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

[kamgen]

Thanks for the info Ruth! I am freaking out here.
Why would DCL even risk people missing it. That means people who miss it cannot board until the Grand Cayman stop. I don't understand their logic. Well, it is a waiting game now.


I am excited about going, but I feel like this is irresponsible on their part to put people in a negative situation. If DCL advises you to arrive early, why would they make you arrive late? Our flight is not the ONLY flight into MCO from DTW. We even offered to go on Friday night and pay our own hotel for the night.
I am still excited, but the idea of not knowing for sure if you are going to make it is NOT my style. I am a planner, as are many of you, and we all hate problems. But this is not like not getting your preferred ressie time, or missing a show, this is about DCL disregarding people's feelings and treating us like we are stupid. If this is their practice, putting people on late flights, then things should start later onboard.
JMHO.


Kamy

 

[Debbie H]

Just from reading, at this point it doesn't sound like anyone will be happy no matter what happens.

I will tell you we were on DCL in June and they announced we would be delayed because they were waiting for a bus from the airport. The bus came and 1---- ONE -- family of 3 got off and went through customs and made the cruise. I believe DCL does go out of their way for people. To hold up a whole ship for a family of 3 I think is pretty incredible. My daughter was on a cruise for her honeymoon and they held the ship up for 3 hours because of a snow storm in the northeast.

I think the unbelieveable thing is that some people on the ship were actually peeved that they were waiting!!! So, like I said, no matter what happens, DCL gets the brunt of it. DCL can't control the weather and they have been at this for a long time so I think they should be given the benefit of the doubt that they do know what they are doing. Is it inconvient for you, yes, but....it still is a free trip no if's ands or buts about it. I don't think they should be treating you rudely however.......it's still a free trip no matter how much money you "plan" on spending.

 

[kamgen]

Not to cause a problem here, and I appreciate your opinions, but it is NOT free. There is REQUIRED spending...it is called gratuities.
We also, as it has been said before, have to pay income tax on the prize. If we choose to spend more, I guess it is up to us. But I don't see a way to NOT spend something. So, in the end, it is not free. I am happy I won it because it is cheaper than it would have been if WE booked it, but all in all, nothing in this world is free.

Again, I am SO GRATEFUL we won and get to go. BUT..it is no excuse for the rude cast members, the late flight when there are available flight times earlier (so NO ONE has to wait and get peeved) and the lack of information we were given.

JMHO.

I am not trying to flame anyone, I am just upset and I do see that this could be solved. I hope it is.

Kamy

 

[pal2pluto]

I hope so too!

There is a thread called "Miracles do happen" posted by precious2flh on this board. She apparently got a "higher up" to fix a problem. Perhaps you could e-mail her and get his name....ya never know what he might be able to do!!!!!

 

[Michelle]

Debbie is correct, if they book you on DCL and your flight is delayed they will do everything possible to get you on the ship, including delaying the ship's departure. I've seen DCL reps escorting people to busses at 4:00 pm the day of departure and I'm sure that sailing was delayed.

Unfortunately with DCL air they can schedule flight arrivals all the way up to 2:00 pm. It's just the nature of the beast with the "bulk" air that is included with the packages.

Kamy, I hope you are able to pay for the air deviation and get an earlier flight or the day ahead flight, just for your peace of mind. There is nothing worse than having to rush to get to the ship, I know. And if you encountered a rude CM I do agree you should ask to speak to a supervisor.

No matter what, I hope you have a fabulous cruise!

 

[GoofyDisney]

I am just sorry you have to fly through Detroit.

I am not trying to flame or point fingers or be ugly but.....

I don't think we are being very "board like".

Kamgen never said she wasn't grateful for the cruise and she never expressed a sense of entitlement over the flights and this cruise. That is not what the thread was about. All she originally said was that she wasn't happy about the flight timing and that no one at DCL Air seemed to appreciate her frustrations.

