Guaranteed Cabin Assignments

[DCThunder]

For some reason, my TA booked me as a "Guarantee Cabin" on an upcoming Alaska cruise in late September.  I'm told I'll find out my cabin "at boarding", but it will be at least a "Deluxe Verandah" stateroom.  Will I truly only find out my cabin when I'm checking in for the sailing at the cruise port in Vancouver?  Or will I be notified of a cabin earlier than that?  Does anyone have any guidance on this?

[richwmn]

guarantee cabins are normally assigned 10 - 14 days before the cruise. You could get an assignment in that time frame, then another one at the pier which would be an upgrade.

If you wish, normally you can request a specific cabin by paying a higher price.

 

[Florida_gal_50]

I’ve been able to pick a specific cabin at the same price as the guarantee.  Of course it has to be at that level and it’s not available all the time.  It’s worth asking though.

[DaveOKC]

Today I received my cabin assignment, 21 days prior to sailing.

 

[askworldtraveler]

On Monday this week - we deided to take the Vancouver to San Diego 5 night cruise leaving Sept 28.  Went through the booking process until putting in my information.  We have moved in the past 8 months,  address incorrect, phone number no longer existed, while passport info wasn't asked at that time, that too has been reissued.  I clicked on the 24 hr hold however I doubted it would actually be held without complet info for the 2 of us.  The next day I recieved an e mail to finsih the booking - and as I have done the past - turned it over to my TA.  What came back was only a guarentee of the catagory - not the room I had seleted.  i'm pidky the cabins I select.  Never near elevators that ping, or high traffic steward areas, where exhust smells are reported - I'm picky. That and sorting through the various decks and 3 cabin desginatons that Neptune Suites have - not quite sure what to do.  It's not even an issue of the lowest price - just being ok with the location.  We've sailed on this ship several times,  looking aforward to some sea days after a long few years.....  Thanks for any thoughts.  ~~D 

[oakridger]

@askworldtraveleryou should call your TA right away and have them book the exact cabin you choose. Now that the booking is assigned to your TA, all communication with HAL will need to go through them.  It sounds like the process to select your preference of cabin got dropped somewhere between your start of booking online and the transfer to your TA.  Good Luck!

 

~Nancy

 

 

Edited July 30, 2022 by oakridger

[Shippy]

Only once did we get our assignment at the pier & it was NO upgrade.

Sometimes got the cabin assignment immediately upon booking.

We have gotten blocked views, either by ship design or by lifeboats.

Also gotten handicapped cabins

[albingirl]

Guarantee cabins are a big no in my life.  So afraid of a bad location with noise and vibration.  I know some say they get fabulous deals that way, but I'd rather not take the chance.  It can ruin the cruise.

[DaveOKC]

23 minutes ago, albingirl said:

Guarantee cabins are a big no in my life.  So afraid of a bad location with noise and vibration.  I know some say they get fabulous deals that way, but I'd rather not take the chance.  It can ruin the cruise.

I agree with you normally, but the free cabin offers are just too good to pass up.  I try to reduce the problems by 1) booking a higher Mega category (such as Signature or Neptune) where there are very few "bad" cabins or 2) purchase Club Orange to be able to select my cabin.  Yes it costs more, but well worth it IMO.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2022 by DaveOKC

[albingirl]

13 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

I agree with you normally, but the free cabin offers are just too good to pass up.  I try to reduce the problems by 1) booking a higher Mega category (such as Signature or Neptune) where there are very few "bad" cabins or 2) purchase Club Orange to be able to select my cabin.  Yes it costs more, but well worth it IMO.

 

 

But you get free.  We don't.  We pay alot for our cabins and want peace and quiet. You keep talking about your casino deals, fine, but for most of us, we are looking for value for our money. And we don't do signature or neptune.  So, your response is strange.

[Mary229]

On 7/30/2022 at 12:00 AM, askworldtraveler said:

On Monday this week - we deided to take the Vancouver to San Diego 5 night cruise leaving Sept 28.  Went through the booking process until putting in my information.  We have moved in the past 8 months,  address incorrect, phone number no longer existed, while passport info wasn't asked at that time, that too has been reissued.  I clicked on the 24 hr hold however I doubted it would actually be held without complet info for the 2 of us.  The next day I recieved an e mail to finsih the booking - and as I have done the past - turned it over to my TA.  What came back was only a guarentee of the catagory - not the room I had seleted.  i'm pidky the cabins I select.  Never near elevators that ping, or high traffic steward areas, where exhust smells are reported - I'm picky. That and sorting through the various decks and 3 cabin desginatons that Neptune Suites have - not quite sure what to do.  It's not even an issue of the lowest price - just being ok with the location.  We've sailed on this ship several times,  looking aforward to some sea days after a long few years.....  Thanks for any thoughts.  ~~D 

First cancel the courtesy hold reservation.  You need to clear the form and start over from scratch.  Selecting a cabin is always available except when you are doing a segment of a Grand Voyage.  Is this a segment?

[DaveOKC]

46 minutes ago, albingirl said:

But you get free.  We don't.  We pay alot for our cabins and want peace and quiet. You keep talking about your casino deals, fine, but for most of us, we are looking for value for our money. And we don't do signature or neptune.  So, your response is strange.

Sorry to offend you, but I was trying to explain why some of us book guarantees.  I agree with you that booking guarantees runs the risk of getting a less than optimal cabin location, but the new Club Orange deal is a way to avoid this at often a lower price than you would pay by just booking your cabin the traditional way.

 

 

[albingirl]

True. You never offend me. I'd love to sail free too.

[richwmn]

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

First cancel the courtesy hold reservation.  You need to clear the form and start over from scratch.  Selecting a cabin is always available except when you are doing a segment of a Grand Voyage.  Is this a segment?

There are many reasons why a guarantee is the only option, a segment of a WC is only one of them. For example, as the ship fills in various categories the system will only allow guarantees in those categories. Sometimes the particular offer is for a guarantee only.

[askworldtraveler]

thanks everyone - question answered and solved