Incentive "Free" Cruise and Worst Room Possible Assigned

[alady89]

Hi,

We joined DVC last March and were looking forward to our cruise over Thanksgiving which included a gty cat 9 oceanview cabin. Well, we just got our room assignment and based on reviews is possibly the worst cabin on all deck 2, #2652.

I went back and did a search for these dates and there are still plenty of decent cabins available. Is there some reason they would single out the certificate holders for worst possible room? Especially, since we are paying very good money to belong to DVC.

According to all room reports, there are LOTS of complaints about room noise and people asking to be downgraded just to avoid this cabin.

This is my son's very first cruise and ever and was a strong incentive for purchasing. Now, I just feel terrible. I wasn't expecting an upgrade or even the best room possible but I wasn't expecting the worst, especially as there other roooms open.

Is it possible to get the assignment changed or because it is a "gty" are we stuck? Or could we still pay the $100 per person upgrade fee for a verandah and just skip the excursion we had planned? And do they charge the $100 fee for kids as well?

I am just heartsick about this with only 30 days or so left. Not to mention, it is also a family holiday. I am beginning to think being a DVC member is not good when it comes to DCL.

Any suggestions are warmly appreciated.

Thank you,

Me, DH, and DS

 

[DiznyDi]

Sorry for your disappointment!

I'm not a 'cruiser' so have no suggestions. I just hope it all works out for you.

 

[Nikisha421]

im new to the whole cruising thing...I have not even taken my first DC I will be on though on April 1st...thus have been spending more time on the DCL boards and have learned a few things...but from what I have learned so far is that when a room is a gty...you are suppose to literally "GET WHAT YOU GET AND DONT GET UPSET!"

not trying to be funny...

however, how about posting this question/situation over on the cruise board and im very sure that some way better savvy cruise ppl can help you out with this issue...eventhough it's kinda sorta a DVC thing

hope all works out for your sons first disney cruise...

 

[disneynutz]

The discount that DVD received from DCL for their incentive was based upon filling unwanted cabins. We were told that it would be in our best interest to pay for the upgrade, which we will for our 2010 cruise.

Bill

 

[GoofItUp]

Call DCL reservations dept and ask them if you can move to another open cabin in that category. They shouldn't have a problem doing that for you. Or, if you really want an upgrade, ask if they have any last-minute deals to upgrade you at a reduced rate. If they won't upgrade you today, call again as the cruise gets closer. You never know what might happen until you ask!

 

[My 2 princesses]

Well, at least you got a free cruise, we just got a few bucks off. I would just upgrade. Enjoy your cruise. We are hoping to take one soon too.

 

[Anal Annie]

The key thing here is that you accepted a GTY room. Regardless of how you ended up with a GTY that's what you have. If you want to be irritated with someone it should be DVC not DCL. DVC is the one who arranged for the GTY status cabin.

I hang out on the cruise boards a lot & can tell you that DCL appears to keep a short list of the rooms that receive the most complaints that they use for the GTY cabins. So if you didn't get that room then they might give it to a Cat 10 GTY that's getting bumped up. Technically, by accepting a GTY cabin you do not have a right to request anything any different BUT you can always call DCL and ask if you can be moved to one of the other available Cat 9 rooms. The least they will do is tell you no. They recently re-did all of the room categories and added letters to the numbers to make the Wonder & the Magic more in line with the new ships categories...so there are no more straight Cat 9's. There are now Cat 9 A's, 9 B's and 9 C's. If you're on Deck 2 then you're in a 9 B. Make sure if you call that you specifiy that you don't want a 9 C. Those are on deck 1 and have the smaller porthole windows. The 9 A's are forward on decks 5,6 & 7. If they do not move you many folks on the cruise board report having luck bringing white noise machines for some of these noisy rooms.

BTW, a GTY is a gamble - but it often works out for a free upgrade. One never knows. We booked what was formerly a Cat 8 GTY once & ended up in one of the aft Cat 6's with the solid wall verandah which was a nice upgrade because we went from a porthole cabin. However, if I had BOOKED a Cat 6 and ended up with this room I'd have been irritated because it didn't have the clear plexiglass balcony which IMO makes it less valuable than the others in that category. They have now fixed this by putting these rooms into their own category by leaving them Cat 6's. They changed all the other Cat 6's to be Cat 5's with the new deck plans.

I think you should call DCL. They are accomodating when they can be. You have absolutely nothing to lose by calling. I probably wouldn't go bragging about it tho on the cruise board if they do move you. Just do it quietly and good luck. If you really don't want the room & they won't move you ask about paying the difference for an upgrade. Even if you just go to a Cat 9A - it wouldn't be that much.

 

[disneynutz]

We were told by DCL when we booked our free DVC reservation that upgrades or changes would not be allowed later. I specifically asked if we could upgrade later or request a cabin change and we were told no. I also asked if we could request a upgrade on sale day and I was told no. The response was that the discount that DVD purchased restricts us from modifying anything later.

I would still give it a try, but don't be disappointed if they say no.

Bill

 

[alady89]

I appreciate the suggestions and will try to call DCL. Would it do any good to call our guide at DVC?

