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

[mishoe01]

Hi everyone! I'm back from the missing!

to everyone who needs it.....my thoughts and prayers are with everyone. For those who have just lost loved ones, keep thinking that they are in a better place now and you will see them again.

I've been away as there have been things at work to deal with (part of the company has been sold off, and we don't know what's happening w/ our jobs yet), and there have been health issues for myself and still dealing w/ Dad's prostate cancer......his PSA's are down, but he doesn't want to do surgery or chemo.....doesn't want to do anything else.

I have missed "talking" with everyone, but have been trying to catch up w/ everything.

Holly - transfering res from one TA to another.....your TA now needs to fax in a letter (on company letterhead) from owner/mgr stating that they are releasing their hold on your reservation back to DCL (fax to IC). Deposit needs to be down, but res can not be paid in full. Once DCL releases their hold on your res, you then submit the transfer form that DU has on their website and they take over your res and apply what ever deals they have going.......I just did this earlier this week. I know have a $400 obc as well, and my pals (in a cat 6) have $600.

GinaMarie - re:CM disc....have you been able to get one for this cruise already, or is it for another one??? (I'm staying a CM just long enough to get a disc on this cruise if they end up offering one). From what I understand tho, TA's can't do anything w/ a CM disc......you would have to get res released back to DCL to get disc applied. If they do offer one on this sailing I will have to see what they're offering and see if it's better than what DU can offer me.

I'm still up for the DIS meet early December here at WDW.....again I'm local so if/when anyone shows up, drop me a PM and we'll see what we can do to get together.

Hope everyone has a good Friday!

 

[Ginamarie]

GinaMarie - re:CM disc....have you been able to get one for this cruise already, or is it for another one??? (I'm staying a CM just long enough to get a disc on this cruise if they end up offering one). From what I understand tho, TA's can't do anything w/ a CM disc......you would have to get res released back to DCL to get disc applied. If they do offer one on this sailing I will have to see what they're offering and see if it's better than what DU can offer me.

Right now, the Cast Member discount isn't that great- we're getting the 15% early booking discount, because we booked when the cruise was first released, and they included our gratuities on our bill- so actually, my fare is probably higher than some of the other passengers right now!

 

[Jhalkias]

Have been busy the last couple of days, and not on here or caught up. I just got this email though, and am sharing it - if it already has been shared, sorry. Don't think I feel much better with this response though . . .

8/3/2007

Dear John:

Thank you for your e-mail to Tom McAlpin, President, Disney Cruise
Line®.

We also truly regret your disappointment with the recent change in the
toll structure to transit the Panama Canal. Government Tax and Fee
adjustments like this are common within the cruise industry and occur
when there is a change in the per person tax amount.

As a matter of practice, Disney Cruise Line follows the same protocol as
the rest of the cruise industry by charging guests for Government Taxes
and Fees. The $100 fee charged by the Panama Canal Authority is a brand
new per person fee approved by the Panama government on April 25, 2007.
Disney Cruise Line consistently charges guests for these types of taxes
and fees.

While we understand that this increase was unexpected, the previous
tonnage charge to transit the Panama Canal was never an itemized per
person charge, and the voyage fare for your vacation remains the same.
That said, we will be enhancing these two voyages to make them even more
special for our guests considering this recent increase and hope that
you will be onboard for all the fun and festivities.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Disney Magic for this
extremely popular itinerary next year.

Sincerely,

Joseph
Executive Correspondent
Disney Cruise Line

 

[Jhalkias]

Just sent this email to "Joseph" . . .

Joseph,

I think I know what you are saying, but am still confused.

Please confirm if you can . . .

1. DCL did NOT include the price of transiting the canal in our original fare? (who at Disney accounting "goofed" on that one?) If it WAS included, this explanation is lame to say the least (just because it switched to a "head count" charge - now you can pass on the charge AGAIN?)

2. The $100 increase stays in place.

I think the only thing I understand is that you are going to do something amorphously "special" for us on this cruise, for the extra approximately $250,000 paid for by the guests on the ship- assuming a full ship.

Sincerely,

John W. Halkias

 

[Jhalkias]

So, the address the email came from cannot be responded to - it was kicked back.

Just sent the email along with this to Tom McAlpin again. Are the Stooges running Disney?

Well Tom,

When I tried to respond to Joseph this is not a valid email address . . . so I am once again sending YOU my questions.

