Would this work? Payment Question

[Steph5324]

The good news is my boyfriend's parents are taking the family (including me!) on a Disney cruise next year. I suspect they are going to book inside staterooms because they'll be paying for 8 people's trips (3 or 4 rooms). The problem is that I'm claustrophic and have to have a verandah. I'm willing to pay for it myself of course but I don't want to sound ungrateful and snotty by asking them to book me something different than everyone else. So my plan is to secretly pay to upgrade all the rooms to a category 7. Can I do that? Can I call and have them look up the reservation under her name, pay for the upgrades, and tell them to just say it was a free upgrade? Do you think they would do that? It's not the end of the world if his parents found out but I don't want them to feel bad, like what they bought wasn't good enough.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

When you pay the final payment you get a final payment notification mailed to you showing what was paid. If you book yourself, you will get it in the mail, if you use a TA all paperwork goes to them....if I was to do it use a TA and don't let them forward the paperwork. I have head HORROR stories on these boards about people trying to "surprise" someone and the doc showed up in the mail....

 

[Mickeyhugger]

While you're surprising everyone with a free room upgrade, you can upgrade mine. We're traveling July 2006.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

The good news is my boyfriend's parents are taking the family (including me!) on a Disney cruise next year. I suspect they are going to book inside staterooms because they'll be paying for 8 people's trips (3 or 4 rooms). The problem is that I'm claustrophic and have to have a verandah. I'm willing to pay for it myself of course but I don't want to sound ungrateful and snotty by asking them to book me something different than everyone else. So my plan is to secretly pay to upgrade all the rooms to a category 7. Can I do that? Can I call and have them look up the reservation under her name, pay for the upgrades, and tell them to just say it was a free upgrade? Do you think they would do that? It's not the end of the world if his parents found out but I don't want them to feel bad, like what they bought wasn't good enough.

That is so nice of you! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Corryn]

Sorry to throw a wrench in it, but......
I'm claustrophobic also, but I'm not fretting my decision for an inside stateroom because.....

I've heard quite a few negative stories about having a room with a view. I've spoken with them about this because I am claustrophobic. Two said they kept their window curtain closed because they could not bear to look out at the moving sea. One said her window was under water some times, which I think is the worst thing, especially being claustrophobic! The only good thing I heard was from my mother in law. She appreciated the verandah.

Before being a trailblazer and having your good deed go awry, next time you're all together, throw that out as a topic of conversation: If you could afford a room with a view, would you? If the consensus is yes, then go ahead and do it.
Remember, ConfusedOne say, no good deed goes unpunished
Good Luck!

 

[mmouse37]

Corryn....not sure what cruise the people you mention were on, but I can assure you that even the Deck 1 cabins on DCL are not underwater....yes, they might have waves up against the window at times, but unless the ship was in very turbulent seas...the window will not be obscured by water!!!

I just don't want people thinking that if they book lower decks they will be "underwater" because that is just not so!!!

I totally agree with your advise to the OP...make sure everyone is fine with a view before you "upgrade" everyone...wow that is very nice of you.....I can imagine how much that will cost you to upgrade everyone....that is very special of you do want to do that.

 

[Muushka]

I too am claustrophobic (slightly). I remember my first cruise (I have only taken 2) a long time ago, we booked a stateroom with an itty-bitty porthole (Not a DCL ship). I remember staring out that thing constantly and being grateful that it was there. We had a verrandah last cruise! Yup, gotta have a window.

 

[mickeyboat]

We were on Deck 1 as well and our window was never under water.

DH is claustrophobic too, we ended up with Cat 9 on Deck 1 and he didn't have any problem at all. We were busy most of the time and only used the room to sleep and dress.

I think it would be very generous of you to upgrade everyone's staterooms, but check into the cost - I think you will find it pretty expensive. Also, I wouldn't try to surprise everyone, just offer to do it before hand. Maybe say you were so grateful for them offering the trip, you wanted to do something to make it extra special for everyone. Then work together to upgrade. Maybe they picked the rooms they did for a reason, and would be upset if they didn't get those rooms. Is there anyone with small childen who may feel uncomfortable about having a veranda?

