Will Disney Have to Amend Cancellation Policy?

[LTJoeFlo]

We have a cruise booked for December. In our group, we have an at-risk individual. I am fairly confident that this cruise will not happen. The cruise is PIF and we are sailing concierge. I am at the point where I do not mind losing the deposit as we purchased the travel insurance. But I know that I am not the only person with this issue.

Recently, I have noticed that some cruise lines are starting to get bad press due to customers not feeling comfortable and the cruise line refusing to refund their money. Under the current terms of the contract, I think the cruise line has a pretty good argument. However, I think the cruise line will have to amend the terms of their contract prior to sailing. Similar to what Disney World is doing. I expected to see a new COVID-19 disclaimer when it came time to make park reservations. Sure enough, it was there!

This is why I think Disney is not close to sailing. They will need to communicate changes and make suggestions on who should and shouldn't cruise. I also believe that Disney will require guests to sign a waiver to go on the cruise ship. If this happens, can a person refuse to sign? What happens if they do? What happens when a family with an asthmatic child refuses to sail? We booked our cruise over a year ago. Have they updated the terms of the cruise for those who booked vacations after the March pause?

Any sea lawyers out there?

 

[AgentMama]

I'll honestly be surprised if any ships sail this year. With there not being a vaccine and the world being nowhere close to herd immunity, I just don't see how it's possible.

 

[yowcruiser]

I also believe that Disney will require guests to sign a waiver to go on the cruise ship. If this happens, can a person refuse to sign? What happens if they do?

There will likely be a new acknowledgement form as part of the online check-in process and I could see DCL and most other cruise lines make it a requirement to get this one done ahead of getting to port. In that case, one could argue that this is a change to the terms and conditions of the original cruise and take it from there as far as getting their money back if they chose not to sail. Some cruise lines may push back as there likely is a clause in their contract that says they can implement any new policies and that you are stuck with it but no one is looking for bad PR.

I know that as part of the screening questionnaire, more and more organizations are asking for pre-existing conditions. For example, I know of a resort hotel that asks about heart or lung conditions pre-stay, as well as whether one is currently immuno-compromised. IF so, that hotel is actually refusing to check you in and will give you your money back if you prepaid.

 

[yowcruiser]

I'll honestly be surprised if any ships sail this year. With there not being a vaccine and the world being nowhere close to herd immunity, I just don't see how it's possible.

I'll be careful in my response to make sure I stay on topic, and respect any forum community guidelines... but will argue that if cruise lines are waiting for herd immunity to happen, then they may never sail again. Most recent reports on this is that self-acquired immunity to COVID-19, unlike other Coraniviruses, does not last. But generally agree that cruise lines, especially Disney, will wait for "health care developments that will better control casualties and overall symptoms", before moving forward with cruise resumptions.

 

[DCLDVC1]

DCL is far behind NCL and RCCL when it comes to their COVID cancellation policy.

 

[BritneyBelle]

We have a cruise booked for December. In our group, we have an at-risk individual. I am fairly confident that this cruise will not happen. The cruise is PIF and we are sailing concierge. I am at the point where I do not mind losing the deposit as we purchased the travel insurance. But I know that I am not the only person with this issue.

Recently, I have noticed that some cruise lines are starting to get bad press due to customers not feeling comfortable and the cruise line refusing to refund their money. Under the current terms of the contract, I think the cruise line has a pretty good argument. However, I think the cruise line will have to amend the terms of their contract prior to sailing. Similar to what Disney World is doing. I expected to see a new COVID-19 disclaimer when it came time to make park reservations. Sure enough, it was there!

This is why I think Disney is not close to sailing. They will need to communicate changes and make suggestions on who should and shouldn't cruise. I also believe that Disney will require guests to sign a waiver to go on the cruise ship. If this happens, can a person refuse to sign? What happens if they do? What happens when a family with an asthmatic child refuses to sail? We booked our cruise over a year ago. Have they updated the terms of the cruise for those who booked vacations after the March pause?

Any sea lawyers out there?

Before they started canceling sailings they were being very generous with the policy if I recall correctly. I think to get people back on the ships when they do start sailing they’ll have to resume that policy, at least until a vaccine is available (not just existing, but something people could actually get in other words)