Question about the fee per change charge on trading out points

[ppony]

To start out, yes, I know people's feelings and the reality of using points for a cruise and change issues involved. It's how we're choosing to use this year's points. I know I could call MS and get teh answer to this.. but I always think of these questions after MS closes.

So, we traded out our points for a short cruise next year. At the time, I didn't add my youngest son to the itinerary because he's severely autistic and until recently, we didn't think he'd be able to handle it again. Last time we did it I spent the whole cruise in our cabin. Now, w/ the Autism of the Seas program aid and recent massive developments, we are going to add him by paying cash. I know I'll have to pay the $95 fee to do so, but what I wanted to ask is if I decided to change our sailing date to a week earlier within the same transaction as I add my son, to be able to go w/ friends, will it be another $95? Or can all my changes be made within one transaction? I know there are a few unknowns in the whole idea of adding a person and changing dates and availability... but since our sail date isn't until Dec. of next year, I'm pretty confident there will be way to work it.

I know this isn't the ideal what to do things. Far from it, but it is what it is for us. It's how we wanted to use our points, we just have my youngest as a very big unknown. As many w/ autistic children know, it's a day-to-day and the need to be more flexible than anything that is huge.

 

[Sandisw]

Since you are in essence canceling and then rebooking, I don't see why it'd be more than one $95 fee. Just ask about changing the date first. Once you know it available, cancel the first and book the 2nd with your son as another guest.

So glad to hear that he may be able to go!!

 

[ppony]

THANKS!!!
We're happy too. It tore me up to think of leaving him home. Our trip to WDW on October was a nightmare. I didn't want to hope until he suddenly started to talk and communicate around Easter. Sure, it's only a word or two at a time, but he's starting to talk! that opened the floodgates for him and gave us new hope.

 

[Dean]

To start out, yes, I know people's feelings and the reality of using points for a cruise and change issues involved. It's how we're choosing to use this year's points. I know I could call MS and get teh answer to this.. but I always think of these questions after MS closes.

So, we traded out our points for a short cruise next year. At the time, I didn't add my youngest son to the itinerary because he's severely autistic and until recently, we didn't think he'd be able to handle it again. Last time we did it I spent the whole cruise in our cabin. Now, w/ the Autism of the Seas program aid and recent massive developments, we are going to add him by paying cash. I know I'll have to pay the $95 fee to do so, but what I wanted to ask is if I decided to change our sailing date to a week earlier within the same transaction as I add my son, to be able to go w/ friends, will it be another $95? Or can all my changes be made within one transaction? I know there are a few unknowns in the whole idea of adding a person and changing dates and availability... but since our sail date isn't until Dec. of next year, I'm pretty confident there will be way to work it.

I know this isn't the ideal what to do things. Far from it, but it is what it is for us. It's how we wanted to use our points, we just have my youngest as a very big unknown. As many w/ autistic children know, it's a day-to-day and the need to be more flexible than anything that is huge.

As noted, since it's all one change, it should be one fee. However, there is no guarantee that what you want to change to is available to use for points even if it's available for cash. There's actually a good chance it's not. If you decide to stay on the same cruise you'll have to change to a different cabin if needed for sleeping arrangements and run the risk that the same category is not available and that another category may not be available for points. These type of issues are only some of the reasons I feel the risk of using points until you hit $75 days out is too great no matter the financial discussion. Let us know how it goes when you call.

 

[Sandisw]

THANKS!!!
We're happy too. It tore me up to think of leaving him home. Our trip to WDW on October was a nightmare. I didn't want to hope until he suddenly started to talk and communicate around Easter. Sure, it's only a word or two at a time, but he's starting to talk! that opened the floodgates for him and gave us new hope.

That in itself is worth a big hug!!! As a teacher, it warms my heart, having worked with so many children, to hear about more child who has found their "voice"!!!

 

[maburke]

Just wanted to say good luck! And keep us posted, both on the arrangements and on the cruise. I completely understand about how it tears you up thinking of leaving him behind. I am finding ourselves more and more limited in terms of our travel and just going out because of our kids' behavior. (One of my kids has "found his voice" (boy, has he ever!) and one has not. Yet.)

One place where we don't have to do that is Disney, which makes it soooo worth it. I am feeling so refreshed after a recent week at VGC with my extended family.

Just keep in mind that some of the issues can be related to anxiety, so keep up your usual strategies for keeping things manageable and predictable even if he is now able to express it better.

 

[ppony]

That in itself is worth a big hug!!! As a teacher, it warms my heart, having worked with so many children, to hear about more child who has found their "voice"!!!

BIG hugs back at cha! It's been completely astounding to see so much progress since February. I mean, think about all the milestones parents of "average" kids see in the first 6 years and roll them (almost) all into 4 months! Some switch just flicked in that brain (just like it did around 1 when he stopped talking all together) and he's off to the races and trying to say EVERYTHING. It used to be like parrotting, but it's quickly evolved into a real understanding!!!!
Just 6 months ago, we didn't know if he would EVER talk.

