How Carnival's Balcony Guarantee works?

[Arctic Ace]

How Carnival's Balcony Guarantee works? Do they (pre)allocate cabins a day or x day before the cruise or how it works?

 

If we arrive late afternoon to the port, do we get the cabin what has not yet been given (allocated) to other guest? In that case, probably all "good" locations has been 'sold out' ? If that so, then you should be at pier as soon as possible?

[RWolver672]

Your cabin will be assigned prior to your boarding. They know they have "X" amount of guaranteed category cabins so when they reach that point, they won't sell any more of that guarantee. Then they assign the cabins. Where you wind up just depends on what is left. Sometimes it's a bad location, other times it's ideal. You may have your cabin assigned a month before the cruise or a week before, depending on how fast the ship is filling up.

[Morgsmom]

How Carnival's Balcony Guarantee works? Do they (pre)allocate cabins a day or x day before the cruise or how it works?

 

If we arrive late afternoon to the port, do we get the cabin what has not yet been given (allocated) to other guest? In that case, probably all "good" locations has been 'sold out' ? If that so, then you should be at pier as soon as possible?

 

Guarantees are just an efficient way to sell cabins. Folks who want to pick their exact cabin will pay a premium to do so (specific choice, want to be near family, etc) so there will always be random cabins that haven't been "selected." Most are very good so there is no need to worry and at a minimum you will get what you paid for and stand a chance of getting a higher category.

 

You will know well before you get to the pier so there is no need to show up early.

[golfadj]

Your cabin will be assigned prior to your boarding. They know they have "X" amount of guaranteed category cabins so when they reach that point, they won't sell any more of that guarantee. Then they assign the cabins. Where you wind up just depends on what is left. Sometimes it's a bad location, other times it's ideal. You may have your cabin assigned a month before the cruise or a week before, depending on how fast the ship is filling up.

 

Sometimes they do seem to oversell a category and have to give the guarantee cruiser a better cabin than he paid for.

 

We have a 4K interior booked for a future cruise and they are sold out of those so expect they will have to move us up in class.

[winddawn]

How Carnival's Balcony Guarantee works? Do they (pre)allocate cabins a day or x day before the cruise or how it works?

 

If we arrive late afternoon to the port, do we get the cabin what has not yet been given (allocated) to other guest? In that case, probably all "good" locations has been 'sold out' ? If that so, then you should be at pier as soon as possible?

You should have your cabin assignment well in advance of your cruise. You will want to watch online to see when they do assign the cabin number so that you can print off your luggage tags after they do. Your luggage tags will need that cabin number on them because that is how bags get delivered to the cabins.

 

It is fun to watch for the cabin assignment to see if you might land a nice upgrade. But you are guaranteed at least the type of cabin you booked, so no need to worry. Cabin guarantees are a good value and a great way to save money.

 

When I book a guarantee, I sometimes get my cabin assignment a month before sail date. If I book closer to sail date, it usually shows up within a day or two after booking. There's really no set timeframe though.

 

Have a great cruise!