Sailing in 30 days and concerned!

[Velvetwater]

We are sailing the Vista in August and when cabins opened up in January 2015 we booked a 4j straight away. These are the best insides as they have a OV sized window looking out onto the deck.

 

We looked at the 4j cabins on Lido deck (10) and noticed that the 3 middle cabins were unavailable to book due to being handicap cabins. The 2 end cabins were not and a good price so we booked one of them...cabin fits 2 only.

 

A year and half later and 4 weeks out these two end cabins are now handicap cabins (not sure when this was done).

 

We would never book a handicap cabin on the basis of possibly being bumped and we are now worried this will happened even though the cabin was booked as a normal one. I guess when the ship was being built it changed.

 

 

Is it likely we will get bumped?Cruise is showing as sold out of the website but seems to have a few deals on package style sites.

 

Where do we stand if they did as we booked it as a normal cabin?

 

Thanks x

[Sixtytwo]

If you booked through Carnival, I might suggest giving them a call and just asking this question to them. Who knows, you could wind up with a real OV cabin and some OBC! Remember, I said "COULD"! :D

 

I do think you are right to be concerned about the possibility of bumping someone who needs an accessible cabin, so call and see what you can find out.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

Is the ship sold out yet? Once it is, guarantee cabins are assigned. I doubt anyone requiring an accessible cabin would book a guarantee so very unlikely you would get bumped.

If the ship is not sold out, then there is still the chance you could get bumped. You should be prepared to show that when you booked it was not an accessible cabin and that you expect to receive the same or better cabin.

[Velvetwater]

The cruise is sold out/not showing on Carnival UK and US sites but the usual cruise websites still show insides available (but you need to enquire).

 

We booked early as possible because we really wanted this cabin type and high up. As much as OBC would be ok it wouldn't offset a normal OV for us on a low deck.

 

if we did get bumped there are only insides left (lower than our inside category) on second party websites.

[winddawn]

We are sailing the Vista in August and when cabins opened up in January 2015 we booked a 4j straight away. These are the best insides as they have a OV sized window looking out onto the deck.

 

We looked at the 4j cabins on Lido deck (10) and noticed that the 3 middle cabins were unavailable to book due to being handicap cabins. The 2 end cabins were not and a good price so we booked one of them...cabin fits 2 only.

 

A year and half later and 4 weeks out these two end cabins are now handicap cabins (not sure when this was done).

 

We would never book a handicap cabin on the basis of possibly being bumped and we are now worried this will happened even though the cabin was booked as a normal one. I guess when the ship was being built it changed.

 

 

Is it likely we will get bumped?Cruise is showing as sold out of the website but seems to have a few deals on package style sites.

 

Where do we stand if they did as we booked it as a normal cabin?

 

Thanks x

My last cruise was in a handicap cabin, and I don't need a handicap cabin. My PVP suggested this cabin since it was available and had a longer than normal balcony, which is desirable in Alaska. She explained I could get bumped from it if anyone else needed a handicapped cabin, and explained other handicapped cabins were still available at the time I booked. I was okay with the understanding I could get bumped, keeping in mind this was a reduced rate casino offer and less desirable balcony cabin since it was an obstructed view balcony cabin by the life boats.

 

I booked 5 months prior to sail date, and did not get bumped. I think it really depends on how many handicap cabins are available and how many people request them on your particular sail date.

 

The really cool thing about having this cabin (other than the extended balcony) was the shower had a seat in it that I didn't otherwise need but provided a place to prop my legs to shave. Carnival's other cabins don't have that and I loved it!

 

So in 5 months I didn't get bumped, but circumstances are different on every sailing. Just be flexible. That's part of enjoying cruising.

[PoppyandNana]

My last cruise was in a handicap cabin, and I don't need a handicap cabin. My PVP suggested this cabin since it was available and had a longer than normal balcony, which is desirable in Alaska. She explained I could get bumped from it if anyone else needed a handicapped cabin, and explained other handicapped cabins were still available at the time I booked. I was okay with the understanding I could get bumped, keeping in mind this was a reduced rate casino offer and less desirable balcony cabin since it was an obstructed view balcony cabin by the life boats.

 

I booked 5 months prior to sail date, and did not get bumped. I think it really depends on how many handicap cabins are available and how many people request them on your particular sail date.

 

The really cool thing about having this cabin (other than the extended balcony) was the shower had a seat in it that I didn't otherwise need but provided a place to prop my legs to shave. Carnival's other cabins don't have that and I loved it!

