Question regarding RSSC terminology

[Mike2131]

Looking for expertise of RSSC veterans. We are booked on the 12/11/09 7-night Navigator RT out of Fort Lauderdale and are really looking forward to our first RSSC cruise.

We booked a Cat. H (got the last cabin in that grade-525) and Cat. G and H both now show "Guaranteed". What does that mean exactly in RSSC-speak? Is the fare guaranteed to what we booked but upgrades are possible/probable? We have booked a guarantee with other lines in the past and fared pretty well.

Also, what is the policy for RSSC if they reduce the price on a cruise? Will they protect you at the lower fare like Crystal is doing now?

Thanks in advance.

[Travelcat2]

Looking for expertise of RSSC veterans. We are booked on the 12/11/09 7-night Navigator RT out of Fort Lauderdale and are really looking forward to our first RSSC cruise.

We booked a Cat. H (got the last cabin in that grade-525) and Cat. G and H both now show "Guaranteed". What does that mean exactly in RSSC-speak? Is the fare guaranteed to what we booked but upgrades are possible/probable? We have booked a guarantee with other lines in the past and fared pretty well.

Also, what is the policy for RSSC if they reduce the price on a cruise? Will they protect you at the lower fare like Crystal is doing now?

Thanks in advance.

You did a great job of defining "Guaranteed". You are guaranteed to receive the category you booked, but, could be upgraded to a higher category. It pretty much depends upon how full the ship is as to the odds of getting an upgrade.

Whether you are booked through Regent or a TA, your fare will be adjusted is the price of the cruise is reduced.

Happy sailing!

[turtlemichael]

You did a great job of defining "Guaranteed". You are guaranteed to receive the category you booked, but, could be upgraded to a higher category. It pretty much depends upon how full the ship is as to the odds of getting an upgrade.

Whether you are booked through Regent or a TA, your fare will be adjusted is the price of the cruise is reduced.

Happy sailing!

If you have a reservation for a certain stateroom, and that category later becomes guaranteed, will not the guaranteed rules only apply to new bookings? In other words you have your cabin, which wont change, but new bookings could get any cabin in that category or possibly higher? Its still possible you may be offered an upgrade.

I'm watching a cruise late in the year, with a confirrmed cabin, and the status seems to change from full to available to waitlist, to guarantee and back again with amazing frequency. I suspect that some of the changes are a marketing tool to encourage people contemplating that cruise to hurry and book!

Second, if a special appears for a cruise you've already booked which is said to apply to new bookings only (the introduction of "free" excursions is an example), I think this requires positive action by you or your TA. If you or your TA did nothing you would miss out.

[canadagal]

I agree with TurtleMichael. It sounds to me like you already booked and received your cabin assignment, Cabin number 525 and you booked under a Cat H category and not a Cat H guarantee category. I doubt you will be upgraded under a Cat H booking but it is possible I guess. Because you booked the last available cabin in the Cat H category it then pushed the next bookings available into the Cat H Guarantee category and a guarantee category is exactly as you described above but unfortunately does not apply to your booking. At least that is how I have read how you described your booking above.
Editing to add, on the Navigator you have a good cabin assignment and location right now and I would not want to chance a guarantee as you could end up in the stern where the vibration is.
Pat

[Mike2131]

As I thought, pretty much a standard "Guarantee".

In addition, our cruise was one of the few that was apparently not included initially under the air inclusive special offer for the remaining 2009 cruises. Looking yesterday, air now is included (no increase in price and the only booking provision appears to be to book prior to 5/31/09). If we can save the FF miles, so much the better!

Thank you again for the info.