surprise "upgrade" that we didn't want

[anricat]

It seems that they are grouping folks together in clumps to make stateroom cleaning easier, so we got an "upgrade" from a 9C (deck 2 mid) to a 9A (deck 6 forward) on the Wonder next month. I'm going to be honest, I'm really cranky about this. Anyone else experience this for an upcoming cruise? My TA is going to put in a call, but she says she doubts that they can change it back. We didn't even know about this "upgrade" until we logged in last night to check-in. No email or contact in any way to either me or my TA.

With the popularity (or I perceive that it is, at any rate) of deck 2 mid, I'm surprised they don't have enough folks there to clump everyone together. I'm also surprised that deck 6 forward is considered better than deck 2 mid? To each his own, I guess, but I really do prefer the convenience and ease of deck 2 and especially mid ship. And I've always had less motion sickness down there (and yes, we've stayed higher up and forward and it was the sickest I've ever been). I'm very concerned about moving up higher and forward.

If I'm going to move to deck 6, I'm only doing it for a verandah!

 

[starry_solo]

We’ve been moved twice so far for our upcoming cruise. first move was from a non connecting stateroom to a connecting stateroom 2 doors down. Next move was from midship to aft, about 20 doors down. Still starboard side and same deck but I think we moved from 4c to 4a…

 

[lanejudy]

There's a few theories why DCL is moving people, but they definitely are moving many guests. One theory is to spread people out more evenly among stateroom hosts and lifeboats. Another is that they may well be using guest staterooms for CMs to allow for physical distancing because the CM staterooms are pretty tight quarters. You (your TA) can request a move back, but it's unlikely. You could get moved again, though, as PP mentions.

 

[SusanKey]

How long before your cruise did they change your cabin?

 

[Barbydoll8]

Same thing happened to me from Deck 2 to deck 9 forward "upgrade?". I said H*LL no as I am very sensative to motion. That's why I book mid-ship and low. Spent 2 hours on the phone to get moved. Got deck 6 mid-ship. This is on the Fantasy Nov 11th sailing. They said the room is out of commission. I suspect it's due to cleaning but....

 

[jrabbit]

first thing - I take Dramamine every day on a cruise ... and a "double up" if I have a snorkeling or boat excursion the next day (half dose before bed and the normal full dose every morning)

Second: on 20+ cruises on DCL, 85% have been deck 2 mid ships ... starboard side .... those are "OUR Rooms!!"

One cruise we booked really late ... like 5 weeks to embarkation date (vs 18 months). We got a porthole room on deck 5 or 6 forward and were very pleasantly surprised at how much we liked the location. It seems like we popped in and out of the room more frequently ... pick something up or drop something off, hit the private restroom, etc between other activities ... mostly because it "was on the way" to where we were going vs going down to deck 2 then back up to where ever.

Since we take the stairs ... we get to eat a lot more desserts when staying on deck 2 ... because that's a long haul up to the pool deck!

Good Luck with getting your room location back.

 

[MasonsG]

We were on the 3rd Wonder sailing and our stateroom was also moved to a less desirable location, from a quiet corridor to an 'upgrade' right next to the stairs another floor up. Didn't make a fuss because we figured they needed to spread out the load per stateroom host or perhaps balancing life boats. I did really dislike the location, it was so much noisier, and no-guests were not more spread out. A Lot of doors were decorated and I did not notice much spacing where any stateroom looked unoccupied. We love looking at the door decors so one day we walked the hallways starting with deck 2 on the Wonder, not sure if this is happening on other ships but I don't believe they are using deck 2 at all except for staff, to help spread them out. So our cabin on 6 probably went to someone who had booked deck 2 and we were moved to deck 7 and a room no one else had wanted- and called it an upgrade. I don't know if you will be able to get one on deck 2, there was not one spot of a decorated door down there and no hosts cleaning the rooms like you see on the other decks, just one lonely cart the whole way. On the upside, the crew are so happy to have you aboard you feel special to every single one. We also only found out a few weeks before sailing. But I think they are trying to manage the best they can post pandemic- even though we ended up in a spot we would have Never Chosen, we came home and booked another Disney cruise.

 

[hhisc16]

There's a few theories why DCL is moving people, but they definitely are moving many guests. One theory is to spread people out more evenly among stateroom hosts and lifeboats. Another is that they may well be using guest staterooms for CMs to allow for physical distancing because the CM staterooms are pretty tight quarters. You (your TA) can request a move back, but it's unlikely. You could get moved again, though, as PP mentions.

Only Mickey knows why...

 

[anricat]

How long before your cruise did they change your cabin?

Our cruise is in 29 days. Apparently they changed it last week. They didn't notify us. I just noticed it when we were doing online checkin.

 

[SusanKey]

Our cruise is in 29 days. Apparently they changed it last week. They didn't notify us. I just noticed it when we were doing online checkin.

Thank you! We sail in 2 months. I guess we could have a change.

 

[happycamper47]

With the popularity (or I perceive that it is, at any rate) of deck 2 mid, I'm surprised they don't have enough folks there to clump everyone together. !

Someone said that Deck 2 is being used as an ISOLATION deck in case there are any breakouts.

 

[starry_solo]

How long before your cruise did they change your cabin?

First change was 4-6 weeks ago. Second change was last week.

 

[bayri]

Were these changed for the GTY-type bookings, or also for ones where you specifically chose the exact room to begin with?

 

[Wakey]

On the Magic out of Newcastle (UK staycation cruise) there was apparently a whole line of rooms on one deck out of action with quarantine notices on the doors and room service meal plates etc on floors outside. Someone speculated this is where they put crew and / or customers who had Covid. I didn’t see this myself, but maybe that’s the reason?