 

So in 5 months I didn't get bumped, but circumstances are different on every sailing. Just be flexible. That's part of enjoying cruising.

 

Most TA's I've ever worked with require a form describing the disability. Shame on your PVP, whatever that is for putting you into a HC cabin with doing due diligence.

[crzndeb]

Very strange, as I have a 4J on deck 7 and the 2 ends have always shown to be HC? I booked when they opened up also. It almost sounds like there was some type of misprint on deck 10.

I have friends who are on deck 6 and same thing...ends were the HC.

[Computer Nerd]

The cruise is sold out/not showing on Carnival UK and US sites but the usual cruise websites still show insides available (but you need to enquire).

 

We booked early as possible because we really wanted this cabin type and high up. As much as OBC would be ok it wouldn't offset a normal OV for us on a low deck.

 

if we did get bumped there are only insides left (lower than our inside category) on second party websites.

 

i would not get worried. first, if they did decide to bump you last minute, they cannot give you a cabin lower than your original booking....a 4j. so you can only go 4j or higher. second, if they were going to bump you they probably would have done so by now. our friends booked an hc 4j on deck 7 on the valor to be next to us and they had no problems whatsoever with the booking.

[Computer Nerd]

Most TA's I've ever worked with require a form describing the disability. Shame on your PVP, whatever that is for putting you into a HC cabin with doing due diligence.

 

the op stated the cabin was not listed as an hc when they booked so no shaming of the pvp. also, ta's do not work for carnival, pvp's do. i've had my pvp recommend an hc cabin to me before, always with the warning that i could get bumped but getting bumped means getting a higher classed cabin so no worries if that happens.

[cruizinisthebest]

Very strange, as I have a 4J on deck 7 and the 2 ends have always shown to be HC? I booked when they opened up also. It almost sounds like there was some type of misprint on deck 10.

I have friends who are on deck 6 and same thing...ends were the HC.

 

7207 is not showing as handicap and wasn't when we booked it back in January? Let me check again.

[crzndeb]

7207 is not showing as handicap and wasn't when we booked it back in January? Let me check again.

 

Hmmmm...I know I was going to book one of the end ones, but thought they were HC. Maybe not. I also could have totally misread the symbols...LOL

[Computer Nerd]

Hmmmm...I know I was going to book one of the end ones, but thought they were HC. Maybe not. I also could have totally misread the symbols...LOL

 

on the valor, the end cabins on deck 7 are hc. not sure about the vista. also, the end cabins beds cannot be joined and must stay singles the way the cabin is laid out.

[dacsmom]

Most TA's I've ever worked with require a form describing the disability. Shame on your PVP, whatever that is for putting you into a HC cabin with doing due diligence.

 

Don't fuss at the OP since you have no idea what the company policy is.

A PVP is Carnival Personal Vacation Planner, they work for Carnival. They do not let handicap accessible cabins go empty and will regularly sell them to cruisers with the stipulation that if someone needs the cabin then they will be moved to another cabin. Many may not agree, but for Carnival it makes good business sense not to let a cabin sail empty.

[Velvetwater]

Don't fuss at the OP since you have no idea what the company policy is.

A PVP is Carnival Personal Vacation Planner, they work for Carnival. They do not let handicap accessible cabins go empty and will regularly sell them to cruisers with the stipulation that if someone needs the cabin then they will be moved to another cabin. Many may not agree, but for Carnival it makes good business sense not to let a cabin sail empty.

 

I don't think they were getting at me, rather than the poster that made that comment.

 

We never use a TA/PVP and I booked my cabin as normal cabin on the website. I never book a handicap cabin due to the fear of being bumped.

 

I agree with you though, handicap cabins seemed to be booked quite quickly as well.

 

According to the fb group on our cruise its officially sold out.

[WishIWasCruisn724]

We booked a handicap 4J cabin on the Dream a few years ago at the advice of our PVP and ended up getting bumped 9 days or so before the cruise as someone booked on the cruise injured themselves and needed the cabin. Carnival gave us a cove balcony room instead, which was wonderful. We knew it was a possibility, and it did happen, but it really worked out on our favor. I hope you don't end up getting bumped, but if it does happen, I think Carnival will take care of you.

[nwcruiselover]

I am also booked in a 4J on deck 7. When one of the end cabins on 7 became available, I called my PVP to find out whether I could switch to that one. She said both end cabins are HC and I could not be moved. The deck plans still show them as HC.

