Not so Silly question #3 What is the PIF date for cruises after September???

[Girl of the South]

The ONLY informaiotn on the official DCL website concerns sailings before September 30, 2022. They have a temporary 60 day PIF date. But I can't find any info for cruises AFTER that date and can't remember - is it 90 days out? Yes, I know it might change, but need to know the worse case scenario. Looking at a Merrytime cruise on Dec. 3. THANKS! I tried the Chat option but it said they are too busy right now.

 

[HeatherLassell]

You'd think I'd remember this but not at this moment. BUT this page on google from 2018 says:

Effective Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Disney Cruise Line is adjusting its Final Payment and Cancellation Policy.

• Final payment for all non-suite/non-concierge staterooms on Cruises 1-5 Nights will be due at 90 days prior to arrival and cancellation fees will begin at 89 days versus 74 days.
• Final payment for all non-suite/non-concierge staterooms on Cruises 6 Nights or more will be due at 120 days prior to arrival and cancellation fees will begin at 119 days versus 89 days.
• Specific final payment and cancellation policies have been eliminated for holiday sailings and sailings where the Embark and Debark is a non-U.S. port

So it depends on how many days your cruise is. Hope that helps you!

 

[Akck]

I just looked at the info from my TA and PIF is on 2/12. 90 days is on 2/15. I made the reservation before they announced the 60 PIF timeframe.

 

[Girl of the South]

Hard to know if 2018 is 2022 - but thanks. I will take 120 days as the worse case scenario in terms of changing plans. Just so hard to know these days! Thank you!

 

[Girl of the South]

Akck 0 so when is your cruise? Is it before Sept 30th? Thanks!

 

[happycamper47]

Why not get on chat and ask. That seems to get through faster than a phone call.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Hard to know if 2018 is 2022 - but thanks. I will take 120 days as the worse case scenario in terms of changing plans. Just so hard to know these days! Thank you!

No worries. Just giving you what it was before Covid happened and changed everything.

 

[Girl of the South]

Chat wouldn't let me click - hover over the option and they are too busy, it said.

 

[lanejudy]

Hard to know if 2018 is 2022 - but thanks.

Yes, in this case I believe 2018 is 2022/2023 -- at least until or unless any further announcements are made. As @HeatherLaselle posted, for cruises after September 2022, "regular" PIF dates are 120 days for cruises of 6+ nights and 90 days for shorter cruises. However, if you booked with a TA the TA might request payment be made earlier.

I just looked at the info from my TA and PIF is on 2/12. 90 days is on 2/15. I made the reservation before they announced the 60 PIF timeframe.

If your cruise is this coming May, it falls within the temporary 60-day due date regardless of when you booked. Check with your TA if unsure, though be aware the TA may request payment earlier than DCL. That gives TA's a chance to track down "late" payments before the guest incurs penalty from DCL.

 

[Girl of the South]

I assume that the "If you come down with Covid 14 days before your cruise you can cancel without penalty" rule would still apply in December IF Covid was still rampant? That 'rule' does not have a 'use by' date as far as I can tell.

 

[Akck]

Akck 0 so when is your cruise? Is it before Sept 30th? Thanks!

It’s in May. I know I could’ve paid in March, but if you want to be able to book extra activities, you have to be PIF. We just made Castaway Club Silver, so we can book at 90 days before cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

I assume that the "If you come down with Covid 14 days before your cruise you can cancel without penalty" rule would still apply in December IF Covid was still rampant? That 'rule' does not have a 'use by' date as far as I can tell.

Correct that the 14-day Flexible Refund policy does not have a stated expiration date, though it does mention that changing the cruise date must embark before 9/30/2022. But without a specified expiration date, it could be dropped sooner or continued longer. Anyone's guess at this point.

 

[Girl of the South]

But if I book today, it seems like I would be covered under the 14 Day Flexible Refund Policy?

Flexible Refund Policy


Within 14 days of the sailing, booked Guests with COVID-19-related health concerns (symptoms or exposure) can receive a refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees or apply their cruise fare toward a future sail date.
Important Details

• Within 14 days prior to embarkation, Guests who experience one or more of the qualifying scenarios may change their sail date, under the following terms:
  • Guests who wish to change their sail date must move the sail date to a future sailing that commences prior to September 30, 2022.
  • Onboard Offer Blockout Dates apply
  • Future cruise credits cannot be applied to the Disney Wish maiden voyage, setting sail on June 9, 2022.
  • Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this policy.
• Qualifying scenarios include Guests who:
  • Have symptoms of COVID-19
  • Have a temperature of 100.4°F or greater
  • Have had known exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19
• Guests who do not wish to select a new sail date will be provided a refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees in their original form of payment.

