Disney changed our stateroom booked one year ago one month before sailing

[Ifernbol]

Hello,

This is my first post. I usually check the disboard forums to gather information on all things Disney.

I decided to write because we had booked one stateroom on the Disney Dream one year ago. The reason to make the reservation so far in advance was to make sure we got one of the called "mini suites" which are Cat. 8A. We had cabin 5020. These stateroom are larger than others oceanview and you get 2 huge portholes. You also get a dividing wall between the bed and the sofa, which was very convenient to have some privacy as we travel with our 6yo son. It also has 2 tv which is also convenient. That way we can whatch different programs than our son.

All went well, final payment was made but, last weekend, when I was reserving dinner at Remy, I found out that the stateroom number had changed. I contacted Disney and was told that our cabin and the other 3 identical to ours was not gonna be available for maintenance reasons. As you can images that was a huge disappointment. I was told to talk to my TA in case I wanted to get something to make up for the change.

So far I have been proposed which a change to Cat. 5B, which we don't want since it's a smaller room or 100$ OBC which really I think is not a very good offer. I would be more than happy if I could just keep the stateroom that I had originally selected

I wanted to know if someone else has had this problem of being changed the stateroom selected and how did they managed the change.

Thanks for your help!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello,

This is my first post. I usually check the disboard forums to gather information on all things Disney.

I decided to write because we had booked one stateroom on the Disney Dream one year ago. The reason to make the reservation so far in advance was to make sure we got one of the called "mini suites" which are Cat. 8A. We had cabin 5020. These stateroom are larger than others oceanview and you get 2 huge portholes. You also get a dividing wall between the bed and the sofa, which was very convenient to have some privacy as we travel with our 6yo son. It also has 2 tv which is also convenient. That way we can whatch different programs than our son.

All went well, final payment was made but, last weekend, when I was reserving dinner at Remy, I found out that the stateroom number had changed. I contacted Disney and was told that our cabin and the other 3 identical to ours was not gonna be available for maintenance reasons. As you can images that was a huge disappointment. I was told to talk to my TA in case I wanted to get something to make up for the change.

So far I have been proposed which a change to Cat. 5B, which we don't want since it's a smaller room or 100$ OBC which really I think is not a very good offer. I would be more than happy if I could just keep the stateroom that I had originally selected

I wanted to know if someone else has had this problem of being changed the stateroom selected and how did they managed the change.

Thanks for your help!

It's a fact (on any cruise line) that, while you may select a specific stateroom, you may be bumped out of it for various reasons. Including maintenance issues.

An upgrade from an 8A to a 5B is pretty good. What was the price difference between the two (on the day the original reservation was made)? If more than $100, you MIGHT be able to convince DCL to give you that difference as an OBC.

You are aware that you're not even guaranteed the ship will sail, right?

 

[ktb2002]

There is at least one other thread that I know of where several people on the Dream have had their rooms changed recently due to maintenance. I believe the reason given was carpet replacement.

 

[Ifernbol]

Actually it is not such a good change for us. We made the reservation so far in advance to make sure we got the room we wanted which was 5020. Had we wanted to have that 5B, we would have booked that one since it was only about 150$ more that what we paid (around 3K for the 3 of us).

I know the ship is not even guaranteed to set sail, but it is also true that when you book a specific stateroom you think that you will actually get that stateroom and not a different one (if I wanted that, I could have booked a GTY which is usually cheaper). That's the reason for my disappointment.

Anyway thank you for your comment. Would like to know if other had this same issue with DCL

 

[Ifernbol]

There is at least one other thread that I know of where several people on the Dream have had their rooms changed recently due to maintenance. I believe the reason given was carpet replacement.

Thank you for that bit of information!!It Is good to know that I am not the only one being bumped out of my room!!

In that case I whish they had chosen different dates to change that carpet!!

 

[Hundredacre]

This has never happened to us but I would be quite upset if I had my heart set on a room and then they changed it after pif. Of course disney can.do whatever they want to you... but I would try for more than $100 OBC. Think of it as their opening bid. In the "real" world no one takes the first offer!!

 

[ktb2002]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/noooooooooooo-8188-to-9172.3527042/

Here is the other thread I saw.

