Guarantee Stateroom

[denneyh]

Am wondering if anyone has sailed using the guarantee stateroom option which states that you pay the lowest price for the stateroom category but do not select a specific room, rather leaving that up to the cruise line with the option of being upgraded to a better room if available. No preferences are allowed and we aren't keen on being give a stateroom with bunks. If you'd have experience with this matter please respond.

[weblet]

Guarantees are usually category driven - say a ship has category 1-10 type cabins. If cat 1 is the bunks and 2 will give you 2 lowers, take the guarantee in the cat 2. The cruise line can always upgrade you but won't downgrade. If you want a better category, take the guarantee in that category (say you'd like a balcony and that's cat 6, take the 6 guarantee). My clients have always had pretty good luck with upgrading too. If they do have a run-of-ship guarantee, then you can't be sure you won't get the bunks.

[Jason's Storm]

Also, if you are prone to seasickness, the guarantee won't be good, because you will be far less likely to be towards the center part of the ship. Now if you don't care where you're located then try to book a certain catergory upgrade.

~JS

[REDJIM]

Originally posted by Jason's Storm@Feb 16 2006, 09:09 PM
Also, if you are prone to seasickness, the guarantee won't be good, because you will be far less likely to be towards the center part of the ship.* Now if you don't care where you're located then try to book a certain catergory upgrade.

~JS
20511


I like the mask!

[missalf]

FWIW, we've done the guaranteed cabin three times, and each time received a minimum of a four category upgrade.

But, like the others have said, if you need a specific part of the ship to be comfortable, this isn't the best way to go....however, paying for a large inside and getting an outside, seven categories higher than what you paid for -- can't beat it.

[pezmanffx]

I did it once. I picked the lowest class of guarenteed (inside stateroom) and ended up with an ocean view midship. I havent done it since. I have a fear of being stuck in the back of the boat above the engines.

[denneyh]

[FONT=Impact][B]Thanks everyone for the comments. I appreciated the variety and you definitely have me some things to think about. I am prone to seasickness and definitely prefer the center of the ship. :blink: So I think for the time being I'll stay safe rather than sorry and pick the stateroom rather than letting them do it for me. :) denneyh

[Ned]

Hi,

Did it once, a long time ago, but I'll never do it again.

When we boarded (our first cruise) we thought it was a good stateroom. Outside stateroom, good size, big windows to see out. Then, when we went to bed we found out that we were directly above where the crew worked with cargo, luggage, etc.

The first night we were up until 2AM while they continued to distribute the luggage, then move around cargo, stores, etc. The next couple of nights were quiet. The following morning we were up a 5AM though. The crew was moving around stuff to make room to bring aboard more stores, etc. This happened twice more.

The last night was the worst. We fell asleep ok though, because we finally purchased ear plugs ashore at a pharmacy. All night long they were getting the luggage ready to unload ashore. The noise level was awful, but the plugs did their job.

There are staterooms on every ship that have real problems, especially with outside noises. We carefully choose our staterooms now and are more than willing to pay the difference.

Good luck on your decision.

[Jason's Storm]

Originally posted by Ned@Feb 18 2006, 05:09 PM
Hi,

Did it once, a long time ago, but I'll never do it again.

When we boarded (our first cruise) we thought it was a good stateroom.* Outside stateroom, good size, big windows to see out.* Then, when we went to bed we found out that we were directly above where the crew worked with cargo, luggage, etc.

The first night we were up until 2AM while they continued to distribute the luggage, then move around cargo, stores, etc.* The next couple of nights were quiet.* The following morning we were up a 5AM though.* The crew was moving around stuff to make room to bring aboard more stores, etc.* This happened twice more.

The last night was the worst.* We fell asleep ok though, because we finally purchased ear plugs ashore at a pharmacy.* All night long they were getting the luggage ready to unload ashore.* The noise level was awful, but the plugs did their job.

There are staterooms on every ship that have real problems, especially with outside noises.* We carefully choose our staterooms now and are more than willing to pay the difference.

Good luck on your decision.
20639

Where is that typically?

~JS

[Ned]

Originally posted by Jason's Storm@Feb 19 2006, 02:09 PM
Where is that typically?

~JS
20670

These are the general stateroom locations from which I would prefer to stay away:
1. Lower passenger deck off center (over ship's storage holds and cargo doors) - NOISE.

The location of the ship's cargo doors is rarely shown on cruise line web sites. Generally if you're going to stay on the lower deck, from a noise standpoint the bow and stern are better, however, from a stability standpoint (seasickness), the center (midships) of the ship is better because it's more stable. I would try to never stay on the lower two stateroom decks of cruise ships, however, I know that adds to the cost of a cruise. Check with your travel agent as to the location of the cargo doors and storage holds, especially the ones which handle incoming and outgoing luggage.

