Big/Small Spenders and Guarantees

[Working 2 Cruise]

From reading a recent thread on upgrades, I am curious to know what Princess would consider:

 

(a) A great spender;

(b) Middle of the road spender; and of course,

© A cheap spender (or cheapskate)...

 

One of the posters actually just about equalled passengers who book guarantees as being cheap...

 

I know one thing for certain... I book guarantees because I don't care where I am on the ship... so, for us it makes financial sense... And, I find that it adds to the excitement of trip... I love surprises!

 

What are your thoughts?

[Jeter02]

I always book a guarantee balcony. My theory is, a balcony is a balcony. I don't see it as being cheap either, as I agree its about being financially wise. I know everyone has their own personal opinion, and completely understand those who like to hand pick their cabins. I have nothing against anyone on how they decide to book their rooms. You do what works best for you :)

[cruznliz]

From reading a recent thread on upgrades, I am curious to know what Princess would consider:

 

(a) A great spender;

(b) Middle of the road spender; and of course,

© A cheap spender (or cheapskate)...

 

One of the posters actually just about equalled passengers who book guarantees as being cheap...

 

I know one thing for certain... I book guarantees because I don't care where I am on the ship... so, for us it makes financial sense... And, I find that it adds to the excitement of trip... I love surprises!

 

What are your thoughts?

 

I agree it definitely adds to the excitement. And as has been said, a cabin is a cabin. We prefer being near the aft elevators, but that doesn't mean we'd be devastated to be near the forward elevators.:rolleyes: If it saves a few bucks, better in my pocket, and I might be more inclined to spend more onboard.;)

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We also always book inside guarantees

[Clutterlady]

We've booked 4 guarantees and have gotten a great cabin every time. Leaves us more $$ to book more cruises:)

[lizabet623]

OK educate me please.

 

What are you talking about when you talk about "guarantees"?

 

thanks

 

Liz

[deminggraham]

OK educate me please.

 

What are you talking about when you talk about "guarantees"?

 

thanks

 

Liz

 

With a guarantee you pick a cabin category but not a cabin number. Princess assigns you a cabin number which will be the same category or higher but you do not choose the cabin. However, once you are assigned a cabin, if you don't like the location, you can change to another cabin in the same category as the one assigned if there is one open. On my last cruise I booked a BG guarantee and was assigned a BB balcony on Caribe deck. The time before I booked an AG Mini-suite and was assigned a mid ship AA on Dauphin deck. These were nice upgrades but you can not count on an upgrade and need to be happy with anything you are assigned. Guarantees are a good deal for the price.

[Working 2 Cruise]

With a guarantee you pick a cabin category but not a cabin number. Princess assigns you a cabin number which will be the same category or higher but you do not choose the cabin. However, once you are assigned a cabin, if you don't like the location, you can change to another cabin in the same category as the one assigned if there is one open. On my last cruise I booked a BG guarantee and was assigned a BB balcony on Caribe deck. The time before I booked an AG Mini-suite and was assigned a mid ship AA on Dauphin deck. These were nice upgrades but you can not count on an upgrade and need to be happy with anything you are assigned. Guarantees are a good deal for the price.

 

 

Could not have said it better myself! Besides, the difference will still go to Princess, albeit onboard!:D

[DrivesLikeMario]

I don't think how much you spend onboard comes into consideration with upgrades with Princess. Maybe it does, but in my experience, I've never seen those that spend a lot get upgraded more than those that don't.

 

Maybe someone who works at Princess can unofficial answer this question?

[phabric]

We normally book a balcony. Our next cruise is a 12 day cruise with only 1 sea day so I have booked an obstructed oceanview guarantee. It will be interesting to see what we get.

[bigguy1]

Could not have said it better myself! Besides, the difference will still go to Princess, albeit onboard!:D

 

Correct!!!!!!

[Pam in CA]

For me, it all depends. I book the lowest category I'd be happy with. If it's a port-intensive cruise, I'm fine with an oceanview cabin; if it's a warm weather cruise with a lot of sea days, I'll book either a BD balcony, a Caribe balcony or maybe a mini-suite, depending on the cost and length of the cruise. For my March cruise, I have a BB Caribe balcony; for my October 2012 cruise, I have a BD Aloha deck balcony, and for my March 2013 cruise, I booked an oceanview GTY. First time I've booked a GTY so we'll see what happens.

[Loonbeam]

The methodology for determining upgrades is one of the most closely guarded trade secrets they have.

I don't think how much you spend onboard comes into consideration with upgrades with Princess. Maybe it does, but in my experience, I've never seen those that spend a lot get upgraded more than those that don't.

 

Maybe someone who works at Princess can unofficial answer this question?

