Not off to a good start.

[ambushangel]

I just called my air company and they just told me that DCL have me booked on two different flights.

AND I can't get 2 seats together for myself and my DS 9 who has never flown before.

 

[mmouse37]

Unfortunately this is one of the huge drawbacks of booking air with DCL. They can never guarantee that you will be seated together or that your party will even be on the same flight...I know it sounds insane, but that is the way it has always been.

This has been discussed in length on these boards, the pros and cons of booking air with DCL and the scenario you mention is the biggest con....pun intended (how they expect small kids to fly seated alone is beyond me)!!!

My best suggestion is that when you get to the airport (EARLY) you beg and ask that your DS can be seated next to you. You get more flys with honey than vinegar so keep it civil but be determined. I would be surprised if you could not make it happen at the airport, but the trick is to get there early. Are the two different flights at least taking off near the same time???

Good luck...and don't worry...once onboard all will be well....hopefully!!

MJ

 

[markºoº]

Don't worry about the seat assignments.

We have traveled several times and either could not get seats together or even assigned at all. The airlines usually hold back and stop assigning seats after a certain point. We arrive at the airport early and ask to be moved together. If they cannot accomodate you, you almost always can rearrange your seats on the flight (someone has always accomodated us). Board early (when they call for those with children) and let the flight attendent know your situation.

Don't sweat the seats - it will be fine.

 

[dharma517]

Like the PP said....get there early and I just know someone will switch seats with you....there are some decent people in the world still out there. Have a great cruise!
Jenn

 

[ambushangel]

Thanks for the advice.

It will be o.k. I'll just make sure to bring my Puppy Eyes with me to the airport.

 

[Skuba2]

I will confirm the pp. Airlines will not assign all the seats. They keep a few to do last minute switches--the gate has the final word. If you go through DCL for your air travel, do you have the ability to call the airline directly and get information about your flight? If so, you can either call when you get closer and see if any seats have opened or the very least have them note on your reservation that you are traveling with a child and would like seats together. I have done this when making my own reservations. It always manages to work out---although my kids were younger than 9.

As a side note---I flew a lot through my dad working for an airline. We got whatever seat was left over and I spent a lot of time on my own. It isn't all that bad and generally people will make the extra effort to be friendly to the one sitting next to them.

Good Luck!

DG

 

[my3kids]

This is all you need to do. Speak to the adult seated next to your child and ask if they will switch seats. If they say no, then pull a garbage bag out of your purse and explain about the motion sickness thing. You might even want to pull out a tub of Wet-Ones, "to assist in the cleanup." I can pretty much guarantee that adult will knock you down to overtake you on your way back to your assigned seat.

 

[DisneyForLife]

What a great idea, sneaky but great.
Wish I still had young kids so I could try that.

 

[ambushangel]

This is all you need to do. Speak to the adult seated next to your child and ask if they will switch seats. If they say no, then pull a garbage bag out of your purse and explain about the motion sickness thing. You might even want to pull out a tub of Wet-Ones, "to assist in the cleanup." I can pretty much guarantee that adult will knock you down to overtake you on your way back to your assigned seat.

Thanks for the advice,



The joke of it is, it's my DS's first flight, it just might be like that.

 

[logan1_2000]

I would have agreed that if all else failed you should be able to find another passenger to swap with you, but the last time I travelled with my DD, 18, right after cheerleading practice, on our way to her national fitness pageant, the rude college boys in the aisle and window seat refused to swap...just kidding,,,I only have a DS, about to be 9, someone will always swap,statistically it is almost impossible to get an entire plane filled with creeps. I love the vomit bag idea, I would only have told DS to stick his finger up his nose and then offer to shake hands with the passenger next to him, but the vomit bag and wet wipes especially are a superior strategy.

And if anyone does have a DD like the bit of fiction I wrote, definitely bring her on DCL and don't let her near a Carnival ship, LOL.

 

[jrabbit]

I just called my air company and they just told me that DCL have me booked on two different flights.

AND I can't get 2 seats together for myself and my DS 9 who has never flown before.

