How did you work up your courage?

[Mineu]

We are booked in side by side (one connecting/one not) SPH rooms for our upcoming cruise-I've been hoping that the other connecting would become available-but it looks like our ship will be quite full. So, for those who did ask to switch cabins-how did you go about it and did anyone have a negative reaction? Thanks!!

 

[newrygirl]

disney cruisers are about the happiest people I have ever met, if you get to your stateroom right at 1:30 and catch the people in the other room before they start unpacking, even post a note on their door, I don't see why they would have a problem, you could offer to buy them a round of drinks or some small token to let them know how much you appreciate it.

 

[ScouterJT]

I've never been in a SPH -- are you talking about an "even trade" or is the room you want a "real port hole" cabin and you will be asking them to trade down to a SPH?

 

[kcashner]

That would be my approach--get to the room at 1:30 with your note already written. Attach it to the door with a cute magnet or put it on the fish delivery system. Basically explain that you are a family who would like the connecting staterooms but were unable to book them since their cabin was already taken, and ask whether you can switch the two rooms (going thru GS of course). Offer to allow them to look at your room first to make sure it is satisfactory, and point out that the room without the connecting door is likely to be quieter. Offer to purchase a round of drinks, smoothies, bottle of wine, or other "thank you" gift.

Do remember that not everyone is on board at 1:30; hang out in the "old" room and wait for a reply.

My logic is that the worst they can do is say no, and then you are no worse off than you are right now. Keep trying to work it out thru DCL, but then ask. If they say no, you won't see them much or anything. Do be clear in your letter that you won't hold any hard feelings.

Obviously, this all assumes that the cabins are equal; anything else, and you're basically out of luck.

 

[Anal Annie]

These rooms are not all created equal so I am going to go out on a limb on this one and say there is probably a reason why they booked the middle cabin - and it's probably for the steamer trunk which is not in the non-connecting cabin. The other connecting cabin has the worst view out of all of them so they may not be willing to trade. Just be prepared that they may have made this a deliberate decision.

I know had a dilemma trying to decide which one to book for our Med cruise. We have been in 5520 and ended up booking 5020 - but there is no steamer trunk in either of those...and on a longer cruise that would be especially helpful. So I debated about booking either 5022 or 5522 in order to have the steamer and not compromise the view too much...but I've read that the connecting cabins can be noisy....AND I knew that families that need 2 cabins like those as a set. 5024 & 5524 have the most obstruction on the view so those are "out" in my book. But I DID miss having the steamer trunk in 5520 so it was a hard decision.

Good luck.

 

[NancyIL]

As long as the cabins are next to each other, I don't see the need for them to connect - UNLESS your children are staying by themselves in one cabin. I would have your travel agent take it up with DCL rather than ask the occupants for a switch.

 

[Subi WRX]

Sorry, I would not switch with you on the ship.

My family and work have my stateroom # in case there is an emergency, and I wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to reach them all before sail away.

 

[safetymom]

I would keep trying for connecting rooms until you leave. If you don't get them I wouldn't try on the cruise. Many people pick their rooms for a reason. I wouldn't appreciate be asked to switch at the start of my vacation.

 

[elkesails]

Sorry, I would not switch with you on the ship.

My family and work have my stateroom # in case there is an emergency, and I wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to reach them all before sail away.

There is always the possibility that one will be in a cabin other than what is assigned for any number of reasons. Cruise lines will find you in an emergency. I think most people would be willing to switch to make your cruise better unless there was a particular issue.
I like the idea of putting a note on the door asking them to consider the switch and sticking close to the cabin until you make contact. I would offer a fixed dollar amount and have the cash in my pocket. I would try to make it worth the hassle, based on my budget. I might also attach the note to a small gift (homemade cookies for example) and say something like...."thanks for even considering our request. We look forward to being your cruise-mates either way"...etc.
Once you make the contact and show them the room for trade I would make an excuse to disappear for 5-10 minutes to give them a chance to talk it over. I think the trick is to make the offer appealing and give them enough "breathing room" to realize that it might work for them.

