Guarantee Booking

[mickysminnie]

Hello

Has anyone here ever booked a "Guarantee Category" and actually gotten an upgrade? We booked a Guarantee K Category for our honeymoon cruise on the Maasdam 11/20/04 and just curious as to whether we should get our hopes up. Thanks!!

[WindyCity]

Our daughter got upgraded last year. You may want to check if your cabin has been assigned by trying to book a shore excursion online. You don't really have to book one, but your cabin number will come up, if its been assigned yet.

[jhannah]

You can also look at your immigration form and click 'print'. At the upper left you'll either have a cabin number or a '000' if you have no assignment yet. BTW, if you haven't filled out these immigration forms online, I highly recommend you do so. Makes embarkation much smoother. Print a copy of each to take with you to check-in.

[marybeach]

My Cat. H outside guarantee just got me a Cat. C assignment. I'm feeling upgrade fairy dust!!

[mickysminnie]

I have printed out the immigration forms and they said "000" so I guess no luck yet. But I will keep checking and trying the excursion thing. Thanks for your help! I've got my fingers crossed!! :)

[mickysminnie]

UPGRADE!!!

I just went and checked the immigration forms again and they assigned me a room! Went from Category K Inside to Category D Outside!! Thanks so much for your help!!!

[jhannah]

Good for you! :cool:

[NorfolkSailor]

Hello

Has anyone here ever booked a "Guarantee Category" and actually gotten an upgrade? We booked a Guarantee K Category for our honeymoon cruise on the Maasdam 11/20/04 and just curious as to whether we should get our hopes up. Thanks!!

My sister and BIL booked a BC guarantee for the Maasdam on the 11/30 Southern Caribbean cruise and the were upgraded (such as it is) to a B stateroom - same level, just in the middle of the ship instead of at the ends...

We also booked BC and were assigned a B next to sis for the same cruise.

Not much of an upgrade but we still have two 1/2 weeks to go...

Happy Cruizin'
Kevin

[DFD1]

We have been upgraded three out of four bookings on HAL in the past three years. Some upgrades were better than others, as you might expect, but we were happy to have them all.

Some have commented that we got them because of the time of year of the bookings. I hear that upgrades are easier to come by during a "shoulder" season. However, I have no first hand knowledge about any of this.

We are holding a guarantee for the Volendam 11/26 sailing. No cabin has been assigned as of about an hour ago. We aren't concerned, because we'll be very comfortable anyplace in the category we booked.

Truth of the matter is...the worst cabin on HAL is better than the best cabin on some of the old tubs we have cruised on in the past.

[dillardr]

We booked a BC guarantee and got a category A. I don't know if this is any better than the BC.

[Snieman5]

Also On The Volendam Nov 26. I Tried Booking A Shore Trip To See If My Cabin Number Would Come Up But It Did Not. Still Haven't Received My Docs But Got An Email Reply From My Internet Travel Agent Saying That The Docs Were Being Sent Out Today Priority Mail. Last Year On Carnival Even The Porter At The Dock Did Not Have My Cabin Number. It Turned Out We Paid For A 4a And Got The Best Inside On The Lido Deck! Any Chance That We Could Luck Out On Hal??? After All Carnival Owns Hal!

[marybeach]

Hi Sneiman5 and DFD1:

I got my cabin assignment on Wednesday (checking the Immigration Form) for our 11/26 cruise. Are you Mariners and did your TA file the number with the booking? Also, it may have to do with how long ago you booked. Maybe those who booked earlier are assigned sooner.

Another thought, they are probably assigning the outside guarantees first (obviously). Then they can assign and upgrade the various inside guarantee levels.

I wish you luck with the upgrade fairy. She was good to us. I hope you find out soon! I know the wait is long, but when we book a guarantee, that is how it is, I guess. This was the first time I had done it on HAL. Frankly, I like saving the money and hoping for the best!

See you in a couple of weeks!

[Tinknock50]

UPGRADE!!!

I just went and checked the immigration forms again and they assigned me a room! Went from Category K Inside to Category D Outside!! Thanks so much for your help!!!
Excellent upgrade!
I have always been lucky with HAL upgrades on a guarantee.

Never been upgraded from an outside to a balcony on HAL.....but I never expect that to happen.....especially since there aren't many on most HAL ships.

