is it possible to ask another traveler to switch rooms?

[Vicki-Chris]

I'm am going on the Symphony in July with my family. My kids are 12 and 19, I dont expect they'll be loud but we were only able to get 2 room with one in between.  I want to know if there is a way to ask the party that booked the in between room (an adjoining room to one of ours) to switch with us so that the family has the adjoining rooms? Same cabin, Boardwalk balcony.  Has anyone done this?

[Matt]

I don't know the means, but I recall my travel agent years ago attempting to ask for Royal to facilitate this.  

As I recall, it didnt work.

[twangster]

I've never heard of it occurring and I think it would be abused by people trying to move to a preferred cabin for no other reason than they want it.  

I understand you have a compelling justification but once they open the flood gates, the requests would come pouring in and it would quickly get out of hand.  They'd have to add staff and process to manage it.  Easier to say no across the board.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

Did you book using a travel agent?  If that adjoining room was not “personally chosen” by the occupants it might be possible to have your travel agent make the switch.  I had something similar happen years ago (pre COVID) but the Royal customer service agent confirmed the occupants CHOSE  that particular room so nothing could be done.  
But also…many of the adjoining boardwalk balconies have one room specific for 2 and the other is sold as a 4 person.  You can look on cruisedeckplans to see if that is the case for your situation.  
My last suggestion would be this…try to see if there are any other rooms in your category that are side by side but not necessarily adjoining.  Perhaps spend a little more $$ if you have to and book a different category.
If nothing works…so be it.
Enjoy your cruise regardless of how this works out for you.

[Smokey79]

My dad was in a similar situation on Indy last year. He got lucky that the cabin between them came open after the final payment day passed and they were able to move cabins. They did use a TA so I’m not how much work went into it. 

[Pattycruise]

I have seen people ask the Facebook group of the sailing “if anyone is cabin 1234 are you willing to switch cabins once onboard” —-I don’t know if it ever occurred.  I know someone had recommended they knock on the cabin or leave a note proposing the switch.  Personally idk how I would feel if someone were to knock my door and ask me to switch cabins. If I say no will I get the stink eye all week and banging on the walls from both sides?  I do put a lot of thought into my cabin and prefer my bed not be near the door.  I would be super hesitant to switch into a cabin with a bed near the door.  Additionally when I’ve done this with people I do know…2 casino comps booked between hubby and I and we each bring a guest then I move into hubby cabin- all of my crown and anchor amenities still get delivered to my original cabin.  

[Sharla]

As a TA I would have no idea how to do this- if the room was not booked by me on behalf of my clients then there is no way to contact them. Even if I did book that room for clients, it seems kind of a weird ask (from their perspective). 

The room in between may also be not a double occupancy room- so switching wouldn't even be possible. 

If I were you I'd put the room(s) you want on waitlist so you'll be notified if they cancel. 

[FOB]

Have you joined the Facebook group for your sailing? 
if so you might be able to find the passengers for that cabin on there. 
if you can I would suggest that you reach out to them and ask would they mind moving.
If they say yes then agree to meet up on sail away day and then go to guest services and ask them if it is possible to swap rooms and change keys / sea pass cards etc

that way you won’t have to pay for changes and if guest services say no then you haven’t lost out

[ChessE4]

Try to put yourself in the other guest's shoes. If I were asked to move, I'd be irritated. The hassle would be an imposition--a complication to worry about.  So don't try. Next time make sure your agent gets adjoining room.

[smokeybandit]

For any consolation, you are only one room apart. The convenience might be nice being side by side, but you really aren't gaining much in the end.

[Ryan79]

If I had that room, I’d be glad to switch…as long as I was paid my inconvenience fee which just happens to be equal to a 7 night booking on a Greek Isle itinerary with a balcony cabin! But that’s just because I’m a nice guy! 

