Letter regarding Inventory Control

[kaseyC]

Maybe I am missing something but what is the big deal about the NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT and what does it have to do with the Inventory Control Faxes? The deposit is only non refundable when you actually book the suite not when you fax IC.

If they do away with IC, the only thing that will change is that you will not be able to request a statroom in advance (yes, in the past IC accepted faxed requests for other categories not just 1-3). Once you book the Suite your deposit then becomes non refundable.

 

[kaseyC]

Wasn't there a recent thread on DCL now requiring deposits on faxed requests for suites too? I don't remember the outcome if they were going to require deposits or not.

I thought you could fax a request for any category.....

I can understand DCL's position that Cat 1-3 are probably pretty difficult to fill last minute and cancellations were probably a big reason why they implemented this.

Yes, there was a thread recently about requiring deposits on faxed requests for suites. I don't remember the outcome either but I recall that those deposits were refundable and only became non refundable once the suite was actually booked.

 

[birkner]

Wasn't there a recent thread on DCL now requiring deposits on faxed requests for suites too? I don't remember the outcome if they were going to require deposits or not.

I thought you could fax a request for any category.....

I can understand DCL's position that Cat 1-3 are probably pretty difficult to fill last minute and cancellations were probably a big reason why they implemented this.

The way it works for the faxes for the upcoming cruises is that if you want a cat.1-3 and you are NOT booked on the cruise, you can put down a REFUNDABLE deposit.

It is my understanding that IC faxes are ONLY for cat.1-3. If I am incorrect, then I am sure someone will correct me.

I think you are correct about the reason for the NON REFUNDABLE deposits. However, there does need to be some reasonable perk if I am willing to give a $3500 (for 7) NON REFUNDABLE deposit for a cat. 1-3.

Just my thoughts....

 

[cruisinluver]

I think non-refundable deposits and faxing IC are two separate issues. I have seen people who faxed and received a SPH room, so I am assuming it is not just for suites.

Note, RCCL only opened up bookings early for C&A members for Freedom of the Seas, not Independence or Liberty. They will probably do the same for the Genesis class or at least the first.

I would have no problem with CC members getting first shot on one of the new ships, but that still could be done via the website or a TA with a valid CC number or C&A number in the case of RCCL.

I still see no connection between the fax requests and the non-refundable nature of the Cat 1-3 deposits (which just began for cruises in 2007 and beyond).

 

[kcminnie]

When you try to compare booking suites to the Cat 4-12 rooms you have to remember that you are never able to price or book a suite on the Disney website. These have to be booked over the phone by yourself or a travel agent. When they opened up the lines in Jan for booking the 2008 cruises many people were on hold for over 2 hours while other people were able to book their rooms online within the first hour. If Disney is going to do away with IC they should put the suites on their website for booking. I will say that I was not on any waiting list for the 2008 cruises but after seeing the WB Repo dates decided I wanted to go on that cruise. My travel agent was not able to get me a suite on the day of booking. However about 3 weeks later they were able to get me a Cat 3. This trip was 15 months away when I booked. As of now I don't see any reason why I won't be able to go but if for some reason I need to cancel prior to final payment I cannot get my $700 pp deposit back. I will need to move my date to another cruise. I can't cancel & get a refund.

 

[kaseyC]

I think you are correct about the reason for the NON REFUNDABLE deposits. However, there does need to be some reasonable perk if I am willing to give a $3500 (for 7) NON REFUNDABLE deposit for a cat. 1-3.

Just my thoughts....

Why would there be the need for any perk. DCL clearly states that the deposits on Cat. 1-3 are non refundable. I knew when booking our Dec. 2007 and our Nov. 2008 cruises that our deposits were non refundable.($2500 per cruise for our family of 5) With those deposits I got exactly what DCL promised me ~ reservations for 2 Midship Cat. 3 Suites. Nothing less - nothing more.

Once again, IC has nothing to do with this. The only thing lost if DCL does away with IC is the ability to request suites in advance.

 

[outahere]

Also, I am curious about the RCCL suite deposits, are they NON REFUNDABLE like the DCL deposits?

