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Guarantee cabin on a select booking


rmjb
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Hello we are booked on the select price the B707 Britannia cruise in March but our cabin is on a guarantee basis has anyone had this before? I thought on select we could choose our cabin? is this a good sign? We have got our free car parking and dining preference confirmed and double checked the booking confirmation says select booking? TIA

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As I understand it, you pick your own cabin on a select fare. It doesn't matter if they don't have many left. You should still get your choice of what is left. Another poster said this a few months ago and I advised them to go back to P&O. When you look at the sales pitch for a select fare, the thing that hits you straight away is the ability to pick your cabin.

 

 

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So what you are saying is that you pick your own cabin initially, but as it is a "guaranteed grade" you are more likely to be upgraded than the other fare tariff folk. Then when any upgrade gets allocated you get given whatever the cruise line decides but you are more likely to be upgraded so it's a good way of doing a "guarantee"?

 

Regards John

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Is this on G deck by any chance? i was going to book a G deck cabin on select price on Britannia (the partially obstructed ones) but 9 months in advance when saver fares weren't out it told me they were guarantee only!

A lot of the G deck seem to be good cabins - not too obtructed at all but I was very keen to choose my exact cabin as I believe there is a smoking area underneath and I was very keen to avoid this.

So I tried a different deck - and I could choose my cabin!! Another time I might take the risk but this is a cruise for a special occasion and with the good OBC offer on at the time it wasn't much more to book on another deck unobstructed so I did that!

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I first raised this point 2 years ago when we booked our Christmas 2015 Caribbean cruise, Select, and were not allowed to pick a cabin, but only given a guarantee for the type and grade of cabin we wanted. At the time P&O would not even guarantee that we would have cabins near our children. They tried very hard to upsell us to an obstructed view balcony, which - surprise, surprise - we could choose.

 

Several contributors here insisted I must have got it wrong, but despite immediately receiving the other Select perks (choice of dining, free shuttles), we had absolutely no say whatsoever in the location of our cabin, despite going back to P&O several times and quoting the terms of their select fare, they flatly refused to allocate us a cabin. One of the P&O cruise specialists told me that it is because they overbook and then adjust cabin allocations later on as people change their minds/drop out. It seems to happen particularly on Britannia/popular cruises/inside cabins and since then there have been quite a few posts about this.

 

In the end we were allocated cabins we were perfectly happy with - just aft of midships and surrounded by other cabins on C deck, so convenient for going up and down, and quiet. We were next door but one to the kids. BUT we were given no choice in the matter. And I don't think it plays any part at all in upgrades.

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We are in the same position for our upcoming Oceana cruise. I had been checking prices for a couple of weeks and the prices went up so I assumed that all the lowest grade of cabin was sold. Then when they were offered again I took the plunge and booked but with the guarantee cabin. So the assumption I made was that all the lowest grade were taken but they are offering again at that price so that the headline price doesn't look too steep and will juggle them around nearer the time. As long as we get what we've paid for which is the lowest grade of balcony then I will be quite happy. And we may get something better!

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I don't doubt people are having this happen to them, but it's a bit rich of P&O to still charge the select fare. But without even looking at their T&Cs, I know they'll have a clause allowing them to change your cabin as they see fit. They will also have a T&C that says those select benefits are complimentary, rather than part of the contract.

 

If it wasn't for the fact that they have the Caribbean and other places sewn up, due to convenience and flights, they might have a bad rep on customer service. This stinks to be honest. They could easily knock something off if they really wanted to.

 

 

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This seems to have come to light when Britannia cabins were first being sold and I was one of those who was saying no that's not right..Etc etc..However it seems to have been going on now for a couple of years. I agree it will be covered somewhere in the t and c.

I think that's when I realised not all cabins in all grades are on sale at the same time. So many are on sale for this promotion , then so many for that promotion.

All as clear as mud.

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It is a cheaper price than the standard select fare.

 

I beg to differ. We're in the process of booking with P&O for this summer and the prices I'm being quoted by P&O direct and a TA for Select with a guarantee cabin are exactly the same as standard Select. Maybe it depends on the cruise.

