Why a Guarantee?

[TCF]

Just curious....we booked a SZ cabin on the Oosterdam next month. Got a great deal we just couldn't pass up. It is a "Guarantee"....which is all well and fine....but when I check the deck plans I can only find two SZ cabins on the ship. Why do they put a "guarantee" on a cabin when there are only two of them!!???!!! It's not like they have several hundred in the category to choose from....we're going to get one or the other....so why not just assign it when it's sold?

[debsjc]

Probably both of them are sold at the moment, so unless one of those people cancel they already know they will have to upgrade you slightly.

[IRL_Joanie]

Just curious....we booked a SZ cabin on the Oosterdam next month. Got a great deal we just couldn't pass up. It is a "Guarantee"....which is all well and fine....but when I check the deck plans I can only find two SZ cabins on the ship. Why do they put a "guarantee" on a cabin when there are only two of them!!???!!! It's not like they have several hundred in the category to choose from....we're going to get one or the other....so why not just assign it when it's sold?

We have found that it is better to book an SZ Guarantee BECAUSE there are on average 2-4 of them on a Vista or Signature Class ship. Which means that when they sell those very very very limited staterooms, the likelihood of being upgraded to an SC, SB or SA are fantastic odds!!!

 

If you had booked a V Category, the opportunity of an upgrade to a Deluxe Verandah Suite, SC, SB or SA are less likely. Be happy is my motto, because if you do not get the SZ you are guaranteed of an even better stateroom, with (if you get an SC, SB or SA the Neptune Lounge and all its goodies:)

 

We purposely book SZ's just for the better opportunity for an upgrade or very cheap up sell:D

 

Joanie

[cruisemom42]

This is one of those little games that cruiselines play. You book a guarantee cabin in a particular category, which basically guarantees that you will receive at least that category if not higher when the staterooms are assigned. Sometimes good upgrades are given and sometimes not.

 

As an example, I booked a fully obstructed ocean view guarantee room on my upcoming cruise for just slightly more than an inside cabin. I was upgraded several categories to an UNobstructed large oceanview room -- so I'm quite happy.

 

It's less common to get upgrades outside of a category (e.g., oceanview to verandah or verandah to suite) but it does happen. The "guarantee game" works best when you are not too picky about individual rooms. As a solo cruiser, I am flexible and usually I am just happy to be on the cruise!

[debsjc]

There looks like there are a lot of SS and SY cabins on the Oosterdam, so maybe you will get one of those.

[jtl513]

....we're going to get one or the other....

HAL commonly over-sells all of the bottom steps of each class (SC, SZ, VH, HH, NN) as guarantees, so most of the people who book an SZ will not get one. Most likely you will end up in an SY or SS, but you might get a Deluxe SA/SB/SC.

[kazu]

but don't count on the SA, SB or SC unless you are willing to pay a small 'upsell' price. or no one else will pay it (and they will)

 

in any case, you can't lose in this category. have a great cruise :):)

[KirkNC]

I have never done a guarantee. Two questions. First, how much money do you expect to save...5%, 10%? Second, how do you actually book it? I guess you have to do that via the phone?

 

Thanks,

 

Kirk

[jtl513]

I have never done a guarantee. Two questions. First, how much money do you expect to save...5%, 10%? Second, how do you actually book it? I guess you have to do that via the phone?

On HAL there is no difference between the price of a guarantee and a specific cabin. The only savings comes in getting a better cabin than you paid for through a free upgrade. We have done seven guarantees and been upgraded every time. The best one was when we paid for a VH and were given a VA, a savings of approximately $400 pp, roughly 30% of the VA price. Next best was paying for a VF and getting a stern VB. We have never paid for a VA, but sailed in one four times.

 

When booking on line you are often (though I think not always) given the choice of choosing a GTY or a specific cabin. Sometimes the only choice is a GTY, particularly when the SZ/VH/HH/NN categories open up just after final payment day.