 

[Ifernbol]

This has never happened to us but I would be quite upset if I had my heart set on a room and then they changed it after pif. Of course disney can.do whatever they want to you... but I would try for more than $100 OBC. Think of it as their opening bid. In the "real" world no one takes the first offer!!

Thanks for your advice. That is exactly what I was thinking and will probably turn down that offer.

As you said, it is a big let down that after final payment they decide to change the room and did not even get in touch with me to tell me about the change. I was the one that saw the change while checking the reservation. I thought Disney had better communication whith their "guests" than that....

Thanks for your support!

 

[MUN]

Hello,

This is my first post. I usually check the disboard forums to gather information on all things Disney.

I decided to write because we had booked one stateroom on the Disney Dream one year ago. The reason to make the reservation so far in advance was to make sure we got one of the called "mini suites" which are Cat. 8A. We had cabin 5020. These stateroom are larger than others oceanview and you get 2 huge portholes. You also get a dividing wall between the bed and the sofa, which was very convenient to have some privacy as we travel with our 6yo son. It also has 2 tv which is also convenient. That way we can whatch different programs than our son.

All went well, final payment was made but, last weekend, when I was reserving dinner at Remy, I found out that the stateroom number had changed. I contacted Disney and was told that our cabin and the other 3 identical to ours was not gonna be available for maintenance reasons. As you can images that was a huge disappointment. I was told to talk to my TA in case I wanted to get something to make up for the change.

So far I have been proposed which a change to Cat. 5B, which we don't want since it's a smaller room or 100$ OBC which really I think is not a very good offer. I would be more than happy if I could just keep the stateroom that I had originally selected

I wanted to know if someone else has had this problem of being changed the stateroom selected and how did they managed the change.

Thanks for your help!

You should ask for more. Perhaps the Walt or Roy suite is available.

Enjoy your cruise!

MUN

 

[Ifernbol]

You should ask for more. Perhaps the Walt or Roy suite is available.

Enjoy your cruise!

MUN

Lol I think those staterooms are way pricier than the one I had!! In my dreams I may be able to get one of those... But only in my dreams!!!

 

[Ifernbol]

Wow!! Thanks a lot for that link!!

 

[wilkeliza]

There isn't much you can do. You are only guaranteed a room on the ship and that is it. Disney took those rooms out for maintenance and is rebooking for the same class. It is disappointing but there isn't really anything you can do. I would be careful pushing my TA for an amount above the $100 or the room category upgrade as they could say sorry but now it is 0. They don't have to do anything in this case.

 

[ktb2002]

There isn't much you can do. You are only guaranteed a room on the ship and that is it. Disney took those rooms out for maintenance and is rebooking for the same class. It is disappointing but there isn't really anything you can do. I would be careful pushing my TA for an amount above the $100 or the room category upgrade as they could say sorry but now it is 0. They don't have to do anything in this case.

While I definitely understand your frustration and disappointment, I have to agree with this.

 

[Ifernbol]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/noooooooooooo-8188-to-9172.3527042/

Here is the other thread I saw.

There isn't much you can do. You are only guaranteed a room on the ship and that is it. Disney took those rooms out for maintenance and is rebooking for the same class. It is disappointing but there isn't really anything you can do. I would be careful pushing my TA for an amount above the $100 or the room category upgrade as they could say sorry but now it is 0. They don't have to do anything in this case.

I disagree with that. If we are only guaranteed a room on the ship, there would no be different categories with different prices. Also, we all would be supposed to book a room and wait for it to be assigned (as it happens when you book GTY).

The truth is that they let you choose your room, usually let you have the room that you selected and that's the reason why some people (as me) decide to pay more to be able to decide which room we want and reserve months in advance to be able to select the room we want.

I understand that if things worked as you said, nobody would do that.

I also checked DCL cruise contract and could not find a line saying something similar to "we can move you to a different room from the one you selected". I have read the contract a couple of time and no mention to that. If someone knows if it is written anywhere I woul be grateful to know!

Anyway, thanks for your point of view!! I really appreciate any kind of opinion to be able to decide the best possible way!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I also checked DCL cruise contract and could not find a line saying something similar to "we can move you to a different room from the one you selected". I have read the contract a couple of time and no mention to that. If someone knows if it is written anywhere I woul be grateful to know!