I will try calling in the morning but this is what is in effect NOW. I don't think you can end it retroactively?

 

[Mommb]

I will try calling in the morning but this is what is in effect NOW. I don't think you can end it retroactively?

I would say anyone past their paid-in-full date can reasonably assume this policy will be in effect for their cruise.

However, Disney Cruise could change this policy for cruises that have not yet reached their first paid-in-full date. That would allow people (at least those who are not in Concierge or on the Wish maiden voyage) who had counted on this policy to cancel for a full refund before making their final payment.

Disney Cruise has made changes in vaccination and testing requirements, and years ago to alcohol policies, that affect people who have already booked cruises. So having a policy does not guarantee it will remain in force. When DCL changed the vaccination policy, they did allow those already paid in full to cancel without penalty, so they may do that if this Flexible Refund Policy changes.

 

[lanejudy]

I will try calling in the morning but this is what is in effect NOW. I don't think you can end it retroactively?

I believe it's listed as a "temporary modifications" policy along with the extended PIF, relaxed cancellation fees and flexibility to move the date. If covid is still a big concern in Dec, I'm sure the policy will still be in effect. If the virus slows and is considered more endemic than pandemic, DCL may well end all temporary policies. They've really been quite reasonable in allowing cancellations. They might give an "opt out" period if dropping those temporary policies, allowing anyone to cancel who doesn't wish to cruise under "standard" policies, like they've done with other rule changes. I just wouldn't blindly assume the 14-day cancellation will still be in effect without some change in Dec.

 

[kmedina]

I have a 4 day and a 7 day booked this December. They are both quoting a due date of 08/25/22 on my Dreams Unlimited page. Makes sense for the 7 day given it leaves 12/24. Weird for the 4 day.

 

[Girl of the South]

I got an email reply to my query:

ME:
In effect NOW is the 14 Day "Get Covid and Cancel without penalty" rule. My cruise is going to be in December. There is NO expiration date mentioned so I assume this 'rule' will apply to my cruise, too?

DISNEY:
Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

At Disney Cruise Line we understand that these are challenging times, but we take comfort in knowing that brighter days are ahead. We can't wait to welcome Guests back onboard and return to making magic at sea.

Disney Cruise Line has launched a Cruise Date Flexibility Option, allowing the option to change the sail date up to 15 days prior to the cruise.

Prevailing rates apply and any additional balances on the new sail date would need to be paid by the designated date.

Once the booking has been changed, it is unable to be changed back to the original sail date. If the new sail date is cancelled, any cancellation fees applicable to the original sail date will be deferred and applied as minimum cancellation fee to the future sailing. Standard air cancellation fees apply for flights booked through Disney Cruise Line.

To modify your reservation, please contact a member of our reservation team at 407-566-7000 or 800-939-2784, Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 10:00 pm or Saturday - Sunday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (ET). Our Agents will be happy to assist you. Please contact your travel advisor if you booked with a travel agent.


I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!

Pretty sure it's a form letter answer. Not sure I trust it but I guess if I had to argue it I could pull this up?

 

[lanejudy]

Pretty sure it's a form letter answer. Not sure I trust it but I guess if I had to argue it I could pull this up?

I don't know what that would do -- the email quotes the Book with Confidence: Cruise Date Flexibility policy that ends on May 22, 2022. It actually doesn't address the 14-day Flexible Refund policy that you questioned. But honestly, I don't think a phone, chat or email CM will be able to give you what you are asking. These are noted as "temporary policies" and nobody knows what December will bring.

As I said upthread, if COVID is still a big deal at that time then I'm sure DCL will still have the 14-day policy in place; if COVID has moved on, presumably it shouldn't be an issue anyway.

 

[Girl of the South]

Well, I booked the December 3rd Merrytime Cruise. Two interesting things. One, the deposit was 50% off, which was nice! It said "on select sailings".

Also, I took a photo of the cancellation rules. As predicted, my PIF date is 120 days out. But it looks like the Concierge Staterooms are just 90?? It's just hard to go fro 60 Days ahead and the 14 Day Covid op out, to 120 days and presumably no opt out. Seems to me they could ease into the PIF dates since we still just don't know . . thanks for everyone's help.

 

[lanejudy]

That’s the penalty schedule. Concierge deposit is non-refundable even before PIF, but has the same official PIF date as everyone else. Regular stateroom bookings don’t have a penalty until the date noted on that screenshot —either 90 or 120 days prior to embarkation depending on length of cruise.