The kids and I are in one room, my husband in a single....aargh! - The DIS Discussion Forums

akeogh · 11-07-2009, 09:29 AM

I need some strategic thinking here. I booked 2/11/09 wonder for 3 night cruise using Kids Sail Free. Only thing available was Cat. 11 with just 3 in a room. Soooo.....I booked myself and 2 kids there (so one child is now not sailing free) and have my husband booked into a category 11 single. My husband raised his eyebrows at me with this!! But, even though the rooms say "3 or 4" passengers, I can't get 4 of us into it. DCL said the 4 person rooms are sold out, but that I could keep trying back to find a cancellation. Seems to me they would want to put us together so they could open up another room for sale. Do you think I'm better off with a travel agent who can keep searching the ship's cancellations, instead of my calling back every day? Do you think we might get put together in the same room at the port? Maybe we could get upgraded and put together? (But how would they know we would want to be together? How can I put this in my file?). We want to all go, since my son's 9th birthday is that Saturday night of the cruise. Any ideas? Has this happened to you? Help!

NancyIL · 11-07-2009, 09:41 AM

If you book two cabins, you are always going to have (and pay for) two cabins. DCL isn't going to cancel one of them and put the 4 of you together at the port! I would keep checking online several times a day for an opening.

bones · 11-07-2009, 09:45 AM

We do that all the time, I think it works out great. We use the single room as our private spot w/o kid access anytime during the day, if you know what i mean.

akeogh · 11-07-2009, 09:49 AM

Ooooooh! I hadn't thought of that! Ha ha ha!

kcashner · 11-07-2009, 09:50 AM

I sent you a pm. It's not the extra room that's the problem. It's the fact that you're paying for one kid as an adult and paying a single supplement for dad. That's a lot of bucks that wouldn't be needed if you could get a 4 person cabin. You're probably paying the same dollars you would be on a regular (not kids free) cruise.

I'd either keep working to get everyone into one cabin OR choose different dates if that's an option. This MUST be done before the final payment date or you're stuck paying for 2 cabins. DCL views it as 2 reservations, even though you see it as one.

cats mom · 11-07-2009, 10:04 AM

Don't wait to fix this at the port! Yes, you might be able to snag a better cabin for less than it would have cost you to book it in advance; but bottom line... no matter what do, you will be paying more than you are now.

You're already paying a single supplement, paying full adult fare for one child, and only getting one child free on the kids free deal. Yikes!

They won't let you combine cabins for a port upgrade. You'll have to keep both cabins, no matter how you upgrade. You can upgrade just one cabin, but even if the cabin you upgrade to will accomodate 4 people, you still have to keep the other cabin you have booked.

You need to get this fixed before you sail. Whether you call yourself or have a TA do it, someone needs to stay on top of it.

Some availability always seems to open up when the final payment date rolls around though, hopefully what you need.

Good Luck!

Edited to add: that's what I get for starting a post, getting distracted, finishing and submitting without re-checking the thread first. All my points have already been made.

Kika · 11-07-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcashner

It's not the extra room that's the problem. It's the fact that you're paying for one kid as an adult and paying a single supplement for dad. That's a lot of bucks that wouldn't be needed if you could get a 4 person cabin. You're probably paying the same dollars you would be on a regular (not kids free) cruise.

I'd either keep working to get everyone into one cabin OR choose different dates if that's an option.

Those are my thoughts, too. You are not really getting the full benefit of the kids sail free promo if you have to pay for an additional cabin w/a single supplement. You still have plenty of time, so I would call back and/or check online everyday for something to open up.

Dale-n-Chip · 11-07-2009, 10:58 AM

I think this is one of those occasions where having a good DCL-specialist TA would *really* come in handy!

mk

HallsofVA · 11-07-2009, 11:30 AM

I don't know if your plans are flexible or not, but I just did a search yesterday for available kids free cruises for families of 4, and there were lots of 3 days available in March, and a late Jan cruise as well.

