Switching room once assigned in cateorgy GTY

[grace2008]

Hi. My cruise is around 30 days away and was wondering why I cannot pay whatever the extra money is and switch rooms? My agent said I would have to cancel the cruise, loose my insurance, and rebook and pay the full amount?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi. My cruise is around 30 days away and was wondering why I cannot pay whatever the extra money is and switch rooms? My agent said I would have to cancel the cruise, loose my insurance, and rebook and pay the full amount?

If you're looking to just change categories so that you can book a specific room, you certainly can do that. Your TA is wrong that that is considered a cancellation and rebooking.

BUT, was your original booking a last minute reservation (one of the *GT bookings - IGT, OGT, or VGT)? If so, that one can't be changed without cancelling and rebooking.

If your original reservation was a GTY booking (one that specifies a category, like 9B GTY, or 4A GTY) and you have since been assigned a room, that can be changed without cancelling and rebooking.

 

[grace2008]

If you're looking to just change categories so that you can book a specific room, you certainly can do that. Your TA is wrong that that is considered a cancellation and rebooking.

BUT, was your original booking a last minute reservation (one of the *GT bookings - IGT, OGT, or VGT)? If so, that one can't be changed without cancelling and rebooking.

If your original reservation was a GTY booking (one that specifies a category, like 9B GTY, or 4A GTY) and you have since been assigned a room, that can be changed without cancelling and rebooking.

Hi. My cruise is around 30 days away and was wondering why I cannot pay whatever the extra money is and switch rooms? My agent said I would have to cancel the cruise, loose my insurance, and rebook and pay the full amount?

She said I cannot make any changes and was a gty room

 

[PrincessShmoo]

She said I cannot make any changes and was a gty room

I believe she's wrong. I'd suggest you call DCL and (without telling them that you have an agent, or getting specific about your reservation) just ask if it's possible for to upgrade your room on a guaranteed reservation that's been assigned a room.

If they tell you that's it possible, I'd suggest you contact your TA and tell her that. If she refuses to contact DCL to confirm (one way or the other) whether that's correct, then call DCL again and let them know that your TA isn't working with you in this matter. They may be able to give you a hand.

 

[tee11]

It's possible that this is a misunderstanding between you and your agent?!
What exactly was your guarantee?
In other words:
What exactly did you ask your travel agent to do originally?
Did you ask him to book a Verandah guarantee?
(Example: any verandah on the entire ship)
Or did you ask him to book a category 4B, 5D or the like (example: any verandah on deck 7) guarantee?

 

[jahber]

It should be easy to find out if you have a restricted fate that can't be changed. Check your confirmation email from DCL. For example, on the cruise I booked using an IGT rate, it clearly states "IGT - inside stateroom with restrictions" where normally it would show which stateroom I was assigned (if I had booked a specific stateroom).

 

[mareed]

Lately when I check several different cruises, the GTY rates for a specific category, such as 11c GTY or 10a GTY have the same restrictive terms as the *GT rates, and I wondered about it. OP, definitely let us know what you do find out!

 

[jahber]

Lately when I check several different cruises, the GTY rates for a specific category, such as 11c GTY or 10a GTY have the same restrictive terms as the *GT rates, and I wondered about it. OP, definitely let us know what you do find out!

You're right! It actually does say that in the rate details, which is very odd. But if you look at the deposit amount vs when the total is due, the information is correct. At least, it was for me.

 

[grace2008]

You're right! It actually does say that in the rate details, which is very odd. But if you look at the deposit amount vs when the total is due, the information is correct. At least, it was for me.

I booked an ocean view, category 9a(think) gty rate. I emailed agent and she now says since I made final payment she is now unsure if can upgrade room

 

[jahber]

I booked an ocean view, category 9a(think) gty rate. I emailed agent and she now says since I made final payment she is now unsure if can upgrade room

This changes everything we know about GTY rates, if it is indeed policy now. I'm interested to hear an update.

 

[Pens Fan]

This thread made me curious, so I checked a couple of cruises with specific category GTY (not *GT) rates. Both of them sail in summer 2017, so it is long before the paid in full date. Both stated that the fare must be paid in full at booking and was nonrefundable. However if you read the complete rate details it seems as if they are talking about *GT rates instead. I wonder if it's a website error? Here is the verbiage I am talking about (Rate details for an 11C GTY on June 18 Northern European sailing) Red emphasis is mine:

• Price is for a restricted-fare category stateroom:
  • This category guarantees you a stateroom within the stateroom type selected (Inside Stateroom. Oceanview Stateroom, Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, or Concierge Stateroom). Disney Cruise Line will assign the stateroom at a later time, based on availability for all guaranteed staterooms of this type. You may even be assigned an upgraded stateroom category.
  • Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
  • Sail date and stateroom category changes are not permitted.
  • Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
  • The stateroom offer cannot be combined with any other discounted or promotional offer.

I too am very curious to see how this plays out for the OP.

 

[grace2008]

This thread made me curious, so I checked a couple of cruises with specific category GTY (not *GT) rates. Both of them sail in summer 2017, so it is long before the paid in full date. Both stated that the fare must be paid in full at booking and was nonrefundable. However if you read the complete rate details it seems as if they are talking about *GT rates instead. I wonder if it's a website error? Here is the verbiage I am talking about (Rate details for an 11C GTY on June 18 Northern European sailing) Red emphasis is mine:

• Price is for a restricted-fare category stateroom:
  • This category guarantees you a stateroom within the stateroom type selected (Inside Stateroom. Oceanview Stateroom, Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, or Concierge Stateroom). Disney Cruise Line will assign the stateroom at a later time, based on availability for all guaranteed staterooms of this type. You may even be assigned an upgraded stateroom category.
  • Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
  • Sail date and stateroom category changes are not permitted.
  • Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
  • The stateroom offer cannot be combined with any other discounted or promotional offer.

I too am very curious to see how this plays out for the OP.

I added a person at a later time and did not pay in full until regular payment time. I booked a 9D gty.

 

[Stephanie711]

I booked a GTY rate for an upcoming cruise. I paid in full, and my cabin has since been assigned. I called very recently inquiring about upgrading our cabin from an OV to a Veranda and they gave me the price difference. I told them I would think about it and call back.

 

[Pens Fan]

I added a person at a later time and did not pay in full until regular payment time. I booked a 9D gty.

That just reinforces my guess that there is some type of website snafu. When you click on Rate Details for a specific category GTY rate (as you booked), you get the details for the discounted *GT rates.

I agree with Princess Schmoo that you should probably just call DCL directly and ask some general questions about the rules for GTY rates. Your travel agent could be reading what is on DCL's website (which could very well be incorrect) and coming to the conclusions they are communicating to you.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I booked a GTY rate for an upcoming cruise. I paid in full, and my cabin has since been assigned. I called very recently inquiring about upgrading our cabin from an OV to a Veranda and they gave me the price difference. I told them I would think about it and call back.

I'll also note, if you do change categories (on the same cruise) you'll pay the difference to what the upgraded room was on the day you made the original reservation, not the prevailing price on the day you change.