What would you do? Stateroom help needed!

[noah's mom]

I've learned so much over the last few months but never really had a question until today so I just joined! We've cruised DCL four times so far but this will be our first cruise with our son who was born last August.

Here's the scenario:

We booked this past January (Cat 12 Guarantee). I happened to see a thread the other night about FL resident rates. I never thought to check back for cheaper rates...how ignorant of me! So, I decided to call DCL and see if I could get a better rate for our upcoming trip. Lo and behold, the rep told me that I could book a Cat 12 for $1578 for the three of us (2 adults, 1 year old) but I had to go through my TA. That's about $500 less than we paid so you better believe I got right on the phone with the TA! TA calls DCL and comes back on the line saying that the FL resident rate isn't good for Cat 12 Guarantee but I can book a Cat 11 (assigned stateroom) for $1578. At the time, I didn't think to check any other categories as I thought the inside stateroom would meet our needs since we've never really spent much time in the room on past cruises. I went ahead and switched to the Cat 11 but had to give up my $75 shipboard credit/free IPod as you can't stack promotions. Fine. I'd rather $500 in my pocket

Fast forward to last night. The decision just wasn't sitting right with me as I felt that with a Cat 12 Guarantee, we would have probably been upgraded a few categories. On our 12/2004 cruise we booked the same and were upgraded to a 9. So, I went through the drill again. DCL said there was a Cat 9 Guarantee available for $1878. I'd still be ahead $200 (minus the $75 shipboard credit...don't get me started!) so I went ahead and made the switch.

What would you do in this situation? Would you keep the Cat 9 Guarantee, switch back to the Cat 11, or try to upgrade at the port for a lesser cost? It's like a chess match! I'm interested in others' thoughts and opinions since I'm obviously still not sure I made the right decision. DH just plays along so he's not much help!

Thanks in advance!

 

[GreatDaneMom]

Bless your heart, you're going to make yourself crazy over all of this. All anyone else can give you is their personal opinions and only you know what's really the most important to you - location, the possibility of being upgraded, or cost.

For my family I've always found that picking a specific room in a location we want is preferable over saving money with a Guarantee. MY DH goes crazy if he has to be under a nightclub, near the engines, etc. So for me the safety of knowing I've got a good location is more important than saving some money or the chance of getting an upgrade. Upgrades are a gamble and I guess I'm just not much of a gambler. But you may have completely different priorities than I do.

Whatever you pick, just make your decision and don't fret over it any further. You're going to have a good time on the ship no matter where you sleep. Right?

Cheryl

 

[cats mom]

Well, my advice would be to book the least expensive catagory that you know you'll be happy with.

True, you might have gotten upgraded from the cat. 12 guarantee, but it's certainly not a given. Someone is staying in those cat. 12 rooms.

Along the same lines, it's not always possible to get an upgrade at the port. The fact that they are offering FL res. rates on your cruise is a good sign... but still not a given that what you want will be available.


I think in your situation I'd probably stick with the cat. 9 and be greatful I lived in Florida.
I'd love to be able to score a cat. 9 for less than I had originally booked a cat. 12 guarantee for.

Do you think they'll ever offer Arizona resident rates?

Welcome out of lurkdom and have a GREAT cruise!

 

[noah's mom]

Thank you Cheryl and cats mom for your responses!

I posted this knowing full-well that it's definitely a subjective answer. I guess I'm just wondering what others would do in this scenario.

I think I'm going to stick with the Cat 9 Guarantee and be content with the extra $125 net that we'll end up with. The truth of the matter is that I'm thrilled to be taking our son on his first cruise and I don't really mind where we end up sleeping However, I am also a deal-seeker by nature which ended up stressing me out this time around!

 

[yankeegal64]

Why did that take away your room credit? What TA if you don't mind me asking? We booked a 12 gty for Feb 2007(2119.60 for 2 adults) with DCL then moved to DU to get the $75.00 room credit. Our TA kept a watch out for the military discounts. When they were released she moved us to a cat 9 which turned out to be $1722.10 before she even contacted me and we still have our room credit. Why have a TA if you are the one doing all the work?