started thinking about how that would pay for a great land trip to Europe and just couldn't justify it, so we canceled and booked Europe instead.

While DCL is a quality product, our future bookings are contingent on either more competitive pricing or a significant enhancement in food, service, and overall onboard experiences. It's not that I am not willing to spend the money DCL demands, it's that I need to feel I am getting value compared to other options. I'm just not getting that vibe for many sailings, particularly on the newer ships, and DCL hasn't left us with other 7-day options, which is usually a minimum for me.

Others may share this sentiment. This, combined with an uncertain economic outlook, fewer international visitors to the U.S., and increased capacity, presents significant challenges for DCL.

 

[Flossbolna]

This suggests an attempt to increase impulse bookings, likely to secure additional business. This is another indicator that DCL is experiencing heightened pressure to fill their ships.

Exactly my first thought.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Haven’t they basically offered this semi-annually each of the last few years?

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm confused on the cancellation policy. Is it saying that if you cancel, you will lose your 10% deposit?

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm confused on the cancellation policy. Is it saying that if you cancel, you will lose your 10% deposit?

I understand that during the time (after PIF until a certain number of days before the cruise) when the cancellation fee is the deposit, in the future you still will only lose your deposit, so that’s also a reduction of cancellation fee. Which might matter for people who want to cancel for a restricted rate.

 

[FreeTime]

The bigger challenge is how many people will cancel with only having a 10% deposit causing empty ships later? I am sure there is data on the percentage of people that cancel. However, if 50% of your vacation dollars are tied up in a deposit then I would think I would be less likely to cancel then if only 10% were. As I could’ve used the additional money to start planning a different trip. Maybe I’m talking crazy.

 

[Flossbolna]

The bigger challenge is how many people will cancel with only having a 10% deposit causing empty ships later? I am sure there is data on the percentage of people that cancel. However, if 50% of your vacation dollars are tied up in a deposit then I would think I would be less likely to cancel then if only 10% were. As I could’ve used the additional money to start planning a different trip. Maybe I’m talking crazy.

I think it also works the other way around: you see a cruise you are interested in and since the initial outlay isn’t too big, you put down the deposit. Then you have that idea in your head and will make things work. They have run the 10-% deposit as a „promotion“ every winter and I yam sure they have very good figures on how many bookings are transformed into real cruises.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I’m so annoyed I just booked yesterday! It would have been nice to put off that 10% for later but oh well not worth cancelling and rebooking.

The article says you only have to put 5% down with a placeholder on 7 nights or longer cruises! I don’t know if they’ve ever offered a 5% deposit before?

ETA: just remembered I used a placeholder so I couldn’t cancel and rebook even if I wanted to. I have to laugh at the timing

 

[tvguy]

This suggests an attempt to increase impulse bookings, likely to secure additional business. This is another indicator that DCL is experiencing heightened pressure to fill their ships.

Our recent booking of an $8,000 fare for three on the Treasure, after the placeholder discount, to visit long-repeated ports gave us pause. We started thinking about how that would pay for a great land trip to Europe and just couldn't justify it, so we canceled and booked Europe instead.

While DCL is a quality product, our future bookings are contingent on either more competitive pricing or a significant enhancement in food, service, and overall onboard experiences. It's not that I am not willing to spend the money DCL demands, it's that I need to feel I am getting value compared to other options. I'm just not getting that vibe for many sailings, particularly on the newer ships, and DCL hasn't left us with other 7-day options, which is usually a minimum for me.

Others may share this sentiment. This, combined with an uncertain economic outlook, fewer international visitors to the U.S., and increased capacity, presents significant challenges for DCL.

Certainly would be nice if we could determine for sure what bookings actually are. Travel Agents seem to be saying its still slim pickings on cruises, even ones over a year from now. I have no idea what I had to put down on my Disney cruise. But I only had to put down $99 in a refundable deposit on my upcoming Princess cruise, and that works out to six-tenths of a percent of the total trip cost. So even 10 percent down seems excessive compared to their competitors.

 

[DCL58]

Things must be looking dire at DCL headquarters. So many different discounts right now - DVC, Disney visa, extra discount for using a placeholder, so many GTY discounts. Now a reduced deposit.

Maybe if they would stop doing so many short bahama cruises they wouldn’t need to discount as much.

Please give us another option for a 7 night cruise besides the Treasure.

 

[DCL58]

Certainly would be nice if we could determine for sure what bookings actually are. Travel Agents seem to be saying its still slim pickings on cruises, even ones over a year from now. I have no idea what I had to put down on my Disney cruise. But I only had to put down $99 in a refundable deposit on my upcoming Princess cruise, and that works out to six-tenths of a percent of the total trip cost. So even 10 percent down seems excessive compared to their competitors.

