Information from DCL or lack of?

[DCLMP]

I know but I was hanging on hoping for the FCC without it, another cruise if considerably more expensive or the whole family can't go.

Other cruiselines put out information, but it means nothing because they change it daily. They all seem to be grasping at straws. The blind leading the blind.

Hopefully when DCL does release their protocols it will be well thought out and include everyone that wants to cruise. I don’t foresee DCL limiting children.

 

[jrapps]

Some cruiselines are still restricting children from sailing. My guess is DCL wants their cruises to be open to everyone. Maybe that’s why it’s taking a little longer to work out all the protocols?

I agree, I have a feeling Disney is trying their best to come out of the gate with the most "normal" experience of all the US cruise lines. Being family inclusive means allowing as many children as possible. At the same time Disney is incredibly risk-averse, so they are threading that needle between allowing the most children, but whatever protocols they feel is necessary to limit or eliminate outbreaks on the ship.

At this point nothing would surprise me. They could shock everyone and say vaccines required 2 weeks before sailing, or they could have a virtually zero protocol cruise, no masks, distancing, anything.

I have a feeling they are going to lean towards as normal a cruise as possible (hence the lack of urgency in publishing anything because they're might not be much to publish). They won't require vaccines of course, but I think they will say masks indoors for everyone at all times, eliminating the need for mask police. For them I would figure it's all of nothing, and my money is on all.

I think they're will be no occupant restrictions, kids club open to all kids as usual, no reservations needed, etc.

I just hope since they are bringing this so close to the wire, they offer a limited refund policy to anyone under the 30 day window once they finally announce protocols.

 

[Cheburashka]

Why let august cruisers go thru the motion of actually checking in for their cruises if they are going to cancel?

They've had no problem letting cruisers do that throughout the pandemic. I was able to check in for a 2020 cruise that was later cancelled. I was concierge and got the shoreside team communications, the whole nine yards. And it was cancelled.

 

[Cheburashka]

You can reschedule without penalty.

That doesn't take into account airline tickets that are typically nonrefundable, and which have more limited rebooking capabilities than Disney cruises, and which usually get more expensive the longer you wait to book.

 

[cvjw]

They've had no problem letting cruisers do that throughout the pandemic. I was able to check in for a 2020 cruise that was later cancelled. I was concierge and got the shoreside team communications, the whole nine yards. And it was cancelled.

Yes, I checked in for cruises in 2020 also. This is 2021 and they haven’t let anyone in the US check in before now. Just seems that they know at this point, or at least have a pretty good idea if the dream in sailing in 28 days and what the restrictions and requirements must be. Just wish they would share some of that info with us august cruisers

 

[DCLMP]

That doesn't take into account airline tickets that are typically nonrefundable, and which have more limited rebooking capabilities than Disney cruises, and which usually get more expensive the longer you wait to book.

Airlines don't have change fees anymore. You may not get your money back, but you'll get the credit to use on another flight.

 

[DCLMP]

The judge denied the CDC's request to keep Covid restrictions so maybe you'll hear something soon??? Maybe this is what Disney was waiting on??

 

[jrapps]

The judge denied the CDC's request to keep Covid restrictions so maybe you'll hear something soon??? Maybe this is what Disney was waiting on??

Possible. At the same time, I think that waiting until the CSO is over hoping that Disney will be very lax with restrictions is naive.

Every other cruise line is getting more restrictive by the day. Now even Carnival is not only requiring unvaccinated to get insurance, but every unvaccinated guest over 2 must now pay $150 for their tests. They obviously are doing everything they can to discourage the unvaccinated.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think DCL will do anything like this. But thinking that they're will be no vaccine requirements and no restrictions at all also makes no sense.

And being 27 days from sailing and not saying anything makes NO sense. Either they plan to cancel more sailings last minute, sail with limited to no restrictions, or drop the info too close to sailing for people to cancel. None of those options sounds acceptable.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

My cruise isn't until NYE and I must say this is a wild ride for the August sailing. I am not sure I would have the fortitude to be on it. I wish for those on the first sailing Disney would say something. This is nuts. And kind of unfair. I know the situtation changes, daily. But at some point you need to make a decision as to what your protocols will be for those first cruises and let your customers know. I get it- too restrcitive, people cancel, not enough, people are uncomfortable and cancel. I guess they are just trying to make it as "normal" as possible. But nothing in this hopefully soon post-pandemic world seems normal. Far from it. My fingers are crossed for all of you. I hope you hear soon!