S, maybe we could just get back to supporting Kamgen in her frustration and offering positive solutions.

And if you have ever flown into or through Detroit, you would TOTALLY understand this.

Congratulations on winning the cruise! I hope your air thing works out, and if it doesn't, I hope everything else works out!

 

[donnaMD]

I never think poor behavior from Disney is acceptable.
I do not think it matters that you got most of the cruise (minus taxes, etc) for free matters one bit!
However, I do think that you should try to take a more postive view of it and make the best of it. It is very likely you will make the cruise; you may miss lunch, the hot tub etc. Make your mind up to that before the cruise, and just try to stop feeling bad. Part of the fun of the trip is planning it and longing for the enjoyment it offers. Concentrate on more positive things. If you have already tried to change it and can not, move on! Maybe they will make it up to you on the cruise too! Free champagne; an upgraded suite or something!
Just try to concentrate on the positive.
Nothing in life is perfect, including Disney.
This could be the most fun trip you have ever had.
Please, I feel bad that every day you are feeling down about this!
Think in the positive!
I am going on Sept 28th and can hardly wait and know the anticipation of your October cruise can be wonderful if you let this problem go away!

 

[BeanoC]

This could be the most fun trip you have ever had.

Correction: This WILL be the most fun you have ever had!


We'll fix this.



'Beano'

 

[ducklite]

We were delayed in leaving PC on the 8/21 Magic, no biggie. In fact we were delayed TWICE. once leaving PC, and a second time leaving CC due to a medical evecuation.

No big deal...do people think the ocean is going to dry up and go away if they don't leave on time? Geeeezzzz.....

Anne

 

[prymsu]

I feel for ya! I think that customer service on their end can use some improvement.

Also since they did your air and charged you lots more than what you would probably have paid had you made your own arrangements, I would push for the early flight too. That is why i like to make our own air arrangements on stuff like this. That way I can pick and choose when we leave, and to allow extra time in case of flight delays.

if they wouldn't change the flight times, maybe you could get them to fly you in the day before and put you up in hotel...

 

[Doctor P]

Kamy,

I have been so excited for you since you first won the cruise, and the fact that we have had the pleasure of meeting adds to the heartbreak I feel for you in not having everything go the way that you want. It is really hard to look at the big picture in a situation like this, and I understand that (as much as that might be the best advice). Try to keep your chin up, and remain persistent. I hope things work out well for you. I am so looking forward to your impressions of the Western cruise.

Doctor P

 

[wovenwonder]

Sorry - no words of wisdom from me --- just {{{{{HUGS}}}}} - Hope this all works out for you!

 

[my3kids]

I don't think there is much that can be done at this point, and I hope you do get everything worked out, but...for future cruisers.....

I've read here SO many times about DCL's air problems. If you don't want to book your own flight(and of course here, she wouldn't have, it was included) then pay the $50 per person for the deviation and select the flights you want, fly in the night before, make sure all the seats are together, make sure you are all on the same plane! DCL clearly states that you really have no say in the flights and you aren't guaranteed anything except getting to the ship....unless you book the deviation and pay the fee.

The deviation is available to anyone who books the DCL air program. If you elect not to pay the extra....well its like those who don't have travel insurance.....something certainly can go wrong. ...its a gamble. Yes, we can be sympathetic, but that isn't getting anyone to the ship by 12 noon. I would have been frantic with a late arriving flight also. We've been delayed too many times to think it couldn't happen. The deviation would have really added to the cost. We decided we'd either book our own or drive. I didn't want to take any chances with our family being put on different flights, or getting to the port late.

I've heard several times that if you don't get Palo reservations, show up the first night and you might be able to get in.....not that many people sign up for the first night because of wanting to meet servers and table mates. If you do have to take the later flight, that might get you in.

