DCL to get rid of Placeholder Booking Perks?

[dhutchin12]

I have never seen anything remotely like this. You've heard about it? Have you ever seen it for yourself?

This was true on the WBTA we just took.

 

[cgolf]

I don't think they are either. I can't "not afford" a more expensive vacation (within reason) - it just takes me longer to save up for it. But without singling anyone out - several people have said that Disney is becoming "unaffordable" for various reasons. It's not really except if you choose to not spend your money in that way. To people for whom it is truly "unaffordable" even if it was $200 cheaper... still not within reach. I spent a few years post divorce where vacations were not affordable - there was just no extra for it. Then I started having a little extra and putting it away but it still took me close to 3 years to save for a vacation. Now I can afford a vacation a year but not a DCL vacation a year - that one took me two years to save up for. If I wanted to do something more expensive badly enough I could just take longer to save up for it, but I am making the choice to take vacations less frequently to do something more expensive.

I had never planned to do repeat cruising with my son because there are many many other experiences I CAN afford to do with him and I'd love to have those over saving for the more expensive trip less frequently. But he is 11 right now and the SWDAS is something I really wanted to do for/with him. I saved up enough to not feel pinched and to do whatever extras I want to do. Did it take a little longer? yes. But that is how I like to vacation, I'm not going to spend $5k on getting there and a 7 night cruise and then deny myself a few hundred worth of extras when on board. I just make sure that my vacation account has the money in it to pay for that.

I always just figure out what I want to do with my vacation $$ - if there is something else I can do that i want to do as much or more with the money, I'll do it. If cruising was what made me happiest in the world (it is awesome but there are a lot of other experiences I want my son to have) I'd just take the time to save to make it happen. Vacation is a luxury item I am very grateful to be able to afford... I don't care much about the "principle" of it... things cost what they cost and then it's up to me to evaluate my priorities.

For some it is affordable and others look at the value. For you it sounds like you value the Disney experience. Hope you and your son enjoy your vacations, and make lots of great memories.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I think most who say it is unaffordable or becoming that way aren’t meaning it’s unaffordable in that they really cannot afford to spend that. The fact that we are talking about vacations where you travel in any form indicates a level of financial means at which we are comfortable spending our money. Rather, Disney is making it UNJUSTIFIABLE for many. The product is being watered down while prices go up and up. The perks get taken away to be replaced with nothing at all. At best the DCL product has remained the same since I first sailed in 2017, but even if that were true, it is hard to swallow paying more and more while getting the same thing. Sure, things cost what they cost. In this case they are clearly costing more because the company has decided it should save themselves money instead of rewarding loyalty. $200 OBC is really nothing to DCL when you consider how much people spend when on-board (let alone the cost to get there), but it is a big deal to its guests. DCL is currently holding $1,000 of my money that I may never actually spend with them, but they get the interest, the ability to use my money to develop new product etc. Why not reward my loyalty with OBC?

 

[Lisa F]

It’s just one more thing DCL is taking away- As someone that can afford to cruise multiple times a year I do not feel valued as a DCL customer. If I have x amount of cruise money to spend every year I’m going to go with the best deal and that’s just not Disney anymore.
Honestly you probably wouldn’t have to scrimp and save if you cruised on another cruise line and you might even find you you enjoy it more. It can be very liberating to branch out.

Yep, I get it - they are really underestimating the "feel good" aspect of having this credit and the fact that it may end up making people looser with their money and they will be spending more anyway because they feel they are getting a value. I'm not sure there is any way to really put a number on it - at least not one that would make the number crunchers happy.

I do agree with the general sentiment that they are going to keep pushing to squeeze every cent out of people until they have to pull WAY back and in the process are alienating a lot of long time fans. I have owned DVC since 1999 and rented our points out when we could not afford to use them and have taken 3 trips since 2016 (2 under a gold AP) and we are planning to take a break for a bit from the parks as well.... partially due to expense, partially due to the annoyance of their way of doing business lately. I'll wait for the correction to come in their current cash grab until going back again after this trip... but also I DO strongly feel that my kiddo should experience stuff other than Disney. Now that he is older and travels more easily I want to do other things with him.

