On Ship Covid ‘section’

[tvguy]

Let's face it...cruising right now is risky in the sense as you don't know what can happen once you are onboard (or at the port). We really can't expect the experience to be like it was before Covid. You either accept that risk going in or wait to cruise when things are less unsettled. That said we felt very safe on our September Dream cruise and recently booked the Magic for January out of Miami. I know going in that we could be denied boarding or quarantined onboard at some point or the cruise could be changed or cancelled before we sail. It is a bit scary not knowing what could happen. Pack your patience for sure.

And there seem to be enough people willing to take the risk to make it worthwhile for cruising to continue. It would be the pits to have it happen, but it isn't like you didn't know in advance that it could happen.

 

[jeanmonti]

Even if you get partial refunds for the days you are quarantined, it would not be fun being quarantined. Wouldn't be worth it.

After seeing the woman get escorted down and putting ourselves in her shoes, I was pretty stressed the rest of the cruise thinking about where she went and if it happened to us where we would go to quarantine after the cruise and re-booking flights. We had a great time and Disney did a wonderful job, as usual, but I think we're going to wait until things get back to normal before cruising again.

 

[Snowwhyt]

But if you have paid with a 125% cruise credit and lose 1 day of 5 will you get the cost of the cruise credit included?
Say Disney made a mistake and you got a call during the sail away party and had to quarantine for the entire cruise. Would you get prior future cruise credit returned back or is it prorated to non-cruise credit prices.

Please remember I am asking for my personal understanding, not that I think this that’s how it could happen.

 

[Keyser]

We were moved from midship deck 2 (our favorite location) to forward on deck 6 last month on the Wonder. I was not very pleased about it. I consider moving from mid to forward a downgrade. I have no idea why deck 6 is "more desirable" than deck 2 and thus considered an upgrade? DCL pretty much shrugged their shoulders when my TA and I both called in separate calls to them. I tried to pay for an upgrade to a midship verandah at boarding but was told none were available. We decided to give it a try, but we were unimpressed. It was quiet, but definitely not my ideal location. Until this is all over with, we're going to avoid booking deck 2 I guess.

We just got off the Wonder, and had been moved from Deck 1 between Fore and Midship, to Deck 7 Fore. Disney considered this an upgrade (from "9D to 9A" or something; both were Oceanview), and in the end it didn't matter too much to us (we had been worried about feeling more motion on the higher fore rooms, but didn't actually experience any problems). The Fore rooms were kind of inconvenient to everything but the Walt Disney Theater/Azure, and I'd definitely prefer more mid-ship locations, but it was fine overall, and we did find deck 7 convenient.

It was annoying that at the same time they moved our room, Disney was offering cheaper VGT prices than our Oceanview where we got to pick our room (that we didn't end up getting to keep). It seems like if they're going to switch your room, then they should treat it more like a guarantee or something.

 

[lanejudy]

But if you have paid with a 125% cruise credit and lose 1 day of 5 will you get the cost of the cruise credit included?
Say Disney made a mistake and you got a call during the sail away party and had to quarantine for the entire cruise. Would you get prior future cruise credit returned back or is it prorated to non-cruise credit prices.

Please remember I am asking for my personal understanding, not that I think this that’s how it could happen.

I don't know that anyone can give a specific answer to this hypothetical -- but I expect they would pro-rate the actual $$ you spent (minus the FCC). They have said all along that you will not receive cash-back of the FCC. Same if you are turned away at embarkation, the refund will be what you actually paid, not the extra.

 

[KashasMom]

This exactly. I would like to know in advance so I can decide if it's worth it to me to take the cruise. It's a lot of money to spend on a concierge cabin and then get quarantined to deck 2 for an exposure on the ship.

It's absolutely ridiculous!! Disney took care of everyone else - giving them credits for cancelations (understandable), letting them cancel with no penalties, but concierge didn't even get the option to cancel and get their deposit back. I'm pretty much dreading this cruise - with all of the changes - but I've already made up my mind this is the last $ DCL will get from me. I've dealt with several airlines, hotels, etc. through all of this and the WORST customer service has come from DCL.

And there seem to be enough people willing to take the risk to make it worthwhile for cruising to continue. It would be the pits to have it happen, but it isn't like you didn't know in advance that it could happen.

Well, not really. We booked concierge a very long time ago and moved it and moved it again (of course, losing our DU OBC in the process). There was NO option to get our deposit back. If there was I would have happily taken it. And now out of 2 measly ports, we're likely to lose 1. 42 days out and not a peep from Disney. And now I read about not only quarantining our family but the close-contact family we're traveling with. Oh, but they'll give us some pittance to move us from our nice 1 BRs to some small cabins with 3 children, 2 toddlers. The whole Disney cruise experience right now is less as it is. I guess I was supposed to let Disney keep thousands of dollars hostage until this all blows over in 5 years. I'm so angry I can't even see straight.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

There was NO option to get our deposit back.

I thought when they announced covid protocols for each ship, everyone (including concierge) was allowed to cancel for a certain amount of time and get all money back. Or did I misunderstand that?