I'm not sure about RCCL, but we have a Courtyard Villa Suite booked on NCL's Norwegian Pearl, and the deposit was only $250pp and is 100%refundable.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You let them take them just like eery other cruiseline does. When the bookings open then everyone gets a fair shake.

There are only so many AFT facing cabins on certain cruiselines which are highly coveted. There is no IC available to book those before they are released to the general public. It needs to be first come first serve.

The only thing they should do with the new ships is allow Castaway Club members the opportunity to book a couple of weeks earlier for the maiden and innaugural season and then open to the general public. RCCL did this for Freedom of the Seas for their Crown and Anchor members and still the general public got on the maiden voyage as well as several other sailings in all categories.

No more of this booking of suites only by fax business. It is really unfair to those without a computer and/or a fax machine, and/or have no idea about DIS, or even the idea there is IC.

I agree. I think that the suites open for booking when the cruise opens for booking. DCL should include the suites on the website.

This whole faxing thing has created so many messes and so many entitlement issues.

 

[kaseyC]

I'm not sure about RCCL, but we have a Courtyard Villa Suite booked on NCL's Norwegian Pearl, and the deposit was only $250pp and is 100%refundable.

Off topic, I know but outahere you will love the Courtyard Villa. DH and I were in one (A4) on the Jewel last May on our Med cruise and it was fabulous. The private courtyard, pool and sundeck are wonderful especially on sea days when the other decks are so crowded. NCL offers some great perks for their suite guests.

 

[outahere]

Off topic, I know but outahere you will love the Courtyard Villa. DH and I were in one (A4) on the Jewel last May on our Med cruise and it was fabulous. The private courtyard, pool and sundeck are wonderful especially on sea days when the other decks are so crowded. NCL offers some great perks for their suite guests.

Thanks for the short review. We are going on an Alaskan cruise so the retractable roof, over the courtyard, will probably come in handy.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.....

 

[kcminnie]

still off topic

I was looking at those suites on NCL. Can you tell me if there are any children at that pool or was it all adults?

 

[kplatt]

... is allow Castaway Club members the opportunity to book a couple of weeks earlier for the maiden and innaugural season and then open to the general public. RCCL did this for Freedom of the Seas for their Crown and Anchor members and still the general public got on the maiden voyage as well as several other sailings in all categories.

I met a CM last week who said it is rumored that the maiden voyage may be limited to CM's, their families and friends. Too bad for us, but I'm not complaining. I think the CM's deserve it!

 

[birkner]

Maybe I am missing something but what is the big deal about the NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT and what does it have to do with the Inventory Control Faxes? The deposit is only non refundable when you actually book the suite not when you fax IC.

If they do away with IC, the only thing that will change is that you will not be able to request a statroom in advance (yes, in the past IC accepted faxed requests for other categories not just 1-3). Once you book the Suite your deposit then becomes non refundable.

My understand is that the IC situation has changed to only accepting faxes or requests to IC for cat. 1-3 only.

Yes, there was a thread recently about requiring deposits on faxed requests for suites. I don't remember the outcome either but I recall that those deposits were refundable and only became non refundable once the suite was actually booked.

According to my TA, only those persons who do not have a ressie and request cat. 1-3 priority wait list by depositing with DCL can have their deposit refunded if the suite becomes available and they choose not to accept the booking.

I think non-refundable deposits and faxing IC are two separate issues. I have seen people who faxed and received a SPH room, so I am assuming it is not just for suites.

Note, RCCL only opened up bookings early for C&A members for Freedom of the Seas, not Independence or Liberty. They will probably do the same for the Genesis class or at least the first.

I would have no problem with CC members getting first shot on one of the new ships, but that still could be done via the website or a TA with a valid CC number or C&A number in the case of RCCL.

I still see no connection between the fax requests and the non-refundable nature of the Cat 1-3 deposits (which just began for cruises in 2007 and beyond).

I think you were correct in the past but it is my understanding the rules for IC have changed. Again, I repeat it is my understanding that IC will no longer accept faxed requests for anything other than a cat. 1-3.

