Suite Guarantee....1st Time for this...any comments would be appreciated

[Nessa1dc]

We had 2 Cruise Certificates from Casino Royale.  When we combined, we could get an upgrade to a Suite Guarantee.  We are doing a B2B (9 day Eastern Caribbean and then a 5 day Bermuda).  We have the Suite Guarantee for the 5 Day Bermuda.  We are staying close to our friends on the 9 night, but the 5 night would be the guarantee and we won't know where we will be.

 

The Gentleman from RCCL said that the lowest category we could have is a Junior Suite with the possibility of a Grand Suite.

 

So let me know the pros and cons...what is the likelihood of us getting a Grand Suite?  Anything we should check on or be weary of?  I appreciate all comments.  Thank you

[Russ Lomas]

We have not booked guaranteed cabins before.  I am always apprehensive we will receive a cabin in a location of the ship that is now what we would like (loud - banging doors, above a bar, below a public deck, etc.)

 

The last few days even raised the issue that RCCL may deny you boarding if they have oversold the ship, and the guaranteed passengers are the ones who get the boot.  Similar to airlines, I guess.  Those who paid extra to reserve their seats ahead of time get seats, those who do not get bumped.

 

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/11/30/royal-caribbean-passengers-denied-boarding/71749345007/

Edited November 30, 2023 by Russ Lomas
add more info

[smokeybandit]

2 minutes ago, Russ Lomas said:

We have not booked guaranteed cabins before.  I am always apprehensive we will receive a cabin in a location of the ship that is now what we would like (loud - banging doors, above a bar, below a public deck, etc.)

 

The last few days even raised the issue that RCCL may deny you boarding if they have oversold the ship, and the guaranteed passengers are the ones who get the boot.  Similar to airlines, I guess.  Those who paid extra to reserve their seats ahead of time get seats, those who do not get bumped.

 

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/11/30/royal-caribbean-passengers-denied-boarding/71749345007/

You can't use that as an example since it appears there were other circumstances involved beyond a simple oversell

[reallyitsmema]

6 minutes ago, Nessa1dc said:

We had 2 Cruise Certificates from Casino Royale.  When we combined, we could get an upgrade to a Suite Guarantee.  We are doing a B2B (9 day Eastern Caribbean and then a 5 day Bermuda).  We have the Suite Guarantee for the 5 Day Bermuda.  We are staying close to our friends on the 9 night, but the 5 night would be the guarantee and we won't know where we will be.

 

The Gentleman from RCCL said that the lowest category we could have is a Junior Suite with the possibility of a Grand Suite.

 

So let me know the pros and cons...what is the likelihood of us getting a Grand Suite?  Anything we should check on or be weary of?  I appreciate all comments.  Thank you

 

We have done suite guaranty in the past and have received JS cabins but also did well once and got a two bedroom GS on Anthem.  I would be careful about a guaranty on some class ships as I do not like the aft facing JS on Voyager and Freedom class ships as they are behind the large gray space at the back of the ship, so the balcony is set way back in the superstructure.  I would have no issue doing guaranty on the other ships though.

[Nessa1dc]

2 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

We have done suite guaranty in the past and have received JS cabins but also did well once and got a two bedroom GS on Anthem.  I would be careful about a guaranty on some class ships as I do not like the aft facing JS on Voyager and Freedom class ships as they are behind the large gray space at the back of the ship, so the balcony is set way back in the superstructure.  I would have no issue doing guaranty on the other ships though.

We will be sailing on the Liberty (Freedom Class)....but as long as we can see some water from our balcony....I would be ok.

 

[ATG]

We have booked many suite guarantees.  We have always gotten a junior suite.  I have never had a bad location, but I think all of the suites are in decent locations.  We have a B2B with guarantees on both legs.  Saved over $2000.  For that amount of money I can pack and unpack.

I very much doubt that suite guarantees would be “bumped” from a cruise.

[reallyitsmema]

4 minutes ago, Nessa1dc said:

We will be sailing on the Liberty (Freedom Class)....but as long as we can see some water from our balcony....I would be ok.

 

 

Based on those itineraries, I thought it was Liberty.  You can see water, you could be behind this area.  This is Freedom but you get the idea.

 

[Nessa1dc]

2 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Based on those itineraries, I thought it was Liberty.  You can see water, you could be behind this area.  This is Freedom but you get the idea.

 

Well...I wouldn't want that....but...it will be what it will be.

[Starry Eyes]

Nearly everyone gets a JS.  Do not get your hopes up for a free upgrade to a full suite; those are truly rare now.  After all, the company can make money selling those upgrades on RoyalUp 

[TheDawg79]

You are going to get a JS. Just accept and plan on that. The GS will go to those who do RoyalUp, if there are any available.

[Mum2Mercury]

15 hours ago, Nessa1dc said:

So let me know the pros and cons...what is the likelihood of us getting a Grand Suite?

You'll almost certainly end up with a Junior Suite. 

People who get the larger suites (without outright reserving them) will pay for them through Royal Up.  From Royal's point of view, why give away the larger suites when people are willing to pay ... and are super pleased when they "win" a nicer room?  

15 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

We have not booked guaranteed cabins before. 

We almost always go with a Guarantee (now that we're retired, and it's just the two of us) and have always been happy.  

- Usually we pay for an Inside Guarantee and get an Inside Cabin ... most commonly mid-ship, Deck 6.  As a result, Deck 6 is now our favorite, even though it's not the general cruising population's choice.  

- Once we paid for an Inside Guarantee, got an obstructed Ocean View. 

- Once we paid for an Inside Guarantee, got a Promenade View. 

- Last cruise we were in a handicapped cabin on Deck 3 ... didn't prefer the deck but loved the extra space and storage.  

15 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

I am always apprehensive we will receive a cabin in a location of the ship that is now what we would like (loud - banging doors, above a bar, below a public deck, etc.)

Hasn't happened to us yet.  

15 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

The last few days even raised the issue that RCCL may deny you boarding if they have oversold the ship, and the guaranteed passengers are the ones who get the boot.

This is bad, but it's not a pattern; if it were, this board would be full of such stories.  Don't let this stop you from choosing a Guarantee.  I've always known my room number weeks in advance -- and, if I didn't, I'd call and be demanding before I'd travel.  

15 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

I do not like the aft facing JS on Voyager and Freedom class ships as they are behind the large gray space at the back of the ship, so the balcony is set way back in the superstructure.

Oh, no!  Aft facing cabins are the absolute best!  

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by Mum2Mercury

[BecciBoo]

We did the Presidential on Liberty which is in the middle and loved it, we really never noticed the big grey area, we were always in a lounger and you really see the wake well from that angle!  Of course you wouldn't get that one but the JS would be about the same one deck above.  The only down side is the very long walk to the elevators, but the amenities more than made up for that.  You can see the JSs above us well on this vid.

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by BecciBoo

[pilotboy1985]

Quick question for those who have booked suite guarantees before. 

I booked a suite guarantee a few weeks ago but when I go to check the sailing online, it says all suites are sold out. So I'm guessing they keep some JS out of inventory to give to the guarantees? I haven't been assigned a stateroom get but check-in is in 2 weeks. 

[SG65CB]

Yes they hold back inventory for the guarantee passengers. The website will show a category is sold out but people report they still get their guarantee cabins.