Is it just me??? Compensation??

[Cindyluwho]

I haven't been lurking around this board much, it's been a little over a year since my last Disney Cruise. But.....I've been reading today about folks on a recent cruise that are dissapointed that the ship hit rough seas, missed some ports, etc. and they are thinking of asking for some kind of compensation from DCL. Is it just me or isn't that why DCL charges less $$ for the cruise during the winter months? You're already paying less dollars for the cruise because you've chosen to go at a less popular time. And...it's less popular because the weather isn't as agreeable or as reliable. So are you saying that you expect to pay less money but want the same experience as those who pay the extra $$ and have better weather? I can see asking for compensation if it was something that Disney can control but really now!

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't really understand that either...they are paying bargain prices for a reason,,,,you take your chances when you book in Jan or during peak hurricane season...thats why those times are cheaper.

 

[joycepa]

When I booked for January 2005 I was looking to get out of the winter weather for a week of sun. I never compared other times, but I wish I would have been warned that there was a greater chance of missing Castaway Cay. I don't know if everyone is looking for $$$$ compensation. I would have liked to know before I booked that January was the most likely month to miss Castaway Cay. I definitely would have booked a different month.

 

[ablmc]

You don't pay reduced price in Jan because the weather might be lousy. You pay less because the demand is less. Demand is less because schools are in session. This is true of just about any resort.

By your logic, the Christmas, New Years, and Feb vacation weeks would also be reduced price, but, they are not.

 

[smchan]

You don't pay reduced price in Jan because the weather might be lousy. You pay less because the demand is less. Demand is less because schools are in session. This is true of just about any resort.

That would be my experience too. Prices are driven by demand which, in Disney's case, is mostly centered around the typical school year when families can travel. Peak prices occur in the summer and during the winter holidays when kids are out.

In fact, average wind speed and wave height are WORSE in June and July than it is in August through November. Check out this link for my source.

Sam

 

[disneyfan73]

Sam

Thanks for the information. I am not sure why people get all worked up when others post their disappointments. I read them and move along. They will get things worked out with DCL.

 

[LUVTHEMAGIC]

I agree totally. I just wanted to get out of winter for a while. I spent a week in Nassau Jan 1-8 for my honeymoon. High 70's and perfect beautiful weather. We swam everyday. Every time the kids are out of school the DCL price jumps around $2000. That's alot. That's why I took my son out of school. I've read others do the same.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

I disagree slightly with the OP. Like other posters said is you are not paying for lousy weather, paying because of less demand. If its by chance of having bad weather then basically june-novmeber should be discounted. He sailed on the recent 10 night and it cost a ton not only because of it being 10 night but of the time frame. You pay for your cruise for demand not weather. I think they should be maybe get some compensation, maybe like $50 onboard credit per cabin. But prices are base on demand not weather.

Matt

 

[webray]

You are warned..no matter what the season. The disclaimer is right there on my receipt and my dcl book...ports may change at anytime.

 

[*Fantasia*]

. I never compared other times, but I wish I would have been warned that there was a greater chance of missing Castaway Cay. . I would have liked to know before I booked that January was the most likely month to miss Castaway Cay. I definitely would have booked a different month.

When it gets too cold..they can't dock at Castaway Cay in January? Why is Jan most likely to miss Castaway Cay? Thanks..

 

[ClarabelleCow]

You are warned..no matter what the season. The disclaimer is right there on my receipt and my dcl book...ports may change at anytime.

I think the problem is many think well it's Disney, they will make it happen!!! But they do state that they may not make all ports because of weather, how about those that had to stay on the ship longer than expected, should they have paid more?? Not very good logic, but same thing. I would prefer the captain to take our safety first, over people wanting their Konk Cooler!!! Before anyone books a cruise, they should check the average weather for the itinary, we cruised in January on the Norway several years ago, it was awful until we got to the Caribbean. People were flying all over the place, several older passengers were breaking arms left and right, several in neck braces. We traveled NCL in February, same thing, we couldnt' even get into Nassau, we went to Freeport, they had been hit buy hurricanes, it was awful, but we made the best of it!

We have done the Carnival Fantasy twice, 1997 and 2004 New Years weekend, both times we had incredible weather! But the Norway in probably 1996 the week after New Years was as I said, awful until we got to St. Maarten! And if it didn't get better, my husband was getting off the ship in St. Maarten never to return!!!

 

[Cass]

Maybe they don't charge less to go off season... they charge more to go at peak season.

Personally I think they should have set standard policy accross the board. If they miss a port ~ offer 10% or (or something) off another cruise in the future. Not everyone is going to utilize this and it is good customer service.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Personally I think they should have set standard policy accross the board. If they miss a port ~ offer 10% or (or something) off another cruise in the future. Not everyone is going to utilize this and it is good customer service.

does anyone know what other Cruise Companies do if they miss a port, wenever missed, just were taken to a different one?

If they do miss a port, not just Castaway Cay, do they reimburse you for your port charges?

 

[markey]

Let's see - I did have a better experience then some - But we cruised 8/14, day after Charlie. Could not enter to board until after 1. Got caught in a storm at Avis returning car, luggage was soaked had to dry everything after boarding. We were drenched also-not enough room at Avis because of people returning and picking up. Waved off embarkment photo because we looked like drowned rats. Ate lunch with napkins around us because we were freezing in the air, raining out side so had to stay inside. Sail away inside, too crowded so left. Left port around 7:15 while in dinning room. Did not make GC, messed up plans. Cozumel on Tuesday, messed up plans. Bahamas on Thursday, could have saved and booked the 4 day. We had a great vacation and booked the Wonder for 05, also cruised 8/2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 always in August. Sure our plans changed but to dwell on that would have ruined vacation, actually the drowned rat part was kind of funny! Did I think of asking for compensation, why we had a 7 day cruise and DCL lived up to the agreement I signed. Also want to add that this cruise was summer priced-no discounts. Also delt with Charley as we had arrive in Florida on 9/9.