Why would there be the need for any perk. DCL clearly states that the deposits on Cat. 1-3 are non refundable. I knew when booking our Dec. 2007 and our Nov. 2008 cruises that our deposits were non refundable.($2500 per cruise for our family of 5) With those deposits I got exactly what DCL promised me ~ reservations for 2 Midship Cat. 3 Suites. Nothing less - nothing more.

Once again, IC has nothing to do with this. The only thing lost if DCL does away with IC is the ability to request suites in advance.

The perk I refered to is to be able to fax IC with a request for a cat. 1-3.

I agree. I think that the suites open for booking when the cruise opens for booking. DCL should include the suites on the website.

This whole faxing thing has created so many messes and so many entitlement issues.

The suites can open before the general booking as in my case I was able to book a cat. 1 suite before the general booking was released.

 

[kaseyC]

According to my TA, only those persons who do not have a ressie and request cat. 1-3 priority wait list by depositing with DCL can have their deposit refunded if the suite becomes available and they choose not to accept the booking.

I think you are misreading my posts. My point all along is that the deposit does not become non refundable until you ACTUALLY reserve a suite (not request it but book it). If you already have a suite booked there is no need to fax IC for that sailing, if want a higher category and it is not available for your sailing- DCL waitlists you and you do not have to put down a additional deposit.

Faxing IC is a totally separate issue! The only thing we will lose if IC goes away is the ability to request suites in advance and possibly book them in advance. (as shown from the recent release of 2008, some folks did not get their IC calls until after bookings opened for the general public)

IMO, unless IC can be consistent with their procedures they really need to go or at least be revamped. - no this is not sour grapes we have been lucky enough to be called by IC before the general release of dates.

 

["Got Disney"]

I got mine today and made a new thread about it cause looked before but did not see this....o well know all will be sure to see it one way or another

 

[dvcnewgirl]

got my letter today too...

 

[birkner]

According to my TA, only those persons who do not have a ressie and request cat. 1-3 priority wait list by depositing with DCL can have their deposit refunded if the suite becomes available and they choose not to accept the booking.

I think you are misreading my posts. My point all along is that the deposit does not become non refundable until you ACTUALLY reserve a suite (not request it but book it). If you already have a suite booked there is no need to fax IC for that sailing, if want a higher category and it is not available for your sailing- DCL waitlists you and you do not have to put down a additional deposit.

On this point, we agree.

Faxing IC is a totally separate issue! The only thing we will lose if IC goes away is the ability to request suites in advance and possibly book them in advance. (as shown from the recent release of 2008, some folks did not get their IC calls until after bookings opened for the general public)

I would suspect many people who do not post on the DIS boards were called as the ships on both the WB and EB sold out immediately. I saw a post from a poster on our WB cruise that one of the people in the cat. 1 suite is not a DIS member. Clearly this person was informed one way or the other about the IC list.

They way I found out about the IC list from my travel agent when I took my first cruise, not from the DIS boards.

Personally, I for one would prefer IC to follow a fair and set procedure and to be able to request the booking of suites in advance. However, that is just my opinion.

IMO, unless IC can be consistent with their procedures they really need to go or at least be revamped. - no this is not sour grapes we have been lucky enough to be called by IC before the general release of dates.

I hope you didn't think I was thinking you were expressing sour grapes as I was not. I was also fortunate to get a ressie on the WB because of my place on the IC list.

I just feel that it could be a good system if properly implemented. No question there are "bugs" in their system but to do away with the system is akin to throwing out the baby with the bath.

 

[kaseyC]

I just feel that it could be a good system if properly implmented. No question there are "bugs" in their system but to do away with the system is akin to throwing out the baby with the bath.[/COLOR]

I agree with you! IMO, I believe that IC used to work properly (unfortunatly as a result of internet message boards), I think in the last few years they have become overwhelmed. The must either work out the bugs, totally revamp it or get rid of it.

 

[birkner]

I agree with you! IMO, I believe that IC used to work properly (unfortunatly as a result of internet message boards), I think in the last few years they have become overwhelmed. The must either work out the bugs, totally revamp it or get rid of it.

Absolutely agree with your post!!