Disappointed in 125% FCC

[Steven41782]

We rebooked the exact same cruise on the exact same week for 2021. The price of the cruise has increased so much we ended up with 187$ credit. I was expecting much more. Anyone else with this experience?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We rebooked the exact same cruise on the exact same week for 2021. The price of the cruise has increased so much we ended up with 187$ credit. I was expecting much more. Anyone else with this experience?

Honestly, I think cruise lines (or any business) isn't required to give anything more than a 1 for 1 refund in the current situation. Seems they've been more than fair.

But I have read that cruises, in general, are currently selling for about 25% above last year's costs anyway.


We lucked out on a major RV trip we had reservations on this summer, and the company is letting us move the reservation to next year's trip for this year's price. Or we could have opted to take the full refund and book a different trip for next year, at the prevailing price for that trip now.

 

[Steven41782]

I guess I thiught many less people would cruise, so prices would be down. I'm definitely wrong on the price part. It's hard to let them hold my money for a year with so much uncertainty, but I will.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I guess I thiught many less people would cruise, so prices would be down. I'm definitely wrong on the price part. It's hard to let them hold my money for a year with so much uncertainty, but I will.

Next year's prices were pretty much already set when the covid situation arose, so I'd not expect much in the way of price lowering.

 

[STH Cruising]

we found the 125% credit very useful as it could be applied to existing reservations, which were booked at opening day prices. It is less valuable when you are booking later and prices have gone up.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Honestly, I think cruise lines (or any business) isn't required to give anything more than a 1 for 1 refund in the current situation. Seems they've been more than fair.

But I have read that cruises, in general, are currently selling for about 25% above last year's costs anyway.


We lucked out on a major RV trip we had reservations on this summer, and the company is letting us move the reservation to next year's trip for this year's price. Or we could have opted to take the full refund and book a different trip for next year, at the prevailing price for that trip now.

So we’re thinking theirs going to be a price decrease? I have my future cruise credit but if the crusie price lowers I don’t get that difference right?

 

[ironz]

Looking a gift horse in the mouth...
Sorry, but DCL really doesn't 'owe' anybody any more than as outlined in the terms you agreed to when you booked the cruise. DCL is being generous giving people 125% credit.
I know DCL is going to do their best to maintain goodwill, but I've seen posts here and in social media in which people are advocating all personal responsibility with the idea that "Disney will take care of us." I don't necessarily agree with that. At least not at this point, when we KNOW that the situation this summer/fall is not going to be normal.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So we’re thinking theirs going to be a price decrease? I have my future cruise credit but if the crusie price lowers I don’t get that difference right?

If the future cruise you book costs less than the future cruise credit you have, the extra is applied to your onboard account as onboard credit. You can also use FCC for anything purchased through the cruise line pre-cruise.

 

[soniam]

I didn't look for the equivalent next year of our July 7 night Western Caribbean cruise. We booked it on opening Silver day. We decided to switch to a 9 night Southern Caribbean. I wouldn't have normally gone for that one, since it was more expensive. However, with a little more money, we said why the heck not. We love Southern Caribbean, haven't done it with DCL, and have already done 7 night WC twice. I think the 25% is supposed to be covering the price increase trying to book from one year to the next and not on opening day. You could possibly switch to fewer nights and have more money left over.

 

[TRTRguy]

We rebooked the exact same cruise on the exact same week for 2021. The price of the cruise has increased so much we ended up with 187$ credit. I was expecting much more. Anyone else with this experience?

The purpose of the FCC is to cover the increased prevailing price, not to have a big on board credit.

 

[T & R]

DCL is being generous giving people 125% credit.

Or they're just trying to ensure you keep your funds invested in their company instead of pulling your money out with a refund and possibly using it elsewhere. They're incentivizing you to not take a refund at the time of cancelation by offering the extra 25%. So is it generosity or just a smart company being smart?

 

[gotomu212]

I guess I thiught many less people would cruise, so prices would be down. I'm definitely wrong on the price part. It's hard to let them hold my money for a year with so much uncertainty, but I will.

I don’t have a crystal ball and my predictions may not play out but I do think demand for cruising is going to be way down for awhile (both due to covid concerns and longer economic issues), and I think industry wide prices will have to come down.

I think demand for next year is still high because people are moving cruises and if you were already booked in advance you aren’t out much by waiting until PIF. So prices may stay high for next year because you have a full summer of reschedules and the masses wait until PIF, but actual sales will be down and prices for 22 then hit 2010/2011 levels. If that happens I’ll feel annoyed that I paid so much more for a cruise even with the extra 25% and let them hang on to thousands for a full year.

Take my opinion for what it’s worth

 

[Primeval Princess]

We rebooked the exact same cruise on the exact same week for 2021. The price of the cruise has increased so much we ended up with 187$ credit. I was expecting much more. Anyone else with this experience?

Given the fact that prices for DCL cruises often increase significantly each year, it sounds like you came out a little ahead. Look at it that way.

 

[MichelleCanada]

We have cruised DCL 3 times and have another booked for next summer. This summer we were supposed to cruise RCCL to the mediterranean. We are waiting for our cruise to be canceled. With DCL your FCC can be used as an on-board credit or transfers, excursions, drinks, Palo, etc. With RCCL it can only be used on cruise fare and that is it!! Not for tips,drinks, meals, excursions. If your FCC is more than your next cruise they have told they would “probably” apply it to another cruise if that happens. So, in this case DCL is being more than fair in my opinion. You don’t have to pay more to do the same cruise next year because of you FCC. That’s a win!

 

[aliceinvunderland]

I always figured that the 125% was to ensure you are able to cruise at a later date with no additional out of pocket cost to you. The extra 25% covers any additional expense, not necessarily a fun budget onboard.

 

[Chemist]

Or they're just trying to ensure you keep your funds invested in their company instead of pulling your money out with a refund and possibly using it elsewhere. They're incentivizing you to not take a refund at the time of cancelation by offering the extra 25%. So is it generosity or just a smart company being smart?

Exactly. Disney isn't being generous. They are giving you a discount on a future cruise in exchange for not having to refund your money NOW.

(Its business, not a personal relationship. And there is nothing wrong with that.)

 

[bwolfe]

We were in a very similar situation.

 

[fredandkell]

Next year’s prices were outrageous long before COVID. I attempted to book Greek Isles on opening day back in February and about had a heart attack, even with my 10% OBB.

 

[soniam]

Next year’s prices were outrageous long before COVID. I attempted to book Greek Isles on opening day back in February and about had a heart attack, even with my 10% OBB.

That one is a very poor example though. The Greek Isle cruises have been insane. They are the cruise that has probably shot up the most after opening day, not to mention they were highly priced to begin with. I think this is one of the cruises that sold out very soon after opening to everyone last time. However, prices in general are higher for next year than this. That's just the way DCL has been able to work.

 

[CamColt]

I am in a similar situation with my NCL cruise. While not yet cancelled I fully expect it to be. Looking at the same cruise next year it is already about $1000.00 more. If I am offered an extra % credit I look at that as what would make it possible to book that cruise. I don't think of it as a bonus, but if there is anything extra, great! The cruise lines are hurting enough right now, in fact my worry in taking the FCC and not a refund is what if NCL isn't around next year, so I certainly wouldn't expect them to be giving out perks to guests. I feel what they are doing is very fair.