DCL to get rid of Placeholder Booking Perks?

[smmco]

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

Until they got rid of the Gold and platinum party that was a pretty good indicator. They usually ask during the sail away party how many first time cruisers there are. I’ve sailed out of every debarkation port Disney uses and The number of frequent cruisers increases dramatically on the unique itinerary’s. I can’t imagine wanting to sail the Caribbean more then a few times. Those are cruises that people start out on and then they branch out.

 

[cgolf]

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 . . .

I think some like us looked at the big picture and left a while ago and we had some strong complaints on the way out, but know it is worthless to complain to DCL. As long as new people or repeat cruisers, that feel the value is still there, will pay more for less of a product they will keep raising the prices and pulling the perks. If there is a day that they start sailing with less than full ships, then we may see some changes.

One thing I have noticed is that some of the people that told me to bug off because DCL is great and you should cruse them no matter what have seemed to choose other lines too or have lost their fight. Also don’t have as many say we would rather save for 2 or 3 years just to be able to cruise DCL. There are some still there, but I think the attitude towards DCL is shifting slightly on the boards. Myself and some others were just early adopters lol.

 

[cgolf]

Until they got rid of the Gold and platinum party that was a pretty good indicator. They usually ask during the sail away party how many first time cruisers there are. I’ve sailed out of every debarkation port Disney uses and The number of frequent cruisers increases dramatically on the unique itinerary’s. I can’t imagine wanting to sail the Caribbean more then a few times. Those are cruises that people start out on and then they branch out.

I don’t totally agree with you about bailing on the Caribbean, 14 of our 15 cruises have been there and the next two are as well. Honestly we just go for the warm weather. We do have some longer we would like to take, but my wife doesn’t have a lot of vacation due to a job change, so they have to wait. While our numbers don’t match yours, 15 is quite a few cruises. Did see 4 or 5 gold castaway bags on our Edge cruise and we had our Platinum lanyards on

 

[71 Truck]

I think some like us looked at the big picture and left a while ago and we had some strong complaints on the way out, but know it is worthless to complain to DCL. As long as new people or repeat cruisers, that feel the value is still there, will pay more for less of a product they will keep raising the prices and pulling the perks. If there is a day that they start sailing with less than full ships, then we may see some changes.

One thing I have noticed is that some of the people that told me to bug off because DCL is great and you should cruse them no matter what have seemed to choose other lines too or have lost their fight. Also don’t have as many say we would rather save for 2 or 3 years just to be able to cruise DCL. There are some still there, but I think the attitude towards DCL is shifting slightly on the boards. Myself and some others were just early adopters lol.

My wife and I have been on seven Disney cruises in the last six years all on the Fantasy. On at least the last three cruises the ships were not going out full and were a couple hundred people short of a full or sold out cruise. They were selling all room category's almost up till the last minute. The ship was noticeably less crowded.

We were gold at the time and had no problem booking on board activity's. On our last cruise we went as Platinum for our first time. Even though we we able to book activity's before other levels as the cruise grew closer there seamed to be no problem for others having plenty to chose from.

If you look at some of the up coming cruises they are now doing something called a Restricted/Guaranteed rates. They are not Florida resident rates they are available for everyone. Some of the prices are several hundred dollars less than a cabin in the same type "ocean view,veranda".

I think Disney is having trouble filling the boats during certain times of the year. I think they would rather offer deals on certain cruises during certain times of the year than rely on Cast Away Club. They are going the rout of other cruise lines by discounting their cruises as they get closer to sail time. For some who are flexible in how they take cruises they are great deals however if you have to plan out far in advance you will pay full price.

I think it will get even more interesting when the new ships come on line over the next few years. As the new ships come into Port Canaveral they should have no problems filling them up for a while because they are new. Cast Away Club will get first chance at the booking them and they will fill up. It will be interesting to see how they do as time goes on. It will also be interesting to see how the other ships will do with their booking. In the end they may have to start doing the on board booking credits again.

My wife and I LOVE Disney. We came to Disney World on our honeymoon from New Jersey twenty nine years ago. We are Disney Vacation Club members going on twenty three years. We have lived near Disney World for twenty years now and stay several times a year. We have been on eleven Disney cruises with twelve and thirteen scheduled. We have spent a lot of money with Disney over the last twenty nine years.
We are loyal Disney guest however recently with some of the changes we are having doubts about Disney's loyalty to us.

In the end we still love Disney cruises. We go because of the quality and outstanding service we have received in the past. To try to save some money after Disney doing away with the on board credit we will probably look at doing cruises more with some of the last minute deals/Florida resident rates they sometimes offer.

