May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[HollyTyler]

My dreaded e-mail finally found its way to me today about the $100 increase.

 

[ragdoll]

My dreaded e-mail finally found its way to me today about the $100 increase.

Just dropped in to say that this suspicious increase has me so aggravated that I would cancel this cruise! Fortunately, DH will not hear of it.

 

[HollyTyler]

I've been doing some thinking about this $100 increase. I may be way off base here, but this is just my opinion. It seems to me that to promote good customer relations, the decent thing for Disney to do would be to just suck up the loss regarding the people who already have one of the PC repo cruises booked, and then just increase the price $100 for everybody for future PC cruises (or anybody new who may book either of the current PC cruises if current people cancel). Sure, DCL would be out a ton of money, but compared to what must be their yearly revenue, I'm sure it's just pocket change for them. And keeping customers happy, especially with the number of repeaters DCL has, is worth more than that bit of money.

Like I said, don't think I'm out of my mind.....just my opinion.

 

[tigger137]

This was what I asked DCL:

Could you please provide clarification of the recent $100 increase per
person in the "Head Tax" for our Westbound Panama Canal cruise. My
travel agent, Dreams Unlimited, has asked for this on my behalf but was
told that for some legal reason you are not allowed to give this
explanation over the telephone.
From what I have read online, it seems that DCL are blaming this
increase on an increase in the Panama Canal transit costs. However,
although I can see on the Panama Canal website that they are changing
how they calculate their charges from 1 October 2007, they certainly do
not appear to be increasing those charges by anything near the extra
$100 per person that you are levying on your passengers. It would seem
that DCL are passing on the new charge direct to passengers without
deducting the amount already included in the original cruise cost.
I would suggest than unless DCL provide a full and clear explanation of
this increase, the overwhelming opinion will be that you are simply
taking the opportunity to make yet more money from the passengers on
these 2 sell-out cruises.
I look forward to hearing from you.​

This is their response:

While we appreciate your thoughts around the pricing of a Disney Cruise
Line vacation, unfortunately, the tax is the result of recent change in
the toll structure through the Panama Canal, which is now per person
instead of gross tonnage, and we are aligning this new per person fee
with the government taxes and fees charged by the other ports of call we
visit. I truly regret any disappointment or inconvenience this has
caused and appreciate your understanding.
However, we genuinely look forward to welcoming you and your family
aboard Disney Cruise Line next year.​

Could anyone please translate their reply into plain English for me?

 

[HollyTyler]

This was what I asked DCL:

Could you please provide clarification of the recent $100 increase per person in the "Head Tax" for our Westbound Panama Canal cruise. My travel agent, Dreams Unlimited, has asked for this on my behalf but was told that for some legal reason you are not allowed to give this explanation over the telephone. From what I have read online, it seems that DCL are blaming this increase on an increase in the Panama Canal transit costs. However, although I can see on the Panama Canal website that they are changing how they calculate their charges from 1 October 2007, they certainly do not appear to be increasing those charges by anything near the extra $100 per person that you are levying on your passengers. It would seem that DCL are passing on the new charge direct to passengers without deducting the amount already included in the original cruise cost. I would suggest than unless DCL provide a full and clear explanation of this increase, the overwhelming opinion will be that you are simply taking the opportunity to make yet more money from the passengers on these 2 sell-out cruises. I look forward to hearing from you.​

This is their response:

While we appreciate your thoughts around the pricing of a Disney Cruise Line vacation, unfortunately, the tax is the result of recent change in the toll structure through the Panama Canal, which is now per person instead of gross tonnage, and we are aligning this new per person fee with the government taxes and fees charged by the other ports of call we visit. I truly regret any disappointment or inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your understanding. However, we genuinely look forward to welcoming you and your family aboard Disney Cruise Line next year.​

Could anyone please translate their reply into plain English for me?

Well, now I'm even more confused. I was just on Panama Canal's website trying to read their toll chart, and I thought the chart says if the ship holds more than 33 passengers the toll is based on tonnage. Hmmmmm.......I've never been good at graphs though, so I'm probably reading it wrong (the tiny print under the chart). But if Disney says the new charge is per person, that same chart on PC's website says the increase is from 100 to 115 starting in October '07, unless I'm also reading that wrong (which is very likely), so now I'm REALLY lost!

 

[tigger137]

Well, now I'm even more confused. I was just on Panama Canal's website trying to read their toll chart, and I thought the chart says if the ship holds more than 33 passengers the toll is based on tonnage. Hmmmmm.......I've never been good at graphs though, so I'm probably reading it wrong (the tiny print under the chart). But if Disney says the new charge is per person, that same chart on PC's website says the increase is from 100 to 115 starting in October '07, unless I'm also reading that wrong (which is very likely), so now I'm REALLY lost!

