GTY Cabin Just Assigned

[waunabcruizin]

Okay, folks, in June 2011 we booked a cat OG outside GTY (first time booking a GTY) on the Spirit for the 12/11 cruise from NOLA to Western Caribbean. Final payment for this cruise isn't due until mid-September but we got our cabin assignment today. I had hoped for an upgrade but instead got exactly what we booked - an outside porthole cabin all the way forward on deck 5. :( Sigh. So, does anyone have any info on cabin 5500 on the Spirit? Good, bad, ugly, pros, cons. And above all, is the motion really noticeable? Since final payment isn't due for another couple of weeks, if 5500 is really awful we could cancel and rebook a specific cabin. Lesson really learned regarding GTY cabins!:eek: Thanks for any info.

[tiyana4]

Okay, folks, in June 2011 we booked a cat OG outside GTY (first time booking a GTY) on the Spirit for the 12/11 cruise from NOLA to Western Caribbean. Final payment for this cruise isn't due until mid-September but we got our cabin assignment today. I had hoped for an upgrade but instead got exactly what we booked - an outside porthole cabin all the way forward on deck 5. :( Sigh. So, does anyone have any info on cabin 5500 on the Spirit? Good, bad, ugly, pros, cons. And above all, is the motion really noticeable? Since final payment isn't due for another couple of weeks, if 5500 is really awful we could cancel and rebook a specific cabin. Lesson really learned regarding GTY cabins!:eek: Thanks for any info.

 

Never, ever book a GTY if you aren't prepared to be in any cabin (good or bad) at any location of the ship. GTY does not equal upgrade....not sure why so many people get their hopes up only to set themselves up for disappointment.

 

You can check to see if the prices have come down and possibly upgrade to a higher category. If you cancel and rebook, there may be cancellation fees involved if you booked through a TA.

[Pokeraddict]

If your not prepared for a lousy cabin then book what you want.

We have booked 2 gty out over 20 cruises and have never been happy with them so now we book what we want and watch for price drops along the way.

 

If a lousy cabin is going to ruin your holiday then spend the extra and get what you want.

 

The category of gty is there for a reason and its to fill those not so desireable cabins.

[DinaS]

Okay, folks, in June 2011 we booked a cat OG outside GTY (first time booking a GTY) on the Spirit for the 12/11 cruise from NOLA to Western Caribbean. Final payment for this cruise isn't due until mid-September but we got our cabin assignment today. I had hoped for an upgrade but instead got exactly what we booked - an outside porthole cabin all the way forward on deck 5. :( Sigh. So, does anyone have any info on cabin 5500 on the Spirit? Good, bad, ugly, pros, cons. And above all, is the motion really noticeable? Since final payment isn't due for another couple of weeks, if 5500 is really awful we could cancel and rebook a specific cabin. Lesson really learned regarding GTY cabins!:eek: Thanks for any info.

 

I am only going to say that you got exactly what you paid for - so not sure what lesson you have learned. *Most* folks who book GTY cabins don't get an upgrade - unless perhaps to a slightly better deck.

 

As for motion on deck 5 forward, that is probably the best place to be on a ship if you are concerned about motion sickness. The lower down you are on the ship and closer to the front generally means less motion felt.

 

If you want a specific deck/cabin, you should just shell out the money instead of gambling on a GTY. In my opinion, paying for a GTY means you are OK with getting what you pay for - the lowest in the cabin category you are choosing. If you aren't going to be happy with that, I wouldn't book a GTY.

[njhorseman]

I am only going to say that you got exactly what you paid for - so not sure what lesson you have learned. *Most* folks who book GTY cabins don't get an upgrade - unless perhaps to a slightly better deck.

 

As for motion on deck 5 forward, that is probably the best place to be on a ship if you are concerned about motion sickness. The lower down you are on the ship and closer to the front generally means less motion felt.

 

If you want a specific deck/cabin, you should just shell out the money instead of gambling on a GTY. In my opinion, paying for a GTY means you are OK with getting what you pay for - the lowest in the cabin category you are choosing. If you aren't going to be happy with that, I wouldn't book a GTY.

