One Bedroom Suite

[kaseyC]

I would make sure to double check what jamira does for you as soon as you can with concierge. Make sure you have confirmation of all dining and excursions that she helped you with in writing. On our cruise 10/6, I was able to book the 10am CC stingray excursion for my Husband and Daugter online, but at 75 days out could not add on a friend who was not in concierge. I called Jamira, she confirmed by email that she had added our friend to the 10:00 am. When I boarded, I gave the information to Pascal and Jonathan and told them that Jamira had arranged it but I was concerned because I could not see it online (Jamira told me it was not a problem). Well our friend never gets a ticket for the excursion and when I call Concierge again they tell me it is booked. I nicely told them it was unacceptable and that I had it in writing, they had to come to get the email, before the head of excursions would make an exception. Had I not had the email - Our friend would not have been able to Join us.
Another member of our cruise meet thread, had spoken to Jamira to request a specific dining rotation. She was told it was taken care of, got on board and found that Jamira had not taken care of it. She was not able to change her plans.

So just be cautious with Jamira, while she was very nice she was not very thorough.

Thanks for the heads up. I will remember to bring my email confirmations as well as call in a week or two to follow up. Fortunately, nothing I have requested will make or break our trip. It will be disappointing though, because I was hoping with the addition of the land based concierge we would begin to see more consistency with DCL concierge services.

 

[rotary2808]

It might take some time to work the bugs out of the new system.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We plan at least a year in advance and haven't had a problem booking a Cat 3, however they have only a limited number available: Cat 1 - 2; Cat 2 - 2; Cat 3 - 18 (4 of which are handicapped accessible). They are all on Deck 8.

Just note the handicap rooms only hold 4 people. So, for the OP's party they would not be able to stay in those rooms.

We recently stayed in a handicap Category 3 room and loved it. The space was unbelievable. However, I think we had more space since it was a hand-cap room. However, I've never seen a regular non-handicap room.

We did not get the room initial and waitlisted for it. We got the room around 103 days prior to the cruise. So, right around when final payment was due.

This was for a med. cruise so, I'm sure those booked out a lot faster than other crusing dates.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

So for March of 09 ya'll think we're okay to wait until the dates are released or should I fax in a request. I read on another thread though that the fax number wasn't working. Does anyone have that number?

 

[cindy18]

I actually asked DCL about faxing in a request to inventory control last week, and they said they were no longer accepting requests for wait lists for 2009 cruises, which may be why the fax number is reported as not working. On the other hand, I sent in a request to Dreams Unlimited, and they said they submitted it for me. Either they're just saying that or they can get stuff in that we can't. Who knows?

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I would make sure to double check what jamira does for you as soon as you can with concierge. Make sure you have confirmation of all dining and excursions that she helped you with in writing. On our cruise 10/6, I was able to book the 10am CC stingray excursion for my Husband and Daugter online, but at 75 days out could not add on a friend who was not in concierge. I called Jamira, she confirmed by email that she had added our friend to the 10:00 am. When I boarded, I gave the information to Pascal and Jonathan and told them that Jamira had arranged it but I was concerned because I could not see it online (Jamira told me it was not a problem). Well our friend never gets a ticket for the excursion and when I call Concierge again they tell me it is booked. I nicely told them it was unacceptable and that I had it in writing, they had to come to get the email, before the head of excursions would make an exception. Had I not had the email - Our friend would not have been able to Join us.
Another member of our cruise meet thread, had spoken to Jamira to request a specific dining rotation. She was told it was taken care of, got on board and found that Jamira had not taken care of it. She was not able to change her plans.

So just be cautious with Jamira, while she was very nice she was not very thorough.

I am sorry you had a problem. I didn't share that experience and had everything waiting. We also added two people to our reservation late in the game and was able to still get our dining request honored etc. I did most of my things through email as well and just a phone call confirmation that it was complete so I would have had back up as well if needed. So do you know if this is a fairly new thing? I don't recall it from 2004 but that doesn't mean it wasn't going on for some time.

I also had some worries as i have heard some not great things about concierge service but found Jonathan and Pascal delightful!! Everything we needed was completed and they paid close attention to the things we were wanting to do or try as far as gifts etc. I was thrilled with them.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I actually asked DCL about faxing in a request to inventory control last week, and they said they were no longer accepting requests for wait lists for 2009 cruises, which may be why the fax number is reported as not working. On the other hand, I sent in a request to Dreams Unlimited, and they said they submitted it for me. Either they're just saying that or they can get stuff in that we can't. Who knows?

I went ahead and called DCL and asked about the fax just in case and got the same response. I mentioned that you said your TA's were able to do it and the CM I talked to said that they haven't been accepting faxes. Perhaps your agents are putting you on their list to call as soon as dates are released. But the CM seemed pretty adamant that faxes or waitlist requests weren't accepted from anyone for 09. Just thought I'd pass that along.

 

[kaseyC]

I went ahead and called DCL and asked about the fax just in case and got the same response. I mentioned that you said your TA's were able to do it and the CM I talked to said that they haven't been accepting faxes. Perhaps your agents are putting you on their list to call as soon as dates are released. But the CM seemed pretty adamant that faxes or waitlist requests weren't accepted from anyone for 09. Just thought I'd pass that along.

The same thing happened last year right before the release of the 2008 Special itineraries.

 

[JoiseyMom]

What is the cost for suites any of the cats 1 - 3??

 

[birkner]

What is the cost for suites any of the cats 1 - 3??

The cost will vary based on the length of the cruise, number of persons in the suite, and the time of the year. I can personally comment on cat. 1 and cat. 3 costs.

For example, 7 of us are sailing in a cat.1 on the 2007 NYE cruise (7 days) on the Magic. The cost of the cruise without airline costs, transportation to and from the port or insurance is $21,601.60.

Two of us are sailing in a cat. 3 on the WB Panama Canal cruise(15 days) in May 2008 and the cost of the cruise without airline costs, transportation to and from the port or insurance is $11,211.48

 

[been2marceline]

What is the cost for suites any of the cats 1 - 3??

The pricing is availbale on the DCL website - look for "Rates" after you select the cruise. If you take the high end of the range for that cruise - that is probably what you'll pay, unlese you are able to book a suite the day it is released.