[matondo]

I booked an SY with an on-line TA but had to do it over the phone. I asked for a GTY but she gave us an assigned stateroom. Is that normal? Can I switch to a GTY? I am excited about having our first suite but hey the possibility of an upgrade always interests me.

[jtl513]

I booked an SY with an on-line TA but had to do it over the phone. I asked for a GTY but she gave us an assigned stateroom. Is that normal? Can I switch to a GTY? I am excited about having our first suite but hey the possibility of an upgrade always interests me.

With an SY gty your most-likely upgrade would be just to an SS, not a Deluxe Suite. Not much difference IMO. In fact, on Vista ships I think the SY on deck 6 are better located than the SS under the Lido pool deck area.

 

Unless you have your booking marked "Do Not Upgrade" there's always that possibility anyway. I think that if you asked for a GTY your TA should have booked one rather than a specific cabin.

[Randyk47]

I have never done a guarantee. Two questions. First, how much money do you expect to save...5%, 10%? Second, how do you actually book it? I guess you have to do that via the phone?

 

Thanks,

 

Kirk

 

I wish there was a savings but there isn't and for that reason I won't book a guarantee. You can book them in person, on line, or over the phone. Sometimes guarantees are not available so you may not see them on line or be able to get your TA to book one. Sometimes, at least to me, guarantees make no sense. Case in point is an S category guarantee on an R or S class ship. No savings from booking a specific S and just exactly where does one expect to be upgraded to? The one Penthouse Suite which always seems to be already booked?

[Kay240]

Just curious....we booked a SZ cabin on the Oosterdam next month. Got a great deal we just couldn't pass up. It is a "Guarantee"....which is all well and fine....but when I check the deck plans I can only find two SZ cabins on the ship. Why do they put a "guarantee" on a cabin when there are only two of them!!???!!! It's not like they have several hundred in the category to choose from....we're going to get one or the other....so why not just assign it when it's sold?

 

Perhaps it was our first time with a guarantee... our TA recommended it, as on that particular ship, there was only ONE cabin in that category!

[Jacqueline]

Just because it is a higher catergory it does not mean that you will get what you consider to be a better cabin. Sometimes it is just down the corridor and perhaps under a public room that you would like to avoid.

Of course going to obstructed to unobstructed is exactly why people do book guarantees.

[Randyk47]

Just because it is a higher category it does not mean that you will get what you consider to be a better cabin. Sometimes it is just down the corridor and perhaps under a public room that you would like to avoid.

Of course going to obstructed to unobstructed is exactly why people do book guarantees.

 

I'd agree. Now this might not make me popular but take for instance a B category cabin versus an A category cabin on the R and S class ships. I actually would be a bit put out by being moved from a B to an A in that case. Why? They're exactly the same cabin so all you get is a cabin a deck higher. Secondly, they're a bit aft and on the same deck as the S category cabins and the Neptune Lounge but obviously don't qualify for Neptune Lounge access. To me it's just not an upgrade, you're just a deck higher in the very same cabin.

[velvetred]

On our recent Rotterdam cruise to Alaska we booked a BC (balcony) guarantee because of the wide gap in pricing between categories. Precruise we were assigned a BQ (spa balcony) cabin. When we checked in at the cruise port, we were congratulated by staff for our upgrade to a deluxe suite on the navigation deck. We were certainly impressed as we were not expecting anything of the kind. The upgrade fairy works in mysterious ways.

[Hawaiidan]

its a way to get the vast majority to think thye are getting a deal... the cruise line gets to dump its crummy cabins no one would buy... and it targets you as a potential customer for the non free up grade.... a seagoing 3 card monte game.... where you actual spend more to get a cabim in an upper section that no one wants ( and many for good reason). In other sell the unsalable inder the guise of a deal.

