...So you booked a guarantee....

[cruisencrazy]

What did you book and what did you get?
How long before sailing did you find out?
Would you do it again?

[hoopman]

I booked an SC and got an SA for a Mexican crusie on the Oosterdam in March of 2007. I was notified a month in advance. Absolutely am doing it for a Meditteranean cruise in August.

[NetwrkEng]

We've booked SZ GUAR twice. One SS, One SC. The first time we had an assignment 3-4 weeks in advance. Second time around 6 days out.

Waiting on an SY GUAR now.

[DMorris]

Carnival - 2002 - booked an inside GTY and got an outside.
Zuiderdam - 2008 - booked a VF GTY and still waiting for assignment.

Not sure if I will do it again yet. :)

[jtl513]

We've booked six guarantees (including one for our DD and DSiL) and have gotten upgrades on all of them. Typically they were four or five steps: VE to VA, for example. DD/DSiL went from H to C.

Typically most of our assignments were done at about 18 days before sailing, plus or minus a few days.

Zuiderdam - 2008 - booked a VG GTY and still waiting for assignment.VG? Better take another look at your paperwork! :)

[Robin7]

What did you book and what did you get?
How long before sailing did you find out?
Would you do it again?

We booked an NN guarantee and got an NN on the Zuiderdam. (There are only two of them on the ship!)

We booked an M and got an L on the Oosterdam. (Virtually no difference that I could discern.)

After that, we quit trying guarantees and just went with a particular room. Although we did get bumped up from an E on Dolphin deck to a D on Main Deck on the Zaandam, even though we'd booked a particular room. On the Volendam last year, even though we'd made sure we were marked 'will accept an upgrade', we got the HH we booked.

This time we put down we didn't want to be considered for an upgrade. The uncertainty makes me CRAZY. Plus we want our specific room.

Robin

[DMorris]

VG? Better take another look at your paperwork! :)

OOPS typo... meant a VF Gty....

[Nancyquilts]

HAL forced us to book a guarantee for a Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires section of the South America/Antarctica tour. You could only book a cabin if you were taking the whole tour. We booked as soon as the cruise was available. In the category we booked, we got the absolutely worst cabin - people who booked months later and people who were upgraded from other categories got the better cabins. HAL has no consideration for booking date or days with HAL in assigning cabins. :mad: Who can figure? Nancy

[ekerr19]

I don't really consider anything in the same category an upgrade most of the time. Most categories, the cabins are the same, only difference being perhaps the location.

On Vista, if you book a "V" GTY and get a VA, VB, VC, VD or what have you, they are the same cabins - but in different areas of the ship, so I don't really see that as an upgrade.

To go from M to any V, well that is a nice upgrade. To go from any V to any of the S's - another nice upgrade.

We rarely book GTY. The most recent time was Oosterdam, booked SC GTY and got a nice SA, but when we booked we knoew there would be the possibility that we'd end up with exactly what we booked - SC, which was fine for us. The only reason we did it was because it was fairly last minute (for us) and the savings were about $2,500 over booking the SA off the bat. We figured we'd take our chances with that amount of money involved.

ETA: According to the Oosterdam deck plans, the VE and VF appear to have smaller balconies, but I haven't been in one so I guess this is a situation where it would be considered an upgrade within the same category.

[edgew]

We’re on the Amsterdam sailing March 17, 2009, from Rio to Seattle. We booked an ‘F’ guaranteed last June. We’re up to ‘C’ already, and hoping for more. We found out sort of accidentally when I called the reservations section about something else entirely, so I don’t know exactly when the upgrade occurred, only that it was before early September.

[BrianTom]

On the Volendam last year, even though we'd made sure we were marked 'will accept an upgrade',
Robin

Hi Robin,

I asked my TA if this was possible to do and she said it was not. I wonder why?

[jtl513]

I asked my TA if this was possible to do and she said it was not. I wonder why?She was wrong. In fact, I believe the default is that you are presumed to be willing to accept an upgrade unless you explictly state otherwise.

