Disney Fantasy Cruise issue

[wombat_5606]

If it was me I would absolutely be going on that cruise. Especially if no one else was off at that Time. I'd go to the point of calling in sick everyday from the boat and get a dr note when I got back, but I'm not a person that easily takes no as an answer.

That being said you shouldn't have booked it without requesting the days,but it really says something about them that they aren't willing to work with you.

I've never in all of my experiences and a few employers, ever heard of anyone that couldn't understand this situation and still be a %$#@ and not allow someone off. That's ridiculous.

Or, just quit your job. I wouldn't want to work for a place that is so inflexible. You CAN get other jobs. I promise.

Wow. It's just a vacation!!!!

Unfortunately, not everyone can push the envelope on their job like that. I don't think I would endanger my job over a vacation.

My mother had really enjoyed cruising. When her health was failing, she wanted to cruise one more time and she wanted to do it big. She booked the penthouse suite on a new HAL ship and wanted myself and my oldest daughter to take this trip with her. My daughter was the assistant manager of a store in a very small town, at the time, and her boss would not let her take this momentous trip. There is no way she could afford to go on this cruise and be out of a job when she got home. There weren't enough job opportunities where she lived.

In fact, that was the last trip my mother was ever able to take, but we all got over the disappointment. No one has ever forgotten it, but we did move on.

By the way, my mother enjoyed her cruise with her favorite daughter(me) and son-in-law instead.

@goofy77, I have a family member who works in a call center. Yes, they are extremely inflexible. Yes, he too, has missed out on a lot of family events. I suggest you continue to ask up until the day you have to pack for that trip. I wouldn't endanger my job over it, though!

 

[MunFam]

Forgive my ignorance, but I wouldn't think a call center pays more than about minimum wage...so if you were to just go on the cruise and they did decide to fire you...then wouldn't it be fairly easy to find another minimum wage job? If you call in sick each day, it won't be job abandonment...so I think you can get unemployment while you are looking for something else.

Bottom line, a job you hate and will now resent for your entire life is just not worth it. I would not miss a vacation over a job like that. Now if it was a 6+ figure salary and you really liked the job, I would probably miss my cruise.

I'm really sorry you are in this position...both career and decision wise.

 

[NJMomto2]

Speak to HR. They cannot deny you of your vacation days with that much notice.

 

[wombat_5606]

I wouldn't think a call center pays more than about minimum wage

Depending on what kind of call center it is. My family member makes more than minimum wage, but his largest and most important pay comes from sales commission.

Also, fellow DISboarders, we don't know anything about the financial situation of the OP. I don't agree that we should be encouraging him to put his job in jeopardy. It isn't very productive or beneficial to the OP.

 

[minorthr]

Speak to HR. They cannot deny you of your vacation days with that much notice.

that would probably depend on the company and their policy. I know people who have been denied a year in advance.

But at the end of the day what do we all know? We are just all a bunch of anonymous people speculating on there internet. OP may have circumstances that don't allow them to really change the situation.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Wow. It's just a vacation!!!!

Unfortunately, not everyone can push the envelope on their job like that. I don't think I would endanger my job over a vacation.

My mother had really enjoyed cruising. When her health was failing, she wanted to cruise one more time and she wanted to do it big. She booked the penthouse suite on a new HAL ship and wanted myself and my oldest daughter to take this trip with her. My daughter was the assistant manager of a store in a very small town, at the time, and her boss would not let her take this momentous trip. There is no way she could afford to go on this cruise and be out of a job when she got home. There weren't enough job opportunities where she lived.

In fact, that was the last trip my mother was ever able to take, but we all got over the disappointment. No one has ever forgotten it, but we did move on.

By the way, my mother enjoyed her cruise with her favorite daughter(me) and son-in-law instead.

@goofy77, I have a family member who works in a call center. Yes, they are extremely inflexible. Yes, he too, has missed out on a lot of family events. I suggest you continue to ask up until the day you have to pack for that trip. I wouldn't endanger my job over it, though!

I would beg to differ on the 'just a vacation' angle. A trip to a local beach may be 'just a vacation' but I think we can all agree this is a little more than 'just a vacation'. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many people here sharing information and experiences. And if there's better vacations than this, please tell me, I'm all ears. I've had quite a few vacations in my life and not too many, if any, can top this one.

 

[wombat_5606]

I would beg to differ on the 'just a vacation' angle. A trip to a local beach may be 'just a vacation' but I think we can all agree this is a little more than 'just a vacation'. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many people here sharing information and experiences. And if there's better vacations than this, please tell me, I'm all ears. I've had quite a few vacations in my life and not too many, if any, can top this one.

Yea, I'm reading that with my tongue in my cheek.

If you are serious, then you are seriously "under-vacationed".

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Yea, I'm reading that with my tongue in my cheek.

If you are serious, then you are seriously "under-vacationed".

No, can't really claim that, I've had many. Many countries, many cities, many places. Fact is, not too many can match the DCL quality.

 

[wombat_5606]

No, can't really claim that, I've had many. Many countries, many cities, many places. Fact is, not too many can match the DCL quality.

That is some significant bias you have and you are entitled to it.

I enjoy DCL, but if you think it's unmatched, then you missed out on their best years, because things have deteriorated since I began. But, if you are happy, I'm happy for you.

I have had some extraordinary vacations just driving across the US in my own motorhome, so I know the service and quality are exemplary. I also know that my international trips far exceed any single cruise I've taken on Disney.

So, we will have to agree to disagree on this.

