Family Ocean View w/Verandas sold out - how to get one?

[njsmom]

I have been looking at cruises for 2010. All of the FV (Family Oean View Stateroom with Veranda) rooms are sold out on the cruises I look at. Should I wait and book for 2011 once the rooms open up? Or is it just a fluke that I can't find an FV category room on the Alaska cruises that I'm looking at?

Thanks!

[Ma Bell]

You need to have five people to book an FV unless they open them up for booking closer to the sailing date. You need to call Celebrity or your TA to book them and deposit for your party of five.

[astrocat]

We went through this a few weeks back .. tried on the net which showed no availability but just in case then went to X rep here in NZ (wholesaler) who told us via TA that all the FVs on the cruise we favoured (Equinox Holy Lands 22 Sept 2010) were indeed already sold despite it being more than a year in advance. So we have gone for a CC with a big verandah instead. The FVs would seem to be snapped up pretty quick.

[Cruise Arizona]

They FV almost always show as booked early in the on line system. So you have to call ahead to see if they are really booked or just reserved for 4 or 5 people.

I have heard of what MaBell said, that they are reserved for 5, but we have always been able to book them for 4 on the the voyage we have taken. I think you are more likely to see them reserved for 5 on holiday voyages, but we have done them off peak and booked them for 4 even before they are released to the general booking by less than 4.

So call and see if they are really booked or reserved for larger groups. If you are a family of 4, you would really like this room over others. The Sky Suites are similar in size, but they are not set up for 4, as the sofa bed is not big enough for bigger kids and they have to bring in a roll-away, and they only allow this in a few of the sky suites, not all of them for some reason.

[villauk]

Originally Posted by Cruise Arizona

They FV almost always show as booked early in the on line system. So you have to call ahead to see if they are really booked or just reserved for 4 or 5 people.

I have heard of what MaBell said, that they are reserved for 5, but we have always been able to book them for 4 on the the voyage we have taken. I think you are more likely to see them reserved for 5 on holiday voyages, but we have done them off peak and booked them for 4 even before they are released to the general booking by less than 4.

So call and see if they are really booked or reserved for larger groups. If you are a family of 4, you would really like this room over others. The Sky Suites are similar in size, but they are not set up for 4, as the sofa bed is not big enough for bigger kids and they have to bring in a roll-away, and they only allow this in a few of the sky suites, not all of them for some reason.

We have been told by our TA that Celebrity wouldn't give prices for a FV cabin on Constellation next year because they are for 5 persons only. We are a family of 4 and have reserved a 2A, do you think space will be very tight? Are there any 2A cabins that are slightly larger than others? Some posts list cabins with larger balconies but I haven't found any stating larger internal space. Would welcome your comments.

[kitty9]

I've booked the Family View cabins as a solo, so they don't really follow their "rule" as to how many you need to book those cabins. When we've been in the PH, the Family Views are all above the PH and we've seen many of those booked by just two, so I don't think they really require 5.

As for a 2A, unless your kids are small, I think having four could be very tight.

[Hflors]

Originally Posted by villauk

We have been told by our TA that Celebrity wouldn't give prices for a FV cabin on Constellation next year because they are for 5 persons only. We are a family of 4 and have reserved a 2A, do you think space will be very tight? Are there any 2A cabins that are slightly larger than others? Some posts list cabins with larger balconies but I haven't found any stating larger internal space. Would welcome your comments.

I you are willing to pay the "third" person rate for an extra person you can book the cabin. We booked The Royal Family suite on Explorer (rccl, same co) We had 4 sisters cruising, but needed 5. We had to pay for another person (we used my daughter's name) and she was just a no-show. But we got the cabin. I don't know when you are cruising, but I have seen these cabins open a couple of months before sailing. As a matter of fact I traded in my aft balcony for a FV on our upcoming Summit Cruise in Jan. There are just two of us and I had been keeping my eyes on these cabins as soon as it was available I grabbed it. So keep your eyes open!

Good luck!

Helen

[Casino Player]

Originally Posted by njsmom

I have been looking at cruises for 2010. All of the FV (Family Oean View Stateroom with Veranda) rooms are sold out on the cruises I look at. Should I wait and book for 2011 once the rooms open up? Or is it just a fluke that I can't find an FV category room on the Alaska cruises that I'm looking at?

Thanks!

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO njsmom: If you really want a Family sized room with veranada then wait until a cruise comes with that category open. If it is not that important to you and you will be happy in another stateroom category then go for it. Remember, the final choice is up to you.

[msmusic]

Family Ocean View w/Verandas do sometimes show up on the Celebrity website months before sailing. I know because I booked one last week for an Alaska cruise next summer. We already had a cabin booked but I keep checking the website for other deals and one morning 9156 showed available for our sailing. We are traveling with our two teen daughters so I grabbed it! We realize it's under the Ocean Grill but we willing to take our chances. I know it was just luck on my part, but I would suggest you keep checking the Celebrity website, just in case one shows up.

[Calkat]

njsmom: I've never failed to get a FV when I've wanted one, but you have to remember that Alaska is a big "family" destination, so you'll have lots of competition. You have plenty of time if you're looking at 2010. I usually book another room I would be happy with and then keep looking to see if one opens up. You'll find more success if you can do cruises longer than 7 days and during times that children are in school; so for Alaska, you should avoid summer vacation. And usually at final payment, things open up. Good luck!

[derekthesailor]

Recently I was looking for an AQ class minisuite on the Celebrity Equinox, but the only rooms shown up on any booking system tried by my TA were the ones under the "overhang". The same for all the online agents.

I went onto the Celebrity website and enquired separately about each of the rooms I preferred forward of the overhang, and lo, some of them were available.

My TA phoned up requesting a specific room and we got it.

This might be worth a try for you. Good luck

Derek

[shorebilly]

We booked a 2a and just kept calling to see if anything else opened up, we did get a Family suite with just the four of us, and now I can't wait. Still hoping that a RS will open up!

[edgars]

What is the price difference generally between a Family suite and 2A for example?

[npb]

I had a similar problem a few years ago. I googled "sold out cruise cabins" or something similar and found a site that puts you in contact with variaous TAs who have cabins reserved. It has been years, but we still use the TA who found us our cabin.