Just wanted to say good luck! And keep us posted, both on the arrangements and on the cruise. I completely understand about how it tears you up thinking of leaving him behind. I am finding ourselves more and more limited in terms of our travel and just going out because of our kids' behavior. (One of my kids has "found his voice" (boy, has he ever!) and one has not. Yet.)

One place where we don't have to do that is Disney, which makes it soooo worth it. I am feeling so refreshed after a recent week at VGC with my extended family.

Just keep in mind that some of the issues can be related to anxiety, so keep up your usual strategies for keeping things manageable and predictable even if he is now able to express it better.

Prayers your other boy does find his voice!!! And YAY for your other son! WOO HOO!!!!

 

[ppony]

One thing I did find out today and MS didn't book us in the kind of room I requested. When I booked, I asked them to put is in a room that would accomodate 4 in case we could add Daniel at a later date. I came to find out today that they didn't. They booked us in a cabin only accomodating 3. BUT, the cabin right next door, curretly, IS available and fits 4. WOO HOO!!! We were excited before to have a room right across from the midship elevators and on deck 10 so whatever strollering we might need to do with him would be easier. We were on deck 8 on the Wonder and knew about the noise overhead. The location though is just what we need for Daniel, so noise or not, we'll enjoy it. And being only 1 deck down from the pools and such will make it easier to get him to walk up only 1 deck in stairs for much of his "entertainment" as opposed to more becuase that just won't happen w/ him. Yet. Still don't know about if the clubs will work or not. Probably won't until we actually get there. He's got a good year and a half of maturing time though. I'm hopeful. Praying now to be potty trained! I know a lot of people even here on DIS didn't have their kiddos w/ "challenges" trained until 8, 10 and even older. I feel greedy asking for that blessing when we just got the one of speech.

Thank God for Disney and how wonderful and accommodating they are to everyone.

 

[Dean]

One thing I did find out today and MS didn't book us in the kind of room I requested. When I booked, I asked them to put is in a room that would accomodate 4 in case we could add Daniel at a later date. I came to find out today that they didn't. They booked us in a cabin only accomodating 3. BUT, the cabin right next door, curretly, IS available and fits 4. WOO HOO!!! We were excited before to have a room right across from the midship elevators and on deck 10 so whatever strollering we might need to do with him would be easier. We were on deck 8 on the Wonder and knew about the noise overhead. The location though is just what we need for Daniel, so noise or not, we'll enjoy it. And being only 1 deck down from the pools and such will make it easier to get him to walk up only 1 deck in stairs for much of his "entertainment" as opposed to more becuase that just won't happen w/ him. Yet. Still don't know about if the clubs will work or not. Probably won't until we actually get there. He's got a good year and a half of maturing time though. I'm hopeful. Praying now to be potty trained! I know a lot of people even here on DIS didn't have their kiddos w/ "challenges" trained until 8, 10 and even older. I feel greedy asking for that blessing when we just got the one of speech.

Thank God for Disney and how wonderful and accommodating they are to everyone.

Cruise companies aren't generally interested in booking a cabin that fits more than are planned to travel. Often if you search, a cabin for 4 won't even show if you're requesting one for 3. Get in the habit of playing around to see what's available and then asking for a specific cabin where possible. Make sure to take swim diapers if not consistently trained by then so you won't get stuck without options on board.

 

[ppony]

Cruise companies aren't generally interested in booking a cabin that fits more than are planned to travel. Often if you search, a cabin for 4 won't even show if you're requesting one for 3. Get in the habit of playing around to see what's available and then asking for a specific cabin where possible. Make sure to take swim diapers if not consistently trained by then so you won't get stuck without options on board.

Yep, will bring those swim diapers so he can at least play in the splash area if he isn't potty trained to be able to go in pools. I can't even imagine what a swim diaper might cost on board let alone be in his 7 (by that time) year old rump size. though he's almost 6 and looks like a 3 year old.

You'd think though that when I asked Member Services to book me in a certain kind of room, they actually would. grrrr I told them why. Double grrrrr. Oh well, if I can procure that other cabin, all will not be lost. Such are the trials when you don't know what your child might do tomorrow. You just need to roll w/ it. It sure has taught me to not sweat a LOT of the little things. A lot of life and worry is just "little" in comparison.

 

[Dean]

You'd think though that when I asked Member Services to book me in a certain kind of room, they actually would. grrrr I told them why. Double grrrrr. Oh well, if I can procure that other cabin, all will not be lost. Such are the trials when you don't know what your child might do tomorrow. You just need to roll w/ it. It sure has taught me to not sweat a LOT of the little things. A lot of life and worry is just "little" in comparison.

DCL likely wouldn't even if the MS agent understood. DCL likely did not give them that option. Generally cruise lines won't do this (larger cabin just in case).