How to change the cabin?

[love2trvl]

Dear fellow cruisers,

We'll be taking our third cruise w/NCL in july. I booked w/online agency an obstructed OV, which is on deck 8 only. While doing an online check-in, I noticed we were given a forward most cabin on deck 4, right below the theater. We like to go to bed early, so I called the agency and she called the NCL and they said there's nothing they could do to move us. I then called the NCL myself and the lady gave me a choice of a few cabins on decks 4 and 5, same category as assigned cabin. I was happy and picked one, but then she said she's sorry, she can't do anything for me, she made a mistake and can't move us. I asked to be moved to GTY again, but she said no to that either. I just don't get why they won't move us when they have plenty of cabins in the same cat where we would have less noise and be happier! Is there anything I can do to change the cabin, maybe when it gets closer to sailing date? Any good strategy I can follow? Thank you.

[DorothyB]

she probably couldn't change the cabin because you booked through a TA.

 

Call your TA again and have them call NCL again - tell them which cabins look ok to you

[Cubechick]

All changes must be made through your travel agent. NCL isn't allowed to make changes to TA bookings.

[rvsullivan]

NCL cannot deal with you directly. You booked with a TA so they are your contact point until you check in for your cruise. Tell your TA what you want and let them try.

[love2trvl]

OK, thank you, will call the online agency again.

[Demonyte]

I booked w/online agency an obstructed OV, which is on deck 8 only. While doing an online check-in, I noticed we were given a forward most cabin on deck 4, right below the theater. [...] Is there anything I can do to change the cabin, maybe when it gets closer to sailing date?

 

As unfortunate as it is, you were upgraded from OK/OX category to a higher oceanview category so it has went according to the rules and that is it. NCL states on their website that the GTY assignments are final so your only chance is to pay more money for an upgrade to a higher category - in this case higher oceanview subcategory or above.

 

We did this exact same mistake once (booked an OA guarantee - also only on deck 8 - and got upgraded to O1 below the casino) and our only way out was to pay for an upgrade to better category where we still could choose the cabin ourself. In our case this happened on Star and it was weeks before the departure so after price drops we got a great deal on lowest of the suites, SJ, and were so happy for the room and perks and extra space we got even though we had to pay more.

[mking8288]

OP, what ship are you sailing on & stateroom # you are assigned to ?

 

If it's one of the Jewel/Dawn class ships, deck 4 FWD Oceanview (porthole) aren't necessary bad or noisey - I don't believe they are underneath the theater's stage - the forward ones might be under the rows of seats on deck 5, but you won't hear footsteps.

 

If the ship is tendering for some of the ports & dropping anchor in the morning, you will probably hear the gears & chains, etc. moving but otherwise, it's no worst than many other sections of the ship.

 

We book the GEM in 2012 for an obstructed OV GTY - deck 8 and were assigned OV porthole, deck 4 FWD, port-side and we sailed right after Hurricane Sandy & out to sea directly into & then out of the Nor-easter with rough sea & gale force wind, and were VERY happy with our cabin location. I kinda "missed" the submarine port-hole view of waves smashing against the ship.

 

As others said, contact your online TA and have them "deal" with NCL on your behalf, check out the latest prices & be prepared to pay a nominal price adjustment to upgrade to a "better" cabin location. BUT, the fine prints in the GTY category are clear & written - once assigned, it's generally final. We had also had an unusual exception on one other saiing doing the Jewel in 2011, most likely NOT going to happen again as it happened on Day 2 after we sailed.

[garycarla]

If you book a GTY - they can give you any room on the ship they want, and they can change it, multiple times.

 

If you book with a TA - the TA is your agent. Only they can talk to NCL.

[love2trvl]

Thank you all for the great advise. This is the Star, sailing in July. I have contacted the online agency and they called NCL, to no avail. So I wait, and this week they have a sale and lower the prices. I call the agency again, they call NCL, still nothing. I am still optimistic, because they have many, many unsold cabins, now only 7 weeks out. It seems they would have to lower the prices again. One thing that puzzles me, why would they assign us the least desirable cabin when there are so many available, and not want to move us even a couple doors down? We have sailed with them 3 times, but this is the last time.

[Demonyte]

One thing that puzzles me, why would they assign us the least desirable cabin when there are so many available, and not want to move us even a couple doors down?

 

Because you booked GTY meaning that you accepted the fact that you can be in the category you booked or higher - you won't get to choose or have a say in your cabin selection and for that you usually pay smaller price than those that can choose their cabins. Many times GTYs are assigned to least desirable cabins so that the more desirable cabins can still be sold to new customers.

 

As I said in previous reply, only sure way to get a better location now is to pay for it - I just hope that you won't get more disappointed if things don't get better with your current strategy, NCL has no obligation to move you as your cabin is already assigned (even in the name of good customer service - this happens all the time).

[love2trvl]

Yes, I understand, Demonyte, thank you. We have booked GTY before and had an amazing upgraded cabins before, maybe our luck has ran out. I am considering paying a bit more for a better location, but seeing how many cabins are still unsold, looks like prices are heading lower, so I am willing to wait. I'll update on my progress.

[EllieinNJ]

We booked an inside guarantee on POA and got a room assignment the beginning of April for 10181, the most aft inside on deck 10. Because prices were coming down, I called my TA and she got me a mid ship OV on deck 4. at no extra charge. After looking at the configuration of the room and it being under the MDR called the TA again and was again switched to a mid ship obstructed OV which I finally was happy with. They said it was a downgrade but to me it was an upgrade.