Cat 12 Guarantee?

[KCMiller]

Hi,

I know all you DIS'ers out there will be able to give me lots of info on this. The cruise I'd like to book, at category 12 (we always go short on accomodations, and then spend the money we save on excursions and stuff), is listing as GTY, which I understand means that they will guarantee to put us there or better.

On some cruise lines, and some ships, this would be a REAL pig in a poke (The SS Norway comes to mind . . . when they were still sailing, they had some bizzarre cabins down in the bowels of the ship...), but how much of a risk is this on DCL? And has anyone done this, and where did you end up?

Thanks much!

KC

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I want to know this too because I have a GTY CAT 12 booked for next March. I will be happy just to be on the ship and I do plan to bring a small fan to drown out any noise. I read in the DCL passporter that there are only 13 CAT 12 cabins on the ship. I know that when Disney releases the "Magical Rates" which is what I booked, they release them for up to 50 cabins per sailing. I think that means that you a great chance of being upgraded!! If not, I heard that Deck 1 was quiet and wonderful. I can't wait to go and I am sure we will have a great time.

 

[kcashner]

Ok, first of all.....you will probably be upgraded to at least an 11. A cat. 12 is on deck 2 and only holds 3 people. Yet, a family of 4 can book a 12gty. Even though there are usually 2 of us sailing, we have never actually sailed in the 12. We've always been "at least" in an 11.

No, it won't be a dump. All of the 11 and 12 cabins are basically the same. A small number have a slightly different orientation (basically, they are turned sideways.) Despite what some guidebooks say, I don't feel that there is any such thing as a "bad" cabin....or maybe in 12 trips, I've just been lucky. I've had far more noise from rude guests than from ship noise. Also, if there is a problem with your cabin for any reason, do tell Guest Services.

What you know--you will get at least a 12. Ok, so there's nothing less....but a gty 9 means at least a 9, etc. You at least theoretically have the best chance for an upgrade because DCL likes to keep some "entry rate" cabins available in order to keep filling up the ship.

Basically, on DCL, a cabin is a cabin. Cat 6-12 all have just about the same square footage in "living" space. THe differences on the web site are that cabins with a verandah include the verandah in the calculations, cabins with the split bathroom (10 and above) include the bathroom space. THe split bath is nice, but that really isn't "living" space. The cabin furnishings are basically the same, the layouts are about the same. There are some minor variations, but nothing bad. Yes, I've been on 2 other cruises (before DCL)...and I wouldn't sail in ANY cabin on those lines again.

My DD really likes "a window." However, I keep pointing out that she can have 2 cruises in a 12 gty or 1 with a balcony. SInce she spends almost no waking time in the cabin, she agrees that 2 trips are better. If you are a young romantic type or have a young child who naps, you might want the verandah--it would be lovely to have a private breakfast on the verandah or to hang out there while your child sleeps. If you have more than 2 people, you might feel the split bath is a necessity. However, I've never been disappointed with my cabin on DCL. I've been in a 6,8,9,11. For the cost, I'll take the gty 12 any day.

Do remember that the standard cabin on DCL is 30-50% larger than the standard on many other lines. A standard cabin on DCL compares to a junior suite on one other line. No, they are not huge grandiose rooms....but they are plenty adequate.

 

[TJHutch]

We booked a cat 12 gty on our last cruise and was upgraded to cat 10. We were on the first floor and it was very quiet. We would not hesitate to book another gty in the future.

 

[Aisling]

You at least theoretically have the best chance for an upgrade because DCL likes to keep some "entry rate" cabins available in order to keep filling up the ship.

I never understood the GTY thing. If all the cat.12s are booked, and someopne wants to book one, why wouldn't DCL just give THEM the upgrade, instead of upgrading already booked. I know, I'm slow! But I don't understand!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Well, they still charge more for the higher level cabin. They want to get that higher rate for those who want to ensure that they get the catagory they are willing to pay for.

 

[prov3v56]

We just returned from sailing on the Magic in a catagory 12 room. This was my first cruise with Disney, but my thrid cruise overall and I really enjoyed our room. They are all on deck 2, not one, in the front of the ship (but there were still probably 5-6 oceanview cabins further in the front of the ship). I did not find them to be noisy at all, in fact compared to other areas where I walked (mostly in the rear) our spot was very quiet. They are also very convienent to the restaurants and the Walt Disney Theatre. After having a wonderful week in my catagory 12, I don't know that I will be able to bring myself to spend the extra money (and it is a lot more) to be on the outside when there are many more things that I would rather do (excursions, shopping etc).

The one thing that I will say is that it was my DH and DD-2 in our cabin so only having one bathroom wasn't an issue. I could see when my kids (DS-5 said in grandma's cabin) are older how having the 2 bathrooms would be a bonus, but then I will probably book a catagory 10.

Just my opinion, but we were very happy with our cabin!!

If anyone has specific questions about a catagory 12, feel free to ask.

 

[bicker]

I never understood the GTY thing. If all the cat.12s are booked, and someopne wants to book one, why wouldn't DCL just give THEM the upgrade, instead of upgrading already booked.

Often, the GTY rate is higher than the "last-minute" rate, so they'll upgrade the GTY passenger, and sell the lower class cabin to the last-minute passenger.

 

[crisi]

Plus, they want to reward people for booking early. It helps with their projections. If the deal was "wait until the last minute and you can book a category 12 cabin, pay for it, but there won't be any left and you'll end up in a nine (or better!)," who in their right mind would book early?

 

[mom2bcr]

Here's a question....

We are a family of 5 and would need 2 cabins.

If I booked 2 cat. 12 guaranties, would they upgrade both at the same time, since they are on the same booking reservation? Would there be any guaranty that they would be close to each other??

I'm trying to decided whether it would be best to book specific rooms that connect, or save the money and take a shot at a gty?

 

[kcashner]

We booked a gty with linked ressies and were place right across from each other. Our friends had a 5 or 6, we had gty 11 (which was what was cheapest 18 months ago.) You might call and ask your question, but my experience and logic would make me think that you'd be near each other.