[marybeach]

Congrats on the upgrade. With some of the comments about upgrades this time of the year, maybe I should have saved the $$ and booked an inside guarantee and hoped for the best, but I have never had an inside cabin and opted for having some kind of outside. I do believe it has to do with the time of year and how full the ship is. Because of our work schedule, this is a good time for us....the first weeks of December... as we are both in sales. I'm glad HAL has taken care of people, and maybe those who didn't get their upgrades will at least have an open mind. I'm not cheap, but I am frugal, and, frankly, we just don't use the balcony much because we love being around and meeting other nice people.

[SHayesShip]

Yes, I booked the lowest cat balcony cabin on the Z with only a shower and steel bulkhead for balcony wall and was upgraded to an AA more midship - up two decks with plexiglass balcony and full tub.

Steve Hayes

Hello

Has anyone here ever booked a "Guarantee Category" and actually gotten an upgrade? We booked a Guarantee K Category for our honeymoon cruise on the Maasdam 11/20/04 and just curious as to whether we should get our hopes up. Thanks!!

[BCEagle78]

We reserved Guarenteed MM and were assigned in Category L.

Still an inside cabin but this is the first time that we did this and did not get an outside cabin.

We are fine with crusing with an inside cabin. We are only there to sleep anyway... when we are asleep, having a window or balcony doesn't make any difference...

But that's how we think... just being on the ship is the key.

[marybeach]

Hi Eagle:

Glad you finally got your assignment. Sorry that it didn't get you further up, but you're right, you're on the ship. Same food, same entertainment, same activities, same islands. And, we have a jingle left in our pockets for shopping!

Are you packed yet????? I've started and HE is procrastinating. I think he likes the way I pack for him. But, he does the heavy lifting!

[BCEagle78]

I am always a late packer...

Hope we run into each other on the Volendam.

[Snieman5]

Hi Marybeach and gang

Just finally received my documents and under cabin assignment it says 000
but i got confirmed main lower for dining. Does this mean that I will get upgraded or should I run out and buy a tent and plan on camping out on deck(just kidding) I am on the boat but where? With Carnival my cabin assignment was listed as TBA (to be assigned) I would love it if i got a really good upgrade but since I did book an inside either way more money to shop with and at least I am on the boat. I booked August 23 (one day before my birthday my husband bought the airline tickets as my birthday present

[catlib55]

Our docs and immigration forms still say 000 and we sail Dec. 2nd on the Rotterdam.
I am assuming that we will get our stateroom in the next week or so?
Last time we booked a guarantee, we got our stateroom assignment when we checked in at the terminal. But that was because we booked the cruise just two weeks before we sailed. We got a very nice cabin (on the Jubilee).
'Til we sail on Rotterdam,
Mary Ellen

[marybeach]

Hi Snieman5:

You should have a cabin assignment by now....as BCEagle does on inside guarantee.

1. Call HAL at 877-SAIL-HAL, give them your booking number and see if you have an assignment or;

2. Go to http://hollandamerica.com/, then "For Booked Guests", then "Immigration Form", put in your booking number, then your number (1), then last name. Your names should come up with travelling partners; Hit edit by your name; the Immigration Form should come up; type in your name in the blank then go to the bottom and hit "submit"; your cabin number appears in the top left of the form.

Let me know.

Did you know you can fill the Immigration Form out on line and save some time at embarkation (theoretically). But, just try a bit of info to get your cabin number. Good luck.

Mary

[Snieman5]

HI MARYBEACH
I just tried it again by editing my immigration from and still get 000.Maybe i won't get my cabin # until I get to the ship.

[marybeach]

Hey, maybe they're holding that big suite just for you. Be sure to invite us up for cocktails!!!!

Anyway, give HAL a call. Several of us booked guarantees and have our cabin assignments. I got mine last Wednesday (16 days out). I did an outside guarantee. BCEagle said he got his over the weekend, and they had an inside guarantee.

Bringing all that camping gear would be a drag. And, driving the stakes could be a disaster for the rest of us. Make sure you bring the duct tape for the repairs. My suggestion is.... just... get a room!;)

[catlib55]

I try that every day and still don't have a cabin assignment. Our TA said it might not come until two weeks before the cruise. We have booked our shore excursions and filled out the immigration forms online.
Mary Ellen

[DFD1]

Just received stateroom assignment for Volendam 11/26 sailing....l0 days prior to sailing. Luck is holding. Reveived a two category upgrade. This make 4 out of 5 guarantee bookings upgraded. I guess we'll keep booking guarantees.