 

Upgraded in cabiins used to be free as a nice touch... now they ar used as come -on-s

[KirkNC]

On HAL there is no difference between the price of a guarantee and a specific cabin. The only savings comes in getting a better cabin than you paid for through a free upgrade. We have done seven guarantees and been upgraded every time. The best one was when we paid for a VH and were given a VA, a savings of approximately $400 pp, roughly 30% of the VA price. Next best was paying for a VF and getting a stern VB. We have never paid for a VA, but sailed in one four times.

 

When booking on line you are often (though I think not always) given the choice of choosing a GTY or a specific cabin. Sometimes the only choice is a GTY, particularly when the SZ/VH/HH/NN categories open up just after final payment day.

 

I gotcha, it probably would not work well for us as we are cheapo inside cabin people. Of course there is no place for us to go but up ;). In our cruise experience we have gotten the fancy suites (one time we had a butler on Princess) but now go for inside and just take the savings and go more often.

 

Thanks for the responses.

 

Kirk

[Hawaiidan]

Kirk.... I totaly agree with you.... I now book inside large J cabins as a way better value... and Yes I too udsed to book penthouse suites on the LUX lines like Regent... We, ( my Wide and I, have just as much fun too) Since Holland offers so few ammenities and benifits for Suites I cant justify the expence... to me its a waste . I mean really I cant see it.... Into "downward mobility "

[catl331]

I have never done a guarantee. Two questions. First, how much money do you expect to save...5%, 10%? Second, how do you actually book it? I guess you have to do that via the phone?

 

Thanks,

 

Kirk

We just got our guarantee assignments Monday. We booked an H gty and were assigned a C. That's six steps up the ladder, and on this cruise (12 nt, Europe, first Nieuw A season) those steps probably cost about $80 each, so we saved around $960 (28%) from booking a C in the beginning. (No way to check actual prices any longer.) Even if each step was $60, that's still a $720 (21%) savings. BTW, the cabin is in a very nice location on the Main deck, about 10 cabins from the Atrium. :)

[Old Salty Dog]

Why a guarantee?

Pick a category that would satisfy you, then comes the long wait for an assignment. Think of it as playing in the casino, except you can't lose. You will almost always get a "better" cabin than you paid for.

We've taken a guarantee for over half of our cruises and always were upgraded. Just got our cabin today for a 9-25 sailing and went from a VH to a VB.

[Jemima]

I booked an SY with an on-line TA but had to do it over the phone. I asked for a GTY but she gave us an assigned stateroom. Is that normal? Can I switch to a GTY? I am excited about having our first suite but hey the possibility of an upgrade always interests me.

 

You should have gotten a guarantee if that was your request. We book guarantees and are very specifically state that is what we want. We also double check that before getting off the phone and immediately after getting our emailed confirmation.

[IRL_Joanie]

We just got our guarantee assignments Monday. We booked an H gty and were assigned a C. That's six steps up the ladder, and on this cruise (12 nt, Europe, first Nieuw A season) those steps probably cost about $80 each, so we saved around $960 (28%) from booking a C in the beginning. (No way to check actual prices any longer.) Even if each step was $60, that's still a $720 (21%) savings. BTW, the cabin is in a very nice location on the Main deck, about 10 cabins from the Atrium. :)

 

WTG to you and John on the Awesome upgrade!!!!!

 

Your explantion of the Guarantee is great!!! Puts it into a real perspective!!

 

Joanie

[Randyk47]

You should have gotten a guarantee if that was your request. We book guarantees and are very specifically state that is what we want. We also double check that before getting off the phone and immediately after getting our emailed confirmation.

 

The only caveat I'd offer is that there might not have been a guarantee available. For whatever reason or reasons not all categories always have the option. On top of that they'll be available then not available then available again and so on. Could be something within the HAL system that they'll only allowed "x" number of guarantees to be in place at a given time for a category but I'm only guessing. That said if the agent couldn't book a guarantee they should have gone back to the customer and advised them of the situation.

[Jemima]

Don't think so. I've always been able to book a guarantee in the category we wish. There will be categories that are only guarantees, but I've never seen a category with only specific cabins.