 

[lanejudy]

Were these changed for the GTY-type bookings, or also for ones where you specifically chose the exact room to begin with?

There have been several reports of stateroom changes by people who had selected a stateroom at booking.

 

[anricat]

Were these changed for the GTY-type bookings, or also for ones where you specifically chose the exact room to begin with?

I selected my room specifically when we booked in May. I never sail GTY. I'm just really really particular about my room. And if I can't book those rooms I like? I don't sail. Seriously almost cancelled (not even kidding) but we desperately need a vacation. Honestly, I ordinarily would have never have even chosen this itinerary to begin with (sorry, but the Galveston cruise itineraries are boring as all get-out) but at this point we will take just about anything! It's not even about the itinerary at this point. Just get me on the ship! We usually book super in advance too. I don't know if I've ever booked anything that wasn't opening day or thereabouts. Maybe our first cruise? But still, nothing was GTY at that point, but it does seem odd that they didn't already have things figured out by then? Weren't they already getting the UK cruises under way?

Anyway, my TA called and they couldn't help. Just in case, I went ahead and called and got the same answer. I was super nice (flies with honey and all that, plus I've worked customer support so I know that headache) and the rep was super nice and I could tell she felt SO BAD but it seemed her hands were tied. I priced out upgrading to a verandah so at least we could be midship. It was $800 more than the fare we paid, which, for 4 nights feels silly to me. $200/night for a verandah we will probably spend maybe 30 minutes a day on, maybe? Someone on our cruise group somehow got themselves upgrade to a verandah for no extra money and they were in the same situation (room moved to a room they didn't like). Not sure how they did it. Maybe they complained harder than I did? It's only four nights. We will muddle through somehow.

 

[brentm77]

I selected my room specifically when we booked in May. I never sail GTY. I'm just really really particular about my room. And if I can't book those rooms I like? I don't sail. Seriously almost cancelled (not even kidding) but we desperately need a vacation. Honestly, I ordinarily would have never have even chosen this itinerary to begin with (sorry, but the Galveston cruise itineraries are boring as all get-out) but at this point we will take just about anything! It's not even about the itinerary at this point. Just get me on the ship! We usually book super in advance too. I don't know if I've ever booked anything that wasn't opening day or thereabouts. Maybe our first cruise? But still, nothing was GTY at that point, but it does seem odd that they didn't already have things figured out by then? Weren't they already getting the UK cruises under way?

Anyway, my TA called and they couldn't help. Just in case, I went ahead and called and got the same answer. I was super nice (flies with honey and all that, plus I've worked customer support so I know that headache) and the rep was super nice and I could tell she felt SO BAD but it seemed her hands were tied. I priced out upgrading to a verandah so at least we could be midship. It was $800 more than the fare we paid, which, for 4 nights feels silly to me. $200/night for a verandah we will probably spend maybe 30 minutes a day on, maybe? Someone on our cruise group somehow got themselves upgrade to a verandah for no extra money and they were in the same situation (room moved to a room they didn't like). Not sure how they did it. Maybe they complained harder than I did? It's only four nights. We will muddle through somehow.

Some may disagree due to the pandemic, but it is my opinion that DCL should be at least giving the GTY rate if they are forcing you to move to drastically different rooms. If you were willing to take any old room, you would have booked GTY. Or at least have the curtesy to call the guest and negotiate to an agreeable change when needed. I expect more from DCL - even during these difficult times.

 

[Azdisgirl]

We just got off the Disney Fantasy on 10/16. The first seven night cruise since Covid started. Unfortunately, we had to quarantine due to a close contact exposure in the kids club our daughter had with another child who had tested positive. The quarantine floor was floor 2. I strongly suspect based on our personal experience that they are keeping part of floor 2 for situations like we were in. Disney was amazing during the entire situation. We absolutely would cruise again (but would avoid kids club). Luckily it was only on the last day (after all the kids under 12 were tested).

 

[lanejudy]

DCL should be at least giving the GTY rate if they are forcing you to move to drastically different rooms. If you were willing to take any old room, you would have booked GTY.

Just to clarify a common misunderstanding...

At the time you book and select a stateroom, there is no GTY available. GTY rates come out after a certain percentage of staterooms in a given category have been booked and selecting a stateroom in that category is no longer offered. The GTY rate may actually be higher than what most guests paid. So the statement above is essentially suggesting that DCL charge more for a rate that wasn't available when people booked. DCL is moving people to the same or higher stateroom category as they booked -- so if you booked a 4B you'll be in a 4B or 4A room (or concierge).

I think you are confused with the more generic but discounted and restricted *GT rates, which allow DCL to assign any interior, oceanview or verandah stateroom. While discounted off the prevailing rates, it may not be less expensive than opening day rates for those who booked early. *GT aren't offered on every cruise. If you want everyone changed to a *GT rate, it's a broad category so a 4B could be bumped down to a 4C or even a 6A.

 

[starry_solo]

Were these changed for the GTY-type bookings, or also for ones where you specifically chose the exact room to begin with?

Mine, we picked the exact tool one year ago after our original cruise was canceled due to COVID.

neither us or our TA received notification of either of these changes. The first time it happened, I was on the DCL site, checking out port activities. I clicked on the link that said view your stateroom and noticed it was now a non-connecting stateroom. I found the picture I had taken a month or so prior and, sure enough, we had been moved two rooms down to a connecting stateroom. I tried to get it changed but it was going to cost us and the TA said DCL said they would likely be moving us again.

next time, I noticed our stateroom number had changed again when I went to check in online to get our port arrival time.