I'm "fuzzy" on a couple of your details. Is it just you and DS9 or are there more of you going "together". If another adult is going and they are on another flight, you just might be out of luck.

But if its you and DS going on seperate flights, most airlines won't let kids under 15 fly alone with out "buying" a flight attendent($60 each way) for them (united and SWA will if over age 12) and then the flight has to be non stop. If they have you and DS on seperate flights, you have a case for them to get you on the same plane.

 

[ambushangel]

I'm "fuzzy" on a couple of your details. Is it just you and DS9 or are there more of you going "together". If another adult is going and they are on another flight, you just might be out of luck.

But if its you and DS going on seperate flights, most airlines won't let kids under 15 fly alone with out "buying" a flight attendent($60 each way) for them (united and SWA will if over age 12) and then the flight has to be non stop. If they have you and DS on seperate flights, you have a case for them to get you on the same plane.

Sorry, just to clarify.

There is just my son and I going on the cruise together, no other person.

We are on the same flight, they have us booked 2 rows apart. He has never been on a plane before so I am not sure how he is going to react.

 

[DancingBear]

What seats are you in? If both of you have aisle or window seats, then you will be able to trade one of those with a middle-seat passenger, that should be an easy sell.

If you have at least one window or aisle seat, then you would only be trying to trade one middle seat for one in a different row, also shouldn't be too hard.

If you have two middle seats, it gets more difficult, but usually either the gate attendants or the flight attendants can help you get together.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I just called my air company and they just told me that DCL have me booked on two different flights.

AND I can't get 2 seats together for myself and my DS 9 who has never flown before.

Still confused also, you said they have you booked on two different flights??? What does that mean?

 

[ambushangel]

Still confused also, you said they have you booked on two different flights??? What does that mean?

They have me flying Ottawa - Chicago - Orlando with AA
and they have me booked Ottawa - Detroit - Orlando with North Western???

 

[ambushangel]

What seats are you in? If both of you have aisle or window seats, then you will be able to trade one of those with a middle-seat passenger, that should be an easy sell.

If you have at least one window or aisle seat, then you would only be trying to trade one middle seat for one in a different row, also shouldn't be too hard.

If you have two middle seats, it gets more difficult, but usually either the gate attendants or the flight attendants can help you get together.

I think they are both windows, I'm sure it won't be to bad.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

They have me flying Ottawa - Chicago - Orlando with AA
and they have me booked Ottawa - Detroit - Orlando with North Western???

Oh - well thats common with the cruise lines. As long as you start and finish with the same airline. Not a problem. I wouldn't get too worried about the seats, I am sure it will work out.

You have learned the first lesson on cruising, always book your own air! We learned the hard way with a 5-6 hour layover in Charlotte one year! Said never again, I always book myair seperately, and try to come in the night before so there isn't a problem!

 

[ambushangel]

Oh - well thats common with the cruise lines. As long as you start and finish with the same airline. Not a problem. I wouldn't get too worried about the seats, I am sure it will work out.

You have learned the first lesson on cruising, always book your own air! We learned the hard way with a 5-6 hour layover in Charlotte one year! Said never again, I always book myair seperately, and try to come in the night before so there isn't a problem!

Very true.

First lesson learned and I am sure many more lessons to come before today and when we sail.

 

[tarzanman]

I don't know when your cruise is, but I recommend writing a nice note to the people at Disney Travel. They can accomodate your requests sometimes. I think that it is worth a try.

 

[poohcrazy]

They have me flying Ottawa - Chicago - Orlando with AA
and they have me booked Ottawa - Detroit - Orlando with North Western???

I fly standby on AA all the time with my DH. We are never guaranteed seats together but once on the flight someone is always willing to change seats so we can sit together. When you sit your DS just ask the person sitting in the seat next to him if he/she wouldn't mind switching seats. If they do say no you still have another chance on your row.

Another suggestion - Let them know when you check in at the airport. If they cannot switch your seats, they can add a comment to your reservation for your thru city.