Great suggestions, everyone. I did fax a letter yesterday to the individual who wrote to us. I did request a refund of the difference between a category 6 and 7. Here are a few of the excerpts:
"I am writing in response to your letter of July 17, 2002. Specifically, I am writing to discuss a misrepresentation by one of your Cast Members on the afternoon of August 21, 2001 and
DCLs resolution of the issue. At this time, I am requesting that DCL refund to me the difference between the Category 6 unobstructed, full view verandah that I was promised and the obstructed view cabin which we had (I respectfully suggest that the cabin we had should be marketed as a category 7).
After sailing with my family and three other families on the 5/26/01 Magic eastern itinerary, I called on August 21, 2001 to check on cabin availability for June 22, 2002. According to my phone log, I spent more than 16 minutes on the phone with a DCL representative. We reviewed cabin availability and when the Cast Member suggested cabin 6634, I noted that it was pretty far aft and specifically asked whether it was a full-view verandah. The Cast Member told me it was an unobstructed view verandah with plexiglass, rather than steel bottom. I clarified that this verandah was just the same as the others further forward that she and I had discussed. On the representation that the verandah was full view and unobstructed, I made a deposit
* * *
We continued to call Ericka to inquire as to the status of the investigation and she called us several times, always pleasantly, to find out if we were enjoying our cruise. Every time I spoke with her I clarified that we were NOT satisfied with the cabin and that we insisted on the opportunity to talk with someone at DCL with authority to address the issue. She assured me we would receive a phone call from DCL within a week of disembarkation.
To say we were upset and frustrated while on the ship would be an understatement. This was the first time we splurged on a verandah and we had spoken so frequently of breakfast alone together and pre-dinner drinks with our friends on the verandah, looking out at the ocean. The reality is that we spent NO time on the verandah and often kept the curtains closed since mostly all you could see was white metal coming down from the ceiling to the floor, on an anglea view that caused me continued anger and unhappiness. Our friends who visited our cabin could not believe we had paid full Category 6 price for such an obviously substandard view and that we were stuck with that verandah even though we booked ten months in advance! Neither could we. Throughout the week, friends and acquaintances asked how DCL was resolving the issue and we continued to tell them that we hoped to have a satisfactory resolution within a week of disembarkation. We continue to receive inquiries from other cruisers asking how DCL has handled the matter. I am disappointed that even today, more than a month after we boarded the Magic, DCL has not responded satisfactorily.
We booked this trip 10 months from the sail date and there is NO reason we would or should have paid the full category 6 price for that obstructed verandah when we could have easily chosen another cabin with a full verandahthat you might think we would have knowingly made such a choice defies logic and is insultingwe booked a verandah cabin for the verandahNOT for 268 square feet of living space! Moreover, if we had been uneducated as to the fact that verandahs may vary by stateroom, the situation might be different. Because I was aware that there were different kinds of verandahs, I specifically asked about cabin 6634 and the CM misrepresented that 6634 was the last full view, unobstructed verandahI have that in my notes of the conversation! What is worseeven today, the CMs at your reservation line are misrepresenting that verandah.
Nor do the tokens which Guest Services arranged for begin to compensate for the misrepresentation. None of these items was wanted or used. And, notwithstanding that Ericka ASSURED us someone would call us at home to discuss our issue, instead of a call, we received a letter purporting to justify the situation. * * * My husband and I have already booked two cabins for April 2004, and have every reason to believe our travel party will grow significantly before then. If this issue is not satisfactorily resolved, neither we nor our friends will sail with DCL again.
What do you all think?
I faxed the letter to DCL last night, including my daytime and evening phone numbers. I wonder if they will respond.