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We have booked Britannia on a guarantee select fare. Seems the best of both worlds. Ability to choose dining, free shuttles and a better chance of being upgraded. It is a cheaper price than the standard select fare.

 

Surely it depends on the difference in price between Select and Saver fares. We have booked a Saver balcony on Britannia in April. To book a guaranteed balcony with a Select fare would have cost us £500 more! To be able to choose our cabin with a Select fare (I.e. Not just guaranteed) would have cost £570 more.

 

That's a lot just for free parking and choosing your dining option!

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I just spoke to P&O as advised and was told its normal practise for them to oversell which is why this can happen. Nothing they can do. If we wanted to guarantee a specific cabin we could of chosen a higher priced cabin type. But she said if upgrades available then we may be more likely to get one. Said it can be anything from a couple of weeks out to a few days. so we shall wait and see. wherever we end up we are still very much lucking forward to the trip. Thanks for your advice.

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I too have recently booked a Select price guarantee for the lowest grade balcony cabin. It's not rocket science, you get all the benefits of a Select deal, which are free coach travel from the North West of England, I can choose my own dining preference, free shuttle buses where applicable, plus £290 each OBC. The only thing I have compromised on is the exact location of my cabin. I have paid for the lowest grade of balcony cabin, and from the deck plan I would be happy with any allocation at that grade. However I have booked under these terms and conditions before and have always been upgraded!!! The deal suits me.

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I just spoke to P&O as advised and was told its normal practise for them to oversell which is why this can happen. Nothing they can do.

 

 

 

Well there is....don't sell you a select fare if one of the main benefits of that fare isn't available. I think P&O want to have their cake and eat it.

 

 

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I just spoke to P&O as advised and was told its normal practise for them to oversell which is why this can happen. Nothing they can do. If we wanted to guarantee a specific cabin we could of chosen a higher priced cabin type. But she said if upgrades available then we may be more likely to get one. Said it can be anything from a couple of weeks out to a few days. so we shall wait and see. wherever we end up we are still very much lucking forward to the trip. Thanks for your advice.

 

I was aware that overselling was common practice for airlines but I did is not know that cruise lines did it. What happens if no-one cancels? how do they decide who gets bumped? When I was working and travelling frequently, the airlines would put out a call for volunteers to be bumped to a later flight for a monetary compensation. I cannot see how a cruise line would be able to do this as the passengers would be greatly inconvenienced losing a holiday rather than simply travelling a few hours later.

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I was aware that overselling was common practice for airlines but I did is not know that cruise lines did it. What happens if no-one cancels? how do they decide who gets bumped? When I was working and travelling frequently, the airlines would put out a call for volunteers to be bumped to a later flight for a monetary compensation. I cannot see how a cruise line would be able to do this as the passengers would be greatly inconvenienced losing a holiday rather than simply travelling a few hours later.

 

 

 

Spot on. I think it's ridiculous that they can effectively sell more than they have, and not worry that someone could be let down. Keep the select fare as it is. Keep the saver fare as it is, and don't sell more than you actually have.

 

 

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So let me get this right. P&O have admitted that they oversell the cabins ? I assume then that they are being paid twice for some of the cabins and I doubt they are refunding those that have to cancel at the last minute.

 

I would like to think that they mean they oversell a particular grade of cabin but do not sell more than the total number of cabins available on the ship.

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I do not object to P&O overselling my grade of cabin provided there are cabins at a higher grade to move me up to. I object if P&O have oversold the cabins at my grade and all higher grades. I should never have to downgrade or even worse not sail. I know airline routinely overbook but usually if the plane is full they put you on a later flight the same day. A cruise is not quite the same.

 

Has anybody ever been turned away from an over sold cruise?

 

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

 

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Edited by stephen@stoneyard.co.uk
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One assumes they oversell cabins because they know people will always drop out.

This would have been after years of seeing how bookings go.

Do they keep on selling past the point of no return on some grades. No. you are told the cruise is sold out in that grade . You may book a higher grade with cabin choice if you want.. They are sold until they reach the point that if they bump up that grade becomes sold out...If you think how many grades of cabin there are it gives them a lot of leeway.

