Trying to get the room you really wanted (3-day hold release question)

[Watt-man]

I’ve done a little searching but haven’t found an answer to a particular angle… here’s the situation.

Although the latest cruise releases allowed Platinum CC members to book Monday, we’re Gold so we booked with DCL at 8AM EST opening on Tuesday. We got a good room, but not ‘exactly’ the one we wanted. Since some Platinum people ahead of us might have a 3-day hold on some rooms, there’s a chance that one of our goal rooms will become available, and we’re interested in how to get it.

So the first question is “when does the 3-day hold expire?” – is it actually exactly 72 hours after the customer placed the hold? Or is 11:59 PM EST? If 11:59, how is that counted (i.e., is Monday night day 0 or is it day 1) – meaning: for a person who did a 3-day hold on Monday, does it expire at 11:59PM on Wednesday night or Thursday night?

Seems like I’d want to be logged online at 11:59 PM EST on the correct day, then attempt to get a better room? I was thinking if I found something I’d book it with a 3-day hold, then call Disney to make the switch? It seems that might be risky or ‘not work’ as we used a placeholder for our booked cruise and this kicks off a few questions of what price they’d honor on the new room, ability to transfer, possible of loss of the old room after not getting the new room and so on.

You can see why I’m a little confused… not sure on what the best method is. Heck, the best method might just be ‘leave it as-is and don’t worry about it’ !

Thanks for any input.

 

[lklgoodman]

Have you called Disney to see if the room you want is available now? There's a room I like to get that is starboard side. But since Disney always shows port side rooms first, I booked my cruise with one of the port side rooms they showed. I then called right away and had them switch to the room I wanted. I don't know when exactly the 3 day hold ends. I'm not sure I understand why you would make another booking to get the room you want. If I were you, I would just call whenever you can and ask if any of the rooms you want are available. If one is, then they will switch it then for you. If not, then just keep calling once a week or however often you can. There's really no way to know if or when one could become available. Someone could cancel right before PIF, so it could be a long wait.

 

[stout]

I just paid off my deposit on my three day hold for a reservation made Monday. My reservation said the hold would expire at 11:59 EST tonight.

 

[stout]

Also, I just looked back on a hold that I let expire last April...the cancellation email was sent to me at 12:14 am EST, so 15 minutes after the cancellation time. Hope that helps.

 

[Lisa F]

not all rooms show up on the website. it's worth it to actually call to see if it's available. The website does not show the entire inventory, just some of it.

 

[Watt-man]

I just paid off my deposit on my three day hold for a reservation made Monday. My reservation said the hold would expire at 11:59 EST tonight.

Perfect answer! Thank you for that.

not all rooms show up on the website. it's worth it to actually call to see if it's available. The website does not show the entire inventory, just some of it.

Agreed, the site will show no more than 8 rooms when it displays. My concern is that I'd have to wait 8 hours after the cancellation to talk to an operator, hence the idea of putting it on a hold at 12:15AM and then calling at 8AM EST. Since the category has zero rooms available at present, I'm thinking that less than 8 rooms will be dropped at midnight, and thus, if 'my goal room' is suddenly available, it will show up.

 

[Watt-man]

I just paid off my deposit on my three day hold for a reservation made Monday. My reservation said the hold would expire at 11:59 EST tonight.

Also, I just looked back on a hold that I let expire last April...the cancellation email was sent to me at 12:14 am EST, so 15 minutes after the cancellation time. Hope that helps.

Thanks again. I watched at Midnight and sure enough, at 12:08 AM EST one room showed up in a category that has been unavailable since Monday. It was not a room that I'd rather move to, but your point was proven out.

 

[Ariel 2021]

Have you called Disney to see if the room you want is available now? There's a room I like to get that is starboard side. But since Disney always shows port side rooms first, I booked my cruise with one of the port side rooms they showed. I then called right away and had them switch to the room I wanted. I don't know when exactly the 3 day hold ends. I'm not sure I understand why you would make another booking to get the room you want. If I were you, I would just call whenever you can and ask if any of the rooms you want are available. If one is, then they will switch it then for you. If not, then just keep calling once a week or however often you can. There's really no way to know if or when one could become available. Someone could cancel right before PIF, so it could be a long wait.

Why do they book port side first? I did notice this online but thought it was a weird coincidence. I booked the Wonder to Mexico port side.

 

[TeamRipper]

WOW! After 15 cruises, I think the side of the boat is the most overrated thing to worry about. Second is whether you are 10 or so cabins away from your "perfect spot". Now, I realize that changes when you are bow or stern, we mostly always stay deck 9 mid on the Fantasy, but if your location stresses you out, you are going to have issues with almost everything else.
Do the best you can with your cabin, book your reservations the best you can, ENJOY. Pretty simple. Best advice..do not have unrealistic expectations. Know know you did the best you can and perfection is not possible. ENJOY! Pretty simple..

