New port info from PC, chg in ports on Magic

[drclaws]

The good news is that -- unlike what you might read in this board -- you'll never hear the captain or cruise director exclaim, "If you choose to cruise during hurricane season then this is what you have to deal with SO DEAL WITH IT!!!"

Perhaps not, but you know darned well they're probably thinking it!

A round of drinks for missing a port wouldn't be required, but I agree, a nice PR gesture to make....especially for CC.

 

[yamahaboy]

We were on the Magic in Jan. of '03 and could not dock at CC due to high winds. Within a half hour of making the announcement Disney had printed out a new Navigator filled with activities for our "Day at Sea" which was actually cruising in circles and trying to stay away from the rough seas and storms. We had an extra afternoon installment of "Who Wants to be a Mouskateer" as well as a Cocktail reception with free drinks. We were disappointed to miss the port but thought Disney did a fantastic job with very little notice in providing activities. In addition, it was too cold and windy to even use the pools, but we thought Disney came through in a big way!!

 

[Kaa]

DCL does give guests something for the possibility of having to change ports. LOW PRICES! The pricing for September is usually the lowest of the year. The reason is because there are usually more storms in September. I have cruised in September 4 times now for this very reason. It is the least expensive time for me to go and the only way I would be able to do this every year! I would rather save considerable money and run the risk of changing itineraries than pay a higher rate and get a free drink!

 

[markey]

I was on the 8/14 cruise that missed GC. While I was upset because we miss GC and the Stingray tour which was booked thru DCL I understood because the Captain said we could not tender. What I was upset about on the cruise was the fact that our time frame in Couzmel changed, there was no reason for that. I had the dune buggy tour booked, but the ship left on Wednesday 1 hour before the tour was to have ended. So that make 2 days of planned trips cancelled. I got the bulk of my money back, but not the unrefundable $80 deposit, $20 per person, which I read the fine print and knew when I booked. I know some replies will be, that's why you should book with DCL, well I would have if they would have allowed my 9 year old GD to go on the Cozumel Jeep Tour. Why could we not stick to schedule and maybe go to Costa Mayo and go to a Western port rather then the Bahamas? One reason I picked up from our servers is because every chance the Captain gets they stay overnight in Cozumel, wants to keep the CM's happy because most get the night off and party in Cozumel. Well I know they work very hard, but so did I to pay for my vacation. This was on top of facing Charley in the Ft. Myers area and having to flee to WDW and go thru the storm at CS where they was not enough thought in how to feed so many people. Sorry this is long, and I'm sure someone will say we are not the only ones to have a less then perfect vacation, true. We had a house to come home to, true. You sailed in hurricane season and got a cheap rate, false $4300 for a CAT9 with 2 adults and 2 children, this booked a year in advance and with 10% booking discount. So I can feel for everyone who are not happy campers, and I'm sure this summer has produced a lot of them. Thank you for letting me rant, and please be kind with your lashing. But I do not feel that DCL owed me anything.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by yamahaboy
We were on the Magic in Jan. of '03 and could not dock at CC due to high winds. Within a half hour of making the announcement Disney had printed out a new Navigator filled with activities for our "Day at Sea" which was actually cruising in circles and trying to stay away from the rough seas and storms. We had an extra afternoon installment of "Who Wants to be a Mouskateer" as well as a Cocktail reception with free drinks. We were disappointed to miss the port but thought Disney did a fantastic job with very little notice in providing activities. In addition, it was too cold and windy to even use the pools, but we thought Disney came through in a big way!!

I don't make ot a habit of quoting longer posts in their entirety, but this post really deserves to be read and reread.

There seem to be some folks on this board who think that DCL should do nothing more than to wave the contract at disappointed passengers, perhaps accompanied by an exclamation of "tough luck, buddy!" (I'm glad they don't work for DCL.)

Fortunately, DCL doesn't think so. DCL wants delighted passengers -- even if Mother Nature isn't cooperating.

 

[Grumbo]

To play devil's advocate for a moment......
I know when looking at the Western and Eastern, the Western (I stand to be corrected) is MORE expensive when looking at the same time of the year. This has always been explained as being due to the fact they go to more ports and it is port fees that up the price.
Now when they switch to 1 or 2 less ports ( and before everyone jumps on my back I am NOT advocating sailing into a hurricane or any such nonsense) I do see that at least those port fees should be refunded, even if it is done as an onboard credit.
I realize that ports can be changed etc but by their own pricing they have set this standard.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by Grumbo

When they switch to 1 or 2 less ports... I do see that at least those port fees should be refunded, even if it is done as an onboard credit.

