Guarantee obstructed view balcony room

[hues of blue]

We booked a guarantee obstructed view balcony for our cruise January 7th on the Nieuw Statendam. We received our room # today and it is indeed a obstructed view room. Has anyone been assigned a different room after one was assigned?  Of course we were hoping for a little upgrade and yes ,we usually choose our room but needed to save a little money the time. 

 

Sherri

 

[RuthC]

Doesn't hurt to try to get it changed. 

One time I took a guarantee inside as I couldn't get the area I wanted. I got no upgrade, nor did I get a decent assignment. Way too far forward, tiny cabin. 
I called my TA to see if there was anything better she could get for me, and lo & behold I was reassigned to the area I wanted! Still no upgrade, but that was fine with me. I got a much larger cabin mid-ship. 

If you don't ask, you don't get. 

[hues of blue]

On 12/23/2022 at 8:01 PM, RuthC said:

Doesn't hurt to try to get it changed. 

One time I took a guarantee inside as I couldn't get the area I wanted. I got no upgrade, nor did I get a decent assignment. Way too far forward, tiny cabin. 
I called my TA to see if there was anything better she could get for me, and lo & behold I was reassigned to the area I wanted! Still no upgrade, but that was fine with me. I got a much larger cabin mid-ship. 

If you don't ask, you don't get. 

We are mid ship so that is good, unfortunately it's a fully obstructed view from what I can see online. I'll call my TA tomorrow and see about moving to one that is a little less obstructed. If not, we will still be on a cruise:)

[oaktreerb]

@hues of blueHave you looked on halfacts.com to see if your cabin or another in the same area is reviewed?

Edited December 25, 2022 by oaktreerb

[hues of blue]

32 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

@hues of blueHave you looked on halfacts.com to see if your cabin or another in the same area is reviewed?

I just did, thank you. Our room is not but the one directly across from ours is on there. Fully obstructed:(

[Navybikermom]

I’ve had my room changed on me a few times between initial check-in and arriving at the terminal. No explanation from them as to why and so far they haven’t been a downgrade 😁

[KroozNut]

I guess my only comment here would be that you were assigned exactly what you booked and paid for. My personal mantra in booking cabins on cruises is to book one that I would be completely happy with, assuming no changes, 'upgrades', etc. This way I'm never disappointed..

[MISTER 67]

On 12/23/2022 at 7:40 PM, hues of blue said:

We booked a guarantee obstructed view balcony for our cruise January 7th on the Nieuw Statendam. We received our room # today and it is indeed a obstructed view room. Has anyone been assigned a different room after one was assigned?  Of course we were hoping for a little upgrade and yes ,we usually choose our room but needed to save a little money the time. 

 

Sherri

 

You probably eventually will get an upsell offer.

[KroozNut]

41 minutes ago, MISTER 67 said:

You probably eventually will get an upsell offer.

 

Which could  have been paid for up front. Why not just book (and pay for) the cabin you want?  This eliminates the consternation and stress associated with booking a cabin you're not necessarily happy with, and then hoping/praying for and 'up sell'..

[JCrewz]

30 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Which could  have been paid for up front. Why not just book (and pay for) the cabin you want?  This eliminates the consternation and stress associated with booking a cabin you're not necessarily happy with, and then hoping/praying for and 'up sell'..

Where is your sense of adventure, Krooznut?  There is no shortage of passengers that can't lay off the price for a guarantee and know the odds are in favor of being assigned a better cabin.  In fact, it is just downright bad luck when you don't move up.

 

We booked a guaranteed verandah at the very front of the Westerdam.  All the casino offers were for that category.  Only four of them though and we were assigned a higher floor near mid ship.  If you are one of the four of the hundred that booked that category that land in the actual guaranteed room, the calling and asking is a great strategy.

 

Most folks know that the cabin prices tend to be discounted after room assignments, so I wish them luck if they keep checking for cancellations or better rooms being vacated via upsell.  We eventually accepted an upsell to a Vista Suite for about a third of the original difference.

 

Getting your best value in cruising usually involves some sacrifice, or in the case of the guarantee categories, some risks.  Merry Christmas to you Krooznut and all of our other CC friends. 

[MISTER 67]

On 12/23/2022 at 9:01 PM, RuthC said:

Doesn't hurt to try to get it changed. 

One time I took a guarantee inside as I couldn't get the area I wanted. I got no upgrade, nor did I get a decent assignment. Way too far forward, tiny cabin. 
I called my TA to see if there was anything better she could get for me, and lo & behold I was reassigned to the area I wanted! Still no upgrade, but that was fine with me. I got a much larger cabin mid-ship. 

If you don't ask, you don't get. 

We were on the Equinox in June and as soon as we boarded I went to guest relations as we were in an inside cabin, I asked if any verandas were still available and what the cost would be, lo and behold the lady put us in a verandah at no extra charge, as you said if you don’t ask, you don’t get. BTW, that nice lady received a nice tip, at first she refused to accept it but I insisted that she take it.

[DaveOKC]

16 hours ago, JCrewz said:

 

 

Most folks know that the cabin prices tend to be discounted after room assignments, so I wish them luck if they keep checking for cancellations or better rooms being vacated via upsell.  We eventually accepted an upsell to a Vista Suite for about a third of the original difference.

 

Getting your best value in cruising usually involves some sacrifice, or in the case of the guarantee categories, some risks.  

Interesting on the cost of your upsell.  I generally use 1/3rd of the difference as my price point when evaluating taking an upsell offer.  

[JCrewz]

29 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Interesting on the cost of your upsell.  I generally use 1/3rd of the difference as my price point when evaluating taking an upsell offer.  

DaveOKC....you're a cruise critic hero.  Your insight on the subject of upsells told me and my wife to jump on that deal.  Thanks for all the helpful posts.

[KroozNut]

22 hours ago, JCrewz said:

Where is your sense of adventure, Krooznut? 

 

For us, when it comes down to cruise cabin selection, there is no 'sense of adventure', and we choose not to roll the dice.

The first thing we do when getting ready to book a cruise is to pull up the deck plans for the ship, select the best possible cabin available within our budget, and book that cabin.

Simple as that. Done deal, and then we move on to other important items in planning the cruise. No additional pearl clutching or hand wringing waiting for the cabin assignment, an 'upsale' or unlikely 'upgrade'.

[JCrewz]

5 hours ago, KroozNut said:

For us, when it comes down to cruise cabin selection, there is no 'sense of adventure', and we choose not to roll the dice.

The first thing we do when getting ready to book a cruise is to pull up the deck plans for the ship, select the best possible cabin available within our budget, and book that cabin.

Simple as that. Done deal, and then we move on to other important items in planning the cruise. No additional pearl clutching or hand wringing waiting for the cabin assignment, an 'upsale' or unlikely 'upgrade'.

Well, you're obviously a very accomplished cruiser.  I certainly respect your position.