 

[KashasMom]

I thought when they announced covid protocols for each ship, everyone (including concierge) was allowed to cancel for a certain amount of time and get all money back. Or did I misunderstand that?

No, not for us. I think there was an offer for the Dream this past summer for cruises through March 2022? I don't remember the details or WHY they were able to get a refund - possible that was when they first announced the new protocols?

 

[cvjw]

I thought when they announced covid protocols for each ship, everyone (including concierge) was allowed to cancel for a certain amount of time and get all money back. Or did I misunderstand that?

I got an email for the Dream, the fantasy and the dream again with a cancel any cabin for any reason policy change when they announced the covid protocols. Or changed the covid protocols. Don’t know if the wonder or magic guests got the same cancel for any reason policy when they started to sail again.

 

[tvguy]

Well, not really. We booked concierge a very long time ago and moved it and moved it again (of course, losing our DU OBC in the process). There was NO option to get our deposit back. If there was I would have happily taken it. And now out of 2 measly ports, we're likely to lose 1. 42 days out and not a peep from Disney. And now I read about not only quarantining our family but the close-contact family we're traveling with. Oh, but they'll give us some pittance to move us from our nice 1 BRs to some small cabins with 3 children, 2 toddlers. The whole Disney cruise experience right now is less as it is. I guess I was supposed to let Disney keep thousands of dollars hostage until this all blows over in 5 years. I'm so angry I can't even see straight.

Not sure I would book a cruise where a refund wasn't an option. Again, how can Disney say anything 42 days out when things are changing daily and who knows the state of cruising in 42 days? Not Disney's fault. They don't know. Just in the last 10 days the PORTS said they don't want the ship, Disney didn't say they didn't want to go there.

 

[princessmommyx3]

It's absolutely ridiculous!! Disney took care of everyone else - giving them credits for cancelations (understandable), letting them cancel with no penalties, but concierge didn't even get the option to cancel and get their deposit back. I'm pretty much dreading this cruise - with all of the changes - but I've already made up my mind this is the last $ DCL will get from me. I've dealt with several airlines, hotels, etc. through all of this and the WORST customer service has come from DCL.

When is your cruise? Right now anyone can cancel within 14 days of sailing for "Covid reasons" (no proof required) and get a full refund.

 

[KashasMom]

Not sure I would book a cruise where a refund wasn't an option. Again, how can Disney say anything 42 days out when things are changing daily and who knows the state of cruising in 42 days? Not Disney's fault. They don't know. Just in the last 10 days the PORTS said they don't want the ship, Disney didn't say they didn't want to go there.

Well we booked concierge before COVID and that's how it works. Based on the requirements to enter GC, DCL doesn't meet them now so they do know. If GC wants everybody vaxxed, they're not going to back down and say they don't. Disney could be making other arrangements for another port. And it hasn't been the last 10 days. GC had requirements out for a while and just tightened them up recently.

 

[MomOTwins]

It's absolutely ridiculous!! Disney took care of everyone else - giving them credits for cancelations (understandable), letting them cancel with no penalties, but concierge didn't even get the option to cancel and get their deposit back. I'm pretty much dreading this cruise - with all of the changes - but I've already made up my mind this is the last $ DCL will get from me. I've dealt with several airlines, hotels, etc. through all of this and the WORST customer service has come from DCL.



Well, not really. We booked concierge a very long time ago and moved it and moved it again (of course, losing our DU OBC in the process). There was NO option to get our deposit back. If there was I would have happily taken it. And now out of 2 measly ports, we're likely to lose 1. 42 days out and not a peep from Disney. And now I read about not only quarantining our family but the close-contact family we're traveling with. Oh, but they'll give us some pittance to move us from our nice 1 BRs to some small cabins with 3 children, 2 toddlers. The whole Disney cruise experience right now is less as it is. I guess I was supposed to let Disney keep thousands of dollars hostage until this all blows over in 5 years. I'm so angry I can't even see straight.

I will share what I did. I took the concierge deposit and applied it to a 3-night on the dream in a standard non-concierge room. The total cost was not much more than our concierge deposit, and although the deposit remained non-refundable, it was much lower stakes than paying for a longer concierge cruise in this environment. Even if we got quarantined it would just be two days, and if we got denied boarding we’d get a full refund. The cruise was great and it was much more relaxing at $4,000 for our family of five than I would have felt if we were paying the $10+K for our original cruise.

 

[KashasMom]

When is your cruise? Right now anyone can cancel within 14 days of sailing for "Covid reasons" (no proof required) and get a full refund.

You have to have exposure or symptoms. And I believe concierge still doesn't get their deposit back - only the balance of the cruise fare.

 

[KashasMom]

I will share what I did. I took the concierge deposit and applied it to a 3-night on the dream in a standard non-concierge room. The total cost was not much more than our concierge deposit, and although the deposit remained non-refundable, it was much lower stakes than paying for a longer concierge cruise in this environment. Even if we got quarantined it would just be two days, and if we got denied boarding we’d get a full refund. The cruise was great and it was much more relaxing at $4,000 for our family of five than I would have felt if we were paying the $10+K for our original cruise.