I think there is a good chance it will work and no real downside in asking.

 

[aiken4mickey]

I agree with alot of what is being said.........

It doesn't hurt to ask! Love the note on the door with a magnet...offer of drinks..even go with Disney Gift card....or another gesture of appreciation!

I certainly would be willing to help out a family in need...assuming the cabins were equal...And, the thought of having to relearn the cabin stateroom....the door magnet could be the answer for them?!

It is ture that people do book certain cabins for many reasons...and if that is the case...probably not willing to change...which is understandable.

The only problem I see right off is catching the family when they arrive..before they settle in....

Good luck...hope it works out for you!

 

[AbsyBabsy]

Good luck with getting the room you want! You probably already know this one, but join the cruise meet and see if anyone on the meet has a connecting room they don't want - or even the room next to you. You never know when you get lucky - and if you don't try you don't get the option. I like the other poster's note about leaving a note letting them know that either way you still look forward to being next to them. It will make things less uncomfortable if they booked that particular room.

I would give you my room without a second thought.

 

[Mineu]

Thanks for all of the great replies-I think we'll just take our chances that the room will open up-or the other family will get a last minute upgrade. I'd hate to ask if they really want the room and create an awkward situation... Of course, after they hear my husband snoring-they may ask us to switch!

 

[closetmickey]

A nicely worded note can't hurt. I'd switch with you! Good luck.

 

[cmclaura]

On our last cruise, we had a couple on the one side, and her parents on the other side. We wish they'd asked us to swap, as it would have been much easier for the woman to be next door to her elderly parents.

Unfortunately, we only found out on the last morning of the cruise that they belonged together! And we'd met them the day before at lunch and had a wonderful conversation with them -- you can imagine our surprise when we realized we were all roommates.

 

[woody73]

I have changed cabins upon boarding and wondered how the new occupants of my old cabin enjoyed the gift from my TA and fish extender items I never received.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . you can imagine our surprise when we realized we were all roommates.

That would surprise me too!

Perhaps you meant to say "neighbors."

Woody

 

[goofycruise]

i wouldn't switch, you should book the room you want, pay extra if need be to get what you want. imagine giving up your room for a lesser room not achance in hell ~ also i think its rude to ask - makes you look selfish sorry just my opinion

 

[lbuher]

i wouldn't switch, you should book the room you want, pay extra if need be to get what you want. imagine giving up your room for a lesser room not achance in hell ~ also i think its rude to ask - makes you look selfish sorry just my opinion

I respectfully disagree, as I know from experience how hard it is to get connecting rooms, even way in advance. No amount of "extra" money paid can get them. And I also know that some people get assigned staterooms by either DCL or their TA without any input whatsoever about what their preference might be. You are not asking these folks to downgrade to another category - and they MIGHT actually prefer a NON-connecting stateroom and not even realize that's what has been booked for them is a connecting one. Not everyone who goes on a DCL cruise visits these boards or are as informed as everyone here is!

You never know... the folks you are asking MIGHT interpret it as rude, as the PP suggested... but they might also be very kind, giving folks who really could care less about a steamer trunk and would be more than happy to help make someone else's trip a little nicer/easier. There ARE some unselfish folks left in this world, and I don't think YOU are selfish for respectfully asking for a favor - especially if you convey that it truly is OK, whatever they decide!

I would swap with you in a heartbeat. But I also understand the legitimate reasons other folks have posted that might make someone hesitant to do so. Bottom line, I sure don't think you will have lost anything by trying, and you'll never know unless you do.

 

[Tneah]

I would considerate the offer.

As long as everything was equal and I wasn't getting less then it's no biggie to switch.

I know about the steamer trunk and it really doesn't sway me in any direction to switch or book one. By just asking us, I would feel that you had a very good reason for doing so. It's not an easy thing to ask.

I hope it all works out for you. If not, I hope the snoring does.

 

[NancyIL]

We had a steamer trunk in our cat. 9, and I thought it was unneeded and kind of in the way.