[Robin7]

Hi Robin,

I asked my TA if this was possible to do and she said it was not. I wonder why?

That is strange. The last three cruises we have booked (two through the same TA and this one through HAL), we were asked if we wanted to be considered for an upgrade or not.

As John said, I think your TA was wrong or misinformed. Maybe you should do a conference call with HAL, since they won't speak with you alone. (That's why we booked through HAL this time, so I could call and ask any old question I wanted.)

Robin

[fun*n*sun]

I know we hear mostly on the boards about great upgrades. Most people don't seem to come and let us know about the non spectacular ones. Among my acquaintances and friends it mostly seems that guarantee upgrades end up being very same cabin just a different location, sometimes more desirable sometimes not. Is that typical?:confused: :confused:

I've had two different friends have bad experiences with "upgrades". One booked a specific cabin and one a guarantee. They both got "upgraded" to a cabin that while in a technically higher category was much less desirable to them. One ended up being in a very noisy area and one in a rockier area of the boat that was also noisy, close to the bow. Is this just extremely bad luck or is it a common experience that we just don't hear much about?:rolleyes:

[scottamiller]

Sometimes an "upgrade" really is not one afer all ........

In my opinion I'd rather have an HH through G on Deck 4 (on Vista ships). While having obstructed views, these are infinitely better than being in F or E cabins on Deck 1 (poor locations fwd/aft and way low, and shower only).

In the end gtys can be a terrific way to save money but you definitely roll the dice. If location of cabin is important spend the extra for a cabin assignment and request no upgrade.

[debmkay]

Booked a guarantee last time on the volendam and was upgraded to same Cat. just different location, we booked a guarantee on the Noordam this time and have yet to receive our assignment. We sail on November 7th. But we book knowing what we will be getting and be happy with it.

[Rina's Mom]

Booked an SZ guar on a Zuiderdam cruise in early Dec 2007. About 1 week out it was showing as an SY. Got to embarkation and it was an SA cabin. Yahoo!!

[heavenly]

Hi Robin,

I asked my TA if this was possible to do and she said it was not. I wonder why?

Actually, the wording isn't whether you will accept an upgrade, she is right, there is no list for those specifically looking for an upgrade. On the agent system if asks if you want to "Decline the Auto Upgrade."

One thing to remember when looking for an upgrade, if you have a cabin assignment and you are cross referenced with another party your chances are slim to none.

[mmrt]

hoopman

I think I was on the cruise you were on in 1982 ss veracruz montreal to new york I was about 13....i have such fond memories.....

[BrianTom]

Actually, the wording isn't whether you will accept an upgrade, she is right, there is no list for those specifically looking for an upgrade. On the agent system if asks if you want to "Decline the Auto Upgrade."

One thing to remember when looking for an upgrade, if you have a cabin assignment and you are cross referenced with another party your chances are slim to none.

Totally makes sense. We are cross referenced with another party next door. Not that it is too close for Comfort, but a few cabins away would not hurt either.

Thanks

[Williebill]

My wife and I booked VF category in August 2007 for a cruise this December. We were assigned a cabin with a metal Veranda; we asked to be assigned to another VF cabin with a see through Veranda and were told that HAL could not reassign us. HAL told us that only thing we could do was to except a VF guarantee, so we did. I would have been happy with a VF category; but now because of some paperwork HAL sent us, we know that we now are assigned to VE guarantee and we are looking for more upgrades. Of all the cruises that we have ever taken, we have never received an upgrade; hopefully this time, we will.

[travellady]

Booked an NN guarantee a little over a week ago for this Saturday's 10/18 Oosterdam sailing. Just got our assignment today and it's an L - 5155. Not a big difference but then again, we didn't book the Cat NN hoping to get something better, we were thrilled just to get a cabin on the ship since this was a super last minute decision.

[Kween Karen]

This is interesting. I have a guarantee in lowest category......booked AND paid for the cruise 18 months in advance. If I get my "own" room that will be just fine because that is what I am anticipating....BUT wonder what my chances of getting an actual window are??? Fun to consider anyway!!