Hi Holly - my fellow secretary!

It's not 33 passengers but some formula they use to decide whether the ship pays on tonnage or per berth. From Oct 2007 the Disney Magic will have to pay per berth, at the rate of $100 per berth (it's $115 from Oct 2008). Which appears to be the extra DCL is charging us - but without taking into the account the amount they already factored in to the original cruise cost. I believe they should be looking at the original (tonnage) charge, and the new per berth charge, working out the difference and splitting that between the passengers. But by charging us the $100 they are effectively charging us the tax twice - once at the old rate and again at the new.

Put bluntly, I think we're being conned!

 

[HollyTyler]

Hi Holly - my fellow secretary!

It's not 33 passengers but some formula they use to decide whether the ship pays on tonnage or per berth. From Oct 2007 the Disney Magic will have to pay per berth, at the rate of $100 per berth (it's $115 from Oct 2008). Which appears to be the extra DCL is charging us - but without taking into the account the amount they already factored in to the original cruise cost. I believe they should be looking at the original (tonnage) charge, and the new per berth charge, working out the difference and splitting that between the passengers. But by charging us the $100 they are effectively charging us the tax twice - once at the old rate and again at the new.

Put bluntly, I think we're being conned!

Thanks for the clarification! My frazzled brain is unable to function again. Yup, we're getting screwed over. The mouse is just not playing fair. I wonder how many cancellations there will be on both PC cruises.

 

[granmaz]

Hi Holly - my fellow secretary!

It's not 33 passengers but some formula they use to decide whether the ship pays on tonnage or per berth. From Oct 2007 the Disney Magic will have to pay per berth, at the rate of $100 per berth (it's $115 from Oct 2008). Which appears to be the extra DCL is charging us - but without taking into the account the amount they already factored in to the original cruise cost. I believe they should be looking at the original (tonnage) charge, and the new per berth charge, working out the difference and splitting that between the passengers. But by charging us the $100 they are effectively charging us the tax twice - once at the old rate and again at the new.

Put bluntly, I think we're being conned!

Thanks to both of you for explaining. It does look like we are being charged twice and that is very bad of Disney. It isn't as if the cruise is cheap in the first place is it?

 

[LiserAnn]

Hi Holly - my fellow secretary!

It's not 33 passengers but some formula they use to decide whether the ship pays on tonnage or per berth. From Oct 2007 the Disney Magic will have to pay per berth, at the rate of $100 per berth (it's $115 from Oct 2008). Which appears to be the extra DCL is charging us - but without taking into the account the amount they already factored in to the original cruise cost. I believe they should be looking at the original (tonnage) charge, and the new per berth charge, working out the difference and splitting that between the passengers. But by charging us the $100 they are effectively charging us the tax twice - once at the old rate and again at the new.

Put bluntly, I think we're being conned!

Sounds like DCL has just found another way to make a extra $100 per person. If they would just explain it in layman's terms (i.e. this is what is was costing and with this new increase this is how much it will cost now) instead of using words together that don't make any sense. It makes it seem like they're hiding something, even if they're not. Not happy but still cruising....and that's what DCL knows...the increase isn't enough to make people cancel....cheesy if you ask me!

 

[Ginamarie]

Yes, it looks as though the old fee was disbursed into our cruise fare, but now that they've changed it to a berth policy, they're charging us for the fee again!!

I know the Panama Canal is going through a growth spurt right now. They're looking to increase their revenue for expansion projects that are supposed to take place over the next few years. I'm not sure what we can do about this though- the chances of getting someone on the phone who actually understands what we're talking about are probably slim...

DO you guys think that writing an email might get a better response, or will we just get a form response back?

 

[HollyTyler]

DO you guys think that writing an email might get a better response, or will we just get a form response back?

Well, maybe if they get bombarded by a ton of us, and we reply to their form response, and keep replying, we might stir things up a bit. Squeaky wheels get grease!

I'm headed off right now to e-mail them my opinion I posted a few posts ago, and will let you all know what generic response they send me.

 

[gydell]

DCL knows that we are not going to cancel so they are just pocketing more money, in my opinion. Just hope they don't come up with more $$ increases for other ports!

 

[HollyTyler]

OK....I changed what I wanted to say to DCL and just basically started by saying that many of us feel we've been double-charged, since the old fee would already have been included in our original cruise cost. I asked if they could provide me with a breakdown of the allocation of fees both before and after the Panama Canal increase to reassure me that I'm not being double-charged. Yeah, right! Like they're going to do that! Oh well......sure can't hurt to try. Can't wait to see what type of generic response I get!