 

[ericamanda01]

That's how DH and I felt, if we take the chance then we have to live with it. No comps for rough seas or missed ports. DCL can't control the weather. We did get lucky on our 9-05 cruise, we were out between hurricans. But the lower price makes it, for us anyway, easier to take the cruises.

 

[debtman7]

I haven't been lurking around this board much, it's been a little over a year since my last Disney Cruise. But.....I've been reading today about folks on a recent cruise that are dissapointed that the ship hit rough seas, missed some ports, etc. and they are thinking of asking for some kind of compensation from DCL. Is it just me or isn't that why DCL charges less $$ for the cruise during the winter months? You're already paying less dollars for the cruise because you've chosen to go at a less popular time. And...it's less popular because the weather isn't as agreeable or as reliable. So are you saying that you expect to pay less money but want the same experience as those who pay the extra $$ and have better weather? I can see asking for compensation if it was something that Disney can control but really now!

My beef with the whole thing is pretty simple. Regardless of the legal disclaimers, Disney sold you a product with the reasonable expectation that you would be taken to their private island. While it may be 'legal' for them to do nothing if they can't make it, I don't consider it good business. They are selling a product that the know they may not be able to deliver, so they should have something set up to compenstate for that should it not happen. Would you pay the same amount for your Disney cruise if you knew it did not include a stop at Castaway Cay? I wouldn't.

Imagine if you were flying, and the airline couldn't get you to your destination because of weather. Wouldn't you be a little ticked off if they made you buy another ticket to get there? But they don't, if the airline can't get you where they were supposed to, you don't have to pay again, they'll get you there eventually. Now I realize a cruise is different because you are paying for the time on the boat, and not to get somewhere, but I think with disney there are quite a few people who are paying to get to Castaway Cay. It's one of the hightlights of the cruise!

If my cruise couldn't dock at Nassau or somewhere, I'd probably be ok with that. But if we missed Castaway Cay, I would definately be writing a letter and demanding some compensation.

 

[luvsTink]

I have been thinking about this, but feel a little odd answering since we made all of our ports, however our first night had 14+ feet seas and it was COLD and parasailing got cancelled, etc etc.

But, I decided that in the future if my goal is to lay on a beach in warm weather during the winter I will FLY to a destination that is nearly ALWAYS very warm.

But, if I want to go on an inclusive vacation with a lot of entertainment for the whole family with quite a few interesting experiences I will go for the cruise. For us, we figured we got what we paid for....a new experience with great staff and fun activities and wonderful entertainment.

Anne

 

[cjsmith]

You don't pay reduced price in Jan because the weather might be lousy. You pay less because the demand is less. Demand is less because schools are in session. This is true of just about any resort.

By your logic, the Christmas, New Years, and Feb vacation weeks would also be reduced price, but, they are not.

This isn't entirely true. There are schools that have off until the mid of January. The prices are driven by various things, school vacations are just a portion of it. And not just about any resort changes their prices in January, actually most of them don't. The hotels here in Naples, ie The Ritz Carlton and La Playa have the same prices and are sold out now jsut like throughout the entire winter season. The prices are the same at most of the Caribbean islands and Hawaii in January, it's high season. Remember there are plenty of other people traveling besides people with kids, you have couples without kids, couples who leave their kids home, couples who's kids are grown, those on their honeymoon and so on.

When ever you take a vacation you are always taking your chances of poor weather and when you book a cruise other factors come into play like high seas and winds. Booking in the fall brings hurricane season issues and booking in the winter months like January also brings in other weather related issues. That's why coming to Florida in January and even Feb is iffy because it can be cold, coming to Florida in the summer months gives you rainy season, and coming to Florida in the late summer and fall brings you into hurricane season. We should never hold the cruise line or hotel responsible for weather or not docking somewhere, those are the chances that we took. I for one never thought to ask for compensation when we were in 20 foot swells last January on the Magic or even when I couldn't eat my brunch at Palos, I didn't ask for my money back as it as all beyond DCL's control.

We all have the right to be disappointed and complain when our vacations don't turn out exactly how we expected or dreamed of. In my opinion, asking for something from a company when this happens isn't fair. After all, when things are paid out in the end we're all the ones that suffer as the prices just go up even higher.

 

[epermar]

No one can control the weather, and I prefer that my safety come first. We'll be sailing on the Magic this Saturday, and I've been checking the Western Caribbean weather forecast, some sun, some chance of showers. But no matter what, I won't be pulling my hair here at work, I won't have to cook, I can sleep in as long as I want, I can do as much or as little as I want - that's a vacation! Yes, I have high hopes of basking in the warm sun (I prefer 80-90 degree weather) and exploring the islands, but I'll just take it all in stride. It'll be a while before I can save up this much cash for another vacation like this again.....

 

[Rence]

On my first DCL cruise we missed CC becaue of bad weather (January 3 years ago). I heard folks express disappointment, but no one complained. Actually it was cold and windy and there wouldn't have been much worth doing on CC that day, you would not have even wanted to sit on the beach it was so chilly. The reason we didn't go was weather related, it was no ones fault.

This happens to all cruise lines. If possible they may try to substitute another port, but there isn't always one available. There may not be won within sailing distance or that may not be room for any more ships at one that is close enough. Cruiselines try, but can't always come up with a substitute.

It is a known hazard of cruising. I would hope that DCL would not compensate for weather related issues such as this. It would set a truely bad precedence.