[Sage]

I'm so glad to hear that my DD may have a cabin number soon. We are on the 12/6 sailing on the Volendam, and she is eagerly awaiting her number. She has a BC guarantee also. All of you sailing on the Volendam on the 26th, please save some chocolate for me. :D

[marybeach]

Congrats DFD. Now, if we can just find one cabin left for the Sniemans. I keep thinking about the campfire on the promenade by their tent....but roasting marshmallows could be fun. Wonder how that would go with the volcano cake. Quite an elegant 'smore, don't you think?

[BCEagle78]

DFD,

What category did you start with and what did you end up with?

Inquiring minds want to know! :)

[BCEagle78]

There are several people who are on this same cruise on the Volendam on Nov 26. How are we all going to meet?

[Sky's Mom]

I'm brave. Not only did I do a gurantee - inside, I'm also doing a share. As of yesterday I didn't have a cabin assignment - I was getting ready to pack a hammock or sleep under the stars.

Today, I have an outside "F" category.

No word on a "roomie" yet. Let's hope the "upgrade fairy" will still work her magic.:)

[marybeach]

Hi Eagle:

Our plane gets into FLL shortly after 11 am. We'll get a taxi and hope to be on board by 12:30...think we're dreaming? We will start wandering and exploring immediately. No plans till Pinnacle Grill that evening...and I will do reservations when we get on board. We don't have the dining room assignment requested yet, so if it is not in our cabin, we may have to visit the maitre' d when he opens. So, just let us know what your plans are and we'll try to catch up. Most of us seem to know these ships, so just pick a place.

It may be fun watching Sneimans and Sky set up camp on the promenade...with the tent and the hammock, it could be quite a site. I may want to borrow the hammock on occasion during the week, so I like that idea. ;)

I look forward to meeting you all.

[BCEagle78]

Marybeach,

Here is what we have often done for the evening...

Early dinner, attend show, wander to the piano bar...You can look for us there say at 10pm... we will be there more than one night.

Our picture is shown above, we are easy to find... we are both short 5'3" and 4'10"... If you can find us, I will buy you and your SO a drink!

[marybeach]

BC Eagle and Debbie:

It'll be like playing Mr. and Mrs. Volendam. Last cruise we talked to the the "it" couple several times and never asked the question, or we could have won some trinkets!!

SO is 6'5" and distinguished gray (Debbie should come up to just above his waist) and I will be a 5'5" blonder brunette if the "sun in" works by the end of the week. Looks like we fit the younger demographic for HAL.

We'll also do the early show. I assume that you mean the piano bar back by the main dining room.

Do we get extra points if we find you while we are wandering the ship????;)

Safe travels!

[Snieman5]

HI MARYBEACH AND EVERYONE ON VOLENDAM NOV26

I just called Holland America and they checked. Believe it or not they still haven't assigned us a cabin. Our dining Late Lower has been assigned. Must be no one wants to eat at 8:30. I asked about the an upgrade and she said " there was a very good chance" and to keep checking back.So iI asked If they would know by next Tuesday Or Wednesday and she said yes.
My airline called with a schedule change. We were supposed to be on a 9:30 am Dec7 and they gave us a choice of the same flight that now leaves at 6:40 AM or the 11:41. Considering that you have to be at the airport 90 mimutes ahead of time the 11:41 was much more to my liking. It finally sunk into my boses head that I am leaving in about a week so he is trying to have me get 2 weeks worth of work done between now and next Wednesday. My kids decided that MOM is having Thanksgiving on Sunday since we are going to leave on thanksgiving.(5 kids between us ages 21 to 27).
I NEED THIS CRUISE AND I NEED IT NOW!!!!!!!

[marybeach]

Hi Sneimans:

I'm pulling for you. Lugging that tent to Florida could be a little of a hassle. I'd go for the later plane also. Stretch that vacation as much as possible!

You're a good mom if you're going to cook a big holiday dinner on Sunday anyway. Make all those kids do the dishes. It'll get you in the right frame of mind for Friday. Remember, you'll not have to wash a dish, cook a meal, make a bed, or even get out of bed for 10 days if you so desire. When was the last time they put a chocolate on your pillow, love them as you do.

I'm just waiting to be pampered...10 whole days...just having someone make my coffee for me is a luxury; having them make the bed is decadent!:)

[BCEagle78]

Marybeach,

The Piano Bar is on the Upper Promenade Level just behind the Casino Bar.

