Those who reserve cabanas, excursions and on-board experiences.

[insureman]

I find it interesting that people release previously reserved cabanas and other reserved experiences and announce on FB that they will not be using them. Four cabanas were released in the last week or so. Are they reserving because they can with no intention of using it. Is it FOMO. DCL needs to fix this. In my opinion.

 

[yowcruiser]

So, I have seen a few people that have higher status booking them, with the intent of releasing them back at the time of Gold, Silver or new cruiser booking. They sometimes announce it on FB, and sometimes they don't. Some of those doing that feel that this is a form of "pixie dusting" as they allow newer cruisers to experience this perk.

Another explanation I have seen is that people did have the intention to use the cabana, but since then, might have booked another cruise in which they have gotten as well, so simply making it available.

 

[CamColt]

The one time I booked a cabana was about 2-3 weeks before the cruise. I just happened to see it available, when I never really had any desire to book one. Seeing it available. and knowing this was sort of a special trip for us, I jumped on it to secure it, knowing I could cancel if I wanted too. Once we calmed down and thought about it we were able to justify it so we kept it after all. But yes, I booked it not knowing for sure if I would keep it. Having that option to cancel sort of pushed me to book it.

 

[OKW Lover]

I wonder how DCL could "fix" this.

I'm not agreeing it's actually broken to start with. I think there are plenty of reasons that a person might decided to change their plans as the cruise gets closer.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't think it's a case of reserving a cabana when they have no intention of using one, just that people change their plans all the time. Since DCL doesn't charge for cabanas or excursions at the time of booking it's relatively easy to adjust plans in the weeks leading up to a cruise when they finally settle on what they want to do each day.

Plus, didn't the price of cabanas increase this past winter? Some may simply feel the cost is no longer worth it.

 

[Mommb]

I wonder how DCL could "fix" this.

I'm not agreeing it's actually broken to start with. I think there are plenty of reasons that a person might decided to change their plans as the cruise gets closer.

If Disney considers this a problem, the fix would be to charge some or all of the cost upfront, and maybe add a cancellation fee.

However, as long as the cancelled cabanas become available for people who want them before the cruise, I don't think this is anything more than a mild annoyance for early bookers and an advantage for later bookers. Someone who doesn't get a cabana wouldn't find something else non-refundable that they would book instead and then regret if a cabana opens. You either get a cabana, or you don't, and if you don't, you can keep checking.

 

[dreamer17555]

Plans and priorities change. I might book a drink tasting and then find out some friends are sailing and skip the tasting to hang with them. I might want a cabana and then decide the cost is not worth it. It is strange to book so you can "give it away" but if cancelling it is nice to let the FB group know if you know ppl are looking for it

 

[mcd2745]

This type of behavior has been a problem with Disney vacations (be it cruises or WDW) for a long time. You used to see it with WDW all the time. People would book tons of ADRs for restaurants - in some cases, one in each park for each day of their trip - and unfortunately wouldn't even have the decency to cancel the ones they weren't using. Now, some of the blame for that was the ridiculous 180-window they used to have. However, still didn't justify the behavior. This forced Disney to implement the no-show fees and other measures.

I mentioned in another thread, regarding unique itineraries like Panama Canal cruises, about how so many of the Pearl and Platinum people book the rooms opening day even though they know there is little to no chance they will actually go on that cruise - driving up prices and "selling out" the sailing by the time it opens to the general public (or possibly even Silver CC members) only to have plenty of rooms open up later. Same thing happens with Cabanas, Mixology, & Palo brunch (although those have very fewer cancellations). A lot of times people do these things "just in case" - because they can, without penalty of any sort. Make the deposit non-refundable on the "special" itineraries, and cabana bookings. Behaviors will change.

You could say one big difference between the WDW restaurants reservations and DCL stuff is that with the restaurants, those tables ended up sitting empty and costing Disney revenue. Whereas, with DCL, when someone cancels a cabana, Palo brunch, a Mixology spot (because you will be charged for it if you don't), it is probably scooped up with by someone else rather quickly. It's never going to sit empty.

 

[MomOTwins]

I just cancelled a cabana on our cruise in March. What happened was we managed to get a last minute cabana on our cruise in January, and it was in a better location, and seemed silly to pay so much money for a cabana two cruises in a row. So we kept the one in January and dropped the March one to the first person who replied in our facebook group.

I also might cancel Palo on pirate night for our March cruise if we don't make it off the waitlist for early dining. Currently, we have late dining, but managed to get Palo dinner for 6. But we are hoping for early dining so we can feed our youngest at the pool before dropping him at the club and let our teens can eat in the main dining room while we eat at Palo, then we all meet up for after-dinner shows/activities as a family later in the evening.

Another time, I cancelled a sought-after drink tasting because I had booked it on a new ship before any show days and sample schedules were released, and once I saw the typical show schedule I realized I would miss a fantastic stage show so we cancelled.

