We need to vent - no flames please.

[Summerl30]

I disagree with you on upgrades. I think that they are well within their rights to upgrade whom ever they want. I think its nicer when anyone *could* get it...I was on a RCC a few months ago and the couple in the biggest suite on the ship had 33 cruises and they said it was their first upgrade and they were ecstatic!

As far as the downgrade, I think that's odd and I would certainly look into it further. Something about that isn't right.

 

[dvcdisney]

I would definitely call back. Pay close attention to the bolded part:

Sorry, there are no Category 09A staterooms available for selection at this time. You may either change the stateroom category or accept a guarantee (GTY) stateroom. Selecting "Choose Guaranty" guarantees the ship, sailing date and rate. A Category 09A stateroom will be assigned by the time documents are received. Selecting "Choose Guaranty" does not guarantee the stateroom will be on a particular deck or, for multiple staterooms, that the staterooms will be located near each other


The only thing I can think of is that the CM is confusing the OGT with GTY. You may want to clarify that this is not the case.

I would be very upset as well if I was given a lower category room than I paid for.

Good Luck.

 

[dvcdisney]

Thats what I thought, the room is actually bigger.

The room is actually much bigger but it is still a lower category and lower in price.

I have actually stayed in this same room and it was much larger than our 9A from a previous cruise. But I did pay less for the 9D room.

 

[lbgraves]

The room may be larger, but the configuration is not ideal for families traveling with children. I believe that this is one of the rooms that does not have a privacy curtain.

 

[mmouse37]

I may not be looking at this correctly and if I am I am sure someone will correct me but isn't the room # 7006 the larger corner room which means it is a bigger room than say the 9A next door which is 7008?

Looking at the deck plan the category 9A rooms at the back of the ship are handicap accessible rooms only. All the other 9A rooms are at the very front of the ship

Deck 8 8008 and 8506 which are one door down from 9D
Deck 7 7008 and 7506 which are one door down fro 9D
Deck 6 6008 and 6506 which are one door down from 9A

Yes they should have been given 9A if that is what they booked a GTY in but Disney may think that is an upgrade since room 7006 is larger than 7008 or at least it looks that way from the deck plan

As far as location all the category 9D, C and 9A are in the same are of the ships other than the handicap ones, being all the way forward is where they would be anyway

We stayed in 8006, our friends were in 7006 and my son and fiance were in 7504 on the Fantasy and we stayed in 8504 on the Dream on another cruise. I now book th3ese cabin specifically as I think they they are a great value at the 9D price. They did used to be the 9A but people complained as they did not like the slanted porthole or the lack of a privacy curtain (made no difference to us). We all LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the extra space of the 9D's. The first time we booked this cabin was on the Dream when it was a 9A. We booked the Fantasy when it was a 9A and then they were recategorized to the 9D and we received a refund. I will book these in the future.

I, personally, do not think of these as a lesser cabin than the 9A's but according to DCL cabin categories it is considered "a lesser category".

In the OP's case it really makes no difference that he was downgraded as the rooms/categories in question are next to each other with the room the OP got being a much bigger room. I agree, though, that they should not have been downgraded in principal, but in this case even if they got the 9A that they booked, they would be in the same forward area unless they were put in a handicapped 9A cabin aft instead of forward.

MJ

 

[TChrist05]

Thank you all for your kind comments and great insight. First I must say that I think it is great that other people get upgrades, it is great for them and truly I am not jealous of them for getting them. My point is that DCL has a corporate policy of not upgrading guests who are frequent cruisers. I myself, and this is just my two cents is that by upgrading people who have cruised say 15 or 20 times it would be a great "thank you" for being a dedicated DCL cruiser. It would cost them nothing and would make a lot of people happy. I also think of the other angle that they feel that if they gave some cruisers the upgrade it would end up on our Disboards and they would have to entertain all the Platinum plus cruisers who chose to call and ask why they did not get the upgrade so and so got. I guess they cannot win whatever they do. We are real happy to be on the ship and my DW and I are the only people in the stateroom. From what everyone is saying it is a very large stateroom so we will be happy with the extra space. I for one will pay a lot more attention when making my reservations. We always rebook on the ship and enjoy the onboard credit and 10%--although I could get a much better deal if I would have booked it last week. I know that I will not get any kind of upgrade on this cruise since I made some noise. Disney does not reward people for speaking out and making waves. You get nothing from them when you demand something--which I never did. Just wanted to let them know that people would like to be recognized as loyal DCL sailors--and the supervisor made sure to make me aware many people have complained about this and he claims it will be addressed. Guess we will see.

 

[clten]

As others have quoted, the statement when booking a 9AGTY on your sailing is this (bolding is mine):

Sorry, there are no Category 09A staterooms available for selection at this time. You may either change the stateroom category or accept a guarantee (GTY) stateroom. Selecting "Choose Guaranty" guarantees the ship, sailing date and rate. A Category 09A stateroom will be assigned by the time documents are received. Selecting "Choose Guaranty" does not guarantee the stateroom will be on a particular deck or, for multiple staterooms, that the staterooms will be located near each other.

I would hang my hat on the statement I put in bold print. You should be getting a Category 9A stateroom, not any category 9. (For others that asked if a 9GTY was booked rather than a 9AGTY, with DCL, you have to book a specific category as they move each category/subcategory to GTY status as they fill -- a 9A may be in GTY while 9B you can still select a specific cabin. There is no such thing as a 9GTY.)

If you are willing to settle for the cabin you were assigned, that's great but I would still have them give me an OBC or refund for the price difference between a 9D and a 9A. There's usually $30-$50 between each subcategory for two people so it would be $90-$150.

