waitlist for 1st seating-advice please!

[jlmcantwait]

I was waitlisted for first seating. Does anyone know how they clear the WL? Is it strictly 1st come 1st served or do they take into consideration kids ages? If I do not clear will I have a chance
at the pier( or on board)-or is hall hope lost?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

You can do a couple things to give yourself a better chance. I would call a few times a week to check to see if there are any openings for main seating on your cruise. From what I've been told, the waitlist is not immediately checked when something opens up, it's only checked once per day, so if something is open when you call, you'll get it as opposed to whomever is next on the waitlist. I'd call every day during the week just prior to the 60-day refund period, as this is when most cancellations will happen.

If this fails, there is a place and time set aside once you board where the dining manager will try to make changes for you. There's no guarantee here, though.

I've used the "call-every-few-days" method to change reservations a few times and it's worked every time.

 

[cass'mom]

Can you call DCL yourself to check if you booked through a TA? I am in the same situation and I really want early seating because of my almost 3 yo dd. I don't see her being real well behaved at 7:45 after a full day of fun. We got late seating because we booked so late.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

cass'mom,

That's a question I've seen asked before, but I don't know the answer (although I would be interested to). I'm guessing that your TA would have to make the calls, but again, I'm not sure. I actually booked myself last time rather than using a TA because I wasn't sure that they would be as persistant as I would.

I'd give the TA a call and explain the situation. Ask how willing they are to pursue this for you. It may not help for this trip, but it may affect whether or not you'd book a trip with them again.

 

[cass'mom]

Senor

Thanks for the advice...My TA through AAA doesn't seem to know the half about anything related to this cruise. I know more than her through these boards! In fact I called her today to once again see if she's tried to call DCL to get first seating and ask her if she knew if our dining times on the 3 night Wonder would also be changing. She had no clue about it. So she called to confirm that the times had changed and she still couldn't get us off of the waitlist. So I wonder if I can call DCL myself... and if we ever get an opportunity to sail again, I'll be sure to book it on my own.