PIF Extension - DCL Unwilling to help

[PrincessShmoo]

This forum would be a better place if people were encouraged to make posts with information,

I fail to see how what you posted was information.

There are requirements set up when you book a cruise. Including when the Paid In Full date is. And the contract you agreed to when you booked says "Failure to strictly comply with the deposit and final payment schedules, or any other applicable policies and procedures, will result in the automatic cancellation of pending reservations".You knew what they were when you booked. Nowhere does it say "extensions will be given upon request".

I doubt that many of us really think DCL (or any other cruise line) will just extend the Paid In Full date just because someone says "It doesn't match up with my payday, and it was an expensive holiday season."

 

[MooseBucks]

But maybe some cruisers did not foresee the federal government shutdown when considering their PIF date...

Exactly my thoughts. Hopefully for those folks they’ll extend it. I might be in the minority but who cares if someone asks for a week extension. Not a huge deal to extend the date by 7 days.

 

[Dug720]

I fail to see how what you posted was information.

There are requirements set up when you book a cruise. Including when the Paid In Full date is. And the contract you agreed to when you booked says "Failure to strictly comply with the deposit and final payment schedules, or any other applicable policies and procedures, will result in the automatic cancellation of pending reservations".You knew what they were when you booked. Nowhere does it say "extensions will be given upon request".

I doubt that many of us really think DCL (or any other cruise line) will just extend the Paid In Full date just because someone says "It doesn't match up with my payday, and it was an expensive holiday season."

Agreed. I don't think it would have occurred to the vast majority of us to ask for and expect an extension to the PIF date agreed to at booking for a 100% preventable reason such as "an expensive holiday season". Which is why the responses have been what they are.

As far as any government workers affected by the shutdown, as has been pointed out, no one knows how long this will last. Would you expect DCL to just keep extending the PIF date? What if it lasts so long that the cruise is imminent and they haven't paid the cruise off yet - would you expect DCL to just let them cruise and pay whenever they are back to work? (Not "you" @PrincessShmoo - those saying an exception should be made for government workers affected by the shutdown.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

As far as any government workers affected by the shutdown, as has been pointed out, no one knows how long this will last. Would you expect DCL to just keep extending the PIF date? What if it lasts so long that the cruise is imminent and they haven't paid the cruise off yet - would you expect DCL to just let them cruise and pay whenever they are back to work? (Not "you" @PrincessShmoo - those saying an exception should be made for government workers affected by the shutdown.)

And how would DCL monitor that? Anyone could say "I'm affected by the government shutdown" (as we all are, to some extent).

Yes, things happen, if I have a trip (cruise or otherwise) booked and something comes up (I'm on Social Security - I could be cut off, who knows?) that I can't pay off as I'm supposed to, I'd be monitoring all the way up to just prior to PIF date and either cancel or come up with the money from somewhere. I wouldn't expect any special treatment because my circumstances changed.

 

[Dug720]

And how would DCL monitor that? Anyone could say "I'm affected by the government shutdown" (as we all are, to some extent).

Yes, things happen, if I have a trip (cruise or otherwise) booked and something comes up (I'm on Social Security - I could be cut off, who knows?) that I can pay off as I'm supposed to, I'd be monitoring all the way up to just prior to PIF date and either cancel or come up with the money from somewhere. I wouldn't expect any special treatment because my circumstances changed.

Agree 100%.

 

[bumbershoot]

if Disney cancelled it with zero flexibility, it could be enough to send the guest to a (cheaper) competitor such as RCC

And RCI has the EXACT SAME policy as DCL.

I've never, not once, in all my years on cruisecritic or here, heard of anyone getting an extension for their *cruise* PIF deadlines. Disney resort package, yes. But not cruise.

a culture of intimidation, bullying and negativity

There must be some deleted posts, b/c I saw none of that. I saw some confusion over the idea of asking them for extension, that's for sure!

I don’t think the drop-out rate at PIF is as small as you think.

Agreed.