 

 

The front of the ship is about the worst place for feeling motion. You want to be midships to minimize it.

[waunabcruizin]

Well, as I said, I have learned my lesson regarding GTY cabins! :o Does anyone have any info about those forward porthole cabins - good or bad? I'm very pleased to be on deck 5, so that's a plus, but are there issues inherent in those forward cabins? After thinking about it for a bit I'm not too disappointed after all....unless there are downsides that are not obvious.

 

"I-told-you-sos' are so fun, aren't they? :D Thanks, all. :rolleyes:

 

Oh, and yes, down low is better for motion issues - but I think mid-ship is better than forward. :)

[cruise pup]

"I-told-you-sos' are so fun, aren't they? :D Thanks, all. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, you have to be prepared for that on these boards. I was once attacked because I complained that a security guard at the x-ray machines accused me of smuggling alcohol when the item in question was an empty sports bottle I intended to fill with ice water and keep by my bedside. I know she was doing her job but the way she handled it was rude. But you should have seen the remarks made to me. One person told me to consider how the people who lost loved ones on 9/11 would feel!

[rvsullivan]

This particular room has a round porthole at the head of the bed/beds. The rest of it is typical inside/outside stateroom. The good news is, it has other cabins above and below it so noise should be minimal. There may be some noise when dropping/pulling the anchor. Motion will only be a problem in storms. We have made several cruises on the Spirit and have only had significant motion on one trip for one day. In our opinion, Spirit is the best ship in the fleet and we are sad to see her leaving New Orleans. We have one more trip booked on her before she leaves. Enjoy your trip. We are on the same cruise and may see you at the meet and greet.;)

[fergusonvt]

I couldn't find any pics of 5500 but found a couple of 5000 which appears to be the same cabin on the starboard side. We were in a cabin in a similar location on a higher deck on the Sun in January and the motion in my opinion was not bad at all and I get seasick easily.

[SeaShark]

Yes, you have to be prepared for that on these boards. I was once attacked because I complained that a security guard at the x-ray machines accused me of smuggling alcohol when the item in question was an empty sports bottle I intended to fill with ice water and keep by my bedside. I know she was doing her job but the way she handled it was rude. But you should have seen the remarks made to me. One person told me to consider how the people who lost loved ones on 9/11 would feel!

 

WOW!!! Were you actually attacked, or did other people just post their own opinion(s), which happened to be different than your own?

[Cubechick]

Looking at the deck plans, the area wouldn't concern me. You're beneath other cabins and only 2 decks down from the casino (and a quick night cap if you like!).

 

Being forward can mean that you'd feel more motion, but if that doesn't bother you, then don't worry about it.

 

GTY's are good when you're booking a cruise last minute (a month out or so). That way much of the category is already sold out and you know you're going to get an upgrade. ;) It's a nice way to save some money when you're booking last minute and not taking too much of a location/category hit for booking the GTY.

 

For example, I booked a balcony GTY on the Spirit when there were only BA's left (I guess they're B3's now) and saved $400 versus what I would have paid booking the BA outright...:)

[yoyocruiser]

Cubechick--great tip on booking GTY, and that makes perfect sense.

 

The pictures of this cabin look really nice. But honestly, if you have any reservations then look at current prices to see if you can perhaps get exactly what you want at a similar price. In some ways you are in an ideal situation--the GTY did not get you an upgrade, but you are still far out enough that you can cancel with no penalty, and now you can pick what you want.

[CruisinCrow]

Hi Waunab,

Being on a low deck isn't bad. The rooms are exactly the same. And you'll have cabins above you so you don't have to worry about noise from the pool or buffet (done that and it was awful!). Another plus is that when you reboard the ship in ports, you only have a flight or two of steps to climb to get back to your cabin. That's a lot better than having to fight mobs of people all returning from port and trying to use the elevator. :)

[waunabcruizin]

Thanks everybody! The pics don't look bad at all and I do see the benefits of the location. Linda gets seasick sometimes, but if the weather cooperates I think we'll be fine with that cabin. If not, she can always take a med to knock herself out and ride it out that way (ugh!). I don't get seasick myself.