Right now still jazzed as heck for my upcoming cruise, and jazzed I grabbed 5 daily rainforest passes for under $100 before the recent price increase (I won't use it on CC day or embarkation day). Not sure what I'd do next but I'd definitely consider another line.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

This was true on the WBTA we just took.

Yes, and that's an unusual itinerary, as I pointed out earlier.

 

[smmco]

This was true on the WBTA we just took.

I was on this cruise. There was no one in line when we arrived at 1230. I agree TA's have a lot of platinum cruisers. Transatlantic and unique itineraries attract frequent cruisers. I've been on the several Caribean cruises where you could count the Gold and platinum lanyards you see on one hand. Cruise out of Galveston and you may be the only one.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Passengers sailing Concierge may still get an onboard credit for a booking made onboard, but they will not (and haven’t, at least for many years) get the 10% discount on their fare. So, the “reward” for onboard booking is actually less for Concierge than for non-Concierge rooms.

Yes, there is not much of a benefit to pre-booking when in Concierge. We use an external travel agent and receive a significant on board credit so do that instead of booking on board.

 

[Happy99]

I understand what you are saying on the excursion booking but I don't have a problem with it. Once onboard we are all treated the same no matter what category we are booked in. There is not a section for just the suites guests. We share the entire ship.

Yes for 99% of the ship, there are suite only areas as well.

 

[MomOTwins]

I was on this cruise. There was no one in line when we arrived at 1230. I agree TA's have a lot of platinum cruisers. Transatlantic and unique itineraries attract frequent cruisers. I've been on the several Caribean cruises where you could count the Gold and platinum lanyards you see on one hand. Cruise out of Galveston and you may be the only one.

Well sure, because Platinum get to board first so probably all the Platinum cruisers were already on board by 12:30.

I disagree that it is only unique itineraries that have high percentages of CC members. I am Silver for our upcoming Western Caribbean on the Fantasy in November and both Palo and Remy brunch and all sessions of Mixology and Wine Tasting were completely sold out on Platinum booking day. Character meets and breakfast were also slim pickings for silver (they were each sold out on all days but one for us). Lots of unhappy first timers in our social media group, since they got pretty much nothing in terms of onboard activities.

 

[ahain]

I see. Panama Canal is a rare itinerary and platinums tend to be overrepresented in those. For typical Bahamian & Caribbean sailings that make up the bulk of DCL's cruises, that is not the norm.

Yep. We've seen this on both of our Panama Canal cruises and I'm pretty certain that next year's Hawaii cruises are 90%+ Platinums....

 

[smmco]

Well sure, because Platinum get to board first so probably all the Platinum cruisers were already on board by 12:30.

I disagree that it is only unique itineraries that have high percentages of CC members. I am Silver for our upcoming Western Caribbean on the Fantasy in November and both Palo and Remy brunch and all sessions of Mixology and Wine Tasting were completely sold out on Platinum booking day. Character meets and breakfast were also slim pickings for silver (they were each sold out on all days but one for us). Lots of unhappy first timers in our social media group, since they got pretty much nothing in terms of onboard activities.

Funny because I never have a problem getting Palo when I book about 1-2 months out.We mostly book discounted rates. Mixology has very limited seating and sells out quickly. Is this Thanksgiving week? After 23 cruises I'm a pretty good source of which cruises have a high number of platinums and which ones don't.

 

[Ravenclaw78]

Yep. We've seen this on both of our Panama Canal cruises and I'm pretty certain that next year's Hawaii cruises are 90%+ Platinums....

Given that both Hawaii cruises sold out on Platinum day (or maybe it was very early on Gold booking day, can't remember for sure), I'd say that's a safe bet. A handful of cabins have been cancelled since then, some of which were picked up by non-Platinum cruisers, but that's yet another example of DCL having insufficient capacity to meet demand or non-Platinums. They really should have exempted those from early booking.

 

[insureman]

OK, email sent to DCL.

