Dreams Unlimited Cancellation date different from DCL date.

[Wmuflyguy]

So anyone run into this?

I have a February 26th cruise on the Fantasy booked. I have the low possibility of a potential work conflict crop up and I will find out for sure on December 23rd if I will have the conflict which would necessitate canceling the cruise.

I wanted to verify that I could cancel before December 28th (60 days) and still get a full refund, so I emailed my travel agent. They come back to me with December 20th as the cancel by date.

I ask why December 20th, as December 28th is 60 days out and I wonder what I'm missing, my math has been known to be wrong before.

They respond that DCL indeed does have it listed as the 28th, but Dreams takes days off that fine payment period so you don't go into the cancellation period. If I wait until near the 28th to notify them it may not get taken care of in time.

So a week actually makes a big difference in this case to us and why I just don't deal directly with DCL from here on out? Losing a week of potential cancellation time has me thinking of just flat out canceling with Dreams and rebooking direct with DCL, it'll cost me more if we go, but save me money if I have to cancel

 

[Meriweather]

My TA asks for it early too.

 

[Wmuflyguy]

My TA asks for it early too.

No problem paying a bit early, I plan on paying greater than 105 out so I can book. I just want to know I can cancel at 60 days out and not 68 days out.

 

[Karin1984]

That is one of the downsides of using a travel agent. There is a third party involved, so everything goed via them and you do not directly handle with Disney.

And especially during the Christmas season, I understand why a TA builds in a buffer. They will be understaffed with people taking holidays. If something happens, like remaining staff gets ill, they need to do the same work with less people.

If you send in your request on the 28th and for whatever reason it wasn't handled in time, they have a lot of work to try to fix it, and an angry customer on their hands.

It is not your math that is the problem, but humans.

 

[cvjw]

Yikes. I think I would cancel with dreams and wait to rebook. After the PIF date, there could be some guarantee rates released and you could rebook and save some money.

 

[plutolovr]

No problem paying a bit early, I plan on paying greater than 105 out so I can book. I just want to know I can cancel at 60 days out and not 68 days out.

Your cancellation fee period won't start until your actual pay in full date, no matter when you pay your final payment.

 

[happycamper47]

That is one of the downsides of using a travel agent. There is a third party involved, so everything goed via them and you do not directly handle with Disney.

But a good agent will get the job done shortly after you call or email. They can do almost all of it on line with few exceptions and it saves you from being on hold forever. We haven't booked any ressies directly in over 9 plus years, both Resorts or Cruises.

 

[Ikaikalani]

We're on the same cruise! I hope things work out for you and you can make the voyage! Best of luck to you.

 

[insureman]

Same cruise and the cancel date is December 28th.

 

[Wmuflyguy]

That is one of the downsides of using a travel agent. There is a third party involved, so everything goed via them and you do not directly handle with Disney.

And especially during the Christmas season, I understand why a TA builds in a buffer. They will be understaffed with people taking holidays. If something happens, like remaining staff gets ill, they need to do the same work with less people.

If you send in your request on the 28th and for whatever reason it wasn't handled in time, they have a lot of work to try to fix it, and an angry customer on their hands.

It is not your math that is the problem, but humans.

Yea I don’t think I’ll be using a TA anymore for cruises or at least not this Dreams agent. I honestly feel like dealing with a TA is even more work for me. I have to verify that another person is doing things correctly.

Christmas season shouldn’t matter, people travel over the holidays so it should be expected that they be available. I work in the travel industry and work plenty of holidays away from home and family. It’s part of the job.

Anyone ever transfer your cruise from an travel agent back to DCL? Kind of the opposite of what they do when you book on board and transfer it to your agent.

 

[lanejudy]

Anyone ever transfer your cruise from an travel agent back to DCL?

While it's possible, basically the agent has to agree to release the reservation. Unless there is some kind of egregious lack of service that you can prove, it may be more hassle than it's worth. I would first try to work with the TA, explaining your situation and the DCL deadline. Maybe even talk to John if the agent isn't willing to work with you. But for future reference, know that many TA's have earlier deadlines than the vendor and it's so they can track down missing payments/etc. before penalty automatically kicks-in. It also provides a cushion in case there are problems getting payments through or even requesting a cancellation.

 

[Kwami]

Is this just a DU thing? My TA has never requested final payments before the DCL deadline.

 

[RedHead0186]

So anyone run into this?

I have a February 26th cruise on the Fantasy booked. I have the low possibility of a potential work conflict crop up and I will find out for sure on December 23rd if I will have the conflict which would necessitate canceling the cruise.

I wanted to verify that I could cancel before December 28th (60 days) and still get a full refund, so I emailed my travel agent. They come back to me with December 20th as the cancel by date.

I ask why December 20th, as December 28th is 60 days out and I wonder what I'm missing, my math has been known to be wrong before.

They respond that DCL indeed does have it listed as the 28th, but Dreams takes days off that fine payment period so you don't go into the cancellation period. If I wait until near the 28th to notify them it may not get taken care of in time.

So a week actually makes a big difference in this case to us and why I just don't deal directly with DCL from here on out? Losing a week of potential cancellation time has me thinking of just flat out canceling with Dreams and rebooking direct with DCL, it'll cost me more if we go, but save me money if I have to cancel

Did you tell the agent your situation? I totally get why they build in a buffer, but since you have a specific circumstance and a specific date that you would get them the info by, they might be willing to make an exception? Especially since they know you would know on the 23rd, they could 'block out' time to handle your request if needed since they know it would be coming. I get that once they make an exception that could start a cascade, but it seems like it wouldn't hurt to ask?

 

[Wmuflyguy]

Did you tell the agent your situation? I totally get why they build in a buffer, but since you have a specific circumstance and a specific date that you would get them the info by, they might be willing to make an exception? Especially since they know you would know on the 23rd, they could 'block out' time to handle your request if needed since they know it would be coming. I get that once they make an exception that could start a cascade, but it seems like it wouldn't hurt to ask?

I did and those were the responses I have gotten. There shouldn't be an exception, the cancellation for the cruise line should dictate. From the responses on this thread It sounds like the deadline is arbitrary and different from agent to agent.

 

[plutolovr]

But a good agent will get the job done shortly after you call or email. They can do almost all of it on line with few exceptions and it saves you from being on hold forever. We haven't booked any ressies directly in over 9 plus years, both Resorts or Cruises.

Cruise cancellation cannot be done online and remember that a travel agent has a life too....

 

[Wmuflyguy]

Cruise cancellation cannot be done online and remember that a travel agent has a life too....

Yea but it’s their Job. Everyone else has a life too.

 

[hrhdhd]

Is this just a DU thing? My TA has never requested final payments before the DCL deadline.

No.