Guaranteed Cabins. What did you get? Would you do it again?

[jon46]

I booked a GTY in oceanview stateroom. Got a cabin right away, but it was very far forward next to the porthole cabins. new my wife would not like it. It was 9 months before the cruise. Now I'm 3 months out got a price drop and changed to senior rate and picked my own cabin mid ship. Had a bad TA but that is another story.

[MANDMTRAVEL]

Booked interior guaranteed and got Ocean View instead. This was on a last minute cruise, it took like 3 days.

[Pstreet12]

We've booked guarantees several times because at the time, the guarantees were a lot less than picking a cabin would have been (sometimes guarantees are more than picking a cabin). We've done junior suites and balconies and been pleased every time but one, and our objection to it was very minor and would, by many, have been considered a good thing: we got a Boardwalk balcony and would have preferred a Central Park balcony. We like junior suite guarantees because none of them are in bad locations, and there's always the chance of being in something better--but we haven't been that lucky...yet. : )

Each time, we've been assigned our cabin in one day.

[Stockjock]

Here's another question, can one be returned to the GUAR pool? I did a Cat W GUAR (Spa Jr. Suite or better) and got assigned a nice Family Jr. Suite. However, everything below GS is sold out.

 

I doubt I'll try to change it, but hypothetically speaking, could one be thrown back into that guarantee pool in the hopes of a better upgrade, knowing that nothing below GS is available, other then the FJ that you released? Would you then have a shot at a GS or above?

[Virtopia]

I booked an interior guarantee for my parents upcoming Jewel sailing in December. They got an interior assigned about two months later but it was on a higher deck, something I know they appreciate.

 

I'd definitely attempt a guarantee booking as long as the price was right!

[Clarea]

Here's another question, can one be returned to the GUAR pool? I did a Cat W GUAR (Spa Jr. Suite or better) and got assigned a nice Family Jr. Suite. However, everything below GS is sold out.

 

I doubt I'll try to change it, but hypothetically speaking, could one be thrown back into that guarantee pool in the hopes of a better upgrade, knowing that nothing below GS is available, other then the FJ that you released? Would you then have a shot at a GS or above?

In the past, they used to allow people to go back into the guarantee pool, but I've not heard of that being allowed lately. It's worth a call if you want to try. Note also that just because it appears to you that nothing below a GS is available does not mean that you cannot get a JS.

[DonnaK]

So...have you done a GUAR cabin? Yes, twice

 

What did you book and what did you get? Balcony guarantee on Anthem: Got an obstructed balcony. Inside guarantee on Liberty: Got an inside.

 

Were you happy with the cabin that was assigned? I got what I expected.

 

Would you do it again? It depends. We didn't like the obstructed balcony, so I wouldn't book the balcony guarantee on a Quantum class ship unless it specified that it excluded the obstructed category. Otherwise, if the price is right, I would book a guarantee again.

 

How long did it take to get assigned? In both cases, the cabin was assigned within a few days of booking.

 

Any other thoughts or suggestions on guaranteed cabins? I had no issue changing the cabin I was assigned to another cabin in the same category that was in a location I preferred

[K L B]

Is the room assignment always after you are paid in full, or do they sometimes assign it before?

[island lady]

Is the room assignment always after you are paid in full, or do they sometimes assign it before?

 

Booked JS Guarantee on Oasis, (only thing available in a JS at booking) paid in full weeks ago...still no assignment.

[Clarea]

Is the room assignment always after you are paid in full, or do they sometimes assign it before?

Sometimes before, sometimes after.

[cruzinlady1947]

I’m waiting now for a gty cabin assignment for our October 28th cruise. I upgraded from an ocean view to a gty balcony for only $4 more and an extra $50 OBC. I really don’t care where it is, just hoping it isn’t an adjoining cabin, but for the $4 extra, I’ll settle for it. Might be able to switch cabins if there are any of the same category available. But, this close to the cruise, I really doubt it. That sale yesterday only lasted several hours. The price has doubled since.

 

Gwen [emoji3]

[cruzinlady1947]

Is the room assignment always after you are paid in full, or do they sometimes assign it before?

 

 

 

You can book it anytime and the cabin can be assigned in a couple hours, days or months. My guarantees have only taken a couple days at the most.

 

Gwen [emoji3]

[addicted cruiser]

Did my first guarantee Oceanview ended up with deck 2 adjoining cabin on Navigator December cruise. Called TA to see if we could get a cabin on a higher deck since we are platinum members and I have read people who have only cruise once or twice with RCCI have gotten upgrades and better cabins on guarantee bookings. TA called RCCI and was advised deck 3 under casino or same deck further down no adjoining cabin. Not happy about cabin but will only be sleeping in cabin so it won't spoil the cruise. Don't think I will do a guarantee again.:(:(:ship:

[katiel53]

We have only booked a guaranty cabin once and that was because the cabins we would normally choose were not available as we booked only a few months before sailing. We thought we'd take a chance and save a few dollars as it wasn't going to be where we wanted to be either way.

 

We were assigned a cabin two days before sailing. It was an absolutely horrible cabin. It was below the buffet so we heard carts rolling all night long and it was also across the hall from the steward's pantry so we heard noise from there from 6AM on. I have to say it was on another line, not Royal Caribbean.

 

The first day I went to use my S&S card to buy the alcohol package and it was rejected. I had no idea why and I went to guest services and they said it should have been ok. I went back to order again and the same thing happened. Back to GS and was told that somehow my credit card that I used when boarding, was not the same one they had on file for me. The one they had was an old one that was cancelled because of fraud. The GS rep said that she would get things fixed and not to try to order the alcohol package until later that night. She gave me some coupons for free drinks.