 

[lillygator]

This extra $400 doesn't sit well with me either. I am hoping they change it, I doubt it but you never know.

 

[lillygator]

The girls want to go swimming.....so I guess I'm out of here for a bit.

 

[fourmcds]

Just popping in quickly. I try and read here and there but my free time has been spent covered in paint

Deb....

Besides fixing up the new house we haven't been up to much. We did go camping last weekend in the torrential downpours out here, not so much fun. The few sunny moments we had, Taylor stepped on a hornet's nest and got stung 8 or so times! I felt so bad. she was a trooper, is thankfully not allergic and handled it well!

Today we dropped Jaide off on the boat for her week at sleepaway camp Mixed emotions there. I can't wait to pick her up and hear all about her week.

100.00 increase....not so sure about that one. It certainly was 400.00 that I was going to put towards something else more fun. I appreciate all of you who are really researching this and making DCL accountable for their choice to increase our fares.

Next weekend is our move in! We just ordered our appliances today and our stove won't be in for a month....thank goodness there is a decent stove there that we can use (the only appliance I would use there).

V...great pics! love the comments by John (your dh) about your families' eyes! Thanks for sharing your trips for those of us who live so far away from the mouse!

 

[HollyTyler]

Just popping in quickly. I try and read here and there but my free time has been spent covered in paint

Deb....

Besides fixing up the new house we haven't been up to much. We did go camping last weekend in the torrential downpours out here, not so much fun. The few sunny moments we had, Taylor stepped on a hornet's nest and got stung 8 or so times! I felt so bad. she was a trooper, is thankfully not allergic and handled it well!

Today we dropped Jaide off on the boat for her week at sleepaway camp Mixed emotions there. I can't wait to pick her up and hear all about her week.

100.00 increase....not so sure about that one. It certainly was 400.00 that I was going to put towards something else more fun. I appreciate all of you who are really researching this and making DCL accountable for their choice to increase our fares.

Next weekend is our move in! We just ordered our appliances today and our stove won't be in for a month....thank goodness there is a decent stove there that we can use (the only appliance I would use there).

V...great pics! love the comments by John (your dh) about your families' eyes! Thanks for sharing your trips for those of us who live so far away from the mouse!

Poor Taylor!

I'm so glad you get to move in soon! You all must be so excited to move into such a beautiful home!

 

[pjpoohbear]

I think that unless this matter is directed to someone very high up in DCL that all we are going to get from them is that it is a TAX change and that our contract allows for that to be added on even after booking. Because it changed from a bulk fee that had to be rolled into the fare because DCL could not calculate what the per berth fee would be, to a per berth set fee, it gave some bean counter the chance show that he could make the company money on a cruise that was a great deal for the price most of us were able to book for, we did get a great per day rate. If this is a double dip, I think someone at DCL is not a very honest person.

 

[Ginamarie]

OK....I changed what I wanted to say to DCL and just basically started by saying that many of us feel we've been double-charged, since the old fee would already have been included in our original cruise cost. I asked if they could provide me with a breakdown of the allocation of fees both before and after the Panama Canal increase to reassure me that I'm not being double-charged. Yeah, right! Like they're going to do that! Oh well......sure can't hurt to try. Can't wait to see what type of generic response I get!

I'm wondering if we can try to do this calculation on our own.. Look up what the cost was per gross ton and estimate the gross tonnage of the Magic- then divide that by the number of passenger berths on the ship??

 

[HollyTyler]

I'm wondering if we can try to do this calculation on our own.. Look up what the cost was per gross ton and estimate the gross tonnage of the Magic- then divide that by the number of passenger berths on the ship??

Somebody actually did that a couple days ago:

Originally Posted by tigger137
I've just been studying the Tolls Assessment page of the Panama Canal website. (Busy afternoon at work, can you tell?!)

It seems they've changed the method of assessing tolls on passenger ships and, for a ship the size of the Disney Magic, from 1 Oct 2007 they will charge tolls on a per berth basis rather than on tonnage.

The per berth charge is $100. Which is the extra amount DCL are passing on to us. But what happened to the amount DCL would have been paying under the old system? Surely we should only be paying the difference between the old and the new?

I've read it and re-read it, but it certainly appears to me that the per berth charge is instead of the tonnage charge not as well as.

By my quick reckoning, if the Magic is 83,000 GRT with a passenger capacity of 2,500, the toll for our crossing will be $250,000, ie $100 per passenger. But the old toll would have been $239,050. So DCL should only be charging the difference, which is less than $5 each. Even if the official capacity is higher, I still can't see how it can amount to an extra $100 each.