2. Close to any elevator - NOISE.

3. Close to public areas such as the meeting rooms, main foyer, restaurants, etc. - NOISE.

4. Where outside of cabin is on any outdoor public promenade - NOISE.

5. Directly above or below any bar - NOISE/Tobacco Smoke.

6. Directly above or below the casino - NOISE/Tobacco Smoke.

7. Close to any restaurant - NOISE.

8. Directly under any deck with a running track - NOISE.

9. Directly under any sports deck - NOISE.

These problems can be mitigated by stateroom soundproofing which varies from ship to ship. The problems can also be mitigated by ship design. Always check ship reviews which can be found on the Internet on sites such as Cruise Critic. Check with friends and your travel agent too.

For example, on Celebrity's millenium class ships my wife and I generally stay in Concierge Class staterooms. While these staterooms are directly under the buffet style restaurant and pools, I have found them to be quiet and have never had a problem taking a nap or having a full night's sound sleep in them. I am careful to stay away from the elevators and public room on that deck and try to reserve a CC stateroom midships.

Good luck on your choice.

[powerbroker]

Upgrades work best for frequent cruisers on that particular cruise line ie if you've cruised with Princess six times, you are more likely to get upgraded than the first timer with Princess.

Also you are more likely to be upgraded on less popular cruise itineraries/cruise dates. For example, the opportunity to be upgraded during a holiday sailing or Alaska summer cruise is practically non-existent. An upgrade during the hurricane season in the Caribbean is more a possibility, obviously.

As a travel agency owner, I would like to point out that large-production travel agencies tend to do better than direct bookings as the cruise lines want to reward them for their production.

Finally, the earlier one books, the better the chance to be upgraded since they are allocatted on a first come, first upgraded basis with all the other factors considered.

[jfrenaye]

We will not book any guarantees for clients any longer. Two summers ago, most of our guarantees were bumped. Yes, it happens to cruisers as well.

The guarantee people tend to be lower revenue for the cruise line and they would rather sell the higher priced cabin and bump the guarantee. Even if it means offerig him a discount on the next cruise...which will probbaly never materialize.

I agree with another poster--under any public area is a bummer. Client was on the Magic under the dining room, and the cabin was fantastic. It was just at 1am when they began to move ALL the furniture and proeceed to either wax the floors or shampoo the carpet that drove them nuts.

[deangreenhoe]

We will not book any guarantees for clients any longer. Two summers ago, most of our guarantees were bumped. Yes, it happens to cruisers as well.

Can you name names, John? I've only had guarantees bumped from one line so I'd be curious to know if it's the same one.

There's a combination of good wisdom on this thread. If you are free with your schedule and flexible, I'd still book the guarantee as long as location doesn't mean that much to you. I've sailed in what would be considered some pretty crappy locations by some (near the elevators, under the dining room or outdoor decks) but I sleep like a rock, don't get seasick and liked the convenience of being closer to public spaces rather than down a long hallway on a megaship. On my last Princess cruise I had the balcony cabin adjacent to the pool deck restrooms right under the buffet and 24-hour cafe. I never heard a thing.

That said, I wouldn't do it in peak season or on certain lines. (Carnival, no. Princess, yes.) It's my experience that past passengers always get preference and although it's never been said directly to me, I think I've had the best luck for my Princess passengers because of a preferred agency relationship with them. It's not general policy to do so, but I had honeymooners on a budget moved from a very cheap inside cabin to a very nice balcony stateroom last year.

So I guess it's a matter of what you are expecting. Now that I'm spoiled I think I have to sail in that same balcony stateroom on the pool deck close to the forward stair/elevator lobby, port side please. But if the price is right, on a whim I'd sleep in a lifeboat right about now.

[Eileen Sellers]

Two summers ago, most of our guarantees were bumped. Yes, it happens to cruisers as well.

Great point and well taken too. The cabin guarantee used to be a good way of an upgrade. Cruise lines never used to over sell the ship the way they do now.
So I'm with John, no more guarantees, especially in key markets like Alaska.

[jfrenaye]

Well I am not one to name names for the most part, but ...hey did you know that in Rio they do not celebrate Mardi Gras?

Sorry that ADD just gets the best of me sometimes!

[drwong]

I read on another board that one of the strategies used to hook first-time cruisers is to give them some sort of ridiculous upgrade (e.g., seven categories) and the cruiser will inevitably book another cruise with that same cruiseline, hoping for another big upgrade. Of course, now that you're in their system, they don't have to be as generous, and you'll get a one-, maybe two-category upgrade on your next cruise.