For the past few years we have travelled in mini suites...they do sell out...of all those they are prepared to sell..keep back one in case of a disaster in a cabin. Keep back another for upgrade...and there are not a lot to start out with..so sold out.

We have been caught out like this a couple of times...this grade never goes to saver fares now...its select or nothing.

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The bottom line is this. It doesn't matter that some people are happy with a 'guaranteed select fare'. It doesn't matter if you feel that you have a better chance of an upgrade, because it is just a 'chance'. If, as most say, the fare is still a full select fare, and they have removed one of the biggest selling points for that fare, then it's wrong!

 

We go with another couple, our relatives, and we want cabins close together. Only a pure select fare can guarantee this. My wife likes a certain part of the ship. Only a pure select fare can guarantee this. Remember, an upgrade doesn't always turn out to better than you had, unless you go from inside to balcony etc.

 

If P&O want to overbook, then let them go ahead. It's their choice. But offer a mid fare, so we genuinely have a saver, guaranteed select and full select. And offer that mid fair for a lower price than the full select. Whatever they decide to do, stop taking value from the customer, and pretending you're doing something good for them, when all you're doing is making things easier for themselves and expecting the customer to pay the same.

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The bottom line is this. It doesn't matter that some people are happy with a 'guaranteed select fare'. It doesn't matter if you feel that you have a better chance of an upgrade, because it is just a 'chance'. If, as most say, the fare is still a full select fare, and they have removed one of the biggest selling points for that fare, then it's wrong!

 

We go with another couple, our relatives, and we want cabins close together. Only a pure select fare can guarantee this. My wife likes a certain part of the ship. Only a pure select fare can guarantee this. Remember, an upgrade doesn't always turn out to better than you had, unless you go from inside to balcony etc.

 

If P&O want to overbook, then let them go ahead. It's their choice. But offer a mid fare, so we genuinely have a saver, guaranteed select and full select. And offer that mid fair for a lower price than the full select. Whatever they decide to do, stop taking value from the customer, and pretending you're doing something good for them, when all you're doing is making things easier for themselves and expecting the customer to pay the same.

 

Chris I can see and understand the direction you are coming from. However turning it round, are not Pando offering customers a choice.

They could either say the grade you want is fully sold out...or they say..well its sold out but its YOUR choice. Either go for a different grade or go for this grade but only on a guarantee basis.

It comes down to the customer choice. They don't have to book guaranteed cabins at select prices. They can either pick another grade of cabin or not book at all..if the grade they want is sold out.

Its the customer who decides what they want to do..nobody is saying they have to book.

In your case ,where you want adjoining cabins..yes pay the select fare and pick the cabins you want.

However if you wanted to go on a certain cruise and you were told the grade you wanted was sold out, and your options were book 2 adjoining cabins at a different grade , not book at all, or book guarantee..what would you do. I guess 1 or 2..

I think that Fred Olson do a similar thing..so probably not just pando

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Well yes, the customer still has a choice, but that doesn't excuse P&O for giving the customer less choices for the same price. Do you ever see a situation where P&O announce that on a saver fare, you can now chose your dining, get free shuttles in port or get on board spend? Of course not, because that's taking away the (lucrative for P&O) benefit of the select fare. But they haven't thought twice about effectively downgrading the benefits of the select fare, but still charging the same price.

 

The fact that they are still offering two price options, as they have always done, means that they are still giving the customer a choice....as you say. And as you say, the customer can take it or leave it. But that doesn't mean they are doing something good or noble. In fact, they are doing something quite 'snidey' by downgrading the select fare. So yes, we still have a choice as we do in shops, restaurants and airlines, but that doesn't take away the bitter taste of P&O trying to do what's best for THEM!

 

 

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Edited by ChrisPBacon
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Have they always offered two prices. I thought it was quite a new idea.

 

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

 

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Quiet a few years ago they had vantage fares..With a price promise..Same as select now...With select not having the price promise... Forget what the cheaper ones were called. However regardless of what fare you paid you were able to request dining option..And whatever.

The price promise was a bit of a shot in the foot...Plus the people who paid vantage complained that the cheaper fares had all the choices they did.

In the end that was all taken away..Select brought in with bells and whistles that exist now.

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