Is it just me??? Compensation??

[debtman7]

You have completely taken apart what I wrote. If you read my quote is says "When you buy a cruise you are buying however many days on a cruise ship along with travel to a few points." You pay for a cruise and travel to a few points, which are the ports. I don't take the cruise for the cruise itself, I love the ports as well. After all, that's how I chose my crusie, by what ports we're visiting. I get off at every port and spend the whole day in the ports, not on the cruise ship. However, if a cruise line misses a port or changes a port due to weather, then that's what they have to do, they have no choice.

Absolutely. They do, however, have a choice as to what they do about it.

See, I think the difference to me is that Castaway Cay is not just another port. It is an integral part of their product. It is something special that is a distinguishing feature of their cruise. It is more of an included feature of the cruise rather than a stop along the way. Not going there with no compensation, to me, would be like charging you for excursions that were cancelled due to weather.

I'm sure a lot of people disagree, but that's the way I see it.

And as far as saying that no other cruise lines offer a private island is wrong.

I never said that. No other cruise line offers Disney's island however, therefore it is a unique destination that only disney can deliver you to. If you want to go there, then the only way is to book a cruise for transportation.

As far as reasonable expectations, even if you miss a point, Disney has fulfilled your reasonable expectations by attempting to bring you to your port and when not, making changes to what is going on during the day. Reasonable expectations are just that, reasonable, not high. Good luck suing Disney over not making Castaway Cay, Disney's attorneys would have a field day with this. If Disney ever lost money on this, I'm sure that Castaway Cay would be taken off the cruise list as a port and instead worded that it may be an option.

These expectations are based on what the company advertises and to some extent, what you can convince a judge of. That's the reality of the world. A good lawyer (and this would cost too much to make it worthwhile so I doubt anyone will ever try it anyway) could make the argument that based on the information disney provides, a person expects that a trip to their private island is included in the cruise. If you can convince a judge that this is a reasonable expectation, you're home free. Is it possible? I don't know, but probably unlikely you'd win.

I'm merely pointing out that a contract is not set in stone. I don't suggest suing and I seriously doubt it would work, but pointing to a disclaimer in the contract doesn't mean that any party is automatically free and clear.

Disney is only willing to offer so much out of their pockets. Eventually this will all funnel down to us, the consumers. The more they pay out, the higher our cruises prices will go. So while I may be disappointed, I would rather be able to take another cruise again and not have the prices go so high that they're out of my reach.

I'd be willing to bet that by offering 10% off a future cruise for passengers who miss Castaway Cay, they'd make more profit than they would by doing nothing.

 

[dwkwootton]

cjsmith, actually you said that you highly doubted that one would go after the resort for restitution (not considering the resort might offer maybe?) and that you highly doubted that the resort would do anything to provide alternate activities. No big deal, a word or meaning here or there.

I keep saying that I'm not holding Disney responsible for the weather. I am going to ask them to be accountable for understaffing and poor planning. Before folks start screaming and yelling about Disney not being expected to anticpate a flu outbreak in January, let's hope none of us think that Disney is that short sighted (ah, scream and yell if ya want but it is getting old LOL) and keep in mind that they could have read their own warnings on the subject posted in every stateroom and every public room, next to the bins of antiseptic wipes, and on every daily navigator.

 

[karebear1]

While as long as Disney did everything reasonable to try and make it up to me by giving me an enjoyable day by adding programs to the daily activites, then though I would be disappointed, I would never expect compensation for something that was clearly out of their control.

You've hit the nail right on the head. You say as long as Disney does evertything reasonable to try to make it up to YOU by giving YOU enjoyable day and adding programs to the daily activities etc. - They DID NOT do this for the adult passengers on this cruise. We were,for all practical purposes, forgotten about. That WAS in their control.

 

[karebear1]

cjsmith, when I vacationed in Jamaica (not a cruise) the resort offered a good weather guarantee. If the weather was poor the entire day, you were given a voucher for a complimentary day to use in the future. I hadn't known this when I booked, never asked for anything since the resort bent over backwards with games, goodies & activities all day long, so I was shocked at check-out when I was handed (with a warm and friendly smile) two vouchers each for a complimentary day to use on a future stay.

Was good business on their part too. Hadn't planned to return there for a couple years, but changed our minds and went the next year to make use of the vouchers. Paid for 5 days and was thrilled to enjoy 2 complimentary days.

Sometimes its best not to speak with such authority when you do not know whether or not you are correct.

Ummmmmmmmmm- can I have the name of this resort PLEASE?!?!?!?

 

[cjsmith]

I'd be willing to bet that by offering 10% off a future cruise for passengers who miss Castaway Cay, they'd make more profit than they would by doing nothing.

But then again, shouldn't they offer it to those who also miss other ports because CC is designated a port, one that is considered the Bahamas for technical purposes? Disney also advertises making it to the ports listed for the different cruises just as much as they do CC. And probably for quite a few cruisers these ports may be more important to them then CC if they're not beach people. And then what about the people who make it to CC but have the day ruined by horrible weather or have to cut the day short here due to approaching bad weather. It's still not what you were offered.

I guess DCL doesn't really have to offer any money offer future cruisers because they usually sail full most of the year anyway. When they have empty cabin they offer last minute Florida resident special and the ships fill up. It also seems that no matter how upset one gets with something on their cruise, for those of us who love Disney we can't wait to sail again. It's really all about supply and demand, people love Disney but with only 2 ships the supply can't really keep up with the demand! I guess that's why Disney doesn't have to compete price wise with other cruise lines, no matter the cost it seems, people are willing to pay for Disney cruise time and time again, me included!

 

[dwkwootton]

karebear1, its the SuperClubs chain of resorts. Grand Lido, Grand Braco to name a few, they have a number of them. Its been probably (give or take) 8 years so do check the current policy.

 

[allears]

You've hit the nail right on the head. You say as long as Disney does evertything reasonable to try to make it up to YOU by giving YOU enjoyable day and adding programs to the daily activities etc. - They DID NOT do this for the adult passengers on this cruise. We were,for all practical purposes, forgotten about. That WAS in their control.

This has been one of my challenges with these theads. To those of you who may be reading these posts, this is not the opinion of everyone on the cruise. IMHO the staff did a great job trying to make last minute changes.