Update from DCL

[DIS_MIKE]

Just got off the phone with Disney to book my transfers from the port back to MIA. The CM asked if I had trip insurance and I said no. Then she said "oh I see you declined it and your cruise is already paid in full so you can only book through a 3rd party"

I asked her for any recommendations but I mentioned how pandemics like coronavirus would not be covered anyway. Then we got into the whole thing. She said Disney will be doing everything they can for its customers and that everything is a go at this point. She also mentioned how I would likely receive a reimbursement of some kind if things go south and the cruise is canceled. It wasn't a lot of info, but it was enough for me to not be as worried as I have been.

Just have to remain optimistic at this point.

 

[Sakura1017]

I'm so sorry this is all happening to you. This must be so stressful… and vacations shouldn't be!

At least I am relieved that DCL seems to be taking the situation and emitting vouchers for future cruises for those guests that cannot board. It will probably help everyone being honest, and while I understand this might cost them a whole lot of money, it is the sensible thing to do.

Did you ask if they will refund you instead of a voucher? If they said voucher, is their a time frame you need to use it by? I hope that its longer than a year as a time frame in case its like this next year?

 

[cwis]

Did you ask if they will refund you instead of a voucher? If they said voucher, is their a time frame you need to use it by? I hope that its longer than a year as a time frame in case its like this next year?

For reference that was not me but @tokyodisneydad. Not sure he has anymore info at this point, though, since his sailing did not apply to current DCL restrictions.

 

[StarSeven7]

Canada has at least 20 cases...funny how they never talk about closing the border to Canada.

I know right! That would actually really affect me because I live in Canada but I'm American and all of my family is in the States and we travel back and forth all the time! And Canada currently has no flight restrictions at all.....but let's not give them any ideas!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

For reference that was not me but @tokyodisneydad. Not sure he has anymore info at this point, though, since his sailing did not apply to current DCL restrictions.

I called yesterday and wasn’t as reassured as I was the call before.Original call I felt supported and reassured with them mentioning future travel vouchers. I didn’t ask about a flat out refund, because I definitely intend on taking a cruise. At this point it will just be when Not if. The original call mentioned that the vouchers would be valid for 1 year. There was mention of a deposit that would have to be paid. This didn’t make sense so it was going to be part of a call today.
Second call was more about the list. It is currently just until March31. Realistically though I expect that will atleast carry over to April.
So this lead to call 3 this morning. I was going to ask about the deposit as well as several what if questions. Now no criticism to today’soperator as he is just doing his job as best he can in a difficult situation. Having said that he wasn’t open to discussion about the process of what Disney will do or won’t do.

 

[freshmanjs]

I called yesterday and wasn’t as reassured as I was the call before.Original call I felt supported and reassured with them mentioning future travel vouchers. I didn’t ask about a flat out refund, because I definitely intend on taking a cruise. At this point it will just be when Not if. The original call mentioned that the vouchers would be valid for 1 year. There was mention of a deposit that would have to be paid. This didn’t make sense so it was going to be part of a call today.
Second call was more about the list. It is currently just until March31. Realistically though I expect that will atleast carry over to April.
So this lead to call 3 this morning. I was going to ask about the deposit as well as several what if questions. Now no criticism to today’soperator as he is just doing his job as best he can in a difficult situation. Having said that he wasn’t open to discussion about the process of what Disney will do or won’t do.

Don't mean this critically...why are you calling so much? Why not just let it play out? There is nothing to do right now.

 

[smmco]

Royal has reduced the final payment date to 60 days on European cruises.

 

[DisneYE]

Just got off the phone with Disney to book my transfers from the port back to MIA. The CM asked if I had trip insurance and I said no. Then she said "oh I see you declined it and your cruise is already paid in full so you can only book through a 3rd party"

I asked her for any recommendations but I mentioned how pandemics like coronavirus would not be covered anyway. Then we got into the whole thing. She said Disney will be doing everything they can for its customers and that everything is a go at this point. She also mentioned how I would likely receive a reimbursement of some kind if things go south and the cruise is canceled. It wasn't a lot of info, but it was enough for me to not be as worried as I have been.

Just have to remain optimistic at this point.

"reimbursement of some kind"? shouldn't they reimburse you in full if THEY cancel the cruise?
I'd be so mad if they tried to weasel out of reimbursing 100%

 

[cwis]

"reimbursement of some kind"? shouldn't they reimburse you in full if THEY cancel the cruise?
I'd be so mad if they tried to weasel out of reimbursing 100%

DCL has not cancelled any cruises. @tokyodisneydad lives in Japan and recent DCL rules prevent him and his family from boarding.

 

[cwis]

I called yesterday and wasn’t as reassured as I was the call before.Original call I felt supported and reassured with them mentioning future travel vouchers. I didn’t ask about a flat out refund, because I definitely intend on taking a cruise. At this point it will just be when Not if. The original call mentioned that the vouchers would be valid for 1 year. There was mention of a deposit that would have to be paid. This didn’t make sense so it was going to be part of a call today.
Second call was more about the list. It is currently just until March31. Realistically though I expect that will atleast carry over to April.
So this lead to call 3 this morning. I was going to ask about the deposit as well as several what if questions. Now no criticism to today’soperator as he is just doing his job as best he can in a difficult situation. Having said that he wasn’t open to discussion about the process of what Disney will do or won’t do.

