Disney Cruise Line Changes Onboard Booking Policy for Cruisers
Disney Cruise Line has announced a change to the onboard booking policy for guests.
Effective November 12, guests who book a future cruise while onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship must complete their travel within 18 months in order to maintain the benefits they receive for booking while onboard the ship. These benefits include: 10 percent off rates quoted on disneycruise.com, up to $200 in onboard credits per stateroom, and a reduced deposit on sailings of 7 nights or longer.
DCL guests who are unable to travel within the 18 month time period will have those current onboard booking benefits removed from their reservation.
Cruise guests who have an existing onboard reservation have an additional six months to travel, which means they must sail on their existing cruise reservation with the onboard booking benefits prior to November 30, 2015. If these guests are unable to sail within this 24-month period, they too will have current onboard booking benefits removed from their reservation.
The guests with an existing onboard reservation may still modify their sailing dates within the 24-month period provided the modifications are done outside of any applicable cancellation period.
Are your cruise plans affected by this change in DCL policy? Leave us a comment!
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Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 13:44:
This makes me sad, but I completely understand the need to get people who have rebooked back and gone again.
Laura Schwartz wrote on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 18:30:
I understand DCL's need for operations; however, many people cannot afford to cruise every 18 months. I believe this policy change may make it more difficult to gain repeat custom. I wonder if the loss of these potential repeat customers will be worth it to them to keep operations streamlined?
BowlingRon wrote on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 19:29:
They are not saying that you can't move your reservation beyond that 18 month window...they are only saying that you won't get any booking benefits if you can't use the reservation within that (very reasonable) window. I don't see this as a problem at all. I think they are being quite generous. Can you imagine using any other discount (or coupon or whatever) from any other source and expecting the retailer to hold the lower price for more than a year and a half ? Not a chance.
Liz wrote on Thu, 11/28/2013 - 08:04:
We usually book our next cruise while on board. I hope they make exceptions for emergency.
I too understand the new policy.
Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 11/28/2013 - 13:39:
BowlingRon - A long return date for the benefits is not unheard of in the cruise industry. Norwegian cruise line gives guests who rebook onboard 5 years to return, and their prices are much lower. I don't mind havign a deadline for the return, I just wish it were a little longer.
Dan Heibler wrote on Thu, 11/28/2013 - 15:19:
This does affect my cruising with Disney, until you can answer one question: WHY?
The cruise I was thinking of taking my Grandchildren on can easily be switched over to Princess or Holland America.
As a good customer and a Disney Shareholder, I'm ashamed of the action.
Dan Heibler
Micky wrote on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 15:05:
This is a typical elitest move by a company that is slowly but surely making it impossible for middleclass families to enjoy the product.
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