Re-categorization of Disney Dream & Fantasy rooms eff. Oct 18, 2011!

[HallsofVA]

My TA just posted this about re-categorization of staterooms on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

NOTE - The emails from DCL posted in subsequent pages don't seem to mention the 20th date mentioned below. I don't know if the 20th was a typo or anything in the original message posted, or reflects an enforcement date that isn't widely published but designed to reflect a grace period or something. Personally, I'd contact DCL or your travel agent before I counted on them honoring something booked on the 19th or 20th, or you can be safe and make any bookings or adjustments prior to the 18th which is the date in the emails.

Effective October 18, 2011, Disney Cruise Line will be re-categorizing 120 staterooms due to the unique features of each stateroom. Reservations booked prior to October 20 will be price protected if the resulting change is a higher category, but will receive a rate adjustment if the resulting change is for a lower category. The five new categories are:

4E – Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah – Oversized Verandah
5E – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah – Oversized Verandah, some with solid white wall
7A – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator Verandah, Undersized or Obstructed Verandah
9C – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom, One Porthole, Obstructed View
9D – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom, One Porthole, Obstructed View – limited view of ocean

Here is a list of the staterooms affected by the change:

Previously Category 9A

Now Category 9C: 7000 – 7004, 7500 – 7502, 8000 – 8004, 8500 – 8502

Now Category 9D: 6000 – 6006, 6500 – 6504, 7006 & 7504, 8006 & 8504

Previously Category 6B

Now Category 7A: 5180 & 5680, 5188 & 5688, 6178 & 6678, 7182 & 7680

Now Category 5E: 6190 & 6690, 6192, 7190 – 7194, 7688 – 7690

Previously Category 6A

Now Category 7A: 8176 & 8674, 9164 & 9664

Now Category 5E: 8184 – 8188, 8682 – 8684, 9170 – 9176, 9670 – 9674, 10158 – 10166, 10658 – 10664

Previously Category 5E

Now Category 7A: 5024 & 5524

Now Category 4E: 5026 – 5052, 5150 – 5164, 5526 – 5552, 5650 – 5664

Previously Category 5C

Now Category 7A: 7022 & 7520, 7170 & 7668

Previously Category 5B

Now Category 7A: 8022 & 8520, 8164 & 8662

Previously Category 5A

Now Category 7A: 9012 & 9512, 9152 & 9652

 

[HallsofVA]

This was especially exciting for me, since it was just under a year ago when the Dream first floated out of the building dock, and we could finally see some of the pluses and minuses of different staterooms. I started the "Special Rooms" thread (link in siggie) that highlighted some of those rooms at that point, and became a good place for discussion about various rooms.

Thanks to everyone who complained about the problem rooms, which I'm sure led to the downgrading of those rooms!

Interestingly enough, my room on the 8/16/11 Dream sailing (8006) was downgraded from 9A to 9D, while my room on the Fantasy MV (8684) is being upgraded from 6A to 5E, so I ended up going both directions.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Yay! We have 5652 & 5654 this weekend on the Dream and 5650 on the Fantasy next April!

We knew what we were getting when we reserved them and now it feels even more like we got a bonus since we won't be paying the higher rate!!

 

[Wazzo]

Yay! This is great news! I'm very excited to see that the obstructed verandahs are recategorized. Now I won't be staring at pictures before booking to see if my view is blocked.

Thanks for sharing the news!

 

[Happy99]

This means we won't see any 2013 itineraries until after this date. I am sure they don't want to book people for 2013 and then have to change all the categories for those affected

 

[simbasmom2]

So, I have room 5052 on the Fantasy. It is currently 5E. It looks like it will then be 4E. So I am getting a "deal" right? Not a refund? Is this a new category? I tried to look up prices for a 4E and couldn't pull any up. TIA

 

[tinkerone]

i'm a bit surprised not to see 5666. we have this booked on the fantasy and after seeing pics of how the veranda of the next cabin looks in, well, lets just say i will be keeping the curtain drawn most of the time....
to me its obstructed. jmo.

 

[flexsmom]

I'm glad to see this being done.

We sailed in 9012 on the Dream last March. It was a 5A, now being recategorized to a 7A, so that should end up being a fairly decent price difference.

While I'm disappointed we paid what we did compared to the other 5As, at least it is being addressed now. In fairness to DCL, while they didn't offer any comp, I didn't ask for any when I sent in pictures of the veranda compared to other 5As, along with my opinion that this one really needed to be recategorized. I was thinking "A" to "E" or something like that! At least they did send a "thanks for your opinion" and the pay-off now is that they clearly did pay attention with a change from "5" to "7".

 

[collectoraholic]

Ahhhh, I just posted this as well. When I started to make my post, nothing had been posted yet. Guess I took too long typing. LOL!

 

[mmouse37]

I am surprised 8006 and 8504, 7006 and 7504 were downgraded.....I felt that the huge extra space of the interior more than outweighed the semi-limited porthole view. It works out for us....we have both 8006 and 7504 on our June 30th Fantasy cruise so it will be nice to get a bit back.

MJ

 

[jetskigrl]

This means we won't see any 2013 itineraries until after this date. I am sure they don't want to book people for 2013 and then have to change all the categories for those affected

That was what I was thinking also. And I believe I read that they announced the bookings for 2012 on October 19th last year. That would correspond day-wise also (on a Tuesday).

Oh, but I just re-read this part:
Effective October 18, 2011, Disney Cruise Line will be re-categorizing 120 staterooms due to the unique features of each stateroom. Reservations booked prior to October 20 will be price protected if the resulting change is a higher category, but will receive a rate adjustment if the resulting change is for a lower category.

So booking probably won't open until the 20th.

 

[mmouse37]

Ahhhh, I just posted this as well. When I started to make my post, nothing had been posted yet. Guess I took too long typing. LOL!

Must be a sloooow typer!!! This was posted at 4:31 LOL!!

MJ

 

[jenseib]

You are too fast for me. I was just going to post this. Also adding


If you are currently booked in one of the affected staterooms on or after Oct. 20, you will receive a letter or email notification. If you are re-categorized to a higher stateroom category, the current rate is protected. Clients re-categorized to a lower stateroom category will receive a rate adjustment and/or refund if the reservation is paid in full.

 

[WhitGB]

I am in 7560 on the Dream Oct 23rd cruise and got a $20 credit today. Really no idea why...

I thought it may have been due to the reclassifying but I dont see my room anywere.

 

[mmouse37]

I am in 7560 on the Dream Oct 23rd cruise and got a $20 credit today. Really no idea why...

I thought it may have been due to the reclassifying but I dont see my room anywere.

Sounds more like a refund in gov't/port taxes or fees. They usually are those small credits.

MJ

 

[collectoraholic]

Must be a sloooow typer!!! This was posted at 4:31 LOL!!

MJ

All I know is it wasn't on page 1 when I started, so I didn't see it.

 

[kwright868]

So to be clear- we are sailing in January 2012, stateroom 7004 (which has great room reports btw) and since we have already paid in full- we should be getting a refund for the difference??????

 

[dahuffy]

Just looked ours up...8502...on the DCL and Dreams sites and there appears to be no change.

 

[jenseib]

Just looked ours up...8502...on the DCL and Dreams sites and there appears to be no change.

I don't think they are making the actual change til lOct. 18 though.

 

[AmandaRG]

So, I have room 5052 on the Fantasy. It is currently 5E. It looks like it will then be 4E. So I am getting a "deal" right? Not a refund? Is this a new category? I tried to look up prices for a 4E and couldn't pull any up. TIA

Yes, your cabin has been upgraded. Since the categories have not been added, you would not be able to see one yet.