Well, not specifically addressing the changing of staterooms the contract says:
Disney Cruise Line may in its sole discretion and without prior notice change, substitute, postpone, cancel or deviate from any scheduled sailing, itinerary or call at any port, and may substitute another vessel for the ship, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by a Guest as a result of any such change, substitution, postponement, cancellation or deviation.

I think the bolded part may partially cover it. If they can change the ship, they can change the room.

For the most part, most cruise lines can (and do) upgrade or move people onboard the ships after bookings. Yes, you selected a specific room, and you're not going to be in it - that's not good. But totally legal.

In reality, DCL doesn't have to offer you anything, as long as you have a room (in at least the category you booked) onboard.

 

[wilkeliza]

I disagree with that. If we are only guaranteed a room on the ship, there would no be different categories with different prices. Also, we all would be supposed to book a room and wait for it to be assigned (as it happens when you book GTY).

The truth is that they let you choose your room, usually let you have the room that you selected and that's the reason why some people (as me) decide to pay more to be able to decide which room we want and reserve months in advance to be able to select the room we want.

I understand that if things worked as you said, nobody would do that.

I also checked DCL cruise contract and could not find a line saying something similar to "we can move you to a different room from the one you selected". I have read the contract a couple of time and no mention to that. If someone knows if it is written anywhere I woul be grateful to know!

Anyway, thanks for your point of view!! I really appreciate any kind of opinion to be able to decide the best possible way!

Just because they let you choose a room doesn't mean it is guaranteed. The cruise contract actually says they can change the entire ship if they want to so I would assume that means they can change a room if they would like as well. Of course if you book a certain category and are not given that category a refund would be in order but I don't think that moving you from a selected room to one of the same category would merit much more than what has been offered.

 

[Ifernbol]

Well, not specifically addressing the changing of staterooms the contract says:
Disney Cruise Line may in its sole discretion and without prior notice change, substitute, postpone, cancel or deviate from any scheduled sailing, itinerary or call at any port, and may substitute another vessel for the ship, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by a Guest as a result of any such change, substitution, postponement, cancellation or deviation.

I think the bolded part may partially cover it. If they can change the ship, they can change the room.

For the most part, most cruise lines can (and do) upgrade or move people onboard the ships after bookings. Yes, you selected a specific room, and you're not going to be in it - that's not good. But totally legal.

In reality, DCL doesn't have to offer you anything, as long as you have a room (in at least the category you booked) onboard.

That is right! That is the closest you can find on that topic. And it mentions only change of vessel.

I am sure it must be legal (because I don't imagine DCL doing something illegal), but I also thing it is not right since they actually charge you big way if you are the one making changes after final payment.

Since I know Disney prides itself for their excellent guest treatment, I think I would be sensible to think that they should have some gesture to make up things when these (rare I think) things happen.

Thanks for you cruise contract quote!!

 

[Ifernbol]

Just because they let you choose a room doesn't mean it is guaranteed. The cruise contract actually says they can change the entire ship if they want to so I would assume that means they can change a room if they would like as well. Of course if you book a certain category and are not given that category a refund would be in order but I don't think that moving you from a selected room to one of the same category would merit much more than what has been offered.

What you just explained is how a GTY (guarantee) stateroom works. Why have GTY if supposedly all stateroom are susceptible to be changed whithin a certain category?? Makes sense??

 

[wilkeliza]

What you just explained is how a GTY (guarantee) stateroom works. Why have GTY if supposedly all stateroom are susceptible to be changed whithin a certain category?? Makes sense??

I get what you are saying and 99% of the time the room you book is the room you will get and that is why GTY is offered. However, they may have to change rooms from time to time and they can. Since you booked with a TA you had to go through your TA but at the end of it you were offered an upgrade of your room category or a $100 OBC so I just don't see what past those two things they could have offered you.

 

[Ifernbol]

I get what you are saying and 99% of the time the room you book is the room you will get and that is why GTY is offered. However, they may have to change rooms from time to time and they can. Since you booked with a TA you had to go through your TA but at the end of it you were offered an upgrade of your room category or a $100 OBC so I just don't see what past those two things they could have offered you.

Honestly, I don't know what else could be offered (higher OBC maybe??). That's why I opened this threat, to have different opinions and also to find out if others had been in my same situation.

From what you say, I assume that you would have taken one of the 2 options that were offered to me. That's good to know. This way I can make myself a more precise idea of what is right to ask. Thank you!!