I just don't think it's a good idea to encourage someone to endanger their job for a Disney cruise, period. Secondly, I don't think this helps the OP feel any better about his situation.

 

[Lizzards]

I vote for keep trying to get the time off....beg! And pray! If you can't get it, then have your wife go without you....as sad as that seems....but it is better than no one going and losing your money. I don't know anything about DCL policies, but maybe call them and beg/plead to change a person, so she doesn't go alone. Sorry! Such a bummer situation!

 

[Neptune's Fork]

That is some significant bias you have and you are entitled to it.

I enjoy DCL, but if you think it's unmatched, then you missed out on their best years, because things have deteriorated since I began. But, if you are happy, I'm happy for you.

I have had some extraordinary vacations just driving across the US in my own motorhome, so I know the service and quality are exemplary. I also know that my international trips far exceed any single cruise I've taken on Disney.

So, we will have to agree to disagree on this.

I just don't think it's a good idea to encourage someone to endanger their job for a Disney cruise, period. Secondly, I don't think this helps the OP feel any better about his situation.

I think we are in agreement here more than you think. I too have had extraordinary ventures just driving off to obscure places. I'm not at all claiming DCL is unmatched. I'm sure there are many other vacation experiences that are terrific. I'm just stating my experience, that DCL is a pretty good vacation, and more than 'just a vacation'. Not saying they are exclusive to the great vacation experience at all. But you have to admit (just read trip reports and reviews), they are pretty darn good.

 

[nycdisneygal]

I hope you can try to get the time off...

 

[FigmentSpark]

Under the circumstances, is there any chance DCL would allow the OP to rebook to another cruise, even though it was a sale? They may not be obligated, but is it possible they'd bend for the circumstances?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Under the circumstances, is there any chance DCL would allow the OP to rebook to another cruise, even though it was a sale? They may not be obligated, but is it possible they'd bend for the circumstances?

I doubt it. The restrictions very clearly state "no changes". I doubt that he's the first to be in this sort of position.
And, if DCL does allow it, why not do it for everyone who winds up not being able to take a cruise.

That's what travel insurance is for. And a good reading of the contract you are agreeing to before purchasing.

 

[wombat_5606]

I think we are in agreement here more than you think. I too have had extraordinary ventures just driving off to obscure places. I'm not at all claiming DCL is unmatched. I'm sure there are many other vacation experiences that are terrific. I'm just stating my experience, that DCL is a pretty good vacation, and more than 'just a vacation'. Not saying they are exclusive to the great vacation experience at all. But you have to admit (just read trip reports and reviews), they are pretty darn good.

Nope, sorry, still just a vacation. But all of my vacations are pretty darn good. I don't understand why anyone would take any other kind.

 

[DLgal]

I wouldn't advocate quitting ANY job for a vacation. I would consider doing so in OPs case because, frankly, he sounds miserable there, they don't respect him as a person, don't seem to value their employees well-being, and it sounds like he is a cog in a machine. This new manager of his seems awful, and I would not want to continue to work for a person like that. I have quit a job due to poor management and I would do it again. It's not because I think vacation > job, but he is being royally screwed over here and his boss doesn't give a hoot. Your self worth and integrity have no price. There ARE ALWAYS other jobs. Life is too short.

 

[goofy77]

thanks

 

[cruisehopeful]

Seems like TMI for a message board, but if you don't work that much anyway and you hate your job, why would care if you quit? There are plenty of work at home type positions and those might be more manageable for you. You could also tell them you are going on the cruise and they can fire you if they want to. Then they will have to pay unemployment and pay all your PTO in full on the spot - at least that is how it works in my state.

Even if you decide to not take the cruise, your wife can go and have an okay time. There are cruise meet threads here. She can meet people there to meet on board. It sounds like she could use a vacation.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Seems like TMI for a message board, but if you don't work that much anyway and you hate your job, why would care if you quit? There are plenty of work at home type positions and those might be more manageable for you. You could also tell them you are going on the cruise and they can fire you if they want to. Then they will have to pay unemployment and pay all your PTO in full on the spot - at least that is how it works in my state.

Even if you decide to not take the cruise, your wife can go and have an okay time. There are cruise meet threads here. She can meet people there to meet on board. It sounds like she could use a vacation.

Maybe it's different in your state, but in many (most?) states, a company only has to pay unemployment if the employee is fired through no fault of their own. So if there is a downsizing and your position is eliminated, you would get unemployment. But if you don't show up to work to go on a cruise and are fired, unemployment won't be paid.

OP, you've shared a lot so I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I hope you will seek help from a mental health professional if you aren't receiving that already. As I'm sure you already know, your pain, migraines, nausea, fibromyalgia and depression are all connected. All that has to be exacerbated by how much you dislike your job. You might want to explore alternative treatments such as biofeedback and neurofeedback. My daughter does neurofeedback and it has been a very helpful addition to her medications.

 

[goofy77]

Maybe it's different in your state, but in many (most?) states, a company only has to pay unemployment if the employee is fired through no fault of their own. So if there is a downsizing and your position is eliminated, you would get unemployment. But if you don't show up to work to go on a cruise and are fired, unemployment won't be paid.

OP, you've shared a lot so I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I hope you will seek help from a mental health professional if you aren't receiving that already. As I'm sure you already know, your pain, migraines, nausea, fibromyalgia and depression are all connected. All that has to be exacerbated by how much you dislike your job. You might want to explore alternative treatments such as biofeedback and neurofeedback. My daughter does neurofeedback and it has been a very helpful addition to her medications.

Thanks