Question about 7A GTY

[Ofinn]

I'm sure this has been asked, but the search is disabled. I just booked cat 7a category for Sept 8. This is our third time on the cruise. The first time in a 4a and the second time a booked VGT and ended up in a 7c. Since this is our third time on the ship I would like to save a little money without waiting to the last minute to see if they offer the VGT rates. I also enjoy the fun of planning ahead. It would cost me 500.00 to move up to a 5d. Do you think this was a good choice or am I going to be really disappointed with the verandah and location? Is it possible to upgrade after they assign the room if I'm not happy with the room? I have a feeling this will not be a full ship since its right after schools go back, and its in the heart of hurricane season.

 

[TDC Nala]

Are you on the Wonder/Magic or the Dream/Fantasy? Big difference between the two as far as the 7A goes.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

Based on the departure date, I think the OP is talking about the 4-night Bahamas cruise on the Dream. DCL is still running a promotion for the very end of August through September in which there is special pricing for the lowest categories in each room type. DH and I are booked on the 4-night departing on 9/1 in a 7A GTY. I have some minor qualms, but the price was too good to pass up. I have studied the deck plans (and by "study" I mean obsessed over), and I would be happy with any of the 7A rooms except those on deck 5. If you look at the stateroom reviews, you'll see what I mean.

One other thing to consider: There are only 26 cat 7A rooms on the Dream/Fantasy. DCL has been offering the special rates off and on for quite awhile now, and they went to GTY status for the 9/1 date (and probably others) a long time ago. In fact, I was only able to get GTY when I booked two or three days after the promotion started. My suspicion is that they've oversold the category -- intentionally -- and that some of the people who booked it will get upgraded. The million dollar question is who will get the upgrades and who will be stuck with the less-than-desirable 7As on deck 5. Personally, I'd be happy with any of the other 20 cat 7A rooms.

 

[su_A_ve]

Well, you will always save more if you try to book a *GT rate. You could even try to go for an OGT and then hope for an upgrade to a verandah.

In any case, and since this would be low season, you can always upgrade at port. Typically it will be cheaper than doing it in person.

 

[Ofinn]

Based on the departure date, I think the OP is talking about the 4-night Bahamas cruise on the Dream. DCL is still running a promotion for the very end of August through September in which there is special pricing for the lowest categories in each room type. DH and I are booked on the 4-night departing on 9/1 in a 7A GTY. I have some minor qualms, but the price was too good to pass up. I have studied the deck plans (and by "study" I mean obsessed over), and I would be happy with any of the 7A rooms except those on deck 5. If you look at the stateroom reviews, you'll see what I mean.

One other thing to consider: There are only 26 cat 7A rooms on the Dream/Fantasy. DCL has been offering the special rates off and on for quite awhile now, and they went to GTY status for the 9/1 date (and probably others) a long time ago. In fact, I was only able to get GTY when I booked two or three days after the promotion started. My suspicion is that they've oversold the category -- intentionally -- and that some of the people who booked it will get upgraded. The million dollar question is who will get the upgrades and who will be stuck with the less-than-desirable 7As on deck 5. Personally, I'd be happy with any of the other 20 cat 7A rooms.

Yes you are right it's the Sept 8 Dream. I was reading through the GTY thread and it does seem like a lot of people got upgraded on Fall cruises last year. I think I would only be unhappy if I got one of the 7A's with the bench seating on the verandah. The dreaded deck 5 rooms. I have been checking out some of the stateroom reviews, and those are the only ones that seem bad to me. I'm guessing if I receive one of those rooms I can just pay to upgrade?

Does anyone know if DCL will let you upgrade at check in at a reduced fee? I know other cruise lines will. We did this cruise last Sept and the ship was not full. I think the chances of this one not being sold out are pretty good.

 

[Ofinn]

Well, you will always save more if you try to book a *GT rate. You could even try to go for an OGT and then hope for an upgrade to a verandah.

In any case, and since this would be low season, you can always upgrade at port. Typically it will be cheaper than doing it in person.

Thanks I posted that question at the same time you answered it.

 

[su_A_ve]

Based on the departure date, I think the OP is talking about the 4-night Bahamas cruise on the Dream. DCL is still running a promotion for the very end of August through September in which there is special pricing for the lowest categories in each room type. DH and I are booked on the 4-night departing on 9/1 in a 7A GTY. I have some minor qualms, but the price was too good to pass up. I have studied the deck plans (and by "study" I mean obsessed over), and I would be happy with any of the 7A rooms except those on deck 5. If you look at the stateroom reviews, you'll see what I mean.

Hmm - only think I can find is the $50 OBC offer for September. But that's it... In fact, 8/26 only shows concierge available??? doesn't make sense - it's low season and prime hurricane season. Could be a bug or they are making changes... Weird...

 

[Lisa Lisa]

Hmm - only think I can find is the $50 OBC offer for September. But that's it... In fact, 8/26 only shows concierge available??? doesn't make sense - it's low season and prime hurricane season. Could be a bug or they are making changes... Weird...

