need advice please

[oo138oo]

Hi all,

booked our August Magic cruise last year, only to find out that our TA placed us on the second dinning time. We have a 3 yr old that sleeps at 7:30pm, so later dinning time is absolutely out of the question. Since then, I've been calling the TA regarding this issue, and received no firm answer. At first he said he'll change it, and later found out from a friend I will be travelling with that he only placed us on the waiting list since the earlier time is fully booked. I've been calling he daily... he's either busy or away from the office. I'm soooo frustrated. The trip is completely paid for, and last day for full refund was 06/29, which means I can't use this to threaten him. What should I do? So far everyone had suggested to try my luck on the ship. I was wondering if you guys have any strategies as far as how to deal with my TA. I hate have to yell and scream to get my way, but it seem to be the only option at this point. Sorry for the long post, and letting me vent. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[eritouma]

That is a tough one... I am sure there are lots of people with some good ideas, but I will throw my 2 cents in worth.

I say, leave the the TA an unpleasant message and phone Disney Direct. Let them know what is going on and try to deal with them directly, may be they can help as it seems the TA does not want to be involved any more....

 

[traycie2201]

i agree, tell the TA you're dissatisfied with their service and won't be booking through them again and contact DCL , they may not be able to help but they will confirm if you are on the waitlist and discuss options, also when you board go straight to the area where they take palo bookings and request a change again if it's possible they'll accomodate, failing that you could always eat at topsiders earlier or pop her in the childrens club while you have your dinner (get her an earlier one at topsiders or from the childrens buffet ) i think they have sleeping areas in the kids clubs and then you can pick her up after dinner ? I'm sure it will work out fine, Take care and good luck

 

[markm0926]

Tell the TA you are going to let everyone here on these boards know who they are....

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by markm0926
Tell the TA you are going to let everyone here on these boards know who they are....

I was thinking the same thing! But, I have a question. A few days after I booked my next cruise with All Seasons Travel, I recieved a confirmation which includes my Early Dining. Did your travel agent send you any documentation before 6/29? That is odd behavior for an agent.

Calling DCL direct is an option. If that doesn't work, you can ask at check-in what room the dining changes taking place. You have a good chance there. Unless you have a large group, dining changes take place all the time. The faster you get there, the better your chances!

Also, please be sure to report your agent to the Better Business Bureau in your area!

 

[mickeyboat]

Early seating fills up very quickly. Although it sounds like your TA has been less than professional, but early seating may not have been available even when you booked last year. I wasn't all that pleased with my TA either and if I book another cruise, I will do it through another method.

That being said, I think you still have a good chance to get early seating. My TA said that she has had really good luck with wait-listing. We were initially assigned late seating (3 and 4 year olds) but when we arrived on board, we had been assigned early. DCL tries very hard to accomodate your requests.

If you still can't get early seating after you board, here is what I would suggest. Go to dining changes and see if they can switch you. Check out the clubs, you can feed your child early. leave him in the clubs while you eat at late seating. You can all eat together at Topsiders. Try again to get switched to early seating after the first night. There may have been some changes.

Good luck to you. Don't let this ruin your trip!

Denae

 

[Beechparty]

call right away since the deadline for the full refund was just a couple of days ago. This deadline is when things open back up.

 

[Zandy595]

What ship are you going on? If you haven't gotten early seating by the time you board:

Changes In Dining Assignment
Magic - Go to Rockin' Bar D (deck 3) at 12:00pm
Wonder - Go to WaveBands (deck 3) at 1:00pm

These locations and times may change. Check the back page of your Navigator to be sure.

 

[Honeychild]

I'm not sure if this will work or not ,but it is a thought. Go to the "Cruise Meets" thread and find your cruise. Then post to see if someone on that cruise is willing to take the late seating. (DISers are so helpful.) If they are willing to swap you have a couple of options from there:

One would be to see if by luck they used the same TA as you (that is if you used one of the internet TAs and not a town local.) Then the two of you could notify your TA and have them swap.

Option two (if they have a different TA) would be to meet on the cruise at the the dining assignment change place and go and swap together.

Again I don't know if either of these plans will work , but It's worth a try.

Good Luck!

 

[tvguy]

Kids are sooo flexible. I bet your 3 year old will be so stimulated by all the stuff going on at dinner that late seating won't be a problem. He/she may sleep in later though.
As working west coasters, we kind of have the opposite problem. Late seating is really too early for us. Wife works until 5:30 pm, so dinner is rarely before 7 pm in our house. So 8:30 pm eastern is like eating at 5:30 pm at home.
Did miss not having a nightly midnight buffet on disney, since that was closer to our normal dinner time.

 

[chinamom3]

We just took the June 12-19 Eastern cruise, and booked it only 10 days before. Obviously, late seating was what we got, and we were waitlisted. After reading these boards, I did everything suggested: got to the port at 10:30, husband went to the line for checking in, and I went straight to the line to get on the ship. I was the second one in line. Registration began almost immediately, and he, too, was very close to the front of the line, so when he called me to come check in, I left my eight year old holding our place in the ship line, and I went to check in with my husband. They were extremely efficient, within 10 minutes we were back in the ship line. Once on board, (took that boarding picture lickety-split!), I hurried to the Rocking Bar D, was first in line to request seating change, and got it!! Also was first in the Palo line, and got what I wanted there, but later cancelled it. Several other Disers were behind me, had done their "Boards" homework, and were doing the same thing. They all got what they wanted. Don't know many others were successful, but I am fairly sure they have openings when you get on board. I think some of the above suggestions are good, but do remember you have to find someone who has your exact number in their party as you have in order to be able to swap. Here's pixie dust your way!!

 

[oo138oo]

Thank you everybody for these great suggestions. I'll call DCL first to see what our status is and go from there. Tried calling TA again and got the voice mail. Anyway, all else fails we'll just have to eat at Topside. Thanks again everyone. You guys are soooo nice! I wish people I meet on the cruise will be as nice as you guys!`

 

[drarill]

Hi:
We booked the REAS package and Debbie changed our late dinner to an early dinner. There is also a dishonest way to get it, just ask a good friend (a doctor friend) to fill a medical request saying that your child is hipoglycemic and he has to eat early. I know its not true, but you are not giving your child a really bad medical condition, it worked for a friend of us. Just try this if you really dont want to take any chances.

 

[kcashner]

Go to "Dining Changes" when you board. The exact location will be in the "Welcome Aboard" letter you get at check in (it is usually either in Sessions or Rockin Bar D on the Magic). One member of your party goes there and tells them what you want. They will either make the change immediately or take your name and cabin number and tell you that they will call you if they can meet your request.

We've always gotten what we asked for--the first time I got the "we'll call you" response, I worried....but they called, and we got it. Get there as soon as possible after you board as requests are met in order received.