I have read of some other cruise lines doing this on a regular basis. I personally prefer for people to be treated as individuals and am not a fan of bureaucracy.

You have? Interesting.

The problem with making exceptions is that it's not the 70s. Word gets around. Fast. Lightning speed. And then every single person who wants to hold on to their money a bit longer calls and says the magic words someone else used, and then it becomes a whole problem for the cruiseline. It's not bureaucracy to have rules as a business.

I'm confused why a PIF date would be a problem for anyone. IMHO, if meeting a PIF date is a problem it is likely there are more issues with that person's finances that should have been looked at before an expensive cruise was booked.

Ok but people DO cruise when living on the edge. I've done it. I'm getting better and better with my finances (now that I don't have a husband who thinks "if molly gets a $25 purse I get a $100 backpack, and if Molly plans a cruise then I get to buy whatever I want on that budgeted-to-the-bone cruise" etc etc etc), but I fully know that there are many many people like I have been out there.

But isn't that what the recommended 6 month emergency fund would be for?

You DO know that there are many people out there who don't even have a one week emergency fund, yes?

It's good to know that the PIF date is a firm deadline, and people should not expect an extension. This is great, and VERY IMPORTANT info for anyone who may be thinking of booking a cruise.

It is.

That's likely why it's in the terms that you agree to when booking a cruise...

I still recall the 2 week extension of my payment due date that Discover gave me 10 years ago while I waited for my first paycheck from my first job and I will never, ever cancel my Discover account for that reason.

FWIW I'll never forget the way Discover called me multiple times a day, even on Sunday, totally illegally, hounding me for my past due, 20 years ago. And I'll never *get* a Discover card b/c of that.

 

[Rob1872]

Have we beaten this dead horse enough yet?

 

[squirk]

there sure is a lot of hate boiling under that skin of yours

a culture of intimidation, bullying and negativity

rather than abuse the OP

Dude. If what you've seen in this thread is what you consider “hate,” “abuse,” “intimidation” and “bullying,” life will continue to be difficult for you. Best of luck, and enjoy your cruise.

In before the lock!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Wow.... for “Disney” people there sure is a lot of hate boiling under that skin of yours

Maybe you need the Mouse to cheer you up from your miserable lives?

I was merely posting this information for others to be aware of in future, trying to provide information that hasn’t previously been provided (recently) in the hope of helping somebody in future (as I went searching for this info and couldn’t find it)

I wasn’t looking to cop a lecture or such negative replies - certainly not looking to be judged by people and the insinuations that some are making

This forum would be a better place if people were encouraged to make posts with information, and different view points embraced rather than the usual suspects on here creating a culture of intimidation, bullying and negativity

Probably safer to stay with lame posts of “decorating” room doors (which in my opinion is ugly), how many days until you sail away (which nobody other than you cares about) - but see the thing, as much as I don’t care for the info and commentary on those threads, I just skip on past rather than abuse the OP

I agree and find it especially so on the cruise boards. Kind of turned me off dcl honestly and got me to look elsewhere. We sailed dcl for a few years before I found disboards. I recommend the other website for cruising, but I also recommend other lines. Our kids love Carnival. But most lines are half the cost of dcl and just as good.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

You could buy gift cards with cash and pay with those.

Ah I buy discounted GCs with credit cards for even more points.

 

[CM Dad]

I still recall the 2 week extension of my payment due date that Discover gave me 10 years ago while I waited for my first paycheck from my first job and I will never, ever cancel my Discover account for that reason.

Unrelated to this thread, but related to Discover. Years ago, I got a late payment notice from Discover one month. I always used Quicken online bill payment and as soon as I received a bill would schedule my payments for a couple of days before the due date. Several phone calls between me, my bank and Discover to show that the bill payment should have been received before the due date, they finally agreed to forgive the late fees and interest. Same thing happened the next month. This time when I called, they told me that they used a 3rd party to handle electronic payments and that there was an extra 7 day processing time before Discover got the payment. Since they had waived the penalties the previous month, they refused to waive them again. I told them the the delay in them receiving payment due to their decision to use a 3rd party wasn't my problem and cancelled my account. This past year I finally relented and opened a new Discover account when they were offering double reward dollars for the first year and there was a 5% bonus for shopping at warehouse clubs. Used that to but discounted Disney gift cards for cruises.

