I’ve shared tables with first time cruisers and they have talked about it being a once in a lifetime experience. When you add in airfare, hotels, transfers there’s a lot more expenses than just the cruise. That’s why I think a partial refund would take the sting out of it. The 20% of a future cruise only benefits Disney.
But this is a sailing on the Wish—which is a LOT more expensive than the other ships, and not discounted if they are first timers. If they can afford rack rates on the Wish, 20% off another ship, and some flexibility on dates, might make another cruise much more affordable.
But that could be for any vacation. Maybe a family saves up for years to go to Paris as a once in a lifetime trip and wants to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s the biggest thing they want to do. And it’s closed the week they are there for whatever reason. They don’t get a 20% refund on airfare and hotel nor a 20% discount on a future trip. Is it disappointing to miss Castaway Cay on a cruise? Of course. It’s a highlight. But there are other things to do on the ship. And of course cruise contracts state that ports of call are subject to change at any time. But a 20% discount on a future cruise with the OBC is more than fair IMO.
If the Eiiffel Tower was included in a tour they might get a refund or a discount on another tour.
Might is the key word. Disney doesn’t have to give any compensation for any missed port. They are doing it as a measure of goodwill to guests and to try to capture future trips. But people should not expect any compensation
It was the cruise line's fault though not a weather issue. Airlines issue refunds for mechanical problems not weather issues. If I booked a room at a hotel and the room had some mechanical issue like a water leak or power outage not weather-related I would expect a refund.
You're making a lot of assumptions about what people can afford.
That's different than a mechanical issue.
I was looking at the Wish for a Family of 4 at the beginning of January next year. It's when my kids are on college break. It's around 5k for an Ocean view room. Add in airfare hotel and all the other expenses that's a ridiculous cost for a 4-day cruise. I would never do it. My 12-day European cruise is less than that.
I understand but a cruise contract says that cruise lines can change ports and itineraries for any unforeseen reason (including mechanical) at any time. You agree to this every time you book a cruise. You are signing up to be on a ship for a certain number of days. You can be mad or disappointed about changes—that’s understandable. But you cannot expect to get a bunch of money back.
This right here. This is actually very important. Disney had ZERO obligation to give people on that cruise ANYTHING. Officially they have met their contractual obligations. Regardless of it was weather, mechanical, or any other reason. Now is it a bummer? Yes, I'm not saying it isn't.
just curious where do you get this information? there are many families who travel with more then 2 kids, or perhaps one grandparent in the same cabin. It amazes me when we are on a ship, & see how many families are with more then four peolpe.
There are a limited number of rooms that sleep 5. I was responding to a poster about families of 5 not being eligible for GT rates. If you are getting two rooms that's not an issue. Almost every time I've booked a GT rate on the Dream of Fantasy we've been given a room that sleeps 5. Many times there have only been two of us......go figure. Why they don't let families of 5 book those rate is a question only Disney can answer.
Because it limits the flexibility that disney wants in assigning cabins to balance out the lifeboats. Right now with a VGT they can use those rooms for two- four people or they cannot use those rooms at all if they don’t like the lifeboat balance.
I don't think we need to do any math on behalf of DCL. The $100 OBC is a drop in their buckets. Especially at their price point and more especially at the price point of Wish.
Mechanical is not necessarily a company's fault (unless it was due to poor business practices on behalf of the company), is anyone saying it is and I missed it? Mechanical however falls more on the side of the responsibility of the company and normally changes people's perception of what the company should do.
But, this was something beyond the passengers control and not "an act of God" such as a weather event that prevented the ship from leaving Nassau. By the time the ship left, there was not enough time to get to CC. The responsibility is on DCL. I was originally on the side that the future discount & OBC was fair. Then last night I watched Chris and Amanda Provost of Provost Park Pass (YouTube) and they were on the cruise. They made some good points about compensation - or lack of. They have an interesting perspective on the whole situation. I think we may need to look at it beyond this board, most of us are big Disney fans who visit and are fortunate enough to cruise or take Disney trips on a fairly regular basis. And we are willing to forgive Disney more than most. There are families out there who save for literally years and that cruise was most likely a one and done. 20% off a future cruise and $100 (which is about 4 drinks) is debatable as fair compensation, regardless of a contract or meeting contractual obligations. Tell that to your heartbroken kids. Not sure I'd be so happy sitting in port for basically 2 days out of my 3 day cruise. Maybe they should have given 20% back on that cruise.
Agreed. There are lots of people in the FB group claiming that because the Wish is new she shouldn't be having mechanical issues. And yes, while newer ships should be in better condition, the newness of a ship (or a car) doesn't mean something won't break without warning (or the ability to prevent).
