Price Increase when Canceling due to Hurricane?

[Rachelizabeth]

Originally posted by WisconsinDisneyGirl
Oh ya--
I did all of this on Sept. 3 and the money was taken out of my checking account early Sept. 4. DCL takes your money pretty quick..............

Refund info per Disney: Check with travel agent for details, but if paid by credit card, will take 2 billing cycles for credit. If paid by check, will take 4-6 weeks for refund.

Rachel

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We cancelled our 9/4 cruise after three flights were cancelled. We would have found a way to make it on another cruise if we didn't have to pay an increased fee as a result of rebooking. To say we are extremely disappointed that we did not rebook and have another cruise in the near future is quite an understatement.

While I understand the chance you take when planning a trip during hurricane season, I find it apalling that they did not offer us a discounted rebooking but have offered that to others. This is very disheartening.

 

[markey]

I have been reading this posting and just find it hard to believe DCL is taking this stand and making people pay the higher prices. If you think about it the governor of FLorida was begging people to stay away until the people who live there can try to get their lives back to normal and fix some of the damage. If DCL is saying that the hurricane was not their fault and the people have to absorb the cost of a later cruise, then why don't the people who got a 10 day or 5 day cruise out of thier 7 and 3 day have to pay the difference? I know that is way out there, but just trying to compare. It seems like they are doing everything for the people on the ship now, transportation, WDW rooms, help with airlines, etc. So I think letting people reschedule, within a week or two should be given the same price. Just my two cents.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

ok dont flame me but, DCL like everyone else in florida is in the business for making money. and since 2 hurricanes have hit florida in 3 weeks with 1 more on the way. (fizzle out ivan you are not welcome in florida) DCL only has 2 ships while the other large cruise lines have 14+ to help with the operating costs. DCL only way of making it up is to increase (like the DCL cruises are cheap) DCL could have tried to bring both the wonder and magic to port and risk the lives of thousands. by they didn't. DCL should make a policy change that if in the event of hurricanes you can rebook at the price you first booked your cruise that was missed due to weather or cancelled. this is the right thing to do. Disney Co is out to make money and money they make. i bet disney looks at any and every way to say costs and still get money comming in. for the orlando parks being closed for 2 days on the last big weekend of the year hurt them and everyone in florida. i'm going to find the DCL email address again and we can start a email campain to get DCL to help change the current policies. we can only try. also try to be deligent about the way millions in florida are dealing with power outages and no water or A/C or having to wonder if they have a home. heck there still is a major gas shortage down there. there is no one to blame. but some will blame disney for the hurricane or they will blame the president for it. i hope i don't make too many mad but i have family in florida that i haven't heard from in 3 days and i worry about others done there. just be lucky you have what you have. GOD Bless everyone in Florida

John in Louisville Ky

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by KYCruiseCrazy
ok dont flame me but, DCL like everyone else in florida is in the business for making money. and since 2 hurricanes have hit florida in 3 weeks with 1 more on the way. (fizzle out ivan you are not welcome in florida) DCL only has 2 ships while the other large cruise lines have 14+ to help with the operating costs. DCL only way of making it up is to increase (like the DCL cruises are cheap) DCL could have tried to bring both the wonder and magic to port and risk the lives of thousands. by they didn't. DCL should make a policy change that if in the event of hurricanes you can rebook at the price you first booked your cruise that was missed due to weather or cancelled. this is the right thing to do. Disney Co is out to make money and money they make. i bet disney looks at any and every way to say costs and still get money comming in. for the orlando parks being closed for 2 days on the last big weekend of the year hurt them and everyone in florida. i'm going to find the DCL email address again and we can start a email campain to get DCL to help change the current policies. we can only try. also try to be deligent about the way millions in florida are dealing with power outages and no water or A/C or having to wonder if they have a home. heck there still is a major gas shortage down there. there is no one to blame. but some will blame disney for the hurricane or they will blame the president for it. i hope i don't make too many mad but i have family in florida that i haven't heard from in 3 days and i worry about others done there. just be lucky you have what you have. GOD Bless everyone in Florida

John in Louisville Ky

It still doesn't make it okay for DCL to offer some cruisers discounts on rebooking and not others. I think that is one of the biggest points of this thread.

