1st timer with questions

[roboprime]

Hi everyone. I’m new to the whole cruising and DISboard experience and I have a bunch of questions. I’ve tried looking for the information but it seems to be all over the place and to be honest it’s all overwhelming.

So, I booked a last-minute cruise for my family of 4 on Aug 5, a little over 30 days beforehand, under a GTY rate since I figured I wouldn’t really know any better with regard to cabin assignment. Well, after reading a bunch of posts on here it seems like there are definitely more desirable cabins on the ship with regards to proximity to other locations, noise levels, etc...So, now a little stressed, here are my questions.

1. I still have not received cabin assignment and we’re less than 2 weeks out. Is this normal? From what I’ve read it seems to vary but I’ve been obsessively checking every day and it’s driving me crazy.
2. Once cabins are assigned, is that it? Meaning, if it’s a less desirable location, can an appeal be made to change it (based on availability, of course)?
3. Speaking of, what are the more desirable locations on a ship? We’ll be on the Disney Dream. I have small children traveling with me and I’m most concerned about seasickness and noise levels.
4. Dining related - How likely would it be to get a table to ourselves if requested? I’ve already called to ask but I’m guessing that’s not an automatic ok. But, more of a “We’ll make a note and accommodate if we can.” We’re in the late dining group.

I think that’s it. Some of the questions may be moot but I can at least keep them in mind for the next time.

Thanks!

 

[Mommb]

As described in the following thread, there are 2 kinds of "guarantee" rooms with separate rules:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/guarantee-status-vs-igt-ogt-vgt.2914256/
If you have booked a GTY room -- that is, a reservation at a non-discounted price that is not for a specific room, you can ask to switch to another room once your room is assigned. However, a category is placed at GTY status only when there are very few available, so it is likely that there won't be a better room in that category to move to. It is also possible, though, that someone else in the category upgraded to a different category, so if you're not happy, it's worth asking about other options.

If you have booked a discounted room (IGT, OGT, VGT) then you are committed to whichever room is assigned to you.

I have sailed fore, after, and mid-ship and haven't noticed significant differences in noise level and vibration. However, I've always been on deck 6 or above, so I can't speak for the lower decks.

Most dining requests are not automatic, because tables aren't assigned until shortly before the cruise. Disney Cruise does try to accomodate requests if they can, and a request for a private table is likely to be granted.

 

[monkeydawn]

I'm a Dis cruise newb too but I think I can answer some of your questions.

From what Ive read a gty can be assigned as late as at port.

You could always ask for another room assignment, especially if you get a room assigned before cruising or if when you arrive at the port you find out that the cruise is not sold out. But you may be paying for that upgrade. From what Ive read getting to the ports earlier to ask about capacity and if you can upgrade is best.

Low and mid ship is best for seasickness. But unless you are near a storm these ships are pretty stable.

I hope that helps calm you a little!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

1. Dining related - How likely would it be to get a table to ourselves if requested? I’ve already called to ask but I’m guessing that’s not an automatic ok. But, more of a “We’ll make a note and accommodate if we can.” We’re in the late dining group.

[/QUOTE]

We're a family of 5 and have received our own table request on 9 straight cruises. Also, Late Dining *seems* (my impression) to be less full than Early dining so I'm confident you'll have your own table

Enjoy your cruise! Beware! It's addicting

 

[roboprime]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies so far!

I booked everything so quickly I just hope I didn't screw anything up.

Fingers crossed for good weather!

 

[lanejudy]

If you booked a *GT rate (special offer, discounted rate) - those typically aren't assigned until about 10 days out. You should find out this week, but they don't send out a notification or anything - just keep checking your reservation online. It is possible to not receive a room assignment, or have it changed, up until boarding. I wouldn't waste brain power stressing about the room assignment -- you'll be on the ship which is much better than being at home!

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MomOTwins]

Hope you get a room you like! We did not love our room vacation on our first cruise (very far forward and made me super seasick, and was a far walk for things we liked to do, but lots of people here swear by forward) but we still loved the cruise, and learned for next time that midship or aft was a better fit for us. Everyone likes something different, and you won't know until after you've tried it out if you like to be up high by the pools or down low near the indoor activities, midship for the central location, or forward or aft to have less-busy elevators etc. There are pluses and minuses to each location.

I will say I also wouldn't worry about your own table at dinner. One of the most fun parts of the cruise for us was getting to get to know our "dinner friends"; especially since DCL was really good about pairing us with a family that had kids our age so that they would have friends at dinner each night, and meet up other times on the cruise as well.

 

[roboprime]

We did not love our room vacation on our first cruise (very far forward and made me super seasick, and was a far walk for things we liked to do, but lots of people here swear by forward) but we still loved the cruise

So it wasn't something that spoiled the whole experience? How long was your cruise? Did you just try not to spend a lot of time in your cabin? What'd you do to combat the nausea?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[MomOTwins]

So it wasn't something that spoiled the whole experience? How long was your cruise? Did you just try not to spend a lot of time in your cabin? What'd you do to combat the nausea?

Sorry for all the questions!

It was a three day cruise on the Dream. I bought some sea bands at the store and it helped; as did going for a walk outside in the fresh air. I did not spend much time in the room since there was so much to do. I did have to leave dinner early once because I was too queasy but got a snack on the pool deck later when i felt better. What was nice about the 3 night is every day is a port day so the only times we were sat sea were evenings.

 

[MomOTwins]

I forgot to mention the time I felt sick at dinner was in animator’s palate which is far aft—never had a problem in the other two dining rooms that were midship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I forgot to mention the time I felt sick at dinner was in animator’s palate which is far aft—never had a problem in the other two dining rooms that were midship.

That's true on the Dream class ships. On the Magic class there are two dining rooms in the aft.

 

[InWonderlandMom]

We are on the same cruise! Only 14 days to go! We've been forward on Deck 7 on the Dream before and had no issues. We are midship on Deck 8 this time. I am worried about being so close to midship elevators myself. Last year on the Fantasy, I actually felt the most "Seasick" in a small shop on land! The twice I have cruised DCL, I have not had sickness issues. I hope you have a great time!

 

[speicher46]

You will almost certainly get your dining request especially since you are second seating. We have been on 14 cruises and the request has always been granted. All our cruises were second seating.