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We're in the single digits before sailing and am considering upgrading my ILs cabin. There are some Category W (suite gty) available and looks like the only things left are GS, OS, ATS, SL, and RL...no JS.

 

Does this mean that if I book them a W they're guaranteed at least a grand suite? Or would someone else in a JS just get upgraded and then we'd be assigned a junior suite?

In short, it doesn't necessarily mean that. Just because the online system doesn't show a JS available doesn't mean RCCL isn't holding some back and you'll receive a JS under your guarantee.

Upgrades are typically given to Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members first, then based on revenue, meaning they may offer a JS to GS upgrade to a stateroom who paid full price before they'd upgrade you for free under the guarantee.

That said, with pun intended, there's no guarantee with a guarantee! You are guaranteed at least a JS, but you could get upgraded higher.

I'm assuming you're speaking about the May 4th Allure because you're on the roll call with me. All of what I said previously aside, I've never been on a ship with so many staterooms available 10 days before sailing, especially 14 suites and their larger suites available.

Incidentally, I'm also booked in a Cat. W. I upgraded on Monday and typically have a stateroom assigned to my guarantee very quickly. As of last night when last I checked, I haven't been assigned a stateroom yet.

HTH and if you are on the May 4th sailing, see you onboard soon!

-Steven

We love sailing out of Baltimore and have done it a number of times on the Celebrity Mercury, Carnival Pride and Enchantment before it moved to PC. We'll be on Grandeur in March for the first time and look forward to it.

As an alternative to Baltimore and for a five-night cruise to Bermuda, and a bigger ship, you could consider Explorer out of Cape Liberty. I'm not sure how far you are from Baltimore and in what direction. We live an hour west and Cape Liberty takes 3.5 hours to get to, but is worth it to us to not have to fly and have access to a bigger ship. And if you wait until 2015, Quantum will be in New Jersey.

We're heading to Florida this weekend for a cruise on Indy on Sunday. Part of that decision was the desire to try a bigger ship and after being on a Voyager class, we're excited to try a Freedom class ship, but I definitely agree with everyone that there are reasons to consider all the different ships and ports.

Explorer typically does a 5-night to Bermuda with an overnight there. We were on her in May for a 5-night and 9-night Bermuda/E. Caribbean b2b, ironically at the same time GOS had her fire.

Happy Cruising!

Those who have left from Baltimore in the late fall or the winter when were you able to sit outside after the ship left port? I will assume you would have to reach the Florida coast.

Until next week when we're leaving from Port Everglades on Indy, all of our cruises have been from either Baltimore or New York in the last five years.

That being said, what 'leaveitallbehind' said is accurate for this time of year. From November-February (the time we usually cruise from Baltimore or NY) it is colder until midday the second day of the cruise, meaning Saturday if you depart on Friday.

As the previous poster said, it depends a lot on the weather, but it usually warms up right off the Hatteras, NC, and is quite pleasant.

Baltimore and NY are great cruise ports to go out of and the day or so at the beginning and end with not-so-tropical weather shouldn't be something to sway you south. The first sea day you end up exploring the ship anyway, and the last, you spend the evening packing for arrival the next morning.

Enjoy!