Decisions, decisions....What would YOU do?

[madelinerose]

Hi everyone...

I have an SY on the Noordam for December 1. When I originally booked, there were no guarantees available for SS or SY. Now, there are guarantees for both categories. I am perfectly happy with the SY, midship, sandwiched between 2 passenger decks and very close to the stairs and glass elevators. But, now the "what ifs" have begun. :rolleyes:

Would you take the chance of cancelling the assigned cabin and booking an SS guarantee, with the big maybe of an upgrade to an SC or better?

Would you stay with your assigned SY and call it a day?

Karen ;)

[hammybee]

I would go for the guarantee.

[sab490]

Karen -

I just replied to this on the roll call thread.

- Steve

[mamaofami]

Me too! A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

[DixieCaribe]

NO! Keep the guarantee cabin - you said you would be happy with it, and its pretty risky to cancel and then rebook - plus it sounds like you have a fabulous location in a great room!:)

[LizB1]

I would definitely keep the SY cabin you have booked. We had one in about the same location in January and loved it. Who can tell about chances of being upgraded!

[newmexicoNita]

Keep what you have: we have done the guarantee thing too many times on many lines and never really got much of an upgrade. In fact we would have done better, location wise, every time if we had booked a cabin. I have had cliants that have made out like bandits, mostly not. NMNita.

[minitor]

Location, location, location. My experience with some upgrades is you move up in classification and down in location. Take what you have, an SY is a nice cabin. Enjoy your cruise.

[jtl513]

Since the SY and SS are identical in configuration and so similiar in location, the price difference would be the deciding factor for me. How much more would the SS GTY be?

[sail7seas]

I never think it's a good plan to make decisions based upon hoping to get something for nothing.

I don't think it realistic to think you will actually get the "SC" without paying for it.

Sure, someone along the way has but not many someones and not often.

I think you set yourself up for disappointment.
In all honesty, Noordam is such a great ship with such an amazing crew, you are going to be happy no matter which of the cabins you mention are actually 'home' to you while on Noordam.

That ship is fabulous!@@#@@#@

[hammybee]

I would go for the guarantee.

The reason I am in favor of rolling the dice has all to do with the timing of this sail. It seems to me to be one of the very few that may be challenged sell out. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Winter has yet to really set in. People are preoccupied with holiday plans etc.

[madelinerose]

$200.

Since the SY and SS are identical in configuration and so similiar in location, the price difference would be the deciding factor for me. How much more would the SS GTY be?

[jtl513]

$200.That's too much for me! You'd only be guaranteed a different location from the SY, and $200 (whether per person or total) is too much to pay for the chance at the SC. But then, I'm not much of a gambler either. :)

[WNYCRUISER]

I don't think that I wold spend the money. You say that you are happy with your current location and stateroom. By taking an SS guarantee, you are only guaranteeing yourself one category higher. The rooms are identical, but it appears that the only SS rooms are on the Navigation deck, directly below Lido Pool and Lido Restaurant. Many have complained about noise from above. You have to weigh that risk, and as with any guarantee, figure on worst case scenario.

I have turned down the similar offer on our last cruise for this very reason. There is a reason why they put the SS higher than the SA's. Those paying even more money for the SA's would be none too happy about the noise factor. To me the SY's beat the SS any day.

[RevNeal]

I agree ... stick with your current cabin category.
If you want to gamble, take that $400 and go to the casino and put it on 00 on the Roulette table. :) Better yet ... for a sure thing, put it in an envelope and mail it to ME. :D I'll be sure to offer up a prayer for you! :D (Of course ... I'll be happy to do that without the $$$, too, but the $$$ is always nice! :D)

[caviargal]

Karen, I would keep what you have for the moment but also keep a watch on the higher category GTYs. If the price point becomes a wash with no additional outlay of money, then I personally would go for it.

You can also take a look at exactly what cabins are still open on each deck by using the cabin selector feature on Travelocity.

I am not a gambler by nature, but have rarely been disappointed in a GTY for this level of accomodation.

Good luck with your decision:)

[madelinerose]

Thanks to everyone! You all have much more cruising experience than I and I really appreciate your advice.

I also emailed my TA and he agreed with the majority of you. So, for now, I'm staying put and will continue to price watch on a regular basis. My TA will be keeping his eyes peeled for promos also.

I want our first HAL cruise to be full of surprises, but not when it comes to our cabin. ;)


caviargal, Thanks for recommending that site...I always use it because it's soooo user friendly.


Karen