And that was a GREAT tip about how and when to book a GTY!! All in all, I think, after looking at the price vs what we got, and with the encouraging comments from this great group, we'll be just fine with our assigned cabin. Thanks again everybody.

Carol and Linda.

[Dayenu]

We had porthole twice, both time didn't mind them, it's just a smaller window, and round instead of square. We even took photos from portholes!

[Pokeraddict]

Well, as I said, I have learned my lesson regarding GTY cabins! :o Does anyone have any info about those forward porthole cabins - good or bad? I'm very pleased to be on deck 5, so that's a plus, but are there issues inherent in those forward cabins? After thinking about it for a bit I'm not too disappointed after all....unless there are downsides that are not obvious.

 

"I-told-you-sos' are so fun, aren't they? :D Thanks, all. :rolleyes:

 

Oh, and yes, down low is better for motion issues - but I think mid-ship is better than forward. :)

 

The forward cabins on deck 5 if your at rough seas the forward ship goes down and takes those big waves so make sure you keep your porthole window closed at all times. lol

[ann1bell]

We were in 5500 in January on the Spirit. I always get seasick and wear the patch. I did not notice much motion but maybe would not know it. We got it on a guarantee and were happy with it. The only nuisance was the noise when the anchor drops. It was like a morning alarm clock. We had no issues and loved the Spirit! Have fun!

[valleyvillage]

We were in 5500 in January on the Spirit. I always get seasick and wear the patch. I did not notice much motion but maybe would not know it. We got it on a guarantee and were happy with it. The only nuisance was the noise when the anchor drops. It was like a morning alarm clock. We had no issues and loved the Spirit! Have fun!

 

The one time I sailed GTY I ended up all the way forward on the Paradise. You're not kidding about that anchor! :eek:

 

OP, that cabin looks fine! I hope you two have a wonderful cruise.:D

[watermusic101]

Thanks everybody! The pics don't look bad at all and I do see the benefits of the location. Linda gets seasick sometimes, but if the weather cooperates I think we'll be fine with that cabin. If not, she can always take a med to knock herself out and ride it out that way (ugh!). I don't get seasick myself.

And that was a GREAT tip about how and when to book a GTY!! All in all, I think, after looking at the price vs what we got, and with the encouraging comments from this great group, we'll be just fine with our assigned cabin. Thanks again everybody.

Carol and Linda.

 

 

I book a guaranty quite often and if I get a cabin I'm not sure about I keep watching and most times the higher cat. cabins do come down in price and you can pay a little extra or sometimes nothing at all and move.

 

I just did this for our cruise in September twice. I booked a guaranty ocean view and got a forward port hole. Kept checking and the price for a much higher ocean view dropped to just $20 more than I paid. Just called my TA, paid the $20 and was moved. Later yet another higher cat. dropped and I just called again and was moved for nothing.

 

Yes it can be a gamble, but as long as you can live with what they give you with the chance of later upgrading, you'll be fine. Keep watching those prices.

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[tiyana4]

Looking at the deck plans, the area wouldn't concern me. You're beneath other cabins and only 2 decks down from the casino (and a quick night cap if you like!).

 

Being forward can mean that you'd feel more motion, but if that doesn't bother you, then don't worry about it.

 

GTY's are good when you're booking a cruise last minute (a month out or so). That way much of the category is already sold out and you know you're going to get an upgrade. ;) It's a nice way to save some money when you're booking last minute and not taking too much of a location/category hit for booking the GTY.

 

For example, I booked a balcony GTY on the Spirit when there were only BA's left (I guess they're B3's now) and saved $400 versus what I would have paid booking the BA outright...:)

 

I'm not so sure this is the best advice to be passing along. While it may have been the case for you, upgrades are not a given - even when booking at the last minute. Oftentimes, the cruiseline will choose to upgrade/upsell those who booked early to open up cheaper cabins in lower categories.

[ehfl]

We always book guarantee (but frankly, would never book a porthole cabin....its either inside or balcony for us). Location shouldn't matter too much unless you have mobility issues and need to be near an elevator.