VERY ANGRY at DCL!!!RE: Air travel SOLVED:UPDATE ON PAGE 4

[kamgen]

I just got off the phone with DCL to get my air schedule for my Oct 12 cruise. Now, some people might not think this is a big deal, but I am LIVID!!!
We are flying from Detroit to Orlando and for those of you who fly out of DTW, you know we are hardly ever on time! Well, they put us on a 10:30am flight, arriving into Orlando at 1pm!!! Now, with two kids, luggage, and trying to get to the DCL bus, I know this is not going to work!
I mean, the ship will already be boarding, ressies for the spa, Palo, kids stuff, etc will already be going on and we will still be on the darn plane!

I asked why we weren't on the 7am flight and she said this flight would work fine and if we don't make it, they will get us to the first port. What the heck is that about??? I mean, if we missed our flight or there were problems I understand they take care of getting us there. But, this is setting us up to miss things!
Two weeks ago we flew into Orlando from Detroit and were almost two hours late! I told them this was unacceptable and that I had cruised before and knew this would not be a good idea. She basically said that was it! Well, after getting a bit frustrated with her and said they had to find us something else, so she said if she found something she would call me.

I know that in the grand scheme of things I should not be mad, but I AM!!! This seems so unreasonable to me.

Well, had to vent. I am really upset.

Kamy

 

[mrsltg]

Kathy I completely understand. Is it too late to drop DCL for the air portion of your trip? Definitely stay on top of this. They really need to get you on the earlier flight.

Good luck!

Erin

 

[kamgen]

Erin,

Thank you.
We won the trip so it is all included. And they do not treat us well. We were treated better when we were "paying" customers. Makes me feel like they are doing this because we did not "pay" for our cruise. Well, we plan to spend a lot anyway. I am just so upset. We have cruised 3 times before and have never been treated this way by DCL.
I am just so mad!

Kamy

 

[SC Minnie]

kamgen,

Call back and ask for a supervisor. If you still don't get any satisfaction as for THEIR supervisor. Generally the CM you originally get on the phone can only do 'whats in the computer'. Someone a little higher up may be able to help you. Just a thought. I know I would not want to be scheduled to land after the ship is already boarding. You still have to get to the port and everything else.

Good luck.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I really don't see the problem, I mean if the earlier flight is full what are they supposed to do??? And you said you won the cruise, you're not paying for it...so maybe you should just "go with the flow" and enjoy your free cruise!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Doesn't DCL themselves recommend allowing 4 hours to travel to the port, clear security, check in and board? Hmmm....if the plane is scheduled to land at 1 and you must be on board 1 hour before sailing (4pm) that only leaves a skinny 3! If all goes perfectly.

That might be another approach to use and definitely go as high as you need to!

Deb

 

[ducklite]

You could also show up early to the airport, and if there's seats available you could get on teh earlier flight.

I would call DCL though and speak to a supervisor, and explain your concerns.

Anne

 

[Bob Noble]

You may want to speak with the airline once you have you reservation number. Explain your concern and ask if flying stand by on an earlier flight is an option. I know they have recently been tighting up policy on standbys for discount or non revenue tickets, but someone paid for this. Just rember to be curtious and reasonable in your request and you just might get you way.

Best of luck

 

[kramer_clan]

If you know the airlines and flight numbers--call them. You CAN change the times yourself through the airlines. Give it a try and let me know what happens.

Vicki

 

[kamgen]

I called back and again was treated RUDELY!! I was amazed!
I was now told that this was the "best" flight for the DTW market and people "love it" because they "don't want to get up too early".

As for winning this, I still don't feel like this is acceptable. Sure, I won the cruise, but what does that have to do with anything? Am I less of a customer for winning??? That is unfair.

Yes, you are supposed to allow for 4 hours of travel time. Hmmmm, we don't have that.

I guess we could "go with the flow" but we are spending money and taking time off work just like other cruisers.
Can you believe this????
Dh is calling right now. I will keep you updated.
If this doesn't work, I will call Northwest myself.

We can't go standby with 4 people, never works.
I am really upset!

Kamy

 

[Bob Noble]

Never say never, Check with NW and just ask what the load looks like for you day. I fly alot, and I would have to say that there are more planes with 4 empty seats or more than not.

Don't give up the ship yet. It will work out.

 

[disny4ever]

You might find that the earlier flight is more expensive and that is why you did not get booked on it. I would go to the airlines website and check this out. If there is no difference then I would approach DCL and have them change things. If you find out its more expensive, there's your answer. I'm sure they book for cost, not convinence

 

[kamgen]

Thanks Bob! My dh is on the phone with DCL right now. We will go from there.

Just upset with DCL...where is the magic?

Kamy

 

[jlmcantwait]

Do not rule out standby......
I fly standby....every time I fly.
If you want to be sure get up early and fly stby on the 658a flight.
It cannot hurt. If you get on great, if not you are no worse for wear. You are not traveling on a school vacation week or major holiday travel time. October is a slow month and Columbus Day is not a big travel time.
I have traveled stby with 8 no problems....give it a shot if you get nowhere.

Also....you may want to call NW and see if they will just charge you a $100 change fee to do it in advance.

 

[dis4me]

Kamgen How ridiculous I don't care if it was free or you spent $10000 No one should be treated rudely. Also Why would DCL set themselves up to fail.You would think it would be more of an inconveience to get you to the first port.How ridiculous. THis is why we do not use DCL for AIR.I am sure you had no choice though.
How did you win the cruise if you don't mind me asking? Maybe you could contact the contest sponsors and they could help. Sorry Just trying to figure something out for you. Confrats on winning the cruise.

 

[Dasha]

Just back from DCL and we flew from DTW. Why not ask for a flight THE NIGHT BEFORE and get the Marroitt at the airport on Priceline as we did. Plane was on time (8pm landing) and you can take the free shuttle back/front the hotel and still get the DCL bus the next day at the time YOU want.

As for the planes being full, both our flights on NW were pretty much empty including 1st class.

 

[kamgen]

We won the cruise on the radio.

The told my dh that there are people from Detroit coming in on the 2:30pm flight too! UGH!

They basically told him it would cost us $127 per ticket to change anything. I am not sure what to do.
He is waiting for a call from some lady in the Air and Sea ticket department.
I will keep you all posted. I am still so upset.

Kamy

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

I'd be mad too. Being taken to the next port still means that you've missed a fair anount of the trip.
Someone paid for this cruise. You should inform the entity that you won the cruise from, and let them know how poorly DCL is treating their winner. It doesn't make them look so good, giving a prize that's a huge pain for the winner to use.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Ahhh, (we were posting at the same time) The radio station might not have paid much, in exchange for the advertising that came with the contest. Still, Disney must have considered it a deal in their favor. I'd still let the station manager know that you might miss the boat due to the Air situation. He/She might want to make a call, too.

Flying in the night before sounds like a very good idea, if that's a possibility.

 

[Bob Noble]

Ditto on the night before. The cost of the hotel is well worth your sanity.