 

[Amunet]

I'm curious how people use savings.
I mean ... isn't savings used to cover things in case something happens anyways?
My boyfriend got laid off a few weeks before our PIF date (for an 11night transatlantic) and were only able to make the PIF because we had savings.

To OP: I don't think anyone is bullying you, I think they're giving you another point of view that isn't your own. Yeah, it sucks to have to do something else from what you're planning, but crud happens. I'm glad you were able to cover your cruise, it's such a relief to be able to when worried that you cannot.

 

[Karin1984]

Wow.... for “Disney” people there sure is a lot of hate boiling under that skin of yours

Maybe you need the Mouse to cheer you up from your miserable lives?

I was merely posting this information for others to be aware of in future, trying to provide information that hasn’t previously been provided (recently) in the hope of helping somebody in future (as I went searching for this info and couldn’t find it)

I wasn’t looking to cop a lecture or such negative replies - certainly not looking to be judged by people and the insinuations that some are making

This forum would be a better place if people were encouraged to make posts with information, and different view points embraced rather than the usual suspects on here creating a culture of intimidation, bullying and negativity

Probably safer to stay with lame posts of “decorating” room doors (which in my opinion is ugly), how many days until you sail away (which nobody other than you cares about) - but see the thing, as much as I don’t care for the info and commentary on those threads, I just skip on past rather than abuse the OP

Again, I really don't think it is WHAT you say, but more HOW you say it. If you had just said: 'hey guys, I heard in the past it was possible to extend your PIF date. I tried it last week, but unfortunately it is not allowed anymore. Just some information for you who got it granted it in the past'. Then it would have been a world of difference. Then you still would have had some comments why it's not possible and explaining to you how a business world works, but then there would be a lot more comments 'it's worth trying!' or even 'I feel ya, December is a sucky month to have a PIF date'.

You talk as if Disney should be honoured to give you everything you ask for, that Disney should bow down to you as you are the almighty customer. Yes, customers have a lot more power than they had years ago, and companies are getting more and more flexible to listen to the customer and making exceptions, thinking outside the box. But payments are usually not one of them. Disney is selling a unique product that cannot be bought at another store, it is very easy for them to say no. You will have to oblige.

I get that you feel attacked, but that is just people not agreeing with your point of view, that's different from bullying.

 

[mousefan73]

I have read online once of an extension. Do Not recall the details but I had something to do with A credit card issue or a bank error. I believe credit cards were lost or stolen and the traveler needed an extra day or two to get new cards.

 

[cgolf]

Wow.... for “Disney” people there sure is a lot of hate boiling under that skin of yours

Maybe you need the Mouse to cheer you up from your miserable lives?

I was merely posting this information for others to be aware of in future, trying to provide information that hasn’t previously been provided (recently) in the hope of helping somebody in future (as I went searching for this info and couldn’t find it)

I wasn’t looking to cop a lecture or such negative replies - certainly not looking to be judged by people and the insinuations that some are making

This forum would be a better place if people were encouraged to make posts with information, and different view points embraced rather than the usual suspects on here creating a culture of intimidation, bullying and negativity

Probably safer to stay with lame posts of “decorating” room doors (which in my opinion is ugly), how many days until you sail away (which nobody other than you cares about) - but see the thing, as much as I don’t care for the info and commentary on those threads, I just skip on past rather than abuse the OP

My wife and I just got a chuckle out of the small amount left, I think that of our 14 cruises only 2 cost more than 2 grand total.

I am sure that the information provided will be helpful to some out there. I also think it is silly to criticize how people pay off things as long as they pay them off. Just because we have our trips payed off months before the PIF date doesn't mean everyone should do the same.