CarolAnnC · 11-07-2009, 11:59 AM

Some travel agents do prebook blocks of rooms, so you may find one that can accommodate you and your family in one cabin on that particular cruise. Good luck to you!

lmhall2000 · 11-07-2009, 12:12 PM

Definitely just keep calling back..or even just use the website, when you see a room pop up just go ahead and put it on hold then call them with both ressie numbers and cancel the two....while booking our kids sail free in May (mediterranean) sometimes it would show all cat 12's booked up...I snagged them the next day when it popped open and the travel agent said I would need to drop them so she could pick them up....I think it happens quite often..some people book putting it on a 3 day hold then change their mind...just keep trying..
Tara

HallsofVA · 11-07-2009, 02:09 PM

If that sailing date is your only choice (because of your son's birthday), then I think you're as good as you can get at the moment. There may be some rooms that come available as you get near to your 75 day mark, but you'll have to act quickly if you see one. May be good to enlist the help of a TA, but also keep looking yourself.

Meanwhile, for your existing reservations, did you get or request connecting rooms? If you're going to pay for two rooms, you might as well enjoy them! That way you and your DH could sleep in one room and the kids could sleep in the other one.

Presentation · 11-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akeogh

I need some strategic thinking here. I booked 2/11/09.....

If you think the cruise is expensive, just wait until you get the bill for going back in time.

jilljill · 11-07-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HallsofVA

Meanwhile, for your existing reservations, did you get or request connecting rooms? If you're going to pay for two rooms, you might as well enjoy them! That way you and your DH could sleep in one room and the kids could sleep in the other one.

Cat. 11's don't connect.

Can you bring someone else along, a friend or a relative of your's, that would be willing to stay in the kid's cabin with them? The cost is going to be minimal to add them since your DH is already paying 175% fare.

That's President's weekend and Valentine's Day weekend and the reason you are having a hard time finding a cabin for 4 people with the kids sail free offer.

HallsofVA · 11-07-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilljill

Cat. 11's don't connect.

My bad. Sorry.

11-07-2009, 09:29 AM	#1
akeogh Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 25	The kids and I are in one room, my husband in a single....aargh! I need some strategic thinking here. I booked 2/11/09 wonder for 3 night cruise using Kids Sail Free. Only thing available was Cat. 11 with just 3 in a room. Soooo.....I booked myself and 2 kids there (so one child is now not sailing free) and have my husband booked into a category 11 single. My husband raised his eyebrows at me with this!! But, even though the rooms say "3 or 4" passengers, I can't get 4 of us into it. DCL said the 4 person rooms are sold out, but that I could keep trying back to find a cancellation. Seems to me they would want to put us together so they could open up another room for sale. Do you think I'm better off with a travel agent who can keep searching the ship's cancellations, instead of my calling back every day? Do you think we might get put together in the same room at the port? Maybe we could get upgraded and put together? (But how would they know we would want to be together? How can I put this in my file?). We want to all go, since my son's 9th birthday is that Saturday night of the cruise. Any ideas? Has this happened to you? Help!

11-07-2009, 09:50 AM	#5
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 15,741	I sent you a pm. It's not the extra room that's the problem. It's the fact that you're paying for one kid as an adult and paying a single supplement for dad. That's a lot of bucks that wouldn't be needed if you could get a 4 person cabin. You're probably paying the same dollars you would be on a regular (not kids free) cruise. I'd either keep working to get everyone into one cabin OR choose different dates if that's an option. This MUST be done before the final payment date or you're stuck paying for 2 cabins. DCL views it as 2 reservations, even though you see it as one. Last edited by kcashner; 11-07-2009 at 10:14 AM.