John W. Halkias

 

[granmaz]

Have been busy the last couple of days, and not on here or caught up. I just got this email though, and am sharing it - if it already has been shared, sorry. Don't think I feel much better with this response though . . .

8/3/2007

Dear John:

Thank you for your e-mail to Tom McAlpin, President, Disney Cruise
Line®.

We also truly regret your disappointment with the recent change in the
toll structure to transit the Panama Canal. Government Tax and Fee
adjustments like this are common within the cruise industry and occur
when there is a change in the per person tax amount.

As a matter of practice, Disney Cruise Line follows the same protocol as
the rest of the cruise industry by charging guests for Government Taxes
and Fees. The $100 fee charged by the Panama Canal Authority is a brand
new per person fee approved by the Panama government on April 25, 2007.
Disney Cruise Line consistently charges guests for these types of taxes
and fees.

While we understand that this increase was unexpected, the previous
tonnage charge to transit the Panama Canal was never an itemized per
person charge, and the voyage fare for your vacation remains the same.
That said, we will be enhancing these two voyages to make them even more
special for our guests considering this recent increase and hope that
you will be onboard for all the fun and festivities.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Disney Magic for this
extremely popular itinerary next year.

Sincerely,

Joseph
Executive Correspondent
Disney Cruise Line

Just sent this email to "Joseph" . . .

Joseph,

I think I know what you are saying, but am still confused.

Please confirm if you can . . .

1. DCL did NOT include the price of transiting the canal in our original fare? (who at Disney accounting "goofed" on that one?) If it WAS included, this explanation is lame to say the least (just because it switched to a "head count" charge - now you can pass on the charge AGAIN?)

2. The $100 increase stays in place.

I think the only thing I understand is that you are going to do something amorphously "special" for us on this cruise, for the extra approximately $250,000 paid for by the guests on the ship- assuming a full ship.

Sincerely,

John W. Halkias

Well at least they responded, though as you said in your reply, they didn't actually say they hadn't charged us twice?

My John says how would we know that there are extra special 'specials' on the cruise anyway?

Hi everyone! I'm back from the missing!

to everyone who needs it.....my thoughts and prayers are with everyone. For those who have just lost loved ones, keep thinking that they are in a better place now and you will see them again.

I've been away as there have been things at work to deal with (part of the company has been sold off, and we don't know what's happening w/ our jobs yet), and there have been health issues for myself and still dealing w/ Dad's prostate cancer......his PSA's are down, but he doesn't want to do surgery or chemo.....doesn't want to do anything else.

I have missed "talking" with everyone, but have been trying to catch up w/ everything.

Holly - transfering res from one TA to another.....your TA now needs to fax in a letter (on company letterhead) from owner/mgr stating that they are releasing their hold on your reservation back to DCL (fax to IC). Deposit needs to be down, but res can not be paid in full. Once DCL releases their hold on your res, you then submit the transfer form that DU has on their website and they take over your res and apply what ever deals they have going.......I just did this earlier this week. I know have a $400 obc as well, and my pals (in a cat 6) have $600.

GinaMarie - re:CM disc....have you been able to get one for this cruise already, or is it for another one??? (I'm staying a CM just long enough to get a disc on this cruise if they end up offering one). From what I understand tho, TA's can't do anything w/ a CM disc......you would have to get res released back to DCL to get disc applied. If they do offer one on this sailing I will have to see what they're offering and see if it's better than what DU can offer me.

I'm still up for the DIS meet early December here at WDW.....again I'm local so if/when anyone shows up, drop me a PM and we'll see what we can do to get together.

Hope everyone has a good Friday!

Monica, I have been wondering about you - so pleased to 'hear' from you again. Sorry you have had such major problems - work, your health and that of your father. Lots of love and coming your way.

 

[taysmom]

JOhn...

I received the same response. It'd better be some freakin awesome expensive special thing they are doing...like real gold mickey ears! or a free pin set (thats about a $100 value) or some extremely famous musical acts..like hannah montana or the whole cast of HS musical etc...to make up for this.
All I can say is thank you to DU for giving us the additional credit. It has taken some of the pain away. I am done with the emails. Since disney won't answer the question it's seems pointless to continue. I am considering forwarding all of my emails to our local news consumer reporter. He looks into things for people all the time. Maybe this will peak his interest.....

Steph

 

[granmaz]

Just popped over to the EB thread and someone there has the same response from Joseph as you John! Seems they are having to generate a standard email for higher up the chain of command now!

