Upgrade info for a novice

[mr&mrcruise]

We booked an inside stateroom for an upcoming cruise on the Zuiderdam. Having never taken a cruise before we are a bit confused. We have a guaranteed room but not an assignment yet. We were told we would get the stateroom number a week before sailing by my TA. A friend told me that if the room is only guaranteed then you have a better chance at getting upgraded. Is that true? Also if we don't like the room can you pay to be upgraded when already on board and is that more expensive than doing it now? Thanks in advance for the info.

[BaumD]

If you are not prepared to accept the worst room in the Guarantee category you booked, don't book a guarantee. You may get the worst or you may be upgraded (don't count on it especially if it's your first cruise). Most ships sail fully booked and upgrading once you get to the pier may not be possible.

[kitty9]

What a guarantee means is that you book a cabin category and not a particular room and the cruise line will assign you a room no lower than your guarantee, but not usually much higher. You could wind up with a good room but you the very well could give you one that's not good at all---that's the chance you take with a guarantee. Cruising is incredibly popular right now and ships are going out full, so don't count on any upgrade. Some cruise lines will allow you to change your room at the time of check in, but usually you have to pay the full fare difference between your category and the one you want to upgrade to. My advice has always been, never book a cheap room that you really don't want, and then hope for an upgrade. Upgrades are fast becoming a thing of the past.

[mr&mrcruise]

Thanks I think I will call my TA tomorrow to see what else is available