 

By the way, if I were in a 4J HC cabin and Carnival needed it for a handicapped person, I would NOT consider it an upgrade to be put into a regular OV. To me a 4J is far more desirable than a regular OV.

[kerryincork]

We booked a handicap 4J cabin on the Dream a few years ago at the advice of our PVP and ended up getting bumped 9 days or so before the cruise as someone booked on the cruise injured themselves and needed the cabin. Carnival gave us a cove balcony room instead, which was wonderful. We knew it was a possibility, and it did happen, but it really worked out on our favor. I hope you don't end up getting bumped, but if it does happen, I think Carnival will take care of you.

 

Wow! Your the first person I have heard of getting bumped, I've always worried that this didn't happen in reality. I would never want to deprive anyone of a HC cabin who needed one.

[Velvetwater]

 

By the way, if I were in a 4J HC cabin and Carnival needed it for a handicapped person, I would NOT consider it an upgrade to be put into a regular OV. To me a 4J is far more desirable than a regular OV.

 

I agree completely.

 

Especially as ours is on Lido.

[Computer Nerd]

I agree completely.

 

Especially as ours is on Lido.

 

that may be but according to Carnival, a 6a is higher than a 4j and if needed, someone not needing an hc will be bumped if the cabin is needed.

[Velvetwater]

that may be but according to Carnival, a 6a is higher than a 4j and if needed, someone not needing an hc will be bumped if the cabin is needed.

 

But thats why I created this thread

 

I booked a normal cabin so I would not get bumped....it then turned into a handicap cabin. If they bumped me (esp to a OV) it would be a fault they would have to correct. I was never notified of the cabin category change by call or email...its only through CC I found out and the fact I booked in January 2015 to get this cabin.

 

If that makes sense.

[Computer Nerd]

But thats why I created this thread

 

I booked a normal cabin so I would not get bumped....it then turned into a handicap cabin. If they bumped me (esp to a OV) it would be a fault they would have to correct. I was never notified of the cabin category change by call or email...its only through CC I found out and the fact I booked in January 2015 to get this cabin.

 

If that makes sense.

 

yes, i understand why you created this thread and responded to that earlier by stating the chances of you being bumped are very slim. but, big but, since it is now classified as an hc and if an hc person needs the cabin, you will be bumped and you won't have one single bit of choice in the matter. the best you can do if this happens is to cry to carnival that it wasn't classified as an hc when you booked the cabin but in reality, how can you prove that unless you printed the deck plan at time of booking.

 

just keep your fingers crossed and all should be okay. if the crap hits the fan, take it in stride and don't have a hissy fit. :)

[Velvetwater]

I've done a bit of prempting and rang Carnival to explain the situation and the rep put notes on my booking 'Booked before the ship was built and cabin was classed a a non HC cabin although has now changed to a hc- pax not want to be moved/call before moving'

 

Although he assured me they would call if anything happens and he confirmed the ship was completely full.

 

Also I realised on the Carnival website you can only book non HC cabins (at least on the UK one) so as there is evidence of my booking was made directly on there I could never have booked a HC originally. Which helps my case if anything happens.

[Computer Nerd]

I've done a bit of prempting and rang Carnival to explain the situation and the rep put notes on my booking 'Booked before the ship was built and cabin was classed a a non HC cabin although has now changed to a hc- pax not want to be moved/call before moving'

 

Although he assured me they would call if anything happens and he confirmed the ship was completely full.

 

Also I realised on the Carnival website you can only book non HC cabins (at least on the UK one) so as there is evidence of my booking was made directly on there I could never have booked a HC originally. Which helps my case if anything happens.

 

us does not have this restriction.

[aka-texas]

They are not HANDICAP cabins. They are cabins that are handicap accessible . They will not bump you unless there are no accessible rooms available anywhere on the ship (any class). Just because someone waits til last minute to book, does not entitle them a room in any class they desire. If 4Js are sold out and there are insides or balconies that are handicap accessible available, then that is what they get to choose from.

[cruizinisthebest]

They are not HANDICAP cabins. They are cabins that are handicap accessible . They will not bump you unless there are no accessible rooms available anywhere on the ship (any class). Just because someone waits til last minute to book, does not entitle them a room in any class they desire. If 4Js are sold out and there are insides or balconies that are handicap accessible available, then that is what they get to choose from.

 

I agree and wouldn't worry myself if I was the OP. I book well in advance to get the kind of room I want. Everyone should do likewise. Handicap rooms are held back for a time, then released. After that, anyone is entitled to book it as it should be.