We booked the 10 night eastern Caribbean cruise when it went OGT in January. The cruise is in July and there is STILL guarantee rates. Makes one think they are having a hard time filling the ship. Not slim pickings on this cruise. Or the one before it - we just booked it too - about 5 weeks out.

 

[peder]

The bigger challenge is how many people will cancel with only having a 10% deposit causing empty ships later? I am sure there is data on the percentage of people that cancel. However, if 50% of your vacation dollars are tied up in a deposit then I would think I would be less likely to cancel then if only 10% were. As I could’ve used the additional money to start planning a different trip. Maybe I’m talking crazy.

Other lines have low deposits and they don't seem to have many issues with shuffling. If anything, I think this just aligns DCL closer with the rest of the industry.

 

[peder]

Things must be looking dire at DCL headquarters. So many different discounts right now - DVC, Disney visa, extra discount for using a placeholder, so many GTY discounts. Now a reduced deposit.

Maybe if they would stop doing so many short bahama cruises they wouldn’t need to discount as much.

Please give us another option for a 7 night cruise besides the Treasure.

"Dire" is not the right word. They've increased pricing so much in such a short amount of time while also greatly increasing inventory with 3 Wish-class ships plus another, massive ship in Singapore. And these discounts are miniscule. For DCL execs, the worst thing they can do is underprice their product, so this is a good thing in some ways because this means they've been getting every penny out of their passengers.

I do hope prices come down a bit more. While my kids are still little, I would like to sail on an Eastern Caribbean Treasure cruise and/or a 5-night Destiny cruise that hits both private islands. But time in port, the choice of ports, and cost are killers for almost every DCL itinerary for us. At a lower price point, we'd consider booking again.

 

[DCL58]

"Dire" is not the right word. They've increased pricing so much in such a short amount of time while also greatly increasing inventory with 3 Wish-class ships plus another, massive ship in Singapore. And these discounts are miniscule. For DCL execs, the worst thing they can do is underprice their product, so this is a good thing in some ways because this means they've been getting every penny out of their passengers.

I do hope prices come down a bit more. While my kids are still little, I would like to sail on an Eastern Caribbean Treasure cruise and/or a 5-night Destiny cruise that hits both private islands. But time in port, the choice of ports, and cost are killers for almost every DCL itinerary for us. At a lower price point, we'd consider booking again.

I stand by dire. We sail DCL a lot. About 4 weeks per year. I have never seen so many discounts in such a short amount of time, except during Covid . If their ships were filling up, there would be not be so many discounts being offered.

We have been sailing since 2017. The prices haven’t changed that much. We paid $9000 for 2 balcony cabins on the fantasy in 2018. Paying $10,500 for 2 balcony cabins on the Treasure in October. Both Cat 4.

 

[tvguy]

We booked the 10 night eastern Caribbean cruise when it went OGT in January. The cruise is in July and there is STILL guarantee rates. Makes one think they are having a hard time filling the ship. Not slim pickings on this cruise. Or the one before it - we just booked it too - about 5 weeks out.

Yes, I believe it is common for some cabins to become available 90 days before sailing was people cancel. While not an issue.......so far......with Disney.......RCCL has kind of cast a bad light on Guarantee rates. They have overbooked Guarantee cabins and have contacted folks a few weeks before their cruise that they have no cabin for them. They have generous compensation but that really is an unfortunate situation.
I want to pick my cabin so Guarantee isn't an option I would use.

 

[Cfabar1]

Yes, I believe it is common for some cabins to become available 90 days before sailing was people cancel. While not an issue.......so far......with Disney.......RCCL has kind of cast a bad light on Guarantee rates. They have overbooked Guarantee cabins and have contacted folks a few weeks before their cruise that they have no cabin for them. They have generous compensation but that really is an unfortunate situation.
I want to pick my cabin so Guarantee isn't an option I would use.

I would do it for the right price... but I think to your point looking through where the available OGT cabins are, that may be a disadvantage. The magic class, due to the limited number of verandah rooms might not be the best contender for a 10 night...

But, I also think if you can't fill the Magic, no point to book the Fantasy 10 night for 2026 right now either!

 

[lanejudy]

I'm confused on the cancellation policy. Is it saying that if you cancel, you will lose your 10% deposit?

The cancellation penalty kicks in at 90 or 120 days prior to embarkation. Traditionally this has started with a 20% penalty, increasing as you get closer to embarkation. I believe the penalty schedule remains the same. but that initial penalty is 10% instead of 20%.

The article says you only have to put 5% down with a placeholder on 7 nights or longer cruises! I don’t know if they’ve ever offered a 5% deposit before?

A placeholder includes a 1/2 off the deposit. Previously it was a 10% deposit instead of the usual 20%. Now it's a 5% deposit instead of 10%.