Good idea but we're past PIF. It is what it is. I'm not going to stress about it and hopefully I'll be in a better mood once we're on board.

 

[princessmommyx3]

And I believe concierge still doesn't get their deposit back - only the balance of the cruise fare.

I don't think this is correct. The verbiage used is "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."

I consider the non-refundable concierge deposit to be a "Disney-imposed cancellation fee". Maybe someone who has cancelled a concierge cruise under the flexible refund policy can chime in.

 

[our two princesses]

When is your cruise? Right now anyone can cancel within 14 days of sailing for "Covid reasons" (no proof required) and get a full refund.

Do you know if this includes GTY Restricted rooms? We booked one just before Omicron became a news item?

 

[tvguy]

Well we booked concierge before COVID and that's how it works. Based on the requirements to enter GC, DCL doesn't meet them now so they do know. If GC wants everybody vaxxed, they're not going to back down and say they don't. Disney could be making other arrangements for another port. And it hasn't been the last 10 days. GC had requirements out for a while and just tightened them up recently.

And the bigger picture, what port?

EDITED: Stumbled on this. This changed JUST happened 11 days ago. https://www.cruisehive.com/first-cr...j9OvSVtIH-cUhuaZdX9ltywYSzfs5b8Y3H3WBc2Ec0mDI

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Would be nice if DCL made their protocols public but that won’t happen as they like secrecy.

This exactly. I would like to know in advance so I can decide if it's worth it to me to take the cruise. It's a lot of money to spend on a concierge cabin and then get quarantined to deck 2 for an exposure on the ship.

I've been watching all the news stories about the current problems on a number of cruise ships, and boy are you guys right. Watching the different scenarios taking place, I would need to know exactly what the protocols are for an outbreak, etc. I was in London for Christmas, and watching some of the stories there was alarming. One family had basically been dumped on the next island without help, etc.
One of the things I'd want to know is where I'd be quarantining on the ship. Deck 2 without fresh air/balcony would be a deal breaker for me. I used to love Deck 2, but in this post COVID world, I'm never getting on a ship again without a balcony. I'd go nuts being quarantined in a room where I couldn't get fresh air, etc.

It's absolutely ridiculous!! Disney took care of everyone else - giving them credits for cancelations (understandable), letting them cancel with no penalties, but concierge didn't even get the option to cancel and get their deposit back. I'm pretty much dreading this cruise - with all of the changes - but I've already made up my mind this is the last $ DCL will get from me. I've dealt with several airlines, hotels, etc. through all of this and the WORST customer service has come from DCL.



Well, not really. We booked concierge a very long time ago and moved it and moved it again (of course, losing our DU OBC in the process). There was NO option to get our deposit back. If there was I would have happily taken it. And now out of 2 measly ports, we're likely to lose 1. 42 days out and not a peep from Disney. And now I read about not only quarantining our family but the close-contact family we're traveling with. Oh, but they'll give us some pittance to move us from our nice 1 BRs to some small cabins with 3 children, 2 toddlers. The whole Disney cruise experience right now is less as it is. I guess I was supposed to let Disney keep thousands of dollars hostage until this all blows over in 5 years. I'm so angry I can't even see straight.

I would be very upset if I was in your shoes, too. That is brutal that they've refused to allow concierge passengers to get their deposits back. I was actually debating booking concierge a while back for the summer cruises in Europe and I'm so glad I didn't. I cancelled my cruise a while back. I didn't realize they wouldn't have given me the deposit back if I'd booked concierge. Wow.

 

[BruinEd03]

I've been watching all the news stories about the current problems on a number of cruise ships, and boy are you guys right. Watching the different scenarios taking place, I would need to know exactly what the protocols are for an outbreak, etc. I was in London for Christmas, and watching some of the stories there was alarming. One family had basically been dumped on the next island without help, etc.
One of the things I'd want to know is where I'd be quarantining on the ship. Deck 2 without fresh air/balcony would be a deal breaker for me. I used to love Deck 2, but in this post COVID world, I'm never getting on a ship again without a balcony. I'd go nuts being quarantined in a room where I couldn't get fresh air, etc.


I would be very upset if I was in your shoes, too. That is brutal that they've refused to allow concierge passengers to get their deposits back. I was actually debating booking concierge a while back for the summer cruises in Europe and I'm so glad I didn't. I cancelled my cruise a while back. I didn't realize they wouldn't have given me the deposit back if I'd booked concierge. Wow.

I think concierge still gets their deposit back if they cancel before 59 days:

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/featured/book-with-confidence/
For sailings through September 30, 2022, the cancellation fee schedule has been temporarily relaxed.

Important Details

• For sailings through September 30, 2022, the cancellation fee schedule has been temporarily relaxed from beginning as early as 119 days prior to sailing to beginning 59 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in non-Suite and non-Concierge categories.
• For Guests booked in Suite and Concierge categories, and Guests booked on the June 9, 2022 Disney Wish Maiden Voyage, cancellation fees in excess of the deposit amount will temporarily begin at 59 days prior to sailing.
• Reservations for Inside, Outside and Verandah Categories with Restrictions remain nonrefundable and nontransferable.