Check out http://hollandamerica.com/pdfs/fleet/vo_upper_promenade.pdf

We will be looking for you there after 10pm!

[explorer1]

On our first ever cruise on the Zaandam we were upgraded from an outside to a verandah - we are now spoiled forever!

[marybeach]

By the Casino bar, near shopping... We were thinking somewhere else where they had a singer on the Zaandam. Glad you pointed it out. Have map, will travel.

Is that a smoking area? We don't and I'm pretty sensitive to it, so just checking. Of course, it depends on how many smokers are in the room and the circulation. Regardless, that is a good central place to meet after the show.

[marybeach]

HI MARYBEACH AND EVERYONE ON VOLENDAM NOV26

I just called Holland America and they checked. Believe it or not they still haven't assigned us a cabin. Our dining Late Lower has been assigned. Must be no one wants to eat at 8:30. I asked about the an upgrade and she said " there was a very good chance" and to keep checking back.So iI asked If they would know by next Tuesday Or Wednesday and she said yes.I NEED THIS CRUISE AND I NEED IT NOW!!!!!!!
Hope you're enjoying your early Turkey Day. Also, I'm keeping fingers crossed you get your cabin the first of the week so you know where to go. Check the roll call for the ship cause we're planning on trying to get together.

[1cruiselvr]

I know this has been said many times, but for the newbies that might get confused reading this thread - an UPGRADE crosses over type of cabin (inside/outside/balcony/suite), a REASSIGNMENT stays in the same cabin type just different category. I know everyone is happy to get anything other than what they paid for, just wanted to clarify. It gets confusing. Usually a gty booking gets you a cabin in the same type. So newbies don't expect an upgrade if you decide to book a guarantee. We did it once on HAL and got assigned exactly the category we paid for and in the worst location (first cabin forward). So a guarantee doesn't always assure a nice upgrade. It's like betting on the lottery - you take your chances. Happy Sailing!

[tommy]

Maybe it doesnt always work but in Oct.we took a CatA guarentee and were upgraded to a S Suite.Maybe not a good thing because now we are spoiled. TOM&DEB

[1cruiselvr]

Oh yes, that's being spoiled. An S is the best!!! No where to go from there but down.:( We had our first suite cabin last year and it's very tough to go back to a regular cabin after that. Happy Sailing!

[Snieman5]

HI FELLOW VOLENDAM NOV 26 CRUISES

I called and finally got my cabin assignment! NO TENT !!! We booked an N and got a K. still inside but midship cabin 2589. We are Mike and Sue from Central Michigan. Finally have time to pack. We are leaving Thanksgiving morning. Kids all have enough leftover pies and turkey to last until at least Thanksgiving . (I made 6 pies 3 apple and 2 pumpkin and 1 very large lemon) I also cooked 2 turkeys and all the fixins!
I worked 2 very long days this week and Between work and issues with the grown children I NEED THIS CRUISE AND I NEED IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!
2-4 INCHES OF SNOW IS HEADED OUR WAY BY THANKSGIVING MORNING!
GET ME TO THE SHIP ON TIME

[xeena]

we always get an outside cabin, but this year a new TA advised us to try an outside with a guarantee....so we did. she claimed we had a big advantage being previous HAL'ers and for using their company ....i have been thinking about the upgrade fairy and how nice it would be since May and my bubble burst last night! i called our replacement TA (our original TA is no longer there....wonder why?) and the new TA said HAL NEVER upgrades from outside to a balcony. i think our first one promised the moon to anyone silly enough to listen, make that ME !

i would have been OK not getting the upgrade, but now feel misled and taken advantage of for even entertaining the thought of a happy upgrade.

we still do not have a cabin assigned but i have given up hope. and the unfortunate thing is i talked our companions into this TA because of what she said.

oh well, we still get our outside and still get to cruise on a beautiful new ship....so that is great.

[1cruiselvr]

Unfortunately, this occurs too frequently with TAs that either are not knowledgeable or just want to say anything for the booking. I'm sure someone will post that they got a HAL upgrade from outside to balcony, but it is true that it rarely happens and the reason is because HAL has a very devoted group of travellers that book the exact cabin/category they like and it's suites and balcony cabins. That doesn't leave much room for free upgrades. Also, there are more inside/outside cabins than balcony & suites on a HAL ship. I hate when I read that someone is crushed because their TA guaranteed them a free upgrade. At least you picked a fabulous cruiseline and you will have a great time no matter what cabin is assigned to you. Happy Sailing!