New Flexibility Announcement for DCL

[PrincessPinball]

So, the way I am reading this is that you can reschedule cruise #1 penalty free after PIF... but if life happens and you for whatever reason (surprise pregnancy, illness, job, etc) have to cancel cruise #2 you will be out quit a bit of money. Is this correct?

 

[Sleepyluke]

So, the way I am reading this is that you can reschedule cruise #1 penalty free after PIF... but if life happens and you for whatever reason (surprise pregnancy, illness, job, etc) have to cancel cruise #2 you will be out quit a bit of money. Is this correct?

I think if you are inside of the NEW PIF dates. Or at least the way I read it.

 

[PrincessPinball]

I think if you are inside of the NEW PIF dates. Or at least the way I read it.

See, the way I am reading it is if you cancel the second cruise.... at all. I hope I’m wrong and you are right.

 

[apathetic]

So, the way I am reading this is that you can reschedule cruise #1 penalty free after PIF... but if life happens and you for whatever reason (surprise pregnancy, illness, job, etc) have to cancel cruise #2 you will be out quit a bit of money. Is this correct?

Yes, that's how I read it. If you cancel cruise #1, they calculate what the cancel fee would be. Then, if something happens on the new cruise, you will pay that cancellation fee at a minimum. Even if you cancel the 2nd cruise before PIF. Even if the 2nd cruise has a cheaper cancellation fee. This is only a good deal if you are already past PIF or you are 100% certain you are going on the 2nd cruise. Otherwise, I'd cancel before the PIF date and keep my options open on a future cruise.

 

[gotomu212]

I think if you are inside of the NEW PIF dates. Or at least the way I read it.

This is not how I’m reading it (but I read part of it wrong the other day so) it specifically says if you cancel the cruise any applicable cancellation fees from the first cruise would be deducted. I read that as this:
$5,000 cruise that I move 3 weeks before sailing (75% would have been lost on old policy at this stage)
I move my cruise to August 2021 (and for simplicity it’s the same price), but then I know I can’t make that date and have to cancel. No matter when I made that decision, even as early as January 2021, I’d be out $3,750 because the original cancellation penalties from cruise 1 apply.

Basically moving it after PIF just gives you flexibility on WHEN you finally sail, but you’re going to have to sail or still lose your cruise fare (at whatever % you are in the PIF period). Unless you absolutely want to lock in the current cruise price, I would not pass PIF unless you are certain you are willing to cruise no matter what the restrictions.

 

[PrincessPinball]

Yes, that's how I read it. If you cancel cruise #1, they calculate what the cancel fee would be. Then, if something happens on the new cruise, you will pay that cancellation fee at a minimum. Even if you cancel the 2nd cruise before PIF. Even if the 2nd cruise has a cheaper cancellation fee. This is only a good deal if you are already past PIF or you are 100% certain you are going on the 2nd cruise. Otherwise, I'd cancel before the PIF date and keep my options open on a future cruise.

Thank you. Actually, I’m sorry that I understood the policy correctly. I’ll be canceling my 8 night in November. What a bummer.

 

[FigmentSpark]

This is not how I’m reading it (but I read part of it wrong the other day so) it specifically says if you cancel the cruise any applicable cancellation fees from the first cruise would be deducted. I read that as this:
$5,000 cruise that I move 3 weeks before sailing (75% would have been lost on old policy at this stage)
I move my cruise to August 2021 (and for simplicity it’s the same price), but then I know I can’t make that date and have to cancel. No matter when I made that decision, even as early as January 2021, I’d be out $3,750 because the original cancellation penalties from cruise 1 apply.

Basically moving it after PIF just gives you flexibility on WHEN you finally sail, but you’re going to have to sail or still lose your cruise fare (at whatever % you are in the PIF period). Unless you absolutely want to lock in the current cruise price, I would not pass PIF unless you are certain you are willing to cruise no matter what the restrictions.

I think that's right. That way, people don't move to a date where they can cancel penalty free and get all their money back.

 

[PrincessPinball]

I think that's right. That way, people don't move to a date where they can cancel penalty free and get all their money back.

But.... shouldn’t folks be able to cancel penalty free right now? Wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?

 

[FigmentSpark]

But.... shouldn’t folks be able to cancel penalty free right now? Wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?

That would be better. That's not what they are offering.

 

[PrincessPinball]

That would be better. That's not what they are offering.

I mean, yeah, I absolutely agree. Seems pretty shady to lock in people’s money before they drop their “restrictions” bomb... just my opinion, obviously.

 

[LTJoeFlo]

I mean, yeah, I absolutely agree. Seems pretty shady to lock in people’s money before they drop their “restrictions” bomb... just my opinion, obviously.

I agree. I tried making that point in a separate post. Disney will have to change their cancellation policy prior to sailing again. WDW did this. I got an email from WDW asking me to acknowledge all the changes and that I could cancel if I didn't agree to them. This is why I don't think that we are close to seeing a return. Yesterday there were reports of a crew member passing away on the Wonder. That isn't going to help the optics.

 

[T & R]

Yesterday there were reports of a crew member passing away on the Wonder. That isn't going to help the optics.

Yes, I read that yesterday too. They do not know cause of death though. I'm not sure what the laws are on disclosing that stuff so we may never know how he/she died. It's still sad and we pray for them whether it's Covid or not.

 

[CTCruiser221]

This is not how I’m reading it (but I read part of it wrong the other day so) it specifically says if you cancel the cruise any applicable cancellation fees from the first cruise would be deducted. I read that as this:
$5,000 cruise that I move 3 weeks before sailing (75% would have been lost on old policy at this stage)
I move my cruise to August 2021 (and for simplicity it’s the same price), but then I know I can’t make that date and have to cancel. No matter when I made that decision, even as early as January 2021, I’d be out $3,750 because the original cancellation penalties from cruise 1 apply.

