What are my options?

[imbelle]

I tried to get these questions answered by calling DCL but after over 2 hours on hold and no call back option, I had to get back to that thing called life. So I'm throwing this out there to see if anyone can chime in with their experience.
Prior to the vaccine mandate I booked a Wish verandah cabin for myself, my sister, and her 3 kids (two over 18, one 13) for an August sail date. Since then my sister has declined the vaccine for herself and her kids and now the cruise balance is due May 10th. I see an option to modify the cruise and passengers online but even if I pick an arbitrary date in the future, there's no guarantee that the vaccine requirement won't still be in place and I don't know if there is a limit to how many times you can modify a reservation. Also, I added the insurance at the time of booking and I don't know if that would transfer as well.
An alternative may be for just my spouse and I to go instead (we're vaccinated and boosted) but we wouldn't need a cabin for 5 and would prefer go at a time when schools were in session. However, I'm not sure if DCL would let me "downsize" the reservation. Also not sure if the insurance would transfer in this situation.
I assume that if I cancel prior to May 10th (and I don't see an option to do this online), my deposit is refunded (minus the insurance?). Is there any benefit to altering the original reservation vs cancelling and rebooking at a later date? Thanks for any input.

 

[Kwami]

I don't know about the insurance. I've never purchased insurance through DCL.

However, I do know that there's no limit to how many times you can modify a reservation. If you aren't sailing concierge and if you aren't in the penalty window, then there are no fees for modifying your reservation. If you change your stateroom category, then your total balance will also change. Recently, Disney changed the rules so that when you change your stateroom category, you pay the current rate rather than the rate that was available when you first made your reservation. So, there probably isn't much of a benefit to keeping your existing reservation unless the insurance transfers.

We aren't supposed to speculate about what might happen with vaccines and all that, but I wouldn't bet on the vaccine requirements going away any time soon.

 

[randumb0]

You can modify as long as it's before your pay in full date. When choosing your date just know the vaccine requirement may still be there when you cruise so take that into consideration

 

[Mommb]

If you have not reached your final payment date, you can cancel for a full refund of payments you have made. This includes insurance booked through DCL, because that insurance isn't actually purchased until after your final payment. If you booked insurance separately, you'd need to check with the insurer about whether benefits can be transferred to a different cruise.

The only case in which moving to a later date would be better than cancelling and rebooking is if you have a future cruise credit or onboard booking discount for the current cruise. If you do, you would need to rebook within a set time period to keep the credit/discount (I think that's before September 30 for a future cruise credit or onboard booking discount from before the pandemic, and within 2 years of initial booking for onboard booking made in the last year). If these don't apply to you, it doesn't matter whether you modify or cancel and rebook.

If you want to keep your current cruise with fewer people, you can certainly do that before the final payment date. You could get a refund if you have paid more than the new cost. Up until recently, you could change cabins on a given cruise and keep the cost that the new cabin would have been at the time of your initial booking on that cruise. As Kwami said, that may have changed, but it's worth checking if you want to keep the same cruise. (If you're making the change online, you may need to go all the way through to the payment screen to see the actual cost of the new cruise.)

I have always used a travel agent for cruises, so I'm not sure what can be done online and what requires a call.

 

[Dug720]

If you have not reached your final payment date, you can cancel for a full refund of payments you have made.

Unless they are in a concierge cabin. That is non-refundable. But it could be moved to another sailing.

 

[Mommb]

Unless they are in a concierge cabin. That is non-refundable. But it could be moved to another sailing.

Thanks. Yes, booking concierge would be another reason to modify rather than cancel a reservation, because concierge deposits are non-refundable. OP said "veranda cabin" but for others in concierge, this is important to know.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Also when you call back, select the option to book a new cruise, it seems to be a shorter wait.

 

[lanejudy]

I assume that if I cancel prior to May 10th (and I don't see an option to do this online), my deposit is refunded (minus the insurance?). Is there any benefit to altering the original reservation vs cancelling and rebooking at a later date? Thanks for any input.

While you could modify the current reservation, it would be cleaner and easier to just cancel and get a full refund of your deposit. It sounds like you planned to purchase the insurance DCL offers, which as PPs have mentioned is not actually "bought" until the PIF date so it's a moot point here.

Then rebook with your husband, for whatever date and category you prefer. That will avoid any potential confusion about changing passengers, names, etc.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Are you using credits from a previously cancelled cruise? If so, you'll want to modify, since you'd lose the bonus credits they gave for the cruise cancellation. If you've just booked a normal cruise and are paying for it, then I don't think it matters.

Sucks that they're charging going rate for changing cabin categories. But, I guess that was a little perk that was bound to go away sooner or later.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sucks that they're charging going rate for changing cabin categories.

That change is only if you're changing categories on the same cruise.

To clarify, if you change cruises, you pay the prevailing rate for your reservation, regardless if you "move" "change", or "cancel and rebook".

In the past, if you wanted to change room categories on the same cruise, you'd be charged the cost of the new room as it was at the time you booked the original reservation.

 

[auntlynne]

^^What they all said.

Predictions from those who follow the cruise industry (I watch cruise bloggers nearly every day) is that vaccines are one of the last things to go away. As in, not this year (2022).

To avoid a similar situation, perhaps wait until ships are actually sailing without requiring vaccines - THEN book with your sister.

Good luck getting through. My fingers are crossed for you. Somebody is getting through!

And Bon Voyage.

 

[imbelle]

Thanks for all of the helpful input. Since insurance doesn't appear to be a factor I'll definitely put the family cruise on the shelf for the time being and either cancel outright or switch to a couples vacation at a later sailing date.