 

[Ravenclaw78]

If you look at some of the up coming cruises they are now doing something called a Restricted/Guaranteed rates. They are not Florida resident rates they are available for everyone. Some of the prices are several hundred dollars less than a cabin in the same type "ocean view,veranda".

These fares have existed for years, and (as you stated) are used to encourage bookings on sailings that have not sold well or had a lot of cancellations. They're a decent discount, but (IIRC) must be paid in full at time of booking and you can only choose a broad cabin type rather than a specific category.

 

[71 Truck]

These fares have existed for years, and (as you stated) are used to encourage bookings on sailings that have not sold well or had a lot of cancellations. They're a decent discount, but (IIRC) must be paid in full at time of booking and you can only choose a broad cabin type rather than a specific category.

In the past I have known about the guaranteed rates however I had never seen the restricted part. Last year we did a guaranteed rate for ocean view because we did not have a placeholder available and scored big time with a double sized room with two huge windows. We also have done Florida residents,regular rates with the on board booking credit as well as booked as DVC. So we have don a little of everything to try to find a way to save a little money.

Yes they do have to be paid in full witch means you have to be sure you are really going to go. My wife and I live less than two hours from Port Canaveral. I am semi retired and my wife has a job that is very flexible with vacation timing so some of the last minute cruises can work for us.

The only thing we will not do anymore is go during hurricane season. We have done it many times and never having a cruise affected by a storm its more worrying about a storm hitting Florida right before or during our cruise.

This was our room we got on the guaranteed rate. We also could have gotten a small window single room somewhere else but we took a chance and won.

 

[MomOTwins]

Yes they do have to be paid in full witch means you have to be sure you are really going to go. My wife and I live less than two hours from Port Canaveral. I am semi retired and my wife has a job that is very flexible with vacation timing so some of the last minute cruises can work for us.

Just so new folks understand, it sounds like you are describing restricted rate, not guaranteed.

Guaranteed (category GTY) means Disney chooses the room for you in a specified category or higher category (e.g., I once had an 8C GTY), but there is no discount on the regular fare for that specified room category, and it is subject to the normal deposit amount and cancellation/change schedule. It is used on a lot of cruises (whether full or not full) when there are only a few rooms left in a particular category.

Guaranteed with Restrictions (categories IGT, OGT, VGT) mean that Disney chooses a room for you in the a broad category of rooms rather than a particular category or better (e.g., OGT is ocean view guaranteed, so you could be in any category of oceanview room or better), it is discounted off of the rack rate, but you have to pay in full at the time of booking, and it is 100% non-refundable and non-changeable at the time of booking. It is used to boost sales on cruises that aren't selling well.

There are threads on this board that track what rooms have been assigned for GTY and IGT/OGT/VGT reservations.

 

[Mitura]

Reading thru these posts I see and agree with everyone's point, both pros and cons. So thank you for the discussion.

Watching these posts over the past several years there is a common thread of Disney slowly removing perks. Especially to return cruisers (We are taking 8 this Nov and 9 next Nov).

What are the possible next perks that Disney will take away?

I ask because I remember the "sign the pillow cases" going away, then the "cheese plate", which caused discussion. This seems a bigger deal.

So what could possible come next? Pay for soda? Pay for seconds in the dinning room? Pirate buffet going away?

Though maybe I shouldn't ask for that will give Disney ideas? (LOL)

Thanks again for your opinions.

 

[71 Truck]

Reading thru these posts I see and agree with everyone's point, both pros and cons. So thank you for the discussion.

Watching these posts over the past several years there is a common thread of Disney slowly removing perks. Especially to return cruisers (We are taking 8 this Nov and 9 next Nov).

What are the possible next perks that Disney will take away?

I ask because I remember the "sign the pillow cases" going away, then the "cheese plate", which caused discussion. This seems a bigger deal.

So what could possible come next? Pay for soda? Pay for seconds in the dinning room? Pirate buffet going away?

Though maybe I shouldn't ask for that will give Disney ideas? (LOL)

Thanks again for your opinions.

I think the next big thing you are going to see is the Cast Away Club re done. They are going to have to create a different way for people to achieve different levels. Maybe even adding new levels.
Instead of number of cruises, they may go to days at sea. Any one who has achieved a certain level will stay at that level and all new levels must meet the new guidelines. I know this may be another benefit they may take away from some people working toward Platinum but I think this is next. I know there have been discussion about this in the past but I think Disney removing the on board credit is just the beginning to see peoples reactions.

 

[MomOTwins]

I am sad whenever perk goes, but I have to give DCL credit for being strategic in what they whittle away. Had they done away with the 10% off I think they would have lost many more customers than getting rid of OBC. Charges for soda in the MDR does seem like a realistic cut since they already do charge for soda at the theater. I would guess some other cutbacks could include pool towel limits (have to check them out and return them by stateroom #), higher prices on alcohol, no more turn down service with towel animals or chocolates, free activities switching to “nominal fee” (eg gingerbread decorating), and premium dinner entrees available for a “supplement”.