These are some examples but I am sure there are others. It's not as though I booked these activities even though I didn't really want them, it's just that plans can sometimes be a bit tricky with conflicts coming up and I have to adjust.

 

[jimmymc]

Yes, it's pretty common for people who are on the fence about cabanas, excursions, or other activities to reserve them and decide later if they actually want to pay for them and go. It's very annoying to people with lower status who are 100% sure they want these things.

I'm not sure the best way to police it. Non-refundable deposits would definitely end the behavior but be a huge headache for guest services when people can't make them for legitimate reasons. Having people pay ahead of time but keeping it refundable would be tough for guests who have onboard credit or who want to pay with cash or gift cards. I personally think one of these should be implemented.

 

[dreamer17555]

From DCL's perspective... this isn't a problem. They already have a cancellation policy similar to what is offered in the parks (24 hours for most things, 3 days prior to sailing for Port Adventures, Royal Tea, Rainforest Passes, Cabanas, and anything in the first 24 hours)... the spots fill up if something opens. So why would they mess with it and devote the resources to it?

 

[bakerworld]

Over the years I've learned that if some excursion or onboard experience show available to just grab it. When I wait to talk to people the availability disappears. So I am definitely someone who reserves without fully committing to keeping the reservation. I do this everywhere for anything - DVC, DCL, Hotels or rentals anywhere. While some might find this behavior 'hoggish', I find it necessary. I don't even see a 'need' for a correction of this behavior. When I release the reservation, it will be here for people to access. I do feel slightly bad when I release a reservation too late for my own reimbursement, which I've done multiple times.

 

[Moonspinner]

One thing DCL could do is have a waitlist sign up, where a cancellation would automatically go to the next person on the waitlist. That would pull the rug out from under people who want to act like they own the reservation and can “gift” it to particular peole.

 

[OKW Lover]

One thing DCL could do is have a waitlist sign up, where a cancellation would automatically go to the next person on the waitlist. That would pull the rug out from under people who want to act like they own the reservation and can “gift” it to particular peole.

Do we really think that's something that happens regularly?

 

[Marthasor]

If it doesn’t affect DCL’s bottom line, they won’t care.

 

[dreamer17555]

One thing DCL could do is have a waitlist sign up, where a cancellation would automatically go to the next person on the waitlist. That would pull the rug out from under people who want to act like they own the reservation and can “gift” it to particular peole.

Why in the world would DCL devote the money to a system like this? And do you think it would work with Disney's technology? Im just happy if I can check in for a cruise without the blue spinning wheel of death.

The best ways to make sure you get what you want? Pay for Concierge or sail enough to be Pearl. Both are putting money in the mouse's pocket (I have done neither).

Spending more tends to come with perks. I will not begrudge those who are Pearl or Concierge to book and then change their mind.

 

[Moonspinner]

Do we really think that's something that happens regularly?

Why in the world would DCL devote the money to a system like this? And do you think it would work with Disney's technology? Im just happy if I can check in for a cruise without the blue spinning wheel of death.

The best ways to make sure you get what you want? Pay for Concierge or sail enough to be Pearl. Both are putting money in the mouse's pocket (I have done neither).

Spending more tends to come with perks. I will not begrudge those who are Pearl or Concierge to book and then change their mind.

I have no skin in this and was just throwing ideas out there in response to OP. We don’t do cabanas. But if there are people for whom cabanas are really important, I don’t think a waitlist is a bad idea. DVC has waitlists.

 

[Tinropanleng]

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. Feels like a mix of FOMO and people overbooking “just in case.” It’s frustrating, but at least stuff does pop back up if you watch closely.

 

[RedHead0186]

I don't think there's anything that needs to be "fixed." If the cabanas/tastings/etc. all book up, DCL doesn't much care. I agree that I think most people cancel for legitimate reasons (plans change, etc.). I hadn't heard of people booking them with the specific intent of cancelling later to give newer DCL cruisers a chance at them.

I've sailed other cruise lines where you pay upfront when you book and then get a refund if you cancel (within the time frame). It's honestly a pain and one of the things I like about DCL (though I agree it might make availability of popular items harder to book).

 

[mamaburrito]

Disney actually moved away from the waitlist model with their cabanas. They held them ALL back for concierge guest and would then release a few weeks prior to sailing. Now they no longer have a waitlist and have become readily available to those outside concierge.

But I guess I’m not understanding someone who holds a reservation and releases it later for someone on a cruise. What does it matter if someone books during their booking window or a week before sail?

There isn’t much planning that needs to go on. Maybe for excursions but even those you have more options since you can book outside of Disney.

As for “gifting” a reservation, as long as no money is being exchanged I don’t see how it impacts other cruisers. Yes, you are giving someone a heads up you are canceling to give them a better chance but anyone else can still book it.

Would someone explain to me how activities being available after booking windows due to someone canceling? I’m not understanding. Is it more that you think people should have a number of activities booked at one time? Like Palo where you can only book it for one reservation? So you can only book one beverage tasting during booking and then reserve more on the ship if available?