I did the same. In case anyone else wants to send an email the address is below. I also included my Castaway Club number.
DCL email dcl.guest.communications@disneycruise.com

 

[BarbossasWench]

I've been on thirteen Disney Cruises. A cruise in October will probably be the last as Disney is overpriced in comparison with other cruise lines. I keep asking my friends about their experiences on the other cruise lines to help me figure out which one to try. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and always will. But unfortunately, there is a limit.

 

[MomOTwins]

Funny because I never have a problem getting Palo when I book about 1-2 months out. We mostly book discounted rates. Mixology has very limited seating and sells out quickly. Is this Thanksgiving week? After 23 cruises I'm a pretty good source of which cruises have a high number of platinums and which ones don't.

Nope it is November 9.

 

[CarolynU]

Does anyone know what sort of perks people can get for booking on board a Princess or RCCL (etc) cruise? How does this move compare with the "industry standard"?

As a new cruiser to Princess booking fairly late my friend and I didn’t get any benefit, but once onboard if you make a future booking there definitely was a financial incentive but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was.
However, right now on the website if you book certain cruises you get a free upgrade to a room with a verandah. That offer ends at the end of October.
I think other times early booking gives you a free drinks package worth $70 per day ish. As you rise through the Princess tiers and reach the top I have a feeling that just one of the perks is free WiFi but again pease don’t rely on this.

 

[smmco]

Given that both Hawaii cruises sold out on Platinum day (or maybe it was very early on Gold booking day, can't remember for sure), I'd say that's a safe bet. A handful of cabins have been cancelled since then, some of which were picked up by non-Platinum cruisers, but that's yet another example of DCL having insufficient capacity to meet demand or non-Platinums. They really should have exempted those from early booking.

In 2015 the Hawaii cruises were empty. The few that did sail were mostly Gold and Platinum. I’m sure DCL most of been surprised by the popularity of this cruise.
Exempting platinums from booking early would be taking away another status perk. What’s left?

 

[tinkerone]

Well sure, because Platinum get to board first so probably all the Platinum cruisers were already on board by 12:30.

I disagree that it is only unique itineraries that have high percentages of CC members. I am Silver for our upcoming Western Caribbean on the Fantasy in November and both Palo and Remy brunch and all sessions of Mixology and Wine Tasting were completely sold out on Platinum booking day. Character meets and breakfast were also slim pickings for silver (they were each sold out on all days but one for us). Lots of unhappy first timers in our social media group, since they got pretty much nothing in terms of onboard activities.

We sail the Fantasy in a few weeks and one of our group posted this a few hours ago.....

I was just looking at the onboard activities and there's a few tastings and golf simulators available if anyone is interested. There's lots of dinner options as well at both adult restaurants. I didn't look at the spa options.

Since I'm not in a lower category I can't say if this is the norm but seems like there is still lots to be had. Also, there is always the option to look into bookings when you board, they always always hold some back so if there is something you want read the Navigator for times to book once you get there.
Hope you get what you are looking for.

 

[Happy99]

I was on this cruise. There was no one in line when we arrived at 1230. I agree TA's have a lot of platinum cruisers. Transatlantic and unique itineraries attract frequent cruisers. I've been on the several Caribean cruises where you could count the Gold and platinum lanyards you see on one hand. Cruise out of Galveston and you may be the only one.

Not everyone wears the lanyards. We are platinum and never used the lanyards.

 

[KVH]

Well that's a bit judgmental.
Some are outraged every bit as much as you. Some are okay with it. Some will send the emails and messages. Not everyone is going to be the same so sadly, if you are expecting different, you will be disappointed.

Yeah, it probably is. But I'm an INTJ and embrace my quirks. Me, I'm 39 days to our EPBC and the next trip is next September. ALthough I can still be in a bad mood about the whole thing too.

BUT. I do remember where lesser actions by Disney invoked MUCH stronger reactions. There must be some level of desensitization here. And people definitely tend to encapsulate each individual reduction or lessening by itself (based on many comments here, there is little big picture view). No one wants to look at the short- or long-term things DCL is doing in aggregate that impacts many/most cruisers.

Resistance is futile, I guess . . .