[Srp431]

reminds me of people trying to switch seats on planes due to the fact they didn't plan. Not my fault or problem

[twangster]

I have changed cabins a day before the cruise when a non-connecting version became available in the same category.  All my CAS stuff, water, wine, goodies, etc. were delivered to my old cabin.  If I was due a crystal block I would have missed it.

I don't change cabins close in any more.  

Getting guest services to officially change cabins can be a PITA and some ship won't do it.

If I were asked onboard I would politely decline.  

[bobroo]

I've sailed a few times when I have had an extra cabin. Nobody in there the whole week; used the cabin to store luggage.

So.... it was impossible for Guest Services to take the cabin back, even making them aware of what was happening on Day 1. I was hoping they would have a need and give me some OBC in exchange, but I was flat out refused.

I've tried to sell them to another passenger who wanted a cheap room upgrade or a better location. Again, iksnay'd at Guest Services.

 

So....once that ship manifest is created and the muster stations are assigned. Guest Services is not going to edit those---ever. I think this is why the OP's desire to exchange rooms will not be allowed.

 

[harina88]

7 hours ago, bobroo said:

I've sailed a few times when I have had an extra cabin. Nobody in there the whole week; used the cabin to store luggage.

So.... it was impossible for Guest Services to take the cabin back, even making them aware of what was happening on Day 1. I was hoping they would have a need and give me some OBC in exchange, but I was flat out refused.

I've tried to sell them to another passenger who wanted a cheap room upgrade or a better location. Again, iksnay'd at Guest Services.

 

So....once that ship manifest is created and the muster stations are assigned. Guest Services is not going to edit those---ever. I think this is why the OP's desire to exchange rooms will not be allowed.

 

If the manifest and muster stations are locked in that early, it really does sound like trying to swap rooms later on is pretty much a lost cause, huh? 

[Dad2Cue]

On 4/24/2025 at 8:12 AM, Vicki-Chris said:

I'm am going on the Symphony in July with my family. My kids are 12 and 19, I dont expect they'll be loud but we were only able to get 2 room with one in between.  I want to know if there is a way to ask the party that booked the in between room (an adjoining room to one of ours) to switch with us so that the family has the adjoining rooms? Same cabin, Boardwalk balcony.  Has anyone done this?

Put your kids in the adjoining room with the other party. Tell the other party that your kids are rowdy and need to be supervised.  The other party might gladly switch rooms if you are in the middle to buffer the noise.  Sometimes an adjoining room costs more so maybe offer to compensate the other party.  I know that I would agree but I'm not sure if Royal would.

[DunkelBierJay]

On 4/24/2025 at 3:24 PM, ChessE4 said:

Try to put yourself in the other guest's shoes. If I were asked to move, I'd be irritated. The hassle would be an imposition--a complication to worry about.  So don't try. Next time make sure your agent gets adjoining room.

I completely agree with this...

Unrelated but sort of similar -- two cruises ago, a couple had our room on the first of a B2B, and they were three doors down on their second sailing. They lost a piece of luggage, and we gladly looked for them and even invited them to look with us. Initially they refused, which was fine. We didn't find their luggage and told them thinking it would be the last we heard of it. Later they came back and were quite rude and a little accusatory, and I asked if they talked to the stateroom attendant. They weren't able to because the attendant on their previous cruise signed off and a new one was in place. So, my wife and I and the new stateroom attendant were caught in the middle of a tense situation where we were expected to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

Eventually, a couple days later, the officer in charge of housekeeping located their luggage wherever they stage it for cabin transfers for B2B guests and got it to them. Saying this, I don't think it's appropriate for guests to negotiate these things on board, and always use a TA and give clear expectations of what you want beforehand. If it's available, great, if not, there isn't anything you can do about it.

 

 

 

[Cello56]

Tell your children that the first complaint about their behavior and you will be splitting them up with one parent in each cabin with one child. Be prepared to actually follow through on this. If your kids know you mean this, they will likely keep their behavior in check in order to keep their own cabin.