Thanks for the update. Looks like DCL isn't really prepared to deal with all of this. I still hope you'll be able to sail your cruise. On the unfortunate event you won't, I think at this point you'll need to wait for DCL to update its rules regarding your boarding. Again I'm so sorry this is happening to you, this must be so stressful!

 

[disneyholic family]

Royal has reduced the final payment date to 60 days on European cruises.

60 days still is too many but it's better than 90..
I have an ABD tour that i think has a 4 month PIF and a DCL cruise with 3 months - or did i switch them around.
Either way, when they come up, if there is any doubt at all as to what the travel situation might be at the time of our trip, and if they don't shorten the PIFs, then i'll have to cancel.


.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I know right! That would actually really affect me because I live in Canada but I'm American and all of my family is in the States and we travel back and forth all the time! And Canada currently has no flight restrictions at all.....but let's not give them any ideas!

I definitely was not advocating closing the border to Canada! (And I doubt that would happen.) Just pointing out that they would like any reason to close the southern border but it is often hard to convey sarcasm on a message board and I should have remembered that.

At any rate closing borders would probably protect them more than us, as it is now circulating in many communities along the west coast, we just don’t know the scope because we’re barely testing anyone. DH read a news article saying they determined it’s been circulating in Washington state for 6 weeks.

 

[StarSeven7]

I definitely was not advocating closing the border to Canada! (And I doubt that would happen.) Just pointing out that they would like any reason to close the southern border but it is often hard to convey sarcasm on a message board and I should have remembered that.

At any rate closing borders would probably protect them more than us, as it is now circulating in many communities along the west coast, we just don’t know the scope because we’re barely testing anyone. DH read a news article saying they determined it’s been circulating in Washington state for 6 weeks.

Oh I knew you were being sarcastic, I was too! Hahaha!

 

[DisneYE]

DCL has not cancelled any cruises. @tokyodisneydad lives in Japan and recent DCL rules prevent him and his family from boarding.

My heart goes out to him. Makes me mad.
But shouldn't DCL reimburse him if THEY are denying him to board?

 

[monkeydawn]

Does this mean that anyone from Italy is unable to board or just from the affected part of Italy? We are doing the first Mediterranean cruise in May and I know there is still time for things to change but I can’t see

I have an MSC cruise, paid, boarding in Rome so I'm curious what the lines are thinking for those ships that have embarkation in Italy. I think its a moo point anyway for us (any Friends fans out there...need something to laugh about). With the closing of the Louvre and a church (in Italy) this weekend I fear we may get over to Europe and only be able to do a small fraction of our must dos. As it is, the Lambo factory tour (Modena, near Bologna) is looking like a big no and that's the one thing my husband wanted to do (and the thing we booked as soon as we could...nonrefundable...sigh). My task sometime in the next couple of days is to call Delta and MSC and see if there is any goodwill flexibility. For Delta we have had a flight change, although it doesnt impact or ability to make the flights I am hoping that adds a little to the goodwill factor. Husband and I have agreed that if the penalty for either seems like a good enough deal, we will cancel then. Otherwise we continue to play chicken without any real expectations we will go on our May trip.

As the other poster pointed out, the readily available data says the opposite of what you are saying. My daughter is immune compromised. It is very dangerous for her to get the flu, let alone something 34x more likely to cause death. If she gets this because people don't take it seriously, she may not survive it. So, yes, I'm angry when people say it's a "cold" without any evidence whatsoever.

I am immuno compromised so Ive been trying to follow those specific implications carefully. Mine comes from Crohn's and Remicade treatments. To me, it looks like those with heart and lung issues are those that have the most to worry about, with diabetes a close third. For people in my shoes I dont think the risk is all that much higher than the general population. That said, I am not certain how my treatment options may be limited if I do get COVID-19. And because we dont know if there are any long term effects, I'd rather not get it (even if it is "just a mild cold" while symptomatic).

My mom seemed pretty relieved, albeit disappointed for us, that I was talking cancellation today. I hope your daughter isnt in one of the more sensitive categories.

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Don't mean this critically...why are you calling so much? Why not just let it play out? There is nothing to do right now.

I agree with you and wish it was that easy. It’s just difficult to sit back and wait. I could go into details of how much is riding on this cruise... financially, emotionally, mentally for me and my family. It’s been three years in the planning and paying with a lot invested. Just the financial cost alone is over 15000$. I could also tell you the stories of why etc. Having said all that, I do understand your point and that you weren’t being critical. For me though being as informed as possible helps and also I need to know as soon as possible to make new arrangements.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My heart goes out to him. Makes me mad.
But shouldn't DCL reimburse him if THEY are denying him to board?

If someone is denied boarding, for whatever reason, typically there is no refund. Unless you've got travel insurance to cover the reason.

 

[Gentry2004]

If someone is denied boarding, for whatever reason, typically there is no refund. Unless you've got travel insurance to cover the reason.

It’s already been stated that folks denied boarding due to these recent travel bans ARE being compensated.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It’s already been stated that folks denied boarding due to these recent travel bans ARE being compensated.

I said "typically". If a cruise line wants to go above and beyond and compensate, great. But it's not required.

 

[MichelleCanada]

Royal has reduced the final payment date to 60 days on European cruises.

We have a Royal cruise booked this summer - but have not heard this. Where did you find this information? Thanks!