 

[barbeml]

Wow, I understand your position. I hope it works out. This is an FYI for anyone booking a cruise and allowing the cruise provider to arrange air: I took a travel agent certificate course last year, and we were cautioned about allowing ANY cruise line to arrange air. They are only responsible for booking a flight that will get you there on time according to the flight's SCHEDULED ARRIVAL. This does not mean your flight will be non-stop--I have heard of relatively short flights to Florida for cruises that included THREE STOPS. There are no guarantees about delayed flights or allowing you plenty of time before boarding. My advice is to always book your own air.

 

[mcnuss]

kamgen:

You should call NW directly to see what the load on that 7:00 flight looks like before you decide that you cannot go stand-by. I just checked, and that flight uses a 757 which is a big honkin' airplane, and you just may be in luck. I'd call right up until the night before the flight if you can be that flexible.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on winning your cruise!!! That is awesome I hope your flight goes well and thay you have a stress free vacation Keep thinking happy thoughts

 

[tarzanman]

Here is the story for all of you.

My DW is a Disney planning freak. Anything not according to her plan and watch out world. Anyway, she couldn't control this part and she got all messed up. She told me what was going on after her first call this morning. I told her to calm down and try again with the Air people. After her horrible round two defeat, I took over.

I work at Ford Motor Company and in my position in Treasury, I never take anything that anyone tells me as the way it has to be. If you have seen our stock price lately you can see that we are not going to succeed if business stays as is. Disney is headed in the same direction but I am doing all I can to help them. Last year, Kamy and I met a Disney exec and his wife and friends on a cruise. They were on their vacation, but he took the time to talk to me and listen to my feedback about the cruise and Walt Disney Co. He gave me his card.

I owe him now. I called in a favor from one of those "higher ups" as you all call them, and I think that he handled it because by the time we got home from work today we had a message telling us that we are booked on the early flight at 6:58AM to Orlando. I am still a little frustrated about all the work that we had to go through to get that fixed. That was uncalled for. I hate to think about how other customers try to get this stuff fixed but just have to deal with it.

I am going contact my "contact" tommorow to recommend some things and thank him for all of his help. Thank you for supporting my wife. Beano, thanks for keeping her spirits up. What a rough couple of days that she has had.

Tim

 

[Werner Weiss]

I'm glad it all worked out for Kamgen. But regarding the advice in this thread to fly standby on an earlier flight...

Currently, you can still stand by for an earlier flight without paying a fee, even if you have a non-changeable, non-refundable ticket. But that's changing...

Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, and Continental Airlines will charge a $100 per passenger standby fee starting January 1, 2003. Ouch! So far, Northwest hasn't jumped on the bandwagon -- but give them time.

See http://www.freep.com/money/business/fee6_20020906.htm and http://www.msnbc.com/news/804555.asp

One more thing about flying standby... Find out what the airline's rule is regarding checked luggage. You may not be able to stand by for an earlier flight if your luggage is checked on your original flight, unless the airline is willing to move your luggage onto the aircraft with you (for security reasons). When requesting standby, you're best off if you only have carry-ons. But that's hard when you're going on a 7-night cruise.

 

[dis4me]

Wow $100 for standby That stinks.
Anyway Tim and Kam I am glad you got everything worked out.I am sure you and your children will have a great cruise. It is unfortunate that you had to call on a higher up"contact" However as you didi I would have done whatever it took to take care of it. You are a Disney customer regardless of whether the trip was won or you paid.As your wife stated nothing in life is free.
Have a great cruise!!
PS Beano I think that is very nice of you to step up and offer to help with the ressies.Good for you.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

This board is suppose to be about sharing and fun and tips and those of you that posted that she should deal with it, be glad she is going, it is free and to adjust her attitude should adjust yours.

Remember that is why we are Americans and everyone is different and reacts differently. If you don't have anything nice to say then just don't post. Many of you were supportive the rest of you should be ashamed and probably added to her worry and stress.

In the end I am glad it worked out. Lets try to be postive and not so judgemental and how we would respond..........just a thought.