Disney Cruise Line bumps all people off Oct 28th cruise.....Updated:response from DCL

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

For any DVC members booked on the 3 day Oct 28th cruise here is a thread about DCL bumping all the guests off that have had reservations, to have a private Company($$) book that cruise only 6 months out.

Not very good public relations for DCL............I hope not to many DVC'ers were on this cruise.

Here is the thread below............

http://130.94.75.33/showthread.php?s=&threadid=552364

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm still shocked that they did this.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Not exactly the smartest P.R. move. Man, I would not be happy.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Disney Cruise Line bumps all people off Oct 28th cruise.....

Gee! What do you think it costs for a private charter?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

IMO this will turn out to be a public relations nightmare for Disney Cruise Line.

How about the DVC members that booked this 11 months out combined with a WDW stay at a DVC resort. They may get a chance to cruise the next weekend but they may not be able to get in thier DVC resort of choice now at 6 months out.

If DCL follows through with this cancled cruise for more $$$, they will lose a lot of potential and repeat cruisers because it could be there cruise next that this is done to.

Most people plan cruises at least 1 yr to 18 months out and coridinate it with families for reuinion's and get togethers.Most people will have airfare already bought. No matter how DCL reimburses the customers it will be a lose-lose situation for DCL.

 

[MarkRG]

Nevermind things like nonrefundable airline tickets.

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
How about the DVC members that booked this 11 months out combined with a WDW stay at a DVC resort.

We were on this cruise and this is us exactly. I've already posted in the other thread extensively, as you know.

They have moved us to a 4-day cruise earlier in the week for the same points, but can't get us our BWV Boardwalk view over the weekend. They also can't give us the room for the weekday points. We're having to borrow points for the room, but they do have us on a "priority waitlist" for our Boarwalk view.

The two reasons we booked what we did were to use less points for the weekdays for the room and to have the cruise at the end of the trip. But we are getting an extra day out of it, plus $200 shipboard credit, which helps offset the points cost. I'm not entirely happy that this happened, but I feel okay with how they are resolving it. We were luckier than some in that we had not yet booked airfare for my MIL and two nephews who are coming from two different cities. We also aren't locked into a specific vacation period.

I do still plan to write letters to both DVC and DCL if only to have documentation as to our situation.

 

[sandieb]

I wonder if the company that books the DCL has any openings for a nurse? Sandie

 

[Doug7856]

I am a travel agent and sometimes cruise lines do this. I had a honeymoon couple on a different cruise line a few years back. The cruise line bumped them and wanted to change the date. I just couldn't convince the cruise line that a honeymoon is related to a wedding and the couple was not changing the wedding date!!!! The couple ended up on a different line and to this day refuse to cruise on the original cruise line. It does leave a very bad impression.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

WDWguru.... Sorry to see you got bumped.

I really feel sorry for people who can not make changes because of work schedules.

I equally feel bad about people like you and the others Nick mentioned that are committed to DVC points and may not be able to get the rooms they planned for.

Goodness.

 

[jaysue]

WDWguru, that is really unfortunate

Disney once again shows it's true colours - I feel that if someone was CEO who actually cared about his/her business and reputation they would not have allowed this type of event to occur.

Way to Go Disney

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by jaysue
Disney once again shows it's true colours - I feel that if someone was CEO who actually cared about his/her business and reputation they would not have allowed this type of event to occur.

 

[NancyDVC]

This is really terrible for those who have been waiting a long time for their cruise. Does anyone know what company booked the ship for this cruise?
As I have read in the other posts don't most companies book these sorts of things way ahead? I suppose that companies do plan far ahead unless some "genius" gets an 'inspiration' and the hell with the havoc it causes for others. Hope those of you who were bumped get to have an ejoyable vacation in spite of this.

 

[rocketriter]

They also can't give us the room for the weekday points. We're having to borrow points for the room...

I wouldn't tolerate that for a minute. I can just imagine Disney lawyers trying to explain to a judge exactly how they get to bump you to new dates and then charge you more. Yes, there may be fine print in their contract that appears to allow them to do this, but in fact courts set aside that kind of one-sided baloney as being just as worthless as those waivers of responsibility that you sign before renting a pair of water skis. Bottom line: if the problem was their fault, it's their responsibility to make good to you.

 

[Doctor P]

I'm sorry, but DVC and DCL are separate entities and I don't believe DVC has ANY culpability here--they are really just acting as a travel agent to book DCL for their members. I don't think it would be at all appropriate for DVC to allow WDWGURU to have weekend rooms for weekday points. HOWEVER, I believe DISNEY CRUISE LINE should compensate them for this. On the other hand, the negotiated deal for a 4 day cruise at 3 days of points may be close to the weekday/weekend difference in points (I haven't checked). My point is that DCL and not DVC should be on the hook for the change.

 

[WDWguru]

We figure out points are "worth" about $6 each, when you calculate cost + dues + interest. The difference for us comes to about $300 worth for the weekend stay. DCL is giving us $100 shipboard credit in each stateroom and the fourth day, so we're actually getting a little more "worth" out of it. IMHO it's the least they can do for the headache they've caused.

 

[todsue99]

I agree DVC is not at fault here. How are they supposed to know what DCL is doing. It sounds like DCL has done a good job of making up for it in WDWguru case. I think they could have done better, it sounds like they are happy. The whole thing still stinks, but at least they are trying. Let's face Disney is in business to make money just like everyone else and if they can get a company/person book a whole boat why shouldn't they. I know everyone thinks it isn't the Disney way, but it is and always has been. Granted it used to be better, but it still doesn't stop any of us from going. We love it at Disney always have and plan on going again and again and again. It is the same thing with the DVC not giving discounts on AP tickets, we still but them don't we. I would love for them to give us a discount and this is one of my biggest complaints, but will they make more or less? I would think they figure they will make less otherwise they would give us a discount. I think they would make more if they offered it on a renewal basis, but that is my opinion. Sorry for getting off the subject. I still think the whole thing stinks, but I am glad it worked out for you WDWguru.

 

[rocketriter]

My point is that DCL and not DVC should be on the hook for the change.

Good point. And DCL needs to make good, even if it means adding their own money to the members' points to keep from trashing their vacation--or adding on a nice cash compensation for those who can prove that their vacation with another Disney entity has been trashed.

 

[Doctor P]

No argument here, rockeriter!

 

[ihenrich]

It would be interesting to know how full the cruise was before this company can along and booked the whole thing.