Decisions, decision - Switch to guarantee?

[SummerXU]

So we currently have a cove balcony booked on the Dream. I've never had a cove before, so I want to try it. I love the idea of being that close to the water, but I don't love the idea of being on deck 2 (soooo far from everything, except getting off in ports). I also made sure we booked a cove that's not under the galley.

 

I believe with ES, you can make a one-time change to a guarantee rate. Is this correct? Obviously you would then be giving up the chance at any future price drops. Right now, we can save a small amount ($50) and keep our OBC if we switch to a balcony guarantee. Wondering if I should take the gamble. It's not about saving the money; I've only done a guarantee once and it's more about taking the gamble and seeing what you end up with!

[springs741]

Not for $50. I know you said it isn't about the money.

 

Having just had a cove under the galley I can tell you that not sleeping for a week can greatly impact your cruise enjoyment. And it isn't just under the galley. Rooms under or above other venues have noise too.

 

I spoke with a couple that had a stateroom just above the casino on a gamblers cruise. They were right above the area that the midnight drawing occurred. Not a problem on most nights but difficult the night before those 7 AM port/ excursions.

 

Keep your well chosen cove for this cruise and enjoy. Next cruise you can gamble on the room.

[iheartmarshall]

I wouldn't do it for $50. I haven't been on the Dream, but DH and I did this on our first cruise on the Conquest -- went from an OV to a Balcony Guarantee and saved about $200. Overall it was worth it and we spent quite a bit of time on our balcony and it was a nice upgrade from an OV for our first cruise. However, we were one of the unlucky ones who got a room over the nightclub. And since we're not party animals and are asleep by midnight, we definitely noticed.

 

That said, I knew what to expect and brought earplugs and my travel fan and we slept good most nights. The muffled music took some getting used to but after the second night it wasn't a big deal. Just a word of caution though so that you know you may get an undesirable room... and for $50, personally I wouldn't risk that.

[bury me at sea]

I wouldn't do it. I don't want any balconey on deck 6 on the Dream class and wouldn't take the chance. Don't even want an aft-extended or wrap on 6.

 

However other people book them all the time so I accept it's a personal idiosyncrasy.

[tigereye]

I've been in a cove on the Dream and I would stay where you are. We loved the balcony, the privacy and being that close to water is much better than we anticipated.

[dacsmom]

I say do not switch. You said you always wanted to try a cove balcony. How will you ever know if you like it if you do not take a chance. You may love it, you may hate it, but you will never know until you try it for yourself.

[gatour]

For $50 I wouldn't bother. I used to book Gurantee cabins, because of most cost savings and was generally pleased with the results. However over the years I have become more particular about my cabin location, so now book cabins in specific locations/decks.

 

In regards to being "so far from everything". What is one or two more minutes in an elevator? It is not like you are going from walking 5 blocks to 10 blocks.

[xitappers2bx]

So we currently have a cove balcony booked on the Dream. I've never had a cove before, so I want to try it. I love the idea of being that close to the water, but I don't love the idea of being on deck 2 (soooo far from everything, except getting off in ports). I also made sure we booked a cove that's not under the galley.

 

I believe with ES, you can make a one-time change to a guarantee rate. Is this correct? Obviously you would then be giving up the chance at any future price drops. Right now, we can save a small amount ($50) and keep our OBC if we switch to a balcony guarantee. Wondering if I should take the gamble. It's not about saving the money; I've only done a guarantee once and it's more about taking the gamble and seeing what you end up with!

 

If you are happy where you are, stay there. It's not worth the gamble.

[SummerXU]

For $50 I wouldn't bother. I used to book Gurantee cabins, because of most cost savings and was generally pleased with the results. However over the years I have become more particular about my cabin location, so now book cabins in specific locations/decks.

 

In regards to being "so far from everything". What is one or two more minutes in an elevator? It is not like you are going from walking 5 blocks to 10 blocks.

 

Thanks everyone for the input! We decided to stick with our cove. We did however, switch cabins. We were originally in 2252 which I discovered is a connecting cabin. I'm quite the princess when it comes to sleeping (The slightest noise will keep me awake and make me grumpy...another reason we opted against the guarantee.), and I've heard the connecting cabins can be noisier. We moved to 2248 which is the very first cove and we'll now only have to worry about one set of balcony neighbors since the cabin on the other side is an oceanview.

[Drazil65]

If you picked this location specifically and are happy with your choice then stick with it. I am very particular when I choose our balcony cabins (regular balcony), it is the deck, location and price we are happiest with. I feel like if we are happy with the things we can control upfront (no complaints, no regrets) then that sets the tone for the entire attitude for the things that we cannot control on the cruise.

 

Unless an upgrade is offered that is so phenomenal and a great location, we are staying put (we have turned down a few upgrade offers on balcony cabins because I knew we had the best location for our family).

 

So if you are happy with what you choose then stick with it or be very open and flexible to a random pick. $50s is nowhere near enough money to take away MY choice of a cabin after researching for the best situation.

[Micahs Grandad]

We have been wanting to do a cove and for 50 bucks would not give it up

Edited January 9, 2017 by Micah's Grandad

[BoDidly]

No need to worry about price drops.

[rjrpar]

So we currently have a cove balcony booked on the Dream. I've never had a cove before, so I want to try it. I love the idea of being that close to the water, but I don't love the idea of being on deck 2 (soooo far from everything, except getting off in ports). I also made sure we booked a cove that's not under the galley.

 

I believe with ES, you can make a one-time change to a guarantee rate. Is this correct? Obviously you would then be giving up the chance at any future price drops. Right now, we can save a small amount ($50) and keep our OBC if we switch to a balcony guarantee. Wondering if I should take the gamble. It's not about saving the money; I've only done a guarantee once and it's more about taking the gamble and seeing what you end up with!

 

Unusual, it's almost always about the money

[DebJ14]

I wouldn't do it, even to save hundreds. Spent one week in a guarantee balcony above the show room. The noise drove us nuts. Never again, at any price.