 

[granmaz]

JOhn...

I received the same response. It'd better be some freakin awesome expensive special thing they are doing...like real gold mickey ears! or a free pin set (thats about a $100 value) or some extremely famous musical acts..like hannah montana or the whole cast of HS musical etc...to make up for this.
All I can say is thank you to DU for giving us the additional credit. It has taken some of the pain away. I am done with the emails. Since disney won't answer the question it's seems pointless to continue. I am considering forwarding all of my emails to our local news consumer reporter. He looks into things for people all the time. Maybe this will peak his interest.....

Steph

Hmmmm! Trouble is we don't know what they were planning anyway on our cruise so we won't know if there is anything extra special anyway!

 

[granmaz]

Anybody heard from Laura,(Aunty Brat) recently? I am sure she should have been back from her Alaskan cruise and land vacation by now, and I really miss her heading up our cruise thread.

 

[Jhalkias]

The saga continues . . .

8/3/2007

Dear John:

Thank you for your response to my e-mail message. I am sorry that your
e-mail was returned.

We sincerely regret your continued disappointment. Please know that
your concerns have been taken seriously. As previously mentioned, your
voyage fare has not changed and the $100 per person increase in
Government Taxes and Fees has been added to your reservation.

Once again, we look forward to your 2008 voyage aboard the Disney Magic.

Sincerely,

Joseph
Executive Correspondent
Disney Cruise Line


Joseph,

If you will JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION, I would be much happier, and not as disappointed . . .

Perhaps I need to rephrase -

From everything I understand and have found out, Disney Cruise Line was going to pay to transit the canal - a previous toll system WAS in place before the government of Panama changed the system. From all that I have discovered, Disney Cruise Line would be paying in excess of $200,000 for the transit. That charge has now been REPLACED by the new system, which is per passenger.

So, if you follow my logic here, Disney Cruise Line is saving in excess of $200,000 on this voyage AND the passengers of the Magic are now paying $250,000 for the transit of the canal.

While the cost of the new system was passed on to your passengers, the savings was NOT. No one that I know minds paying the difference. No one I know has gotten this question answered honestly and satisfactorily.

If I am wrong, or missing something here, please inform me in plain, and simple terms.

That is all I am asking for!

John W. Halkias

 

[taysmom]

Ok, I emailed the 7on your side guy, Michael Finney at KGO tv in San Francisco, CA. We'll see if anything happens as they are an ABC station, which is what..owned by disney or owns disney...I don't know but one of them.

 

[taysmom]

Here is a list of consumer reporters around the country. Maybe each of you who are in the area should contact your own stations and seek help that way...
7 ON YOUR SIDE STATIONS OUTSIDE THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA:
ARKANSAS
Monday-Thursday 10am-12pm
(501) 324-4357
sos@katv.com
CHICAGO
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/wls_contactform.html
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/iteam/IT_contactform.html
312-750-7news
Abc I Team
190 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60601
DETROIT - WXYZ
248-827-3362
http://web.wxyz.com/forms/call-for-action-send.html
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – WTVW
gwaite@wtvw.com
Phone: (812) 424-7777 x 700
Mail: 7 On Your Side Investigator
477 Carpenter Street
Evansville, IN 47708
LOS ANGELES
KABC – Does not have a "7 On Your Side" consumer team, but do have a consumer reporter -- Ric Romero)
ABC7 Broadcast Center
500 Circle Seven Drive
Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 863.7777
http://www.abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=stationinfo&id=1642694
NEW YORK - WABC
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/features/WABC_7side_emailform2.html
212-456-3146
VIRGINIA
WJLA – 7 On Your Side
1100 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
866-236-3401 or 703-236-9778


It's would be intersting to have ABC representatives trying to find out why their parent company needs an additional fee...don't they have enough.

Hope this helps....good luck john.

Steph

 

[Jhalkias]

Amy is concerned that once we get out in International Waters that the Halkias family will be cruising in Category 13 - the BRIG!

 

[Eeyore1928]

I am going to call other cruise lines and find out what they are doing in the same situation. I will report back when I have some answers.

 

[lillygator]

I know they have CM's that read these boards...is there a thread on the main cruise board?

I bet Joseph will never just answer the question....