[altosax]

What did you book and what did you get?
How long before sailing did you find out?
Would you do it again?

I book guarantees most of the time. I book with a HAL PCC. All of my cabins I have been very happy with.

Sometimes I got what I bought, sometimes a wee upgrade within the category and sometimes a big upgrade jumping categories.

Most of the time I knew my cabin 3-10 days prior to sailing and once I didn't know until checkin.

Ryndam/Mex Cortez: booked a HH Gtee and received DD

Veendam/Alaska: booked a DD Gtee and received a D or DA

Oosterdam/Mex Riviera: booked a VH specific cabin and received the one I booked.

Ryndam/Panama Canal transit: booked an H Gtee and received an E

Noordam/Med-TA Big Band: booked an F specific cabin and received a Verandah at check-in. Pretty sure it was a VE.
What a surprise. I got so happy I really had to maintain myself just to keep some sense of graciousness,

Noordam/Alaska: booked an F Gtee and bought an aft facing Verandah (VB or VA) for an additional $98.

Zaandam/Circle Hawaii: booked an HH Gtee and received an E Quad. This is the only one where I almost upgraded myself a couple of times to unobstructed but the difference in price was huge so I just kept my fingers crossed. Was very happy to get the Ctg E. After all, I did have this enormous verandah called the Promenade Deck at my disposal. :-)

Zuiderdam/TA-Med Big Band: booked an F Gtee and received a VB

[airlink diva]

I had an assign cabin when I first booked my cruise. But after thinking about it, I wanted to change. I did change to a guarantee (from a cabin with portholes to a cabin with windows). The cost wasn't too much and the cabin guarantee is now towards the middle of the ship.
I sail on the 24th and still don't have a cabin assignment. There are a few people on my sailing that have assignments, but there are others like me that are still waiting.
I would love for the upgrade fairy to move me way up, but that's not going to happen unless it's in my dreams.
So far, I never really had a bad room on any of the HAL ships that I sailed and hope to stay this way.
Happy sailing!!!

[luvcruisn']

On my recent 5 day sailing from Vancouver to San Diego on the Statendam, I booked an inside K guarantee, and received an upgrade to an E outside. The cabin was the farthest aft on Main Deck and so was noisy when we docked at each port, but it was great to have an outside cabin. I talked to some people who were on the cruise which continued to Hawaii and the South Pacific after the ship left San Diego. Three people who boarded in Vancouver were upgraded from inside to outside for the entire 35 day cruise, but one person I spoke with who joined the cruise in San Francisco was not upgraded and got an inside cabin, the category that he had booked.

[Growler]

We've booked a GTY for the first time for our upcoming TA cruise on the Rotterdam. As yet, 21 days out, we don't know our cabin - but then again I'm not sure of the best way to determine whether it has been allocated.

All I do at the moment is log in as though I'm completing on-line check-in, where it still shows 'GUAR', but if there's more up-to-date information available anywhere, I'd be grateful if someone in the know could let me know how to access it!

Tim

[jtl513]

- but then again I'm not sure of the best way to determine whether it has been allocated.

All I do at the moment is log in as though I'm completing on-line check-in, where it still shows 'GUAR', but if there's more up-to-date information available anywhere, That's the best way! :)

[DMorris]

My wife and I booked VF category in August 2007 for a cruise this December. We were assigned a cabin with a metal Veranda; we asked to be assigned to another VF cabin with a see through Veranda and were told that HAL could not reassign us. HAL told us that only thing we could do was to except a VF guarantee, so we did. I would have been happy with a VF category; but now because of some paperwork HAL sent us, we know that we now are assigned to VE guarantee and we are looking for more upgrades. Of all the cruises that we have ever taken, we have never received an upgrade; hopefully this time, we will.

So you know you got bumped up already? Wow... that's good news. Our online info still says VF Gty and that is what we booked back in 11/2007

[rebeljohn]

We have always booked GTY on all of our cruises. We've always been pleased with the rooms we have received. We have a cruise on the Legend coming up in Feb., and this is the only time we have booked a specific room. The ship is almost sold out, so we decided to pick our room..............
Our Noordam cruise next month is GTY too.............

