Newbie - Diff. btwn guaranteed room and actual room assigned

[colemkr]

We are thinking about going on the Carnival Valor in late May and are starting to do our research. We have been on one Carnival cruise a few years back. What is the difference between a guaranteed balcony room and one that you choose the room. We want to get a balcony, but don't really know the difference. Is one better to go with than the others. Which one has better chances of an upgrade.

 

Thanks!

 

Kristin

[pholter]

We are thinking about going on the Carnival Valor in late May and are starting to do our research. We have been on one Carnival cruise a few years back. What is the difference between a guaranteed balcony room and one that you choose the room. We want to get a balcony, but don't really know the difference. Is one better to go with than the others. Which one has better chances of an upgrade.

 

Thanks!

 

Kristin

 

From what I understand, if you pick your room, that's your room. If you choose a guarantee, then you could get any balcony- from the lowest deck to the highest. I've heard recently that a lucky passenger was upgraded to a Category 11 suite with a balcony guarantee. I like to pick my room so I know what I'm getting and it won't have an obstructed view. We prefer the aft cabin balconies now because they have a little larger balconies.

[BrendaB1]

If you book a balcony guarantee...you will will receive a balcony but may be upgraded to a higher deck. We booked guarantee on Conquest & went up two decks. Upcoming Miracle upgraded from 8A guarantee to Panarama deck. Only way we book now.

 

Good way to go if you are not particular where you are on the ship....such as close to elevator, etc. Just be sure this is what you will be satisfied with even if you don't receive an upgrade.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The myth will never die: that to be "upgraded" a level or two higher is some kind of thing to aspire to... the cabins are EXACTLY THE SAME... Carnival only charges more for these because of this myth - which the higher rate perpetuates:rolleyes: ... you will not be able to SEE BEYOND THE HORIZON any more in a higher deck cabin which is 40-50 feet higher...!!!

 

don't gamble with your cabin - gamble in the casino...LOL

 

Pick your cabin based on location - if it were me, i would book an aft 9A wrap-around cabin (6452 and 6483 would be my prime choices...) you will have a 270 degree view of the islands and/or ocean and sunsets... ONLY the aft corners will do that for you!

 

They are not "too much" more than a Cat 8 Balcony - and you will have a HUGE balcony...

 

 

OK... off my pedestal now..:D

 

 

Tom

[kristineth]

I agree with Tom....that THE best cabins are the 9As with the wrap around balconies...however, both times we booked those (assigned cabins!) they tried to upgrade us....and did not notify us or ask us if we wanted the upgrade. (and we ended up having to fight to get those cabins back!:( ) We have always booked assigned cabins with Carnival....the only time we didn't get an upgrade was when we booked a suite.

With that being said, I think you have a better chance for an upgrade booking a guarantee. (even though 2 out of 3 times that we booked assigned we got an upgrade, I think/hope we are the exception because most people book a specific cabin for a reason!) Have a great cruise! :D

[tef43]

The myth will never die: that to be "upgraded" a level or two higher is some kind of thing to aspire to

To dispel the myth furhter, higher is *not* always better. Case in point, the aft balcony cabins on the Triumph. We had one on Verandah Deck (8) immediately below the Lido. If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely book *at least* one, perhaps two decks, lower.

[Sharon Temple]

We've done both ways. Did guarantees twice and one worked out and one didn't. I think in the future we'll not do guarantees. I've learned where I do and do not want to be on a ship. Careful about being under gym, over stage, etc.

[serene56]

I agree with Tom....that THE best cabins are the 9As with the wrap around balconies...

 

Onsome ships the wrap arounds are cat 11 suites.

[onevacationlover]

I booked BalconyGuarantee last summer on Truimph, I ended up with a Cat 11 in the best centralized location. I also received a free spa treatment, too.

 

We had lots of fun on the FUN SHIP.

[Earthworm Jim]

... you will not be able to SEE BEYOND THE HORIZON any more in a higher deck cabin which is 40-50 feet higher...!!!

 

 

You won't be able to see beyond the horizon on a higher deck, but the horizon will be slightly farther away from that height. In effect the height allows you to see just a bit more around the curvature of the earth. That's why in the old days they used to have lookouts up high in crow's nests, so they could see a little bit farther.

 

But I agree with your point. Seeing a tiny bit farther into the distance isn't really a tangible benefit worth paying more for to me either.

