Croptop Posted February 19, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 19, 2009 So I'm about to book a stateroom on CB for the 24 Jan 2010 S. Caribbean 7-day sailing. My wife and I went on our first cruise at the beginning of February and had a wonderful time. For that sailing, we booked a partially obstructed oceanview (E708) and were happy with the room. Option A for the upcoming cruise is to just try to book E708 again since we liked it. However, since I'm only after an oceanview cabin in order to get some natural light into the cabin, I'm toying with gambling a bit this time and booking a guarantee for category 'E' instead of picking a specific cabin. My understanding is that I would get a cat 'E' as a minimum. I'm assuming that this would rule out the cat 'F' fully-obstructed view cabins. Is this correct? I'm reasonably certain that we will be happy in whatever cabin we get as long as it's not an inside so I'm not seeing the downside to booking the guarantee. And there's always that remote chance that we'll end up with a cabin that's better than what we are asking for (but we're not banking on that in the least). But we are completely new to this so I don't know what the risks/downside to this plan is. Any and all advice would be welcomed and appreciated. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg1747 Posted February 19, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The only thing I would do when booking a guarantee is to make sure that nothing in that particular category has a cabin in a location that wouldn't make me happy. I generally pick a cabin so I know what's nearby, above and below. I've only gone with a guarantee on a last minute booking when that was my only option for the category (price) that I wanted. I lucked out and got a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSQ01 Posted February 19, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 19, 2009 For my three cruises, two were guarantees - one was an oceanview guarantee and we ended up with a great location. The other was an inside guarantee and we ended up with an oceanview, also in a great location (so we got an upgrade on that one:D). My other cruise I went ahead and booked an oceanview, because there was a great price on a partially obstructed, which turned out to have a pretty clear view... I say if you don't mind where your stateroom is, you are fine with a guarantee...it does save you a little money. Also, since this cruise is not until 2010, you can always check prices, and if prices go down and a stateroom is available that you want, you can book it. (I think Princess will let you do this until you make final payment...I am not as familiar with their policies as I am RCCL and CC.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeGone Posted February 19, 2009 #4 Share Posted February 19, 2009 If you're just wanting natural light, book an OV gty. You'll save money and get a window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandmato4 Posted February 19, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 19, 2009 As long as there is no cabin in the category you book or above that category that you would NOT be happy occupying then booking a guarentee is fine. I do not wish to be in a cabin in the very front of the ship in any category because that is the one place that I feel the motion which is not a good thing for me, so for us booking a guarentee is not a good option as we would not be happy with that cabin location even though we would be happy or at least ok anywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob & Beckys mom Posted February 19, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 19, 2009 First time I have ever booked a guarantee and got a 3 catagory bump up from what I paid for. Last minute booking, so we are happy:D. I would do it again. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted February 19, 2009 #7 Share Posted February 19, 2009 We have boked a guarentee several times and never been disappointed. Assuming you are saving money with the guarentee, book it IF you would be happy with any cabin in the category you are booking or any higher category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted February 19, 2009 #8 Share Posted February 19, 2009 If you liked the cabin you were in, then book the specific cabin. People post all the time that they booked a GTY but they didn't like the location where they were assigned: it's over Club Fusion, it's near the steward's work area, it's near the elevators, etc., etc. Yes, many people are assigned cabins they're happy with or get a slight upgrade but there are others who suddenly realize that their cabin isn't where they want to be or they get an "upgrade" that's not a desirable cabin. The point is that whenever you book a GTY, you take a chance. It's ALWAYS a gamble. True, it frequently pays off but sometimes it doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted February 20, 2009 #9 Share Posted February 20, 2009 So I'm about to book a stateroom on CB for the 24 Jan 2010 S. Caribbean 7-day sailing. My wife and I went on our first cruise at the beginning of February and had a wonderful time. For that sailing, we booked a partially obstructed oceanview (E708) and were happy with the room. Option A for the upcoming cruise is to just try to book E708 again since we liked it. However, since I'm only after an oceanview cabin in order to get some natural light into the cabin, I'm toying with gambling a bit this time and booking a guarantee for category 'E' instead of picking a specific cabin. My understanding is that I would get a cat 'E' as a minimum. I'm assuming that this would rule out the cat 'F' fully-obstructed view cabins. Is this correct? Since all of Category E is only partially obstructed, you sound as if you would be happy in any Cat E cabin, so a Guar may be the way to go. As you surmise, you would not end up in any lower category. On the other hand, the upgrade fairy can touch her magic wand if you book a specific cabin as long as you do not mark it "do not upgrade." So, you may want to book the specific cabin you liked, but do not mark it "do not upgrade." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA_FadeAway Posted February 20, 2009 #10 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I've booked three guarantees and was upgraded every time. Twice from an outside to a balcony and once from the cheapest balcony to the most expensive. Unless I want to be on a specific side due to the itinerary, then I have no problem taking a "gamble" on a guarantee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croptop Posted February 20, 2009 Author #11 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. It's been very helpful. I *think* we're going to try the guarantee route (Hey! We don't gamble in the casino so this could be our little bit of gaming for the trip!) but I reserve the right to change my mind when our TA contacts us to make the booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodmnky Posted February 20, 2009 #12 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. It's been very helpful. I *think* we're going to try the guarantee route (Hey! We don't gamble in the casino so this could be our little bit of gaming for the trip!) but I reserve the right to change my mind when our TA contacts us to make the booking. I agree, it sounds like you will be happy with most anything. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, hopefully, you will end up with something better that what you had last time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2good2b Posted February 20, 2009 #13 Share Posted February 20, 2009 We have been cruising for a long time and last year was the first time we ever booked a gty. We booked a mini suite on the CB and got upgraded to a FULL SUITE! I've been told this doesn't happen very often so I guess we just lucked out.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwenmark Posted February 21, 2009 #14 Share Posted February 21, 2009 It sounds like you could do ok with a guarantee. I have to say this though, I have NEVER seen a guarantee that was any less than the lowest price selected cabin in a category. I keep seeing people saying they are saving by doing it, I can't anyway I need HC cabins but I have just never seen it, neither on any Cruiseline site themselves nor on any Online TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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