 

I later went to the casino and my S&S card wouldn't work in the machine. I had the casino manager check to see what was wrong and she had no idea. She comped me a couple of drinks. I went back to GS and was told that the problem had to be fixed by Miami and that they couldn't do anything until the next day.

 

We had reservations for the Steak House and didn't receive a confirmation so I called the Steak House to be sure we had reservations for the first night. They told me that my cabin number was wrong and that their records showed a different cabin number.

 

We were sent a bottle of Champagne from our TA and we also were to have OBC from her and we didn't have either. Back again to GS and I asked if the problem with this could be because the cabin number was different from the one we were in. She checked and sure enough our Champagne and OBC were on that other cabin info. So, someone else got our Champagne, but they were able to transfer the OBC to us in the right room.

 

The next morning I went to GS and I still had the problem with my card not being able to be used. It took until nearly 5PM to get it cleared up and I wasn't happy as it was a sea day and I wanted to use the card in the casino. After the matter was cleared up, the cruise line gave me the alcohol package at no charge, so overall, I ended up being inconvenienced, but got compensated well,

 

After that, I decided, really based on the location of the cabin, that I would never do a guaranty again and I haven't. I'd rather take my chances on getting a cabin in an area that isn't I would choose normally, but at least I could hopefully not be under the Lido or near the pantry.

[caliking]

Booked a GTY outside balcony on Harmony of Seas about 2 wks ago, still waiting for assignment. So I called today, suspense was killing me! They’ve put us in 10586, 12/2/17 is our sailing. Hope this will work for us and our 2 teens. We’ve booked GTYs before, but only for me and my wife. Only had 1 bad experience on NCLs Norway. The First room we were assigned had 2 twin beds that were on the wall, elevated like top bunks! I told them I was scared of heights. They moved us to a room with 2 lower beds that did NOT convert to a king.

[Jasukkie]

Booked inside GUAR on Anthem, assigned 11125, far forward on the ship. The cabin itself was fine but the location was less desirable on such a large ship. We were able to change to a midship balcony for $100 the first night and I do think that greatly improved our experience. I wouldn't say I would never book a GUAR again, but I probably won't.

[Giantfan13]

We booked a Guaranteed Inside on a 12 day cruise on the Grandeur last year. The price was ridiculously low. This was our first cruise on RCI and we booked it right with them. A day later, some guy called me, says he was assigned to be my cruise planner and 'let's see where we can get you a cabin?'.

We assigned us a cabin, in the class we had purchased and it wasn't bad. As long as we aren't full stern or full forward and not within earshot of noise, we are fine. We enjoyed the cabin so much we are booking another guarantee on a cruise in a few days.

Cheers

Len

[RoyalC]

Inside Guaranteed hasn't been the best for me. Decided to spend a little more on Bal Guarantee this time (Jewel) and got E2 assigned five days later. Assignment was forward corner balcony near elevator. Changed same day into corner mid E2 for larger balcony and mid-ship elevator access ( 2 cabins were left in category). A few days later a dead-center mid-ship opened up and I switched to that! Two days later all sold out in that category.

I booked the balcony guarantee this time because a lot of cabins were available in two balcony categories and figured I could get something desirable, as apposed to the limited options showing with interior. They did assign a limited availability, higher priced category with few options left, but it worked out very well!

[Capt_BJ]

booked a JS "let us pick" for Turkey weekend just a week ago

 

48 hours after booking was assigned a JS

 

OMG ... what a disappointment ... I was counting on a Grand Suite or better ......

 

I should cancel .... right?

[SensFan11]

Interesting thread. I've never booked a guarantee, but thinking about trying it. So here's my question...

 

If I book an inside guarantee (cat Z), can I at a later point pay to upgrade to a balcony guarantee? Does it matter if it's before or after my cabin has been assigned?

[Stockjock]

booked a JS "let us pick" for Turkey weekend just a week ago

 

48 hours after booking was assigned a JS

 

OMG ... what a disappointment ... I was counting on a Grand Suite or better ......

 

I should cancel .... right?

 

Nice thing about Cat W, Jr. Suite or above is that it would very difficult to get a bad assignment, right?

[Clarea]

Nice thing about Cat W, Jr. Suite or above is that it would very difficult to get a bad assignment, right?

Right.

[island lady]

booked a JS "let us pick" for Turkey weekend just a week ago

 

48 hours after booking was assigned a JS

 

OMG ... what a disappointment ... I was counting on a Grand Suite or better ......

 

I should cancel .... right?

 

I am guessing your post is tongue in cheek...since it is past final payment. ;)

 

Booking a JS guarantee on an Oasis class for me is a no brainer, since I don't believe there are any bad JS cabins on those ships. At the very least you should get a JS cabin for less than the price of picking one yourself.

 

 

Some get lucky and get a higher cat cabin...some don't ...it's a crap shoot.

[kevin1877]

Booked a balcony BL on carnival. Saved about $500 letting them pick our cabin. Got an extended Aft Balcony. Couldn’t be happier. Would absolutely do again

 

 

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[jerseygirl74]

Never again. Did it on our third cruise on Monarch. Way up in bow of ship, (you could hear the ship crashing on the water) corridor smelled of sewage, cabin was in bad shape, did not have hot water for 3 days...daily complaint-daily visit by plumber...they finally upgraded us to obstructed view on deck 4 (can't remember exactly, but there was a jogging track outside window & lifeboats above us) I am very picky about noise and location. If you can sleep anywhere, it might be worth it for you. BTW, on smaller ships GS are on deck 10, directly below Windjammer, pool, etc., so location does make a BIG difference on that deck.