Category not available due to lifeboat capacity

[poohs4me]

I am trying to book multiple staterooms into a specific category. I can get all but one and then I run across the issue that the category is full. This is the category not the lifeboat station. It doesn't matter where on the ship the room is. The cabin that I cannot get into the category has two adults in it. Has anyone had this issue happen to them? If so, has it eventually opened up. I have called daily to check but nothing so far.

 

[poohs4me]

There are staterooms listed in this category on the website so its not that the rooms aren't there either

 

[Bishoparc]

Sounds like there may be multiple rooms within that category that are at max capacity for the room (meaning if the room sleeps 4, they all have 4 in them already) as to where if more of the rooms only had people using 2 out of 4.

 

[Dug720]

I am trying to book multiple staterooms into a specific category. I can get all but one and then I run across the issue that the category is full. This is the category not the lifeboat station. It doesn't matter where on the ship the room is. The cabin that I cannot get into the category has two adults in it. Has anyone had this issue happen to them? If so, has it eventually opened up. I have called daily to check but nothing so far.

Are you saying cabins are for sure available if there are MORE than 2 adults in the cabin? Or only showing if there are ONLY two adults in the cabin? I'm having a hard time understanding what you're asking from your post.

If the first, they may be trying to sell the cabins to families. I have heard of other cruise lines restricting larger capacity staterooms to those capacities (or like a minimum of 4 if it holds 5) but never heard of DCL doing this.

If the second - it is only available for two adults - it could be a matter of the kids' clubs being filled for the age group you need.

 

[poohs4me]

I am saying I am booking a series of rooms. I was able to book all but one. The ones I was able to book had a variety of people assigned to the cabin including a few cabins with just two people

The final cabin I am unable to book - I want to book two people into it.

The website shows cabins available in this category but when I try to book the final cabin I am told that there is no more availability in this category. The reservation agent agrees the cabins are available.

Does that help?

Yes I agree @Bishoparc that it seems that many people have booked the cabins in this category to a maximum capacity.

I am just curious if anyone else has had this experience? If so how frequently should I call back to check for availability or should I just give up

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am saying I am booking a series of rooms. I was able to book all but one. The ones I was able to book had a variety of people assigned to the cabin including a few cabins with just two people

The final cabin I am unable to book - I want to book two people into it.

The website shows cabins available in this category but when I try to book the final cabin I am told that there is no more availability in this category. The reservation agent agrees the cabins are available.

Does that help?

Yes I agree @Bishoparc that it seems that many people have booked the cabins in this category to a maximum capacity.

I am just curious if anyone else has had this experience? If so how frequently should I call back to check for availability or should I just give up

Were you booking them all online? One at at time? If so, I'd suggest calling DCL and seeing if they can help. It's possible that your bookings put the category over the number of specific rooms that DCL wants booked before going GTY within a category.

If it is due to the lifeboat capacity thing, it's not a category particularly that would be blocked, but an area of the ship. And the only way for them to open up more rooms in that area would be if someone cancels their reservation. I don't think that happens all that often.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Did the reservation agent (I'm assuming a DCL agent) give you any advice? I think I'd call back. As has been said here many times, information can differ from CM to CM. If you want to post which cruise and category, maybe someone here can run a test for you.

 

[MunFam]

I'm a travel agent, but I do not sell DCL as I am a group agent...so the group agent in me is wondering if you are booking more staterooms than allowed on a single booking and you need to reach out to their group sales department? I'm working with a group on another line and they are booking 6 rooms and that is considered a "groups sales booking". I would reach out to the group sales department.

 

[plutolovr]

I'm a travel agent, but I do not sell DCL as I am a group agent...so the group agent in me is wondering if you are booking more staterooms than allowed on a single booking and you need to reach out to their group sales department? I'm working with a group on another line and they are booking 6 rooms and that is considered a "groups sales booking". I would reach out to the group sales department.

Disney does not have a group sale department.

 

[lanejudy]

OP -- have you tried booking just 1 person? If that were to go through (you don't need to finalize the booking, just cancel back out), then I would surmise it is a lifeboat capacity situation. Rooms are available, yes, but unfortunately not for 2 passengers. You don't mention how many rooms total or what category or if you are trying to get them all on the same deck, but maybe you could select a different category for that stateroom, and then watch for opportunity to upgrade if there are cancellations later. Good luck!

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MunFam]

"If you would like to book more than 4 staterooms for the same cruise, please make multiple reservations, call us at (800) 951-3532 or contact your travel agent" I'm stumped if you have already called DCL.

 

[clten]

If you are set on this particular sailing, I would book that last room in a similar or lower category -- if available. That would lock in the price level today. So if a cabin in the category you are looking for opens up in a month, your price will be at today's prices, not the prevailing rate on the date of the change (which may have gone up while you were waiting for the room). Once you have any reservation for these 2 people, you might have a better time talking to a DCL agent to get it switched to what you need.

 

[poohs4me]

Even one won't book. Definitely something. PIF is getting close so I will check close to that and see if some open up

 

[cgolf]

Were you booking them all online? One at at time? If so, I'd suggest calling DCL and seeing if they can help. It's possible that your bookings put the category over the number of specific rooms that DCL wants booked before going GTY within a category.

If it is due to the lifeboat capacity thing, it's not a category particularly that would be blocked, but an area of the ship. And the only way for them to open up more rooms in that area would be if someone cancels their reservation. I don't think that happens all that often.

To add on to this, are you trying to book the rooms in the same area? If yes, have you tried the same category either on the other end or side of the ship? Like Shmoo said that would tell you if it is a lifeboat thing.

 

[poohs4me]

Its same category, location is irrelevant.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Its same category, location is irrelevant.

Location is relevant if you're talking about lifeboat capacity.

 

[poohs4me]

Location is relevant if you're talking about lifeboat capacity.

That is what I mentioned to the multiple reservationists. If it is not lifeboat capacity, why would a category be at capacity? No kids so not kids club related

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That is what I mentioned to the multiple reservationists. If it is not lifeboat capacity, why would a category be at capacity? No kids so not kids club related

As I speculated - when a certain percentage of rooms within a category are booked (by specific room numbers) the category goes GTY. Maybe once you booked however many rooms you booked specific rooms for (less the last one) that magic percentage number was reached. When a category is GTY you can't select specific room numbers.

Are you doing this all online? If so, maybe calling DCL directly and speaking to a live person - they can help you out.

 

[lanejudy]

You haven't mentioned which category. Is it possible the only staterooms left in that category are HA, and DCL is holding them out for someone who requires the accommodations? What is the error message you get when you try to book it?

Have you tried clearing the cache on your browser history? See if that helps. Or honestly I'd just keep calling. Again. And again. As long as you have a stateroom booked, you can upgrade if something opens so just be sure to get the next closest category available booked.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

 

[poohs4me]

No I am doing it with the live person and they are the ones who are saying lifeboat capacity. There are no GTY rooms in the category either right now. It just seems a bit weird.