How hard is it to get a mid-ship cat. 3?

[bhoffman]

Just wondering if it is really hard to get one of these or not. We are about to leave (have to pack ) and will probably re-book on-board and wanted to think about doing a cat. 3 before we go so that when we get there we can just do it! Thanks! Any room recommendations?

 

[kcashner]

DCL maintains a separate list of people reqesting cat 1-3. You (or your TA) can fax a request for one of these cabins to DCL even before the dates are officially open. Once the dates are made available, DCL calls thru the list until someone wants to officially book it and put the deposit on the cruise.

So to answer your "how hard is it" question--people are continuously cancelling and changing arrangements. It is just a matter of having an opening when you are trying to book it. The earlier you call/fax, the better. If what you want isn't available at that time, you can be placed on a waiting list.

 

[bhoffman]

So would this be possible to book on board?

 

[HeelMD]

"DCL maintains a separate list of people reqesting cat 1-3. You (or your TA) can fax a request for one of these cabins to DCL even before the dates are officially open. Once the dates are made available, DCL calls thru the list until someone wants to officially book it and put the deposit on the cruise."


Does this mean we could go ahead and put a request for a time in 2007 if it is a Cat 1-3 request? I wasn't aware of this.

 

[DrCavin]

"DCL maintains a separate list of people reqesting cat 1-3. You (or your TA) can fax a request for one of these cabins to DCL even before the dates are officially open. Once the dates are made available, DCL calls thru the list until someone wants to officially book it and put the deposit on the cruise."


Does this mean we could go ahead and put a request for a time in 2007 if it is a Cat 1-3 request? I wasn't aware of this.

Yes you can fax your request now...

 

[HeelMD]

I contacted them and they directed me to fax the request to Inventory Control. Is that what you guys are referring to? Thanks for the tip.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Anyone have the fax number?
thx.

 

[bhoffman]

Still wondering if this can be done onboard or if I should book a cat. 4 and hope to upgrade and they allow me to use the discount if a cat. 3 opens up? Still confussed and leaving tomorrow!

 

[SamR]

Still wondering if this can be done onboard...

Yes, if availability is there for the cruise you want, you can book onboard. I have a midship Cat 3 for my October Eastern cruise, and I booked it while on the Wonder last June (2004). I'm sure it helped in my case that I was booking for a less popular time of year (October)...If you wanted to book one for one of the peak periods, I suspect you would have to do it via DCL Inventory Control. But if you have schedule flexibility, it is certainly possible to book onboard.

Good luck!

 

[tamu91]

How much are Cat. 3 rooms during early booking? I'd like to book a Cat. 3 for a cruise we have planned in Jun-07 but I'd like to know how much I have to fork over first.

 

[sugarplumsmom]

8532 is wonderful!!!! We just had that room on the Wonder in June and have had it twice before that. I think it is easier to get a mid-ship cat 3 on the Wonder- for the Magic, I rebooked on board the Wonder and had inventory control move my request when the dates opened up. I didn't get my first choice of weeks though...just an FYI......
I did fax inventory control in August for 2007 and 2008 but that was for Cat 1 and 2.

Hope that helps!!!
Laura

 

[SamR]

How much are Cat. 3 rooms during early booking? I'd like to book a Cat. 3 for a cruise we have planned in Jun-07...

You probably should just call DCL and ask (or send an email to Dreams Unlimited or some other TA and have them look at pricing). The price varies dramatically based on time of year. Furthermore, the number of people in the stateroom (even children) makes a difference. Also, you don't state whether you are interested in the 3 or 4-night Wonder, or the 7-night Magic itineraries.

I will say this... June rates will be pretty high (although early June is better than late June...It literally varies week-to-week!). My guess is that a Cat 3 on the Magic in June with say a couple of children would be around 10K. If you look at pricing for the Cat 4 rooms (the highest category you can easily price online) for the same itinerary, same week, and same number of passengers, you should probably expect the Cat 3 room to cost an additional 50-75% (and possibly more).

If my next cruise was during one of the peak periods, we would be in a Cat 4 again (or two connecting lower-Cat cabins). Sailing during the "off-season", along with the onboard rebooking discount were the only factors that brought Cat 3 pricing to an acceptable level for me. Of course, after this cruise, I'll probably be so spoiled, it will be almost impossible to go back to a Cat 4! But that's a risk I'm willing to take...

 

[SamR]

8532 is wonderful!!!! We just had that room on the Wonder in June ...

I've heard several others on this board sing the praises of that room. I've got the one opposite it (8032) on the Magic this October. After crawling over the pulldown bed in the Cat 4 every night (without waking the sleeping 8-year old...that was the trick) when I wanted to go out on the verandah, I can't wait for all the extra room in the Cat 3.

 

[Peg911]

The FAX # is 407 566 7739

 

[AlexandNessa]

Just a tiny, tiny bit of advice, which you probably already know, but I didn't...

When booking, make sure you tell them the specific stateroom numbers you are looking to book. Don't just say you want a "midship" Cat. 3. I did that and was initially given 8046, which is not one of the coveted midship suites, but is still considered a midship suite.

Also, in my quest to get one of "the" midship suites, I found it odd that DCL says they assign the "best available" cabin. They did not consider the 4 mid-ship Cat. 3s to be "best available" for me. I had booked 8046 and tried to switch to a "mid-ship," and they wanted to give me 8546. It wasn't until I specifically asked about 8032, 8034, 8532, or 8534, and they told me all were available. So, why, if all 4 were available, did they want to give me 8546 as "best available"; that I won't venture a guess.

Anyway, we are happily in 8534 now.

 

[torismom]

We had faxed ahead of time and booked as soon as rates were released for our May 21,2006 cruise (4 day). We are in room number 8034. to help you with pricing we are paying 5388.15. 3 adults/2 kids