How to request Cat. 1,2 or 3

[bcroberts]

I'm new to this board and have read lots of great info. It seems impossible to get reservations for a suite. What should my information should I put on a request to inventory control and what are the chances of getting a suite through that?

 

[Honu]

Welcome to the DIS!!

Just put down what categories you are interested in, which cruise 3/4/7/East/West/Other and either a time frame or if you are open and will accept any sail date. Open to accepting any date expands your chances significantly.

In the past I have been contacted by inventory control with availability after faxing in suite requests. I recently faxed in a request for 2007. Last week I received a preprinted postcard from DCL telling me that my waitlist request has been received. Now something in the pit of my stomach tells me that if they have to print a special card just to respond to waitlist requests.....that waitlist is LONNNNNNNNNNG.

 

[bcroberts]

Thanks! I'd take pretty much anything. We cruised the Magic last year and got a Cat 3. I realize now it must have been a fluke! I started trying to book again right away and nothing was available. Best vacation our family every had!

 

[flexsmom]

I doubt it was a fluke. It's hard to get the Cat 1s and Cat 2s, because there are only 4 of those available. But, we booked a Cat 3 for our last cruise, and had no trouble booking a Cat 2 while on board for an upcoming cruise. Then we switched that to another date we wanted, but went back to a midship Cat 3 - all through regular booking or booking on-board without dealing with Inventory Control. That said, we know we want to cruise in 2007 and so we went ahead and sent in a request to IC this time since the 2007 rates aren't out yet. There are just a lot of people hyped up on getting 2007 info! (Myself included!)