 

[n2mm]

I agree with the previous posters. This is crazy. I moved my September and November 2021 cruises into 2022 because I’m not that brave and would be so stressed right now. Even though we would’ve driven from WV, my DVC points would’ve gone into holding If canceled under 31 days. Good luck.

 

[Pooh93]

I agree with the previous posters. This is crazy. I moved my September and November 2021 cruises into 2022 because I’m not that brave and would be so stressed right now. Even though we would’ve driven from WV, my DVC points would’ve gone into holding If canceled under 31 days. Good luck.

We are supposed to sail November 13-18 on the Disney Magic out of Miami. I am waiting to see what happens with the August/September Cruises. If they are a bust and DCL does not come out with better communication, I will be moving it. We booked WDW the same week for a backup plan and I was just going to adjust the dates and drive there after the cruise. But that needs to be done by 10/14 and I am not willing to sit in limbo that long.

 

[lodge]

They could do a go-nowhere sailing using locals, at a lesser fare. Put disclaimers to cover and see how it goes.

 

[jrapps]

They could do a go-nowhere sailing using locals, at a lesser fare. Put disclaimers to cover and see how it goes.

Sadly, this is not (currently) legal. The Passenger Vessel Services Act prevents sailings to nowhere. It was temporarily bypassed for Alaska sailings this summer, but does not cover Florida.

 

[CamColt]

My cruise isn't until NYE and I must say this is a wild ride for the August sailing. I am not sure I would have the fortitude to be on it. I wish for those on the first sailing Disney would say something. This is nuts. And kind of unfair. I know the situtation changes, daily. But at some point you need to make a decision as to what your protocols will be for those first cruises and let your customers know. I get it- too restrcitive, people cancel, not enough, people are uncomfortable and cancel. I guess they are just trying to make it as "normal" as possible. But nothing in this hopefully soon post-pandemic world seems normal. Far from it. My fingers are crossed for all of you. I hope you hear soon!

A part of me thinks having people cancel would be good, that way they would be sailing at a more limited capacity. As someone hoping to sail on 8/9 I've been concerned, what if they decide to go with limited capacity and now they have too many guests? How will they bump people? But again, this is just another what if thought because they aren't telling us if they will go with any limits.

 

[jrapps]

 

[Disneyland_emily]

A part of me thinks having people cancel would be good, that way they would be sailing at a more limited capacity. As someone hoping to sail on 8/9 I've been concerned, what if they decide to go with limited capacity and now they have too many guests? How will they bump people? But again, this is just another what if thought because they aren't telling us if they will go with any limits.

I know 2 of the UK ones ended up ‘oversold’ and they offered 50% FCC to x number of people to adjust dates..

Our sept cruise is pretty empty (based on cruise group size and the fact only one onboard activity is booked solid) so it’s probably not a huge concern..

 

[epcotrulz]

Since the cruises are all still available for booking, I don’t think oversold is an issue right now. Also, since the cruises are still available for booking, I think they are planning on sailing. Just would be nice to know what the protocols are ….

 

[jrapps]

I know 2 of the UK ones ended up ‘oversold’ and they offered 50% FCC to x number of people to adjust dates..

Our sept cruise is pretty empty (based on cruise group size and the fact only one onboard activity is booked solid) so it’s probably not a huge concern..

Good point. For the Sept 3rd sailing, Palo Brunch and Dinner is still available for every time slot. Not an indication that the ship is full at all.

 

[CamColt]

I did a quick check of available rooms, not knowing how many GTY rooms are booked (I'm 1 of them) I would estimate the 8/9 cruise is maybe 75-80% booked...but that is a big estimation. I could be way off.

Also, I was only able to get 12:30 for Palo Brunch. We've called to check if anything earlier is available, thinking some people might have canceled as we get closer, but no luck. It's my own fault for booking this so late.

 

[jujubiee4]

For those of you cruising with soon up coming cruises I'm curious if you have called customer service.
Just wondering what they tell you when asking about your sail date? A canned response or more "It
is fluid situation and we will let you know ASAP!"