 

[lillygator]

this was posted by joel110 on the EB thread and I think it's a great letter....
DCL Management,

This is my first e-mail regarding the great
disappointment I have in Disney regarding the
$100/person fare increase for the 2008 Panama Canal
transitioning cruises, but I know that many fellow
passengers have already corresponded with little more
than an "oh well" from Disney. This, in my opinion,
is the most un-disneylike decision I have ever heard
of from any Disney business line. I, along with other
passengers, firmly believe that this was either:

A) A complete accounting error by Disney, which
completely disregarded the cost of the Panama Canal,
OR

B) An extremely sly way for Disney to pad the
bottomline since Disney already publicly BRAGGED
during the 1st Quarter Shareholder meeting that these
two cruises OVERBOOKED the first day.

I know Disney's stance is that this is an "additional"
tax levied by the Panama Canal Authority. However,
through direct correspondence with the Panama Canal
Authority and reviewing their previous and new fare
structure have confirmed that the calculation is a
"replacement" and not an "addition" to the old transit
fare. All the passengers have wanted is explained how
our calculations are off, but Disney can't seem to
come up with an explanation. Here are my
calculations:

OLD FARE: Based on tonnage, Disney Magic is 83,000
tons. First 10,000 tons at $2.96/ton, Second 10,000
tons at $2.90/ton and remaining tonnage at $2.85/ton.
Total transition cost: $238,150

NEW FARE: Based on per passenger, Disney Magic
capacity is 2,400 passengers, so total cost is
$240,000.

So, either Option A stands: Accounting failed to
include the "Old" transitioning cost of approximately
$238,150 and KNEW that it'd have to be paid somehow,
but FAILED to tell the passengers to expect it, or

Option B: Disney is charging passengers $478,150 to
transition the Panama Canal even though it only really
costs Disney $240,000. AKA "Pocket the $238,150"

Either way, I really think this is the most
disappointed I've been in any Disney organization. Do
you even realize that most of the Panama Canal
cruisers are among your MOST LOYAL clients? I bet
more than 70% of the passengers on the Panama Cruise
are Castaway Cay members, most likely even higher.
Check the manifest, I know many of these passengers
take a DCL cruise every year.

A DCL representative named Joseph responded to a
fellow passenger that "Disney Cruise Line follows the
same protocol as the rest of the cruise industry.."

Do you really think the aforementioned Castaway Cay
members remain loyal to DCL because it "follows the
same protocol as the rest of the cruise industry..."?

Sincerely,

Joel

 

[Eeyore1928]

Just spoke to Royal Caribbean....no fee change at all. They explained that the new policy did not cause any increase in their passenger fees.

Great so far just DCL has increased fees.

 

[taysmom]

Here's my newest email to disney. I am including ccs of John and Joel from the eb thread ...

Joseph...
I fully understood that disney charges their guest for taxes. I also understood that due to the increase, disney would be increasing my taxes. What I don't understand (and apparently you don't either) is why disney is charging me and my fellow shipmates $100.00 per person, when it is OBVIOUS, that the canal changed their toll structure. They did not increase the fees by $100, they used to charge the cruise line by tonnage and now they are charging by person. WHY is disney charging us the WHOLE amount. If disney did NOT charge us for the tonnage fee before, then they have NO RIGHT to charge us the full amount of $100.00 per person now. As the fees did NOT increase by $100.00, only about $20.00 per person. That should be the only charge. This is the FOURTH time I have asked this question. I don't understand what is so difficult for anyone, including Jay Rasulo, to get the answer to their passengers. Your terms and conditions state that if they increase fees you can pass on, I expect the difference between pre increase and now, not the whole amount. This is not Disney magic and no amount of "special events or enhancements" will make me gain the magic back. Included is copies of 2 other messages sent from other passengers, of which I wholly agree.

So we'll see.....
S

 

[tigger137]

Amy is concerned that once we get out in International Waters that the Halkias family will be cruising in Category 13 - the BRIG!

We've had similar conversations in our house!

Thanks for posting your correspondence, John. I wonder if your Joseph is the same one who phoned me? He is certainly following exactly the same party line. For an "Executive Correspondent" he's not very good at corresponding because, as he did with me, he pointedly refuses to answer your very clear questions. It is so insulting when they will not reply. Surely they must realise that all it does is annoy us even more.

As for making the cruises more special, how would we ever know?
And what one person might appreciate as 'special', another would not.

From a quick foray onto the EB thread it would seem several people have received the same letter from Joseph as you did.