They have done exactly that in past cases. Whenever Grand Cayman is skipped, for instance, the guests' stateroom accounts are credited with the amount of the port fees for that port.

 

[Grumbo]

They have done exactly that in past cases. Whenever Grand Cayman is skipped, for instance, the guests' stateroom accounts are credited with the amount of the port fees for that port.

Thanks Dave. That IS fair and glad to know that they do that.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I was on the Wonder 9/2 "Endless Cruise" ... I'd been looking forward to spending the day at CC for 22 months so I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't go ... BUT that just gives me an excuse to book another cruise!

I think DCL was quite fair to us ... $300 stateroom credit ... a five day cruise for the price of a three day cruise ... plenty of fun and food for all ... it was great!

My son and daughter were THRILLED because they got to go to Cozumel. They toured Tulum, then spent the evening in Senor Frogs.

My granddaughter was excited that she got an extra two days to spend in the Oceaneer's Club with her new friend (big and little).

 

[tvguy]

A $100 ship credit would go a long way towards customer satisfaction if changes happen.
Yes, they warn you ports are subject to change, but just a nice touch, and considering most passengers are paying thousands to be there, a small dent in DCL profits.
For us, the ship is the ultimate destination, the ports are just an added bonus. Okay, maybe Castaway Cay is more than an added bonus, but $100 shipboard credit and another day at sea would make up for any OTHER missed ports.

 

[Jison]

One time we got into Castaway Cay and one time we didn't. NO big deal. It never occured to me to ask for some compensation for not getting in there, and we went Easter week, which is one of the most expensive times to cruise.

WHO cares? It is a beach..... there are nicer beaches in the Carribean, better snorkling other places, and more to do. I don't see the facination with Castaway Cay and neither did any of my four children. If we ever went back fine, if we skipped it....fine too.

When I was young and we cruised....almost all the ships were in dry dock during Sept. and Oct. so they didn't have to deal with 1/4 full ships and hurricanes. So be glad most of the cruise lines have changed their policy about Sept. and Oct. and be glad you can cruise for half or less than we do during Easter week. (Yes, our choice, we don't want to take our kids out of school and I hate storms, to me that is well worth the money)


Be safe, have fun, life is too short. BE HAPPY!

 

[yamahaboy]

Jison, our family agrees about CC. We missed it the first time we cruised but got there in March '04. We enjoyed the island and thought the lunch was wonderful but it is just a beach. We actually liked Rum Point Beach (Grand Cayman excursion) better. We are not big sun worshippers and Rum Point had huge trees with lots of shade and hammocks. If we get back again we would go there but skip the stingrays since we've seen them before and would like more time on the beach!

 

[Jison]

Lets hope after Ivan, there is still a beautiful beach at Grand Cayman. It is awesome.

 

[jlawall]

I don't think it matters that much Eastern or Western itineraries. The main reason I like Western is that to me there is less wind on sea days (maybe I'm wrong about that!) St. Thomas is my favorite island. As long as there is beautiful blue/green water to sail through, have a wonderful trip!

 

[Doctor P]

As someone who was displaced from the 9/4 cruise, I would like to respond to the heartless attacks on some of us who are not happy with DCL's handling of the 9/4 cruise. Yes, it is true that September is hurricane season and, yes, it is true that that is PART of the reason for the lower prices. However, another reason for the lower prices is that this is simply a low season for travel regardless of the hurricane factor. While I am deeply disappointed at ultimately having to cancel our cruise, I have never felt that DCL was in control of the weather and always realized that we would have the potential of shifts in cruise ports. Hence, we made no arrangements for shore excursions outside of the ones offered by DCL. However, once DCL decided to "induce" people to make alternative travel plans to make the altered cruise, and once DCL took extensive contact and travel plan information, I believe DCL had a heightened responsibility to keep people in the loop with information and to also make greater provisions for those who had already left home and arrived in proximity for the first reschedule time of the cruise but found the second or third reschedule of the cruise not feasible or desirable to accept. I think most of the cruisers from 9/4 who cancelled after the second and third reschedule share my views on this and should not be chastised for requesting to be treated with dignity, respect, and a whole lot more attention than was given. DCL was in a very tough position and made some very poor decisions, IMHO, but my issue is not to take on those decisions but rather their communication and compensation policies after making those decisions.