Technical question w/r/t changing a sailing

[sugliac]

Hey gang! I have a pretty niche question about changing a sailing. There are a few issues, all of which I would love some feedback on.

Long story short, I am attending a wedding last minute (someone from work, and sadly basically means I have to go...) which conflicts with my booked sailing on the Magic on Oct 31 (5 night). To be able to salvage this, I want to change to the Dream sailing on Nov 14-18 (4 night).

So there are three questions:
- Given I am past the final payment date, technically modifications to a different sail date are not allowed. What success have you had with pleading with a supervisor for them to change the policy as an exception?
- The change from Magic to the Dream will actually be less money ($8900 --> $8200). Is this an issue? I am fine taking the loss on $700 as a "cost of doing business." (sad but worth it!)
- Any wrinkle with any of the above points given I am in Concierge on the Magic? I know there are sometimes more restrictions on those fairs.


Thank you, all!

 

[TiszBear]

I have a question. I get the wedding is for a co-worker but why do you have to go? If you already had a vacation planned and I’m guessing your work knew of your vacation plans why do you have to change your plans? I would think at this late date DCL won’t let you change your plans.

 

[sugliac]

Jennifer - great q. I am a bit of a strange DCL passenger and book cruises very last minute in general and work remote while onboard. Just the nature of my job.

The wedding is of a supervisor and it would make my work-life harder if I choose not to attend. So for any further replies, hopefully this premise can be left alone. I really appreciate anyone's thoughts or experiences with these types of requests.

 

[auntlynne]

Did you book directly with DCL or through a Travel Agent? Then you or the agent makes contact with DCL.

A phone call will let you know.

The thread will have speculations, but bottom line, it’s Disney’s final say. I’ve seen changes go both ways from reports here.

 

[sugliac]

Did you book directly with DCL or through a Travel Agent? Then you or the agent makes contact with DCL.

A phone call will let you know.

The thread will have speculations, but bottom line, it’s Disney’s final say. I’ve seen changes go both ways from reports here.

Direct - ya I spoke with a regular agent who provided me the policy guidelines but suggested I could give a shot talking to a supervisor. Wanted to get some thoughts on here before pulling the trigger and doing that, though.

 

[auntlynne]

Direct - ya I spoke with a regular agent who provided me the policy guidelines but suggested I could give a shot talking to a supervisor. Wanted to get some thoughts on here before pulling the trigger and doing that, though.

Did they not offer to transfer you to a Supervisor? Maybe they thought the a supervisor in duty wasn’t a rule-bender.

You are dealing with a big, for-profit corporation. There’s a limit to their goodwill and pixie dust. If it were a regular room without the restraints of a Concierge booking, maybe it would work.

This is not an injury, sickness, death, or even some kid’s school issue. I’m intrigued and following …

Good luck. I am pulling for you. Awkward, tough situation.

 

[Mommb]

All you can do is try. It doesn’t matter if other people have or have not had success in similar situations, because that would not set a precedent. The official policy is that a cancellation of a 5 night cruise 30-44 days in advance will have a penalty of 50% of the fare, and that changes to departure dates are considered cancellations.

A supervisor might be willing to let you change to a different cruise with a smaller penalty, or might not. You already know what you would like to get, so there’s no reason not to call and ask for it in the next day or two, before the penalties increase. Good luck!

 

[sugliac]

Thanks all... appreciate the kind words of encouragement!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Wishing you luck. You can certainly ask. Do you have cancel for any reason insurance by chance? Not sure if that would apply here. Awkward situation being it is on the unusal side. Following along and hoping for the best for you

 

[sugliac]

Thanks everyone! Closing the loop, they made the exception and let me change to the Dream sailing. There was a $300 charge per person (so $600 for us) but because the change in new fair was less than the original (8900 vs 8100) they waived that fee as well!

Super happy and excited! And I really cannot wait to see what concierge looks like after dry dock.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Thanks everyone! Closing the loop, they made the exception and let me change to the Dream sailing. There was a $300 charge per person (so $600 for us) but because the change in new fair was less than the original (8900 vs 8100) they waived that fee as well!

Super happy and excited! And I really cannot wait to see what concierge looks like after dry dock.

that is great news! Happy it worked out for you!

 

[Mommb]

Thanks everyone! Closing the loop, they made the exception and let me change to the Dream sailing. There was a $300 charge per person (so $600 for us) but because the change in new fair was less than the original (8900 vs 8100) they waived that fee as well!

Super happy and excited! And I really cannot wait to see what concierge looks like after dry dock.

Excellent! It makes sense for DCL to book a Concierge room now at full fare, rather than waiting to fill it at the port at a reduced cost, but DCL doesn't always do what makes sense so I am glad they did for you.

 

[auntlynne]

We won’t tell. Nice dust.

And enjoy yourself at the wedding; that should be a given for the cruise.

Kudos, DCL!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm glad it all worked out. If it were me, I would have told anyone, "Sorry, I'm on vacation that week." The only remote exception would be immediate family. Even then, I'm not sure.

I hope your taking your kids. They will love it.