An interesting experience with GTY

[GarakDS9]

I had a surprising experience yesterday with respect to my current reservation. I booked an April Fantasy SWDAS sailing. This reservation was made March 2015 for a 5E GTY, extended aft balcony. Our family usually sails aft and we fell in love with our 5E when we were last on the Fantasy.

This was our second GTY reservation of 11 bookings. Our first was a few years ago and was uneventful. It took a lot of restraint, but I waited until 60 days prior to begin looking daily for my assignment this year. Like clockwork, at 52 days prior we received our assignment.

We were given 6070, a mid-ship 5D. Although technically an upgrade, I was disappointed with not having our coveted extended balcony. I was concerned with its proximity to the elevators so I checked out cabin reviews. Complaints were few. In fact, most loved the location for convenience but I still wanted my extended balcony.

I understand this is the risk you take with GTY. Although DCL followed the rules, I actually consider a 5D a downgrade. I went into the website to pay the difference for a potential better room. My thoughts were focused on perhaps a 4E for a different extended balcony experience. Just out of curiosity I searched all decks first.

Low and behold, I discovered three 5E rooms available. Two rooms were the less desirable deck 10 options below Cabana's. However, I was able to substitute 6070 with a nice 5E on deck 9. Although glad to be in my first choice again, I was surprised to learn that DCL didn't place me in that room in the first place.

 

[mmouse37]

It is possible that those 3 5E's were not available when they assigned you your cabin. They could of freed up via other cabin assignments happening. Glad you were able to switch. Enjoy your cruise.

MJ

 

[GarakDS9]

It is possible that those 3 5E's were not available when they assigned you your cabin. They could of freed up via other cabin assignments happening. Glad you were able to switch. Enjoy your cruise.

MJ

I thought about giving them the benefit of the doubt. However, I was checking my assignment a few times a day. I did not have a published assignment at 2 pm but did at 6 pm. Either they took days to announce my assignment to me from the moment they chose it for me or more likely they just didn't assign me the 5E. There is a larger inventory of 5d currently so why not "upgrade" me and leave a few 5E to entice last minute bookings.

 

[Hundredacre]

That is interesting. We've done gty a couple of times and have not been thrilled with the outcome.

 

[moremouse]

Crossing our fingers and toes.

We're on a GTY 5e. Last year we got a fabulous cabin, 9670. This year I don't feel so confident. I'll also be checking in on a daily basis to see if one pops up that I can just snag instead of GTY until September.

I agree. Any cat 5 is a downgrade if you wanted a 5e.

I totally go into this each time knowing that I could be very disappointed. I just thought I'd add my two cents.

 

[GarakDS9]

The 5E availability didn't show up until after the assignments were made. It would seem that the GTY status tied up those rooms. Just don't assume that you will get one if available upon assignment. Remember to check availability after assignment.

 

[Marlyn]

I booked GTY on the Fantasy. I booked a deluxe inside cabin category 10 and was upgraded to 5C deluxe verandah stateroom. I was thrilled!!

 

[KingRichard]

I would think the chances of getting a GTY ext aft are slim to none!

There is only about 20-25 of those rooms available and most book up right away. We have had 2, but booked on opening day and were gone very fast!

 

[daisyx3]

I agree...we have a 5E aft room booked for our March of 2017 cruise. It was a room I picked and not a room I would think would be assigned as a "leftover".

 

[GarakDS9]

I agree with both of you. When I booked 5E GTY I understood my chances were low. My disappointment lies with the fact that 3 5E rooms were available at the time of my assignment to a 5D. Some may argue that they weren't available when my assignment was made, but I doubt that. We are long past the paid in full date. I suspect that some 5E rooms cancelled, opening up those three rooms, but since DCL had more availability in 5D, they placed me there.

 

[browneyes716]

We booked a 5E GTY for our first Disney cruise in May 2015, before I knew what I was doing. We got an AFT ext balcony and fell in love. I just booked a 5E for a cruise Dec 2017 and now i'm nervous.

 

[RedSox68]

It is possible that those 3 5E's were not available when they assigned you your cabin. They could of freed up via other cabin assignments happening. Glad you were able to switch. Enjoy your cruise.

MJ

yes, sometimes when they start assigning cabins it causes a shift around of availability and suddenly "unavailable" cabins and categories start showing up online.

 

[Shanti]

I agree with both of you. When I booked 5E GTY I understood my chances were low. My disappointment lies with the fact that 3 5E rooms were available at the time of my assignment to a 5D. Some may argue that they weren't available when my assignment was made, but I doubt that. We are long past the paid in full date. I suspect that some 5E rooms cancelled, opening up those three rooms, but since DCL had more availability in 5D, they placed me there.

That's disappointing but not surprising. They probably know that 5E's are more in demand & would sell more easily. The same issue sometimes occurs when people book GTY 8A's on the Dream class.

 

[hanscarlet]

so this is just my anecdotal observation but this is like the third story I've read about someone trying to book a GTY 5E to get an extended balcony and them not getting it so I wonder if it is because people book up the extended balconies quickly.... however this is the first time where I've read that they had an extended balcony and decided to NOT put you there... that is odd because you would think they would have assumed if you selected 5E that is what you wanted vs deferring to the catch all policy of an upgrade is an upgrade... interesting... glad you were still able to book your extended balcony!

 

[lanejudy]

Either they took days to announce my assignment to me from the moment they chose it for me or more likely they just didn't assign me the 5E.

I wouldn't be surprised if it does take days to complete all the GTY assignments and then they are published once all are done. I highly doubt it's a "live" process where they assign the GTY and immediately post it to your account. I suspect there is a lot of give-and-take and movement that has a cascading affect, resulting in open rooms.

I'm glad you were still able to obtain the room/location/verandah you desired. Enjoy your cruise!