I feel your pain, we are going on our 30th DCL cruise the week before you. While we booked a VGT (was finally in a position to take advantage of a DCL sale!) and I knew going in that I could be given any verandah room, I'm a little disappointed hearing what others on our cruise were assigned and what we were assigned. I would think that our status should have helped a little. Obviously it didn't.

 

[iloverags2]

If you booked a 9A GTY, you are entitled to at least a 9A stateroom; if not, then something in a higher category, not lower. You need to call back and speak with a supervisor about this.

I will add, the only time we were upgraded was on our first cruise. I attribute that to the fact we had three sailing and they probably needed to move us around to fit a family of four somewhere. Beyond that first cruise, I have always sailed with just two of us in the party...never have been upgraded gratis.

 

[carpenta]

I just remember the Seven Deadly Sins.....if someone gets an up-grade than good for them. I only expect what I pay for in life. You should speak to a supervisor and hopefully that will help. I have been in one of those corner rooms and they are bigger than most.

 

[mmouse37]

Thank you all for your kind comments and great insight. First I must say that I think it is great that other people get upgrades, it is great for them and truly I am not jealous of them for getting them. My point is that DCL has a corporate policy of not upgrading guests who are frequent cruisers. I myself, and this is just my two cents is that by upgrading people who have cruised say 15 or 20 times it would be a great "thank you" for being a dedicated DCL cruiser. It would cost them nothing and would make a lot of people happy. I also think of the other angle that they feel that if they gave some cruisers the upgrade it would end up on our Disboards and they would have to entertain all the Platinum plus cruisers who chose to call and ask why they did not get the upgrade so and so got. I guess they cannot win whatever they do. We are real happy to be on the ship and my DW and I are the only people in the stateroom. From what everyone is saying it is a very large stateroom so we will be happy with the extra space. I for one will pay a lot more attention when making my reservations. We always rebook on the ship and enjoy the onboard credit and 10%--although I could get a much better deal if I would have booked it last week. I know that I will not get any kind of upgrade on this cruise since I made some noise. Disney does not reward people for speaking out and making waves. You get nothing from them when you demand something--which I never did. Just wanted to let them know that people would like to be recognized as loyal DCL sailors--and the supervisor made sure to make me aware many people have complained about this and he claims it will be addressed. Guess we will see.

I posted the pics of our cabin in your other thread to show how big those cabins are.

We have done 28 DCL cruises and were upgraded once, I think. I don't hold out hope for any upgrades but it would be nice once in awhile to show some appreciation for being a loyal DCL guest.

MJ

 

[jnweinmann]

I would think that DCL should include an upgrade to Castaway Members who have sailed many times. Maybe it is time to create a new level of membership.
The current system rewards those with 11 or more cruises with special perks. I think it is time to reward those who have cruised 20 times or more with some new perks. Call it what you will, but it is time that DCL does something more for these cruisers.

 

[MKRuns 26]

My point is that DCL has a corporate policy of not upgrading guests who are frequent cruisers.

Is it DCL policy not to upgrade Castaway members? I've never seen it in the booklets or on their site. Do you have a link?

 

[Im_A_Princess]

16 cruises done and never an upgrade. Sometimes 2 rooms at a time for us and the kids.
I will no longer be booking rooms in advance of *GTY anymore either. They are always less than what I have paid with an advanced booking. I would rather save the money by booking closer to sailing date and take my chances.

 

[MISSREBECCA76]

I am not saying I agree with it, but from a business standpoint, I can understand why they do not upgrade frequent cruisers. They already have you hooked and you are happily spending with no hesitation. Now those first time cruisers need to be wowed so they can be hooked. They sprinkle some extra pixie dust upon them and BAM!!! now they have you and the first timers addicted to the mouse!

 

[tinkerone]

our upgrade came on our last cruise which was cruise number four. my point is that its not the new cruisers that always get the upgrades. i'm sure there are plenty that are new to dcl but certainly not all.

 

[Juney]

but it is time that DCL does something more for these cruisers.

I just don't understand this at all.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Silverfox97]

Interesting. Our 1st cruise back in 2005 (honeymoon), booked Cat 12 & was upgraded to a Cat 11. Our 2nd cruise we got the room we specifically chose (secret verandah). Our 3rd cruise we booked Cat 11C GTY & we're "upgraded" to a Cat 9C ocean view in Deck 2 of the Magic which we did not like at all. Ever since then, we choose our stateroom & put a "do not upgrade/change room" request on our reservation, which was the last 3 cruises & our next 3 scheduled as well. Point is, we were upgraded on our 1st & 3rd cruises.

I'm curious to know how DCL assigns their rooms. I'm doubtful it's done electronically by a computer, but that seems tedious to pay someone to do.........

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DMMarla07860]

My point is that DCL has a corporate policy of not upgrading guests who are frequent cruisers.

I have to say I disagree with this and the only reason I disagree with this is because my dad and I have cruised 17 times and we have been upgraded 3 times. So it's really just luck of it all.

 

[tajz90]

Do you have to book a GTY do get upgraded?

Out of 7 cruises, we've been upgraded once, but we've only booked GTY once. We were unhappy with the upgrade from deluxe inside to outside. Deck 2 is not our favorite.

 

[poohfriend]

If your confirmation shows you booked a 9A GTY, I'd argue the point that a 9D assignment is not acceptable. The language on the website indicates that you'll receive a 9A room if you select a 9A GTY - it does not say that you could receive a lesser category room. I realize many time people in GTY status receive upgrades, but this is the first I've ever heard of someone receiving an assignment that is a lesser category than they booked (which I believe is an error).

Good luck - hope it all works out!

I haven't read the whole thread...but this is the way it reads on the website and every other small print. So seriously it's just a category 9? Then why do 9As cost more.

total bait and switch no matter what the small print says.