And I believe all of us agree that it is a chance you take when traveling during hurricane season and that it's terrible to think of what FL has gone through in these past few weeks. I don't think any of us do NOT have a lot of sympathy and heavy hearts for everyone affected by the hurricanes. I am sorry you have family there and you are worried. That is not the issue here and I was hoping this thread wouldn't turn into a conversation like this.

What we're talking about right now is DCL's inequities & inconsistencies of dealing with us cruisers.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by CRSNDSNY


What we're talking about right now is DCL's inequities & inconsistencies of dealing with us cruisers.

Well said. Thank you!

Rae

 

[TexasGirl]

I'm starting to think maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.

I'm sorry If the fact Disney did the right thing by us is upsetting. I can see why...if they are now unwilling to "Do the Right Thing" by you.

We are thankful we are going in a couple of weeks. I am expecting a baby and this will be the last vacation we will have for a very long time. If they hadn't gotten me on one of the next few sailings, I would have been out of the 'window' they allow you to sail. Maybe that played on their sympathies...I don't know. Maybe I caught them in a moment of delusion.

Regardless, It is sad that they are seemingly random in who they are doing this for. I know I am not the only one, but it does not appear we are def in the minority.

This is only good customer service for them to let those affected rebook within a reasonable period without a price increase. Esp if it is same category to same categorty. Even it they have to bump you up only one category to get you on board. They do upgrades all the time!

Disney holds itself as a model of customer service. Although they are giving those folks perks and incentives if they,against all odds, make it to port...they are not doing anything other than dollar for dollar refunds or credits for all the rest affected. Again, I think that is not fair. Do the right thing Disney!

Good luck to all. I hope you can get some resolution! (And I hope I don't get a call saying they've changed their mind on us...they can't do that can they? We already have a revisied confirmation number, and new flights, new pre-night hotel, etc.

Best wishes.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

TexasGirl - Don't feel bad. It is not your fault. I hope you have a wonderful and fabulous vacation. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by Rachelizabeth
Refund info per Disney: Check with travel agent for details, but if paid by credit card, will take 2 billing cycles for credit. If paid by check, will take 4-6 weeks for refund.

Rachel

I have had to cancel 2 cruises (but not under these circumstances). Each time it took approx. 10 days to get my refund on my Credit Card. That doesn't mean that will always happen, just what has happened in the past for me.

BTW, if I were in your shoes, I would be VERY mad too. If children are involved, I would go anyway for their sake, but I have to admit, this charging a higher price for rebooking after all of this just doesn't sound very "Disney" to me.

DJ

 

[westjones]

I just wondered something. Can you switch your reservation from 'Disney' to All Seasons Travel for a lower rate on the upcoming cruises? They seem to keep their prices much lower than Disney does and that should help some. I thought I read somewhere that you can book through Disney and then switch to another TA for a lower price (but then again, I have never done this and I don't know exactly how it would work---maybe someone else can say if this might be a helpful way to save some of these families the extra expense of rebooking).

Their website is:

http://www.allseastravel.com/

Just a thought. I hope something works out for all of you.
DJ

 

[felixdacat]