[geoherb]

My theory is that Princess's computer spits out guarantee assignments that will maximize profits for the company. So on our most recent two cruises, we were booked guarantee obstructed view cabins and were assigned unobstructed view cabins because Princess decided it was easier to sell the obstructed view cabins again than to put us in them and have to sell the unobstructed view cabins that we ended up in. For the first cruise, we did not get our cabin assignment until four days before the cruise. On the second one, we found out a month before the final payment date.

 

I would consider a great spender anyone who spends more than $700 per person in addition to gratuities. Middle of the road spenders would be those who spend $300-$700 per person. Leaving the cheapskates to those who spend less than $300 per person. We're generally in the last category, but have made it to the middle of the road spenders a couple of times. All it takes is a couple of shore excursions, a few drinks and some bottles of wine, the Chef's Table, and a purchase at the art auction.

[TracieABD]

We have done both-- I really do book the best deal I can get.

Not sure about the algorithm for spending against rack rate... Would be interested to know if such a formula exists.:)

[cattolica]

I have been booking balcony guarantees for years. Reason, it is the cheapest. When I receive my cabin assignment, if it still a regular balcony, I consider it a cabin assignment and not an upgrade. To me an upgrade will always mean going from a regular balcony to a mini-suite or higher.

The only true upgrade we have ever received in all our years cruising with Princess was way back in April 1999 when we were upgraded from an oceanview to a balcony.

[ONT-CA]

Our object all sublime we shall achieve in time, Caribe Balcony. If we land it, we say no upgrade. If not, we go on a waiting list. If we have to, we will go Mini Suite, AA on Caribe with a view to a possible upgrade to a full Suite. That has worked a couple of times. But the real object is Caribe Balcony and we will do just about anything to get it....

 

To think that the Upgrade Fairy is not cognisant of the fact that anyone does or does not spend little aboard in restaurants, bars and Casino and take no Princess tours, etc. is just plain foolish. A restaurant gives its best table to it's best customer.

[jnc411]

We have booked, inside, outside obstructed,outside, balcony , mini suite, and sometimes these were guarantee, sometimes specific cabins. Just depends on the cruise, amount of days , itinerary. Always been happy with our cabin, regardless a inside to a mini suite. As for spending on board , not a cheapskate or a big spender , just somewhere inbetween. Have been upgraded twice , was a nice surprize . After all if we are on a cruise ship , its all good :)

Cori

[lizabet623]

Thanks for all the great information; I am definitely saving this thread:)

 

After our Alaska cruise with Carnival in 2012 we want to try Princess cruises next. They have some good itineraries and we are looking forward to trying some mini-suites.

 

 

Liz

[MichCook]

The cabins are only one revenue stream. That's why Princess also offers coffee cards, soda cards, specialty restaurants, The Santuary, The Spa, the bars/lounges, shore excursions, bingo, yoga classes, Ultimate Balcony dining, Chef's table, the shops, wine tastings (I'm sure I missed a few :)).

 

So, I wouldn't say folks who book guarantees are perceived as cheap...just following their personal preference.

 

We like balcony cabins, prefer certain locations on the ship and book accordingly.

 

We did book a balcony guarantee for a 7 day cruise once and it worked out fine for us. We got a two cat upgrade and were very happy with the cabin assignment.

[suzyed]

My theory is that Princess's computer spits out guarantee assignments that will maximize profits for the company. So on our most recent two cruises, we were booked guarantee obstructed view cabins and were assigned unobstructed view cabins because Princess decided it was easier to sell the obstructed view cabins again than to put us in them and have to sell the unobstructed view cabins that we ended up in. For the first cruise, we did not get our cabin assignment until four days before the cruise. On the second one, we found out a month before the final payment date.

 

I would consider a great spender anyone who spends more than $700 per person in addition to gratuities. Middle of the road spenders would be those who spend $300-$700 per person. Leaving the cheapskates to those who spend less than $300 per person. We're generally in the last category, but have made it to the middle of the road spenders a couple of times. All it takes is a couple of shore excursions, a few drinks and some bottles of wine, the Chef's Table, and a purchase at the art auction.

If that's the case, based on what we spent on our last cruise, my DH and I are going to end up in the biggest best cabin on the ship!! LOL

[Rockymountainsparky]

If you book a BB guarantee, isn't it the same price as a BB cabin you pick?

[suzyed]

If you book a BB guarantee, isn't it the same price as a BB cabin you pick?

That's what I was thinking....

 

Unless you are counting on getting upgraded and then you got a good value for the price you paid.

[Working 2 Cruise]

If you book a BB guarantee, isn't it the same price as a BB cabin you pick?

 

But not if you book a BF guarantee and get a BA (which quite a few of my fellow cruisers on our upcoming Hawaii cruise got)!

[rdsqrl]

If that's the case, based on what we spent on our last cruise, my DH and I are going to end up in the biggest best cabin on the ship!! LOL

Totally agree! Me, too -- my bar bill alone should have me in the Grand Suite every cruise.