11-07-2009, 10:04 AM	#6
cats mom Mouseketeer Has a wild and vivid imagination Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 3,483	Don't wait to fix this at the port! Yes, you might be able to snag a better cabin for less than it would have cost you to book it in advance; but bottom line... no matter what do, you will be paying more than you are now. You're already paying a single supplement, paying full adult fare for one child, and only getting one child free on the kids free deal. Yikes! They won't let you combine cabins for a port upgrade. You'll have to keep both cabins, no matter how you upgrade. You can upgrade just one cabin, but even if the cabin you upgrade to will accomodate 4 people, you still have to keep the other cabin you have booked. You need to get this fixed before you sail. Whether you call yourself or have a TA do it, someone needs to stay on top of it. Some availability always seems to open up when the final payment date rolls around though, hopefully what you need. Good Luck! Edited to add: that's what I get for starting a post, getting distracted, finishing and submitting without re-checking the thread first. All my points have already been made. Last edited by cats mom; 11-07-2009 at 10:20 AM. Reason: See above

11-07-2009, 10:58 AM	#8
Dale-n-Chip Obsessive Vacation Planner Spontaneity is not in my genetic makeup! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bedford, Texas Posts: 502	I think this is one of those occasions where having a good DCL-specialist TA would really come in handy! mk __________________ me 40 DH 40 DS 9 Chip Dale

11-07-2009, 11:30 AM	#9
HallsofVA DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 1,472	I don't know if your plans are flexible or not, but I just did a search yesterday for available kids free cruises for families of 4, and there were lots of 3 days available in March, and a late Jan cruise as well. __________________ Next stops - 09/18/10 14-nt WB Transatlantic; 08/16/11 5-nt Dreamy Double-Dip! Previous Stops - 1/10/10-1/14/10 Bahamas, 1/6/10-1/09/10 AKL, 12/12/09 Western (Cat 3 upgrade); 12/06/08 Eastern (upgraded to the Roy Suite!); 12/03/05 Western (upgrade to Cat 3)

11-07-2009, 09:41 AM	#2
NancyIL DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 14,179	If you book two cabins, you are always going to have (and pay for) two cabins. DCL isn't going to cancel one of them and put the 4 of you together at the port! I would keep checking online several times a day for an opening.

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11-07-2009, 09:45 AM	#3
bones Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 124	We do that all the time, I think it works out great. We use the single room as our private spot w/o kid access anytime during the day, if you know what i mean.

11-07-2009, 09:49 AM	#4
akeogh Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 25	Ooooooh! I hadn't thought of that! Ha ha ha!

11-07-2009, 11:59 AM	#10
CarolAnnC Caught Smuggling Jello Shot Syringes From PI Likes to shoot off her glock in chat Goin' to the Chapel Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 11,409	Some travel agents do prebook blocks of rooms, so you may find one that can accommodate you and your family in one cabin on that particular cruise. Good luck to you! __________________ Carol Co-Mod - DVC Operations, Planning and Mousellaneous Boards Crissup & Carol's Vegas Wedding Photos

11-07-2009, 12:12 PM	#11
lmhall2000 May the road rise to meet you....May God hold you in the palm of His Hand. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Space town, AL Posts: 3,264	Definitely just keep calling back..or even just use the website, when you see a room pop up just go ahead and put it on hold then call them with both ressie numbers and cancel the two....while booking our kids sail free in May (mediterranean) sometimes it would show all cat 12's booked up...I snagged them the next day when it popped open and the travel agent said I would need to drop them so she could pick them up....I think it happens quite often..some people book putting it on a 3 day hold then change their mind...just keep trying.. Tara __________________ Magical Mediterranean First Cruise May 5, 2010

11-07-2009, 02:09 PM	#12
HallsofVA DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 1,472	If that sailing date is your only choice (because of your son's birthday), then I think you're as good as you can get at the moment. There may be some rooms that come available as you get near to your 75 day mark, but you'll have to act quickly if you see one. May be good to enlist the help of a TA, but also keep looking yourself. Meanwhile, for your existing reservations, did you get or request connecting rooms? If you're going to pay for two rooms, you might as well enjoy them! That way you and your DH could sleep in one room and the kids could sleep in the other one. __________________ Next stops - 09/18/10 14-nt WB Transatlantic; 08/16/11 5-nt Dreamy Double-Dip! Previous Stops - 1/10/10-1/14/10 Bahamas, 1/6/10-1/09/10 AKL, 12/12/09 Western (Cat 3 upgrade); 12/06/08 Eastern (upgraded to the Roy Suite!); 12/03/05 Western (upgrade to Cat 3)

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