Booked a Guarantee

[MDL1771]

My boyfriend and I are sailing on the Zuiderdam with another couple on October 2nd. We decided to book "K" with a guarantee. From what I understand, if the rooms in that group are all booked, then we get bumped up. Well, I have been checking the HAL website and right now everything is closed except J and K, and then higher priced rooms. What happens to us if the cruise is sold out. Where do we get put? Also, do we get our room assignment before we leave or we will not find out until we checked in? This is my first cruise and I just a little bit worried.

[jhannah]

While you can receive an upgrade if you book a guarantee, your chances are just as good that you won't. If sailing date nears and the more expensive cabins remain unsold, then folks in higher categories than yours would be moved up, thus freeing up those cabins. You can just never tell. Your cabin assignment probably won't show up until a few weeks before your sailing ... but it can change by the time you get to the pier. The main thing to remember is never book a guarantee category you won't be happy with, because upgrades are never assured.

[Lois R]

Hi:) I am sailing a week from Saturday and booked a guarantee as well. I still do not have a cabin.......my TA explained to me that HAL sometimes waits until the very last minute for cabin assignments on guarantees. Its ok with me....I always book an inside anyway.
If I don't have my cabin my Sept 10th (before flying down to FLL) I think TA will be able to get me that cabin number.....if not, hopefully they will have it when I arrive at the ship!

[cruise pup]

I've always booked gty's with HAL and although I've been upgraded it never was anything extraordinary, usually just a few categories up. When a category is "sold out" the cruise line is taking the guaranties into consideration so you will be assigned a cabin. They haven't thrown me overboard yet. I'm needed for ballast!

[ASM]

You probably won't get your cabin assignment until about a week before you sail. You can start checking on HAL's website 60 days out by starting the shore excursion booking option. Sometimes your cabin # shows up there first. Have no fear-you are booked into at least a K!:)