Pros and Cons of Rebook vs Refund?

[mrsgthatsme]

We are sadly anticipating the likely cancellation of our April 30 cruise sometime in the future. I am starting to think about what the best option would be in terms of canceling for a refund or rebooking. Here is my understanding of the pros and cons, but would like to hear if I am on the right track and what others are thinking they will do.

Pros of Rebooking:
Get to keep any OBC and/or placeholder discounts

Locking in the cabin you want ahead of time

I have heard some mention they think it will be a busy year next year with rebookings, so prices may rise? Do you agree?

Potential 125% cruise credit for newly booked cruise

Having another cruise on the books to look forward to

Pros of Canceling for a refund:

If prices drop due to decreased demand/reluctance to cruise (as I've heard another group speculate may happen) you may be able to get cheaper prices for the same cruise if you cancel and rebook down the road closer to the actual sailing

Obviously, you have your cash back in your pocket

More control over when you will cruise again should things not improve to a level you are comfortable with

I would love to hear what others in the same situation are planning to do and what pros and cons I am forgetting. Also a quick question... if you rebook and cancel prior to 3 months before sailing, do you get 100% of your money back? You kind of have PIF when you transfer the full amount of money to a new cruise so wasn't sure how that worked.

 

[lanejudy]

Also a quick question... if you rebook and cancel prior to 3 months before sailing, do you get 100% of your money back? You kind of have PIF when you transfer the full amount of money to a new cruise so wasn't sure how that worked.

If you take the credit and rebook a future cruise, then cancel - you will receive refund of the original amount paid (not any "extra" credit given by DCL).

The new cruise will be subject to standard PIF date and penalty structure - so depending on the future date you choose, you may already be within the PIF period or not. If the official PIF date hasn't yet come (say you book a cruise next spring), you may be paid-in-full with your credit but it is still in the refundable time period prior to the official PIF date and penalty window. I think most cruisers are finding the credit doesn't always stretch far enough to be paid-in-full with just the credit, but it obviously depends on the amount you have as credit and the new cruise you select.

Sorry you're impacted by all this and I hope you enjoy your future cruise!

 

[cvjw]

We are also trying to decide what to do if/when our May cruise is cancelled. We would book the same exact cruise for next May if we took the credit. We would need the 125% credit to get our same cabins on the same cruise next year. I just have a hard time justifying an extra $1000+ out of pocket for the same cruise.

Or, just take the cash and have a wait and see approach to next year. That way, we would be able to utilize any discounts that are released and more flexibility with the timing of the cruise.