The OP and I both booked under the "Fall Perks" promotion. Here is the 411 from DCL's web site:

When you book a cruise through March 15, 2013—valid for select 3-night and 4-night Bahamian sailings on Disney Dream—you'll enjoy great rates AND receive an onboard credit that you can apply to a variety of onboard activities and experiences, like spa treatments, shopping and adults-only dining. Explore your options:

3-Night Bahamian Cruises — most sailings departing from Port Canaveral between September 5, 2013 and September 26, 2013:
• Receive a $100 credit when you book any Verandah Stateroom, starting at $499 per person based on double occupancy for a Category 7A Verandah Stateroom
• Receive a $100 credit when you book any Suite


4-Night Bahamian Cruises — most sailings departing from Port Canaveral between September 1, 2013 and September 22, 2013:
• Receive a $100 credit when you book any Verandah Stateroom, starting at $599 per person based on double occupancy for a Category 7A Verandah Stateroom
• Receive a $100 credit when you book any Suite

What's interesting is that I'm almost positive that DCL has changed the specifics since this promotion was introduced a couple of months ago. I'm pretty sure that it originally started with sailings departing the last week in August, and I'm positive that it originally included the lowest category of both inside and outside staterooms. For the 4-night cruises, the lowest inside category was $499/person for the first two people in a room (+$50 OBC) and the lowest outside category was $549/person (+$50 OBC).

 

[Ofinn]

I just wanted to add make sure you click on the special link when you book or the 100 OBC will not be on there. I did not do this and it did not show up on my reservation. I had to call and they said they would add it. They sent me another email and it still just did not show up. Luckily I had only put a hold on it. I am not a trusting person. I need written confirmation. I booked another reservation through the link and the OBC showed up on my confirmation. I paid the deposit on the second one.

 

[maggie_sam]

I originally booked the verandah offer on Feb 17th on DCL web site. They were not offering OBC for an inside stateroom, and all October dates were coming up as sold out. Chose the Sept 8th sailing since a friend is sailing on that date, and the airfare was almost $200 per ticket higher for the Sept 1st.

After making the deposit, the confirmation that came through showed a Navigator's Verandah that slept 3. As I was uncertain as to whether a member of my family could get the time off from work, I booked for 3 and thought I could add her on. I called and spoke to a wonderful cast member who was very helpful and changed so that I would get a verandah that slept 4, but when the confirmation came through it now shows GTY. I called again and was told that there are different categories of GTY, and this was not the restricted category that had to be paid in full at the time of booking.

Last cruise I was in the restricted category and we didn't receive cabin # until a week before the cruise. It was worth the discount, but they had signs up in the cruise terminal that there would be no upgrades available, which disappointed many who were counting on upgrading.

I am hopeful also that the assignment works for us, we tend to spend more time in the stateroom as my daughter is disabled and fatigues easily (which is why cruising is the ideal vacation for us!) Love DCL, this is our 3rd cruise and going for gold!

 

[maggie_sam]

An important thing that I forgot to mention in my previous post is if you booked this make sure that your res is showing the OBC. Originally I saved the reservation, and I was incorrect in the previous post about the sequence of events. When I logged in and retrieved the saved reservation to book, that is when I saw the Navigators Verandah had been assigned. There was a link to change stateroom, and I clicked on it thinking I could choose, but it did not allow me to do so. I booked the Navigators Verandah, knowing that I would call to straighten out. What I didn't realize is that when I clicked on the change stateroom link, it removed the DRM code from my reservation. When I called, I happened to mention to the cast member what a great deal that was, and she told me that it had not been applied to my reservation, and fixed for me. I now see it on my final confirmation.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I actually just booked the 7A offer for the 9/1/13 Dream sailing as a girls trip. I wanted to mention that the OBB $100 credit doesn't show on the reservation or confirmation if you book over the phone. My agent was very thorough and explained this to me so I wouldn't panic when I received the email confirmation. He reminded me OBB credits don't show on the reservations but they show it in their system. This has been true for any cruise I booked while on board and received the 10% and $200 OBB.

Just wanted to mention this so others don't panic I printed the special offers page and just attached that to my reservation as a "just in case" but I don't expect any issues since I've confirmed over the phone it's indeed part of the reservation.

Heather

 

[maggie_sam]

My confirmation did show the OBC, just not the amount. It appears toward the end of the confirmation email, just before the Ground Transportation section. This is what it says:

Disney Dream Offer: Includes a non-refundable, non-transferable stateroom onboard credit.

I hope that I didn't cause any worry, thanks for the other post's suggestion to attach the offer.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

My confirmation did show the OBC, just not the amount. It appears toward the end of the confirmation email, just before the Ground Transportation section. This is what it says:

Disney Dream Offer: Includes a non-refundable, non-transferable stateroom onboard credit.

I hope that I didn't cause any worry, thanks for the other post's suggestion to attach the offer.

No worries and WOW - you are right!! I just checked and sure enough ours says the exact same thing - of course it doesn't have the amount, but at least it has it there! Interesting because he was specific it would *not* be on the confirmation. Nice to see they added it and thanks again for describing exactly where it was located!

Thanks,
Heather