[teedee]

I had an assign cabin when I first booked my cruise. But after thinking about it, I wanted to change. I did change to a guarantee (from a cabin with portholes to a cabin with windows). The cost wasn't too much and the cabin guarantee is now towards the middle of the ship.
I sail on the 24th and still don't have a cabin assignment. There are a few people on my sailing that have assignments, but there are others like me that are still waiting.
I would love for the upgrade fairy to move me way up, but that's not going to happen unless it's in my dreams.
So far, I never really had a bad room on any of the HAL ships that I sailed and hope to stay this way.
Happy sailing!!!

I'm on the same cruise as airlink diva and I'm also still waiting for my assignment. I booked a category I'm happy with but I wouldn't mind an upgrade.:) But I mainly just want to know what cabin I'm in.

Terri

[DFW-Cruiser]

About 60 days out, we bookeda VH guarantee for the May 2007 "O" Alaska cruise. The price was was less than the unobstructed outsides. I would have taken any cabin on the ship at the time, but my mother wanted a window. About 2 weeks before the cruise, we were assigned to an SS.

Wow!! Of course, being my first cruise what ever comes after that will be the worse in comoparison. :)

In January my daughter and I went on a RCCL cruise and got the balcony we booked. Yes, it was a LOT smaller, but okay - except for the uncomfortable beds.

Linda

[teedee]

This morning I was still listed as a guarantee but I just went and looked again and I've now been assigned a cabin. I booked a cat G guarantee and got a cat D cabin. Not a lot of difference , but I'm happy!

Terri

[SeaMatesNYC]

F outside DD to VC on Eurodam 3 night
VC to VA aft on Zuiderdam 12 night

Pleased as punch with both. Eurodam, 3 weeks out (then another bump 8 days out) Zuiderdam - 3 weeks out.

[JerseyJaguar]

Noordam/Alaska: booked an F Gtee and bought an aft facing Verandah (VB or VA) for an additional $98.

I booked a G (specific cabin) on my AK trip next year, I would love to have them offer me a Verandah at a low increase. How far ahead of your trip did you get the offer?

[chip1969]

Booked SZ guarantee on Noordam for Alaska in May 2007. Was upgraded to SS about 6 weeks before sailing and then upgraded again to SB about a month before sailing. Was a great graduation gift!!

[oceanview585]

Booked a guarantee on Westerdam 10/18 VE and got assigned a VA 12 days out. Same day TA called with upsale to a SS for $149pp so we took it.

[AlbertaCruisers]

I'm sailing with teedee and airlink diva. We booked a Category M (inside) as we are fine with just being on the trip. We have had 1 balcony ever and all the rest of have inside cabins. When I printed our boarding passes in early August it was showing K-GTY and I found today that we got assigned an EE.

I'm very excited to cruise with a window and see how we like it.

[Half Hitch]

We booked a VE Guarantee on the Westerdam and just got our cabin today, 13 days out, a VA.

When we booked, I was going to go for the lower-priced VH. Since there are so few VHs, I figured I'd get some sort of an upgrade, but I was afraid we'd get a VF with the metal railing. So I booked a VE which didn't have any cabins I'd be unhappy with if that was what I got. Interestingly, some other folks on our roll call booked VHs and also received VAs.

[cferro514]

I booked an L Gty, and received my cabin assignment today in an email of a FF.

[poolwife]

My friend sailing on the Oosterdam on November 1 with us booked an obstructed outside window room guarantee and received a Category D, then got called by our travel agent yesterday that said that they could upsale for $159.00 each (party of 2) to a VA balcony cabin (a specific cabin) which they did.

I originally booked a SY guarantee cabin and got assigned an SS category. I was happy with the SY category and don't see much difference between SY and SS looking at the deck plan.

I finally got a room assignment yesterday, Oct. 13.