FWIW I think the door decorating is silly too, but my wife is still going to use our Disney door magnets on our upcoming Celebrity cruise, talk about Goofy looking

Have a great trip

 

[cgolf]

I fail to see how what you posted was information.

There are requirements set up when you book a cruise. Including when the Paid In Full date is. And the contract you agreed to when you booked says "Failure to strictly comply with the deposit and final payment schedules, or any other applicable policies and procedures, will result in the automatic cancellation of pending reservations".You knew what they were when you booked. Nowhere does it say "extensions will be given upon request".

I doubt that many of us really think DCL (or any other cruise line) will just extend the Paid In Full date just because someone says "It doesn't match up with my payday, and it was an expensive holiday season."

Agreed. I don't think it would have occurred to the vast majority of us to ask for and expect an extension to the PIF date agreed to at booking for a 100% preventable reason such as "an expensive holiday season". Which is why the responses have been what they are.

As far as any government workers affected by the shutdown, as has been pointed out, no one knows how long this will last. Would you expect DCL to just keep extending the PIF date? What if it lasts so long that the cruise is imminent and they haven't paid the cruise off yet - would you expect DCL to just let them cruise and pay whenever they are back to work? (Not "you" @PrincessShmoo - those saying an exception should be made for government workers affected by the shutdown.)

I am surprised I am disagreeing with you two, I usually don't.

I reread the unedited initial posts, and it did read as more informative to others than anything. Not my place to comment on the reason the extension was requested, and as it turns out it wasn't necessary but would have been a nice to have. Perhaps the OP would have been better of leaving the reason they were asking for the extension, but it is good information to know for those that may run into issues.

I think I have read on here in the past where families have gotten extensions due to family situations, so this may help some that read this knowing that DCL is not into giving extensions anymore regardless of the reasoning.

 

[quickcat]

I am surprised I am disagreeing with you two, I usually don't.

I reread the unedited initial posts, and it did read as more informative to others than anything. Not my place to comment on the reason the extension was requested, and as it turns out it wasn't necessary but would have been a nice to have. Perhaps the OP would have been better of leaving the reason they were asking for the extension, but it is good information to know for those that may run into issues.

I think I have read on here in the past where families have gotten extensions due to family situations, so this may help some that read this knowing that DCL is not into giving extensions anymore regardless of the reasoning.

I agree about maybe leaving the reason out, but I think it has more to do with people viewing it as a way to get around the rules. The rule is pay by “xx” day, that is when it is due. Asking to have it due later would be against Disney policy, even though it isn’t written that asking is prohibited, it seems like some would assume it is an unwritten rule not to call and ask.
I agree with you that people post about sometimes getting a “favor” and know Disney can and does change their rules sometimes when asked. I think people coming on here to post about the favors can add more harm than good.

 

[mevelandry]

My wife and I just got a chuckle out of the small amount left, I think that of our 14 cruises only 2 cost more than 2 grand total (...)

Same here... The 2K "small balance" made me giggle as no cruise I've even done with my DH was over 1600$ and 2K is not considered a small amount in our house.

I hope someday I'll make enough money to consider a few thousand dollars a small balance! My "3 cruises per year" dream would then become reality.

Sorry, I know I'm 100% off topic.

 

[otten]

I'm with Disney on this one. You know the paid in full day when you book, months (sometimes more than a year) before the cruise. You have plenty of time to check when you get paid compared to when PIF is. Our cruise isn't until March 2020, paid in full in November 2019 and I know exactly how many pay days I have between then and now.

Lack of planning on your part isn't Disney's problem.

 

[FigmentSpark]

There were a few reports on here from a while back of people having success in having the PIF extended, thought I'd best advise that it appears this is no longer the case

Whether or not the OP had any reason to believe she should have been given an extension is irrelevant. If you read the last line of her post, it said there were reports here... on DIS... that it could be done. OP was letting us know that is no longer the case.

Thanks for the heads up, OP, as there is info on DIS that is out of date, so having a more recent experience is helpful.