I am not a complainer, it's just every review of this room was HORRID. Including people bumping to interior rooms to avoid it, it's just that bad a room from all acounts.

If DCL won't do anything, is there any chance of changing rooms on board after first night if open rooms if it is that bad?

I realize it's a guarantee and DVC not DCL is the issue, although both are "Disney" companies however most of the posts have been very positive about rooms assigned using the certificate. Do you think the fact that there only 3 of us worked against us? We only have one child so there is no fourth.

Thanks again everyone

 

[Anal Annie]

I appreciate the suggestions and will try to call DCL. Would it do any good to call our guide at DVC?

I am not a complainer, it's just every review of this room was HORRID. Including people bumping to interior rooms to avoid it, it's just that bad a room from all acounts.

If DCL won't do anything, is there any chance of changing rooms on board after first night if open rooms if it is that bad?

I realize it's a guarantee and DVC not DCL is the issue, although both are "Disney" companies however most of the posts have been very positive about rooms assigned using the certificate. Do you think the fact that there only 3 of us worked against us? We only have one child so there is no fourth.

Thanks again everyone

NO. It is not something your guide can control. It was DVC that offered the incentive not your guide. If the incentive was for a GTY cabin he maybe should've explained a little more about what accepting a GTY meant, but he also probably didn't know himself if he's not a frequent cruiser. ALSO, don't freak out over the room reports. Those are from a handful of people. Is this a 3 or 4 night cruise? You won't be in the room THAT much. The shorter cruises are over before you even unpack. We book a Cat 10 A room that is referred to as a "secret porthole" cabin. It's a great room with an obstructed view that sells as an inside room - but some people complain because there's often a light on outside at night and when you're in port sometimes there are workers out there doing stuff. No biggie. We use a clothespin on the curtains at night & keep the sheers drawn during the day. If I worried over every little nit picky thing someone said about a room I'd never step my big toe on the ship.

Just call DCL and ask someone who CAN help you. Do it now & get it over with so you can either relax because you got moved or accept your fate before you cruise. Here's the number: 800-951-3532 I'd almost bet that they have another GTY Cat 9 room somewhere. But nobody here on the DVC board will be able to tell you. If they don't, then pay the $100 or whatever to upgrade. It sounds like it would be worth it if you're this upset over it.

I am perfectly willing to book another GTY and roll the dice but it sounds like you will not be the next time. Call it lesson learned that you are someone who wants to have an assigned stateroom next time.

 

[disneynutz]

I appreciate the suggestions and will try to call DCL. Would it do any good to call our guide at DVC?

I am not a complainer, it's just every review of this room was HORRID. Including people bumping to interior rooms to avoid it, it's just that bad a room from all acounts.

If DCL won't do anything, is there any chance of changing rooms on board after first night if open rooms if it is that bad?

I realize it's a guarantee and DVC not DCL is the issue, although both are "Disney" companies however most of the posts have been very positive about rooms assigned using the certificate. Do you think the fact that there only 3 of us worked against us? We only have one child so there is no fourth.

Thanks again everyone

Our Guide made it quite clear to us that his job is sales and he has nothing to do with the cruise incentive or any incentive for that matter.

When we made our reservation we were told if we had 3 in our party, the upgrade would be to a cat 7 cabin. If we had 4 in our party the upgrade would be to a cat 6. So the number in your party might have something to do with it.

Bill

 

[alady89]

Good luck, DCL was able to move us to room 2088, much better reviews. Yipee!

By the by,the rep told me not to trust disboards info as she immediately got the idea this where i had checked for room reviews.

But honestly, I think fellow disboard member give great advice for the most part and provide a a lot of different opinions. Love the diversity.

Thanks again!

 

[Anal Annie]

Good luck, DCL was able to move us to room 2088, much better reviews. Yipee!

By the by,the rep told me not to trust disboards info as she immediately got the idea this where i had checked for room reviews.

But honestly, I think fellow disboard member give great advice for the most part and provide a a lot of different opinions. Love the diversity.

Thanks again!

Good. Now aren't you glad you stopped stewing about it and called? Now you can relax and plan. Make sure you go back to the cruise board and find the Cruise Meet thread for your cruise!! Have fun.

 

[fishermouse]

You will honestly do little more than sleep and get dressed in the cabin, just enjoy what the ship has to offer and don't worry about the cabin.. you'll have fun.....

 

[Anjelica]

They recently re-did all of the room categories and added letters to the numbers to make the Wonder & the Magic more in line with the new ships categories...so there are no more straight Cat 9's. There are now Cat 9 A's, 9 B's and 9 C's. If you're on Deck 2 then you're in a 9 B. Make sure if you call that you specifiy that you don't want a 9 C. Those are on deck 1 and have the smaller porthole windows. The 9 A's are forward on decks 5,6 & 7.

Actually - those new room categories are not in effect for 2009/2010 sailings - ONLY starting off with 2011 sailings do the new categories take effect. Since I assume the OP is going this Thanksgiving they will need to specify the current category names (i.e. no A/B/C, etc.)

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Good forthe OP.....



but GREAT JOB Annie