John in Louisville,

This is not a flame, just a question because one of your statements confused me.
Are you saying that if a cruise is cancelled due to weather, that the passenger should be able to rebook at no extra charge, any other cruise of the same length? Would that include a peak cruise itinerary when the passenger originally booked a non-peak cruise? If yes, I would not agree.
It is my understanding that basically Disney has 3 rates, Off Season, non-peak, and peak. (Off course there is also early booking discounts, and then incentive pricing when the ship isn’t sold out).
I would agree that a passenger who booked a non-peak cruise should be able to book another non-peak cruise at no extra charge within a reasonable time period which I think should be 15 months (people may only be able to get vacation time during a certain period in their year). They should not be made to pay additional charges, even if the rates the following year are higher, as long as it’s the same type of cruise.
But if someone from this week’s cancelled 4 day Wonder wanted to sail between Christmas and New Years, they should have to pay the difference in price. If they didn’t, Disney would lose money twice. Once for the cancelled cruise, the other for booking the Christmas cruise cabin at non-peak rates, when someone else would be willing to book that cabin at the higher rate. Although that would be incredible customer service to allow that, I think it would be unreasonable to ask that of Disney.
Should a cancelled category 10 passenger be allowed to rebook a category 6 cabin at no extra charge? IMO, that would be the same thing.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Originally posted by felixdacat
John in Louisville,

This is not a flame, just a question because one of your statements confused me.
Are you saying that if a cruise is cancelled due to weather, that the passenger should be able to rebook at no extra charge, any other cruise of the same length? Would that include a peak cruise itinerary when the passenger originally booked a non-peak cruise? If yes, I would not agree.
It is my understanding that basically Disney has 3 rates, Off Season, non-peak, and peak. (Off course there is also early booking discounts, and then incentive pricing when the ship isn’t sold out).
I would agree that a passenger who booked a non-peak cruise should be able to book another non-peak cruise at no extra charge within a reasonable time period which I think should be 15 months (people may only be able to get vacation time during a certain period in their year). They should not be made to pay additional charges, even if the rates the following year are higher, as long as it’s the same type of cruise.
But if someone from this week’s cancelled 4 day Wonder wanted to sail between Christmas and New Years, they should have to pay the difference in price. If they didn’t, Disney would lose money twice. Once for the cancelled cruise, the other for booking the Christmas cruise cabin at non-peak rates, when someone else would be willing to book that cabin at the higher rate. Although that would be incredible customer service to allow that, I think it would be unreasonable to ask that of Disney.
Should a cancelled category 10 passenger be allowed to rebook a category 6 cabin at no extra charge? IMO, that would be the same thing.

yes cause in someone books like i do 15+ months early to get the early booking savings then yes as long as the cruise is with in 2 months of the cancelled sail date. now if you book later then that you should get a savings cause of the long wait you had. DCL or anyone i known on earth has control of the weather. thats why there is insureance

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by CRSNDSNY
It still doesn't make it okay for DCL to offer some cruisers discounts on rebooking and not others. I think that is one of the biggest points of this thread.

Exactly. It's too bad the people that didn't have the flexibilty to sail today didn't get anything. I still took off from work and reaaranged otehr things but I'm not sailing. Had I been offered teh Tuesday cruise to begin with this may have been a different story. Now they are giving free rooms, park passes, transfers and so on to teh people that are having fun and sailing this week.
Wehre as if you rebooked for next weekend you had to come up witha few hundred more dollars. Not fair IMO.
BTW, don't feel too bad for WDW being closed for the extra two days. The resorts were booked solids where they normally would be. On site restaurants and bars were packed all weekend. Most people probably bought their tickets already for the parks.
I guess until if affects you, you can't understand too much. I tried to rebook after canceling and they wanted to charge me a rediculous amount of money (and three different amounts BTW). I'm still calling today for the heck of it to see what they say. I know the ship isn't full.

 

[wnissen]

Originally posted by felixdacat
Should a cancelled category 10 passenger be allowed to rebook a category 6 cabin at no extra charge? IMO, that would be the same thing. [/B]

I think you make a good point. No one is asking Disney to put people on the cruises at exactly the same price, regardless of cabin availability or time of year. If I'm in a Cat 9 and there are no Cat 9s available on the cruise I want to rebook, I don't think it's reasonable for Disney to give me an upgrade at the same price as my cancelled sailing. In that case, I think paying the difference between the two cabins is reasonable. But only the difference as if I had booked the rescheduled cruise at the same time as I booked the cancelled one. I realize Disney will be forgoing the money they would have made from walkup fares, but it only seems reasonable. As for time of year, I guess that's up to Disney. I would also find it reasonable for them to blackout certain popular dates for rescheduling.