 

[Marc D]

Why do they book port side first? I did notice this online but thought it was a weird coincidence. I booked the Wonder to Mexico port side.

I believe it‘s only based on the room number. They show the first eight rooms that match the search criteria - category and number of guests. The first eight results in the list will always be port side if there are staterooms on both sides available. They didn‘t insert a randomizer between obtaining the search results and displaying them.

 

[ahain]

I believe it‘s only based on the room number. They show the first eight rooms that match the search criteria - category and number of guests. The first eight results in the list will always be port side if there are staterooms on both sides available. They didn‘t insert a randomizer between obtaining the search results and displaying them.

I wonder why they limit to only 8 rooms? Why not show everything available?

 

[FigmentSpark]

It makes you think that almost everything in that cat is gone and you'd better hurray. But if you phone, there's a good chance that almost everything is available.

 

[Deb T.]

WOW! After 15 cruises, I think the side of the boat is the most overrated thing to worry about.

Actually, choosing the side of the ship can be a very important decision. We just did the Iceland/Norway itinerary last July and purposely choose starboard side for amazing views of Iceland as we sailed around it. For our eastbound trans-Atlantic sailings, we prefer port-side so we can watch amazing sunsets from our veranda right before our late dining time. For sailings that include Castaway Cay, we always choose starboard side so we have a nice view of the island while docked. These are just three examples of why choosing a side of the ship is not an "overrated thing to worry about." YMMV

 

[Watt-man]

It makes you think that almost everything in that cat is gone and you'd better hurray.

Agreed, that has always been my thought as well.

 

[Rob1872]

Actually, choosing the side of the ship can be a very important decision. We just did the Iceland/Norway itinerary last July and purposely choose starboard side for amazing views of Iceland as we sailed around it. For our eastbound trans-Atlantic sailings, we prefer port-side so we can watch amazing sunsets from our veranda right before our late dining time. For sailings that include Castaway Cay, we always choose starboard side so we have a nice view of the island while docked. These are just three examples of why choosing a side of the ship is not an "overrated thing to worry about." YMMV

Agreed that there can be good reasons for a certain side of the ship. On the other hand, I wouldn't be too set on the idea that starboard is always the best view of Castaway Cay since they will pull the other side in if they have a maintenance item that requires the other side to the pier.

 

[mmmears]

OP - keep checking. People cancel and switch all the time. My last cruise was booked pretty late and I booked what I could get midship - port, but was able to switch to starboard and the room we wanted eventually. Good luck!

Actually, choosing the side of the ship can be a very important decision. We just did the Iceland/Norway itinerary last July and purposely choose starboard side for amazing views of Iceland as we sailed around it. For our eastbound trans-Atlantic sailings, we prefer port-side so we can watch amazing sunsets from our veranda right before our late dining time. For sailings that include Castaway Cay, we always choose starboard side so we have a nice view of the island while docked. These are just three examples of why choosing a side of the ship is not an "overrated thing to worry about." YMMV

Interesting point. What did you see around Iceland? Asking because we were starboard last time, and booked it again, but it looks like port will see land from Akureyri to Reykjavik this time. We usually aren't in our room during the day, but if it's really spectacular I guess I could try to switch. I'd love your input.

 

[Deb T.]

Interesting point. What did you see around Iceland? Asking because we were starboard last time, and booked it again, but it looks like port will see land from Akureyri to Reykjavik this time. We usually aren't in our room during the day, but if it's really spectacular I guess I could try to switch. I'd love your input.

If you're not in your cabin much, then it probably won't matter. We typically spend a lot of time out on our veranda. Keep in mind, most of the sailing time between Akureyri and Reykjavik will be at night. But, during daylight, we were always able to see Iceland's mountains (some snow-covered) in the distance.

 

[mmmears]

If you're not in your cabin much, then it probably won't matter. We typically spend a lot of time out on our veranda. Keep in mind, most of the sailing time between Akureyri and Reykjavik will be at night. But, during daylight, we were always able to see Iceland's mountains (some snow-covered) in the distance.

Thanks, we do enjoy the balcony, but when the scenery was really amazing we went up on top anyway to get a better look. Thanks for the input. I guess I'll think about switching. We've always stayed starboard, so I think it's just easier to find our cabin there, but we could adjust for better views.

 

[Deb T.]

Thanks, we do enjoy the balcony, but when the scenery was really amazing we went up on top anyway to get a better look. Thanks for the input. I guess I'll think about switching. We've always stayed starboard, so I think it's just easier to find our cabin there, but we could adjust for better views.

Our favorite cruise pastime is sitting on our veranda, munching on an All Hands on Deck platter from room service, while watching the world sail by.

 

[mmmears]

Our favorite cruise pastime is sitting on our veranda, munching on an All Hands on Deck platter from room service, while watching the world sail by.

I totally get that! TBH we spend a fair amount of time out there, even when it's cold. I just want to avoid bothering my TA again LOL. But we also enjoy it, and the views on that northern cruise were the prettiest yet.