 

[mcd2745]

I think the next big thing you are going to see is the Cast Away Club re done. They are going to have to create a different way for people to achieve different levels. Maybe even adding new levels.
Instead of number of cruises, they may go to days at sea. Any one who has achieved a certain level will stay at that level and all new levels must meet the new guidelines. I know this may be another benefit they may take away from some people working toward Platinum but I think this is next. I know there have been discussion about this in the past but I think Disney removing the on board credit is just the beginning to see peoples reactions.

Always possible, but I'm not sure about this one simply because their loyalty perks even at Platinum are nothing special when compared to top tiers of other cruise lines. They're really not giving much, so they may not be in a rush to take it away.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think the next big thing you are going to see is the Cast Away Club re done. They are going to have to create a different way for people to achieve different levels. Maybe even adding new levels.
Instead of number of cruises, they may go to days at sea. Any one who has achieved a certain level will stay at that level and all new levels must meet the new guidelines. I know this may be another benefit they may take away from some people working toward Platinum but I think this is next. I know there have been discussion about this in the past but I think Disney removing the on board credit is just the beginning to see peoples reactions.

I wonder if they will make it so specially discounted rates like florida resident or *gt are not counted for CC status or get only partial credit.

 

[71 Truck]

Always possible, but I'm not sure about this one simply because their loyalty perks even at Platinum are nothing special when compared to top tiers of other cruise lines. They're really not giving much, so they may not be in a rush to take it away.

I think what you may see are perks based on what level you are.

Lets say
Platinum 15% discount on future cruises and merchandise in the shops and eliminate free Palo
Gold 10% discounts on future cruises and merchandise in the shops
Silver 5% discount on future cruises and merchandise in the shops
New level 20% on future cruises and merchandise in the shops and free Palo
None of this would have to be booked on the ship you would just get it based on what level you are and no on board credits for anyone. Maybe this is the start.
This is just my guess. This would also be in conjuction with what I posted about them re doing the Cast Away Club requirements to achive certain levels.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I wonder if they will make it so specially discounted rates like florida resident or *gt are not counted for CC status or get only partial credit.

You're probably right, also blacked out cruises.

 

[71 Truck]

I wonder if they will make it so specially discounted rates like florida resident or *gt are not counted for CC status or get only partial credit.

I do not think you would see any elimination for those rates however you may see it for cast member rates. Cast members get full credit toward the Cast Away Club when the sail as paying guest. The only time they do not get credit is if they are on the ship as a non crew cast member for work even though the may be in a regular room.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think what you may see are perks based on what level you are.

Lets say
Platinum 15% discount on future cruises and merchandise in the shops and eliminate free Palo
Gold 10% discounts on future cruises and merchandise in the shops
Silver 5% discount on future cruises and merchandise in the shops
New level 20% on future cruises and merchandise in the shops and free Palo
None of this would have to be booked on the ship you would just get it based on what level you are and no on board credits for anyone. Maybe this is the start.
This is just my guess. This would also be in conjuction with what I posted about them re doing the Cast Away Club requirements to achive certain levels.

Free Palo costs them a heck of a lot less than an extra 5% off future sailings for Platinum. Highly unlikely they will offer MORE of a discount than they offer currently to any category.

 

[Lisa F]

Free Palo costs them a heck of a lot less than an extra 5% off future sailings for Platinum. Highly unlikely they will offer MORE of a discount than they offer currently to any category.

they might for a higher level than platinum though but it might be more like 10% platinum, 7% gold, 5% silver or something with the idea that to get people to coming back you might have to up the incentives. but maybe they don't and that is what they are banking on!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

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....

For the 11 Night Southern this summer there were so many Platinum cruisers checking in, they opened the kids club desk for Platinum plus the usual check in desk. Scads, I tell you

 

[ahain]

For the 11 Night Southern this summer there were so many Platinum cruisers checking in, they opened the kids club desk for Platinum plus the usual check in desk. Scads, I tell you

We were Gold at the time of our second Panama Canal Cruise, and it seemed like the Platinums took FOREVER to board because there were so many of them. I laughed and told DH it was like clowns that kept coming out of the clown car. So next May (Hawaii Cruise) I will be another one of the "clowns!"

 

[lilsonicfan]

On the EBTA the check-in line for platinum/gold seemed to move quickly (was there a gold? not sure) but the silver line was enormous - while the first time cruiser line was practically non-existent. I saw a few silvers go through the first time cruiser line, wish I'd done that!