Basically moving it after PIF just gives you flexibility on WHEN you finally sail, but you’re going to have to sail or still lose your cruise fare (at whatever % you are in the PIF period). Unless you absolutely want to lock in the current cruise price, I would not pass PIF unless you are certain you are willing to cruise no matter what the restrictions.

Initially, I was thinking I’d be out the deposit if I were to cancel the new cruise at anytime for any reason, but after reading this, I think there may be some hope.

My scenario: Original cruise in Dec 2020; PIF date is not until Sep 2020; only my deposit is on the table at the moment; 95% sure we are not cruising, so just waiting until a little closer to PIF to cancel and see what transpires. Under normal circumstances, I would get my full deposit back.

My question if I take advantage of this new policy now (before original PIF) - would I still get my full deposit back if I end up cancelling the new cruise before the new PIF date? This reservation is also an OBB with OBC and 10% discount, but I’m assuming these benefits would transfer to the new one based on previous DCL announcements.

Thanks in advance for any further insights and/or confirmations on this.

 

[ajo]

Initially, I was thinking I’d be out the deposit if I were to cancel the new cruise at anytime for any reason, but after reading this, I think there may be some hope.

My scenario: Original cruise in Dec 2020; PIF date is not until Sep 2020; only my deposit is on the table at the moment; 95% sure we are not cruising, so just waiting until a little closer to PIF to cancel and see what transpires. Under normal circumstances, I would get my full deposit back.

My question if I take advantage of this new policy now (before original PIF) - would I still get my full deposit back if I end up cancelling the new cruise before the new PIF date? This reservation is also an OBB with OBC and 10% discount, but I’m assuming these benefits would transfer to the new one based on previous DCL announcements.

Thanks in advance for any further insights and/or confirmations on this.

As I read the policy, if you move your cruise, you are subject to the original PIF. In this case, that would be September 2020 even if you moved your cruise to March 2021.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

As I read the policy, if you move your cruise, you are subject to the original PIF. In this case, that would be September 2020 even if you moved your cruise to March 2021.

It says:

Should you cancel your new sail date, any cancellation fees applicable to the original sail date will be deferred and applied as a minimum cancellation fee to the future sailing.

I read that as any fees applicable to the original sail date will be "put off to a later time" (deferred).....

but I don't understand the "and applied as a minimum cancellation fee" part.

 

[ajo]

It says:

Should you cancel your new sail date, any cancellation fees applicable to the original sail date will be deferred and applied as a minimum cancellation fee to the future sailing.

I read that as any fees applicable to the original sail date will be "put off to a later time" (deferred).....

but I don't understand the "and applied as a minimum cancellation fee" part.

Best I can tell is that whatever the cancellation fees would have been on the original cruise are applicable when you cancel the new cruise. And that amount now becomes the “minimum” cancellation fee.

I think an example may be more helpful. If the original PIF was September for a December cruise and you move the cruise to March but then cancel in January, your “minimum” cancellation fee is 100% of the cruise fare because the cancellation fee on the original cruise was 100% as of the date you cancelled.

I could easily be reading this new policy wrong. It seems as clear as mud.

 

[gotomu212]

Initially, I was thinking I’d be out the deposit if I were to cancel the new cruise at anytime for any reason, but after reading this, I think there may be some hope.

My scenario: Original cruise in Dec 2020; PIF date is not until Sep 2020; only my deposit is on the table at the moment; 95% sure we are not cruising, so just waiting until a little closer to PIF to cancel and see what transpires. Under normal circumstances, I would get my full deposit back.

My question if I take advantage of this new policy now (before original PIF) - would I still get my full deposit back if I end up cancelling the new cruise before the new PIF date? This reservation is also an OBB with OBC and 10% discount, but I’m assuming these benefits would transfer to the new one based on previous DCL announcements.

Thanks in advance for any further insights and/or confirmations on this.

If you’re before PIF (assuming non concierge) you could always move your cruise without cancellation fees and the new PIF date became your cancellation timeline. If you move your cruise before PIF you aren’t using this new flexible cruising plan, you’re doing a normal allowable cruise move.

This new policy is really a protection for those past their original PIF when they decide to back out.

 

[CTCruiser221]

If you’re before PIF (assuming non concierge) you could always move your cruise without cancellation fees and the new PIF date became your cancellation timeline. If you move your cruise before PIF you aren’t using this new flexible cruising plan, you’re doing a normal allowable cruise move.

This new policy is really a protection for those past their original PIF when they decide to back out.

Ok, I see..... I guess my question should really be, will I keep my OBB benefits for the new cruise (since it would be past the 2 year mark)? Hopefully so, from other prior announcements.

Also, back to my initial interpretation of the policy, I took it as “you will lose at least some of your money if you cancel the new cruise for any reason.” In my case I would lose even the deposit since original PIF date would be long in the past for any new cruise I would book. Essentially, I felt it was a “trap” to keep your money if you happen to have to cancel your new cruise.

 

[I_love_Cruising]

Would it be allowed to rebook a cruise in 2021 and then before PIF of this cruise rebook a cruise in 2022
leaving before the April 1, 2022.

I would assume this is allowed, because right now they haven't even released the winter 2021 cruises.

 

[JM23457]

So, the way I am reading this is that you can reschedule cruise #1 penalty free after PIF... but if life happens and you for whatever reason (surprise pregnancy, illness, job, etc) have to cancel cruise #2 you will be out quit a bit of money. Is this correct?

Get travel insurance for the second cruise (assuming you don't normally do so). Particularly the type with a cancel for any reason clause. That will take care of "life happening".