[iowagirl411]

I agree with Tom....that THE best cabins are the 9As with the wrap around balconies...however, both times we booked those (assigned cabins!) they tried to upgrade us....and did not notify us or ask us if we wanted the upgrade. (and we ended up having to fight to get those cabins back!:( ) We have always booked assigned cabins with Carnival....the only time we didn't get an upgrade was when we booked a suite.

With that being said, I think you have a better chance for an upgrade booking a guarantee. (even though 2 out of 3 times that we booked assigned we got an upgrade, I think/hope we are the exception because most people book a specific cabin for a reason!) Have a great cruise! :D

 

We have a 9A booked on the Valor later this year. Are you saying they may try to upgrade us. I booked what I wanted. The only thing higher is a suite, isn't it? Do the suites on Carnival have any perks worth the switch? Do they have any perks at all? I'll be prepared to do battle.

[Kathy555]

If you pick your room you know what you get - if you pick a guarantee you get what someone else wouldn't pick, that is MHO

[serene56]

We have a 9A booked on the Valor later this year. Are you saying they may try to upgrade us. I booked what I wanted. The only thing higher is a suite, isn't it? Do the suites on Carnival have any perks worth the switch? Do they have any perks at all? I'll be prepared to do battle.

 

 

I book a cabin on the aft- I tell my agent that I am not willing to be upgraded..even to a suite. Yes I have heard people get moved..but carnival should call first. But it is also rare.

[Kerrilah]

Everyone has their own opinions as to which is best, so as they say it really depends on whether you are dead set on a certain room. I am leaving for my 3rd Carnival cruise in 18 days (yippee!!) and have always booked Guarantee and have always been happy. On my first cruise we booked the cheapest inside room guarantee and were upgraded to a porthole room. On the second cruise, we booked an OV room and got just that but on the Main deck instead of the low deck. This 3rd cruise we booked a 5a guarantee, the lowest OV room and we have been upgraded to a 7a obstructed view balcony right in the middle of the boat on the upper deck, which is also in the middle. In my opinion, Carnival has always done well by us and now we even get our first balcony! So, as I said if you are not picky about location of your room then book the lowest guarantee you will b happy with and hope for something even better. Also from what I understand, the farther out you book and if you pay in full at time of booking, you have a better chance of getting a better upgrade. Im not sure if its true, but that seems to be what people say and it's how I book, so I would assume so. Good luck and happy sailing!

[kristineth]

We have a 9A booked on the Valor later this year. Are you saying they may try to upgrade us. I booked what I wanted. The only thing higher is a suite, isn't it? Do the suites on Carnival have any perks worth the switch? Do they have any perks at all? I'll be prepared to do battle.

 

Yes, it is possible that they may try to upgrade you to a suite.

Most people I am sure would be thrilled with the suite, however we were more interested in being aft and having the larger balcony. (and were so disappointed when we got to the port and found out they had moved us!) We've stayed in a suite before (on the Pride with a wrap balcony)...the main difference would be more cabin space, a vcr, bigger closets, a tub and more bar glasses. That's about it for the "perks". Of course you would get priority check in as well, but if you don't know about the upgrade until you check in, that doesn't really apply.

 

I am not sure what class of ship the Valor is, but if it's the class where the 9As are the wrap around balcony cabins, if you booked for the balcony, I hope you get to keep it!! If it's in the Spirit class, I hope you get the suite! (then you get the larger cabin and wrap balcony....the best of both worlds!!) :D Have fun!!

[glrounds]

Always book an inside guarantee if available the last minute (3-5 days before the cruise). Last 3 times have been upgraded (category not deck). I only consider a category upgrade a TRUE upgrade as what deck I'm on means nothing to me. :)

 

On the PRIDE last May I jumped 2 categories (from inside 1A to 5A obstructed view). Fabulous, especially since my particular cabin had a view between the lifeboats. Terrific. :)

[iowagirl411]

I booked the aft wrap-around mostly for the balcony, but also for the set of stairs that goes right up to the Lido deck. SO needs to know exactly where he's at if he goes out alone. We had an aft stateroom with a similar set of stairs on Celebrity and it worked out perfectly. Now I've read on another thread that those stairs are for crew only. Does anyone know?

[serene56]

Those stairs are fro crew only. You might be able to use them you might not-- We were always told not to use those stairs.