Walt

P.S. Oh, and the "two billing cycles" to get a refund is ridiculous. Tell them they have two weeks to get the charge off your card. When fourteen days is up, call your credit card company to see if it has been refunded. If not, charge that sucker back! They have no excuse for keeping a charge on your card that long. Heck, a week is about as long as I would find reasonable.

 

[debster812]

IT Geek chiming in

First off, I am sorry for all of your who are dissapointed. Really, but my take on this, is that there may not be ANY way for the average DCL reservationists to get a cruise booked TODAY for 2 weeks from now, down to the same price level. If I understand, there are X number of staterooms allocated to 'early booking discounts' and the like. When they are gone, the price goes up to the next tier. It seems that some cruisers who are having their original price honored, are ones who have spoken with supervisors or higher ups. That could be one explanation.

Is it right? Probably not. But with all that they had to do last week, while keeping an eye on Frances, evacuating CC CMs and basically keeping 2 ships out of harm's way, I sincerly doubt that anyone had time to worry about writing new code into their reservation software.

Good Luck to everyone trying to rebook.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by debster812
IT Geek chiming in

First off, I am sorry for all of your who are dissapointed. Really, but my take on this, is that there may not be ANY way for the average DCL reservationists to get a cruise booked TODAY for 2 weeks from now, down to the same price level. If I understand, there are X number of staterooms allocated to 'early booking discounts' and the like. When they are gone, the price goes up to the next tier. It seems that some cruisers who are having their original price honored, are ones who have spoken with supervisors or higher ups. That could be one explanation.

My guess is that a supervisor has the power to override that booking code. My take is that, for customer relations goodwill, DCL should be honoring same cabin type/same season rebooking prices. If it were me, I would put your request in writing and fax it to DCL. Disney's customer service is very good, esp. if you get to the supervisory level, and you may all have better luck if you form a nice, well thought out letter than if you get into an arguing match with the person who answers the phone and is completely overwhelmed with (1) rebooking and cancellation nightmares; and (2) his or her own family/house/safety issues.

Marcy

 

[debster812]

MarcyinFL--ITA that supervisors have the ability to override. I also think that there are certainly NOT enough supervisors to handle to the amount of calls they are taking. And, as much as we would all love to think that Disney is in the business of being warm and fuzzy, the bottom line is that they are in business to make money. I think if you ask, and are polite, persistant, and keep your cool, you may very well get what you want. However, I am pretty sure that they are not 'volunteering' that information....

 

[cindalu]

First let me say to the people that lost out on the cruise. I am very sorry that your vacation was cancelled.

Here is my take on the situation and don't flame me. I can see both sides point.

But there are so many people who have to rebuild their lives because of the two hurricanes. I have family in GA that are being pounded by Frances.


You all should be grateful that you are able to go on vacation.

JMO

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by cindalu
First let me say to the people that lost out on the cruise. I am very sorry that your vacation was cancelled.
Here is my take on the situation and don't flame me. I can see both sides point.
But there are so many people who have to rebuild their lives because of the two hurricanes. I have family in GA that are being pounded by Frances.

you all should be grateful that you are able to go on vacation.

JMO

First of all you don't sound sorry. Second, one has NOTHING to do with the other. I have been through BOTH hurricanes and missed my vacation. I also have family in GA, it's nothing compared to the storms that hit here. I truly hope your family is fine.
Anyone that missed out on thier vacation has every right to be upset, thst doesn't mean they don't care about things going on in the world.

 

[cindalu]

To CPM,
How dare you think that I am not sorry. You don't even know me. and I don't know you.


I am sorry if I upset you. You are right. If it happened to me I would probably feel the same way.
I was insensitve and I am very very sorry for that.



I am sorry if you felt I was not sorry because I am.


JMO