Does going through a TA lessen your chance of an upgrade?

[poohnpiglet3]

Hi all!
I'm just wondering if going through a travel agency instead of directly through DCL will lessen our chances of getting an upgrade.

We have a "GTY" room right now, cat. 11 and they say there is only enough space in the room for one crib. So obviously we're hoping to get some sort of a (free) upgrade so two will fit in there!

I'm getting a price that is a little bit less from a travel agency than what I have right now (reserved) at DCL. I have to make my decision today, though.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance!

Sherri

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Sorry I can't refrain from asking: are your babies twin?

They are so CUTE!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

In order to get much more room, you would have to be upgraded to a category 4 - that's pretty unlikely. Category 11 is about 20 square feet smaller than categories 5-10 so you won't gain much room with an uprade. Do you think one of the babies can sleep on the sofa bed with a bed rail? DCL will provide a bedrail too. Good lucck! Your babies are adorable.

Denae

 

[mom2rb]

My twins slept in a port-a-crib when we would stay at the grandparents house until they were about two. They also shared a twin bed until they were 3 1/2.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Thank you! That helps. I was just worried.

Mom2RB, I see you're going to SSR the exact same day we are going there!!!

How fun -- and we both have twins! What a coincidence! How old are yours now?

Sherri

 

[Cruisin]

To answer your original question about booking through a travel agent or Disney Cruise Lines....I have always booked through a travel agent and 2 out of 5 cruises I was upgraded.

 

[MrsPete]

Well, one person isn't much real proof, but I booked through AAA and I did receive an upgrade. The more important question might be, are you traveling in high season or low season?

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Originally posted by MrsPete
are you traveling in high season or low season?

Does travelling in high season have a higher chance of being upgraded?

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Just a thought (no real experience).

It seems like you are most likely to get a free upgrade if you go through TA rather than DCL because the typical reservation at the TA is "GTY 11" and you haven't been assigned a room. But if you book with DCL, you get your cabin assignment at the time of booking (at least I always pick my cabin from those available when I make my reservation, I don't know, can you even bok with GTY through DCL).

I assume the way this works is that a certain number of rooms are reserved for TA (without specifiying which rooms). When it's time to print the docs, DCL assigns specific rooms numbers based on what is left (what cabins didn't get reserved by number through DCL). If more people booked for cheaper catagories than the number of cheaper catagories were left available, the excess is made up by upgrading the excess to one of the higher level rooms the didn't sell.

I realize that this is a little over-simplifed and would love to hear any more specific details from anyone "in-th-know".

 

[Cruisin]

HooKooDooKu
We have always booked thru the TA and I don't remember for everytime but mostly we are given our cabin number right away.
Now it may not work that way with every TA but it seems ours does it this way.
Since our upgrades were on our first 2 cruises out of 5 I don't remember anymore if we were given our cabin numbers for those cruises or not when we booked.
We got an upgrade on our last cruise but only because somebody had smoked in our cabin and there was no way we could stay in there, so they moved us and in doing that upgraded us. I don't think that really counts as an upgrade though.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Well, first of all, they are twins.

Secondly, I booked a GTY room through DCL. RIght now I just have to pay the $$ and it's mine. I have a TA (Cruise Planners) who can get it for $60 less. I'm only paying $1250 (not incl. the discount) for 4 people -- that's my DH and I and our twins. I think it's a good deal. I also was contacted by Sandi of All Seasons. She seemed great!!

I was contacted as well by Sue Ellen of Dreams Unlimited, but I asked several times for a price and was never given one, despite giving details, and I haven't received a follow-up email now in about 36 hours. However, I would have no problems going through DU because I've been very pleased with their display of ethics (and of course, their support for these boards!!) Perhaps I'd just request a different agent.

ANyway, I have a cat. 11 GTY room and hopefully we'll get some sort of upgrade. It would be such a nice surprise! However, I am very pleased with the deal we got and would be perfectly happy with whatever we get. I'm just so happy to get out of this Michigan weather I could puke.

I really appreciate all of your advice. We'll be setting sail in less than 3 weeks now. I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherri

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Hi poohnpiglet3

I am sorry to hear that Sue Ellen has not gotten back you yet on your inquiry. I know that she has been very sick with the flu (she can't seem to shake it) but I thought she had a message on her email with an alternate person to contact - perhaps that isn't working properly.

Please feel free to write to me directly at john@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com so I can look into your request.

Thanks
John

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by poohnpiglet3
Hi all!
I'm just wondering if going through a travel agency instead of directly through DCL will lessen our chances of getting an upgrade.

We have a "GTY" room right now, cat. 11 and they say there is only enough space in the room for one crib. So obviously we're hoping to get some sort of a (free) upgrade so two will fit in there!

I'm getting a price that is a little bit less from a travel agency than what I have right now (reserved) at DCL. I have to make my decision today, though.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance!

Sherri

I'm two for two on upgrades...Wouldn't have any without my TAs.....