Just a few things to think about. Have a great time!

Denae

 

[my3kids]

I know, at least with MY inlaws, they would be mad as hornets if I did that. They would very much feel like I was saying what they selected wasn't good enough blah blah blah. There wouldn't be one single thing they appreciated about the upgrade. Again, this is my inlaws and they are 'unique.'

I would go with whatever they selected and plan to spend time on the open decks. Even the inside rooms are very nice and plenty spacious. If you don't feel claustrophobic in your bedroom at home with the curtains closed, I don't think you'll find it unbearable on the ship either.

 

[Steph5324]

Thanks for all the input. Lots of stuff I hadn't thought about. I think I will thank my lucky stars and just be happy with what they're buying. I really don't want to cause any problems. Maybe if all go to check in at the desk I'll casually ask about the cost of upgrading and then just say "go for it" as a spur of the moment thing and make it a funny "Wahoo! We're on vacation!" thing. But my top concern is their feelings, not a verandah.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Steph, what is you sailing date and destination......I have an idea.....

 

[Sarangel]

You could also tell her about the "Secret Porthole Rooms." These are Cat 10 rooms on deck 5 that have slightly obstructed views. I think the stateroom numbers are 5520-24 and 5020-24... That way you can let her in on a 'secret' and still have a view.

 

[Steph5324]

My boyfriend's mom hasn't booked yet, she's waiting to find out people's schedules based on a few upcoming job changes. She said February or March.

 

[logan1_2000]

Steph--

There seems to be nothing ulterior going on in your motives--any upgrade you might attempt seems to be a reaction to a condition that you can't help. I don't know your relationship w/ BF's mother, or your ages or situations or whatever, but I think instead of hoping something might be available at the port--it might, it might not--tell her what you have told the board. That you think it is wonderful and generous for them to take extended family on the cruise and to include you, and you want everyone including their son to be able to enjoy the trip and your claustrophobia has you concerned, and one thought you have is that a verandah would address matters, but you don't want BF's mother to be responsible for costs like that, yet you don't want to create any differences that will hurt any feelings, and put your heads together and bring her into the process. If you had mobility or dietary restrictions you likely wouldn't hesitate to make sure the situation was addressed, right? And no one would want to bring you on a trip that ended up to be unpleasant. I don't know the players involved, but your thread seemed sincere and my reaction was that it sounded liek the type of thing that later on someone would say "why didn't she say something?"

Grain of salt--all this optimism about your ability to "bond" and get along w/ BF's mother from a divorce lawyer who at this very moment is trying to ignore the deeply hurt sobbing noises coming through my office walls on a wonderfully sunny day just three days before I get on the road and drive to the port. And my late MIL took DW, DS and I on our first DCL cruise, and I was her thankful guest in spite of the fact that, may she rest in peace, my DMIL and I "tolerated" each other (DW's own words). So I know what it is to be taken on such a trip (bless her, she sprung for cat. 8's so we had windows) and to have to be sensitive to family dynamics.

The whimpering and crying is getting louder, the sun is shining, and I wish you well, but I just have to log off and go to someone else's office.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Steph......the reason I asked is that out 1st sailing was Feb. 2000 we did a land and sea. Naturally I booked a moderate can't remember but probably an 8 or 9. 1st week of Feb. was off peak. Sometime in Dec. my DDs watched Titanic and saw that the people in the "lower part of the ship" were locked in and couldn't get to a life boat.....They asked where our cabin was and were a little aprehensive about sailing. they were 9 and 7. I called DCL and explained my situation and they "upgraded" us to a cat. 6 verandah for 100.00 per person. Now, the ship was only about 1/2 full and it IS off peak and the down side.......our next 4 sailings I was so spoiled with the verandah that I have to book it.....

 

[b&j's_mom]

Again, this is my inlaws and they are 'unique.'

Is it possible we have the same in-laws?!?!