Guarantee only but rooms are available in other websites

[mcatmcat]

Hi 🤗

I was trying to book a balcony for my family sailing on the symphony September and they only have “ balcony guarantee” but when I do a fake booking in multiples websites they have lots of rooms available deck by deck.  

Should I just book the refundable guarantee balcony and wait for the rooms to be available, I was wondering if it’s just a mistake on their website. 😯

 

Thank you !!

[Clarea]

If you want to pick a specific stateroom, then you might have to use a travel agent website.

[not-enough-cruising]

Heck, book with one of the TA sites, chances are good you’ll do better financially AND get a room of your choice. 

[JessyCruises]

Have you tried to call RCL?  I had the same issue recently but was able to book an assigned room when I called.

[lcpagejr]

I don't understand the logic of booking through RCL.... 99% of the time you get a better deal (especially with OBC/prepaid gratuities, etc) if you book through an agency...especially a internet booking agency. Been booking cruises online ...through these agencies since around 2000... 

Edited March 27, 2019 by lcpagejr

[JessyCruises]

9 minutes ago, lcpagejr said:

I don't understand the logic of booking through RCL.... 99% of the time you get a better deal (especially with OBC/prepaid gratuities, etc) if you book through an agency...especially a internet booking agency. Been booking cruises online ...through these agencies since around 2000... 

 

Personally I cannot be bothered to get $75 OBC if it means giving up control of the booking.  I do not like working through other people.  Plus I usually book through the Casino.

 

 

[lcpagejr]

3 minutes ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 

Personally I cannot be bothered to get $75 OBC if it means giving up control of the booking.  I do not like working through other people.  Plus I usually book through the Casino.

 

 

Don't know what you mean??  I control the booking. I choose my cabin.... I just need to work thru my agent on any changes...which I've probably only had to do  1 out of every 10 cruises.  My reservation is on the cruise line site within minutes and I have the same access as if I went thru RCL.  No need to talk on phone...Everything online for me!

[Clarea]

1 minute ago, lcpagejr said:

Don't know what you mean??  I control the booking. I choose my cabin.... I just need to work thru my agent on any changes...which I've probably only had to do  1 out of every 10 cruises.  My reservation is on the cruise line site within minutes and I have the same access as if I went thru RCL.  No need to talk on phone...Everything online for me!

 

Plus, no waiting on hold for Royal.  One email to the travel agent and that's it. 

[lcpagejr]

Just now, Host Clarea said:

 

Plus, no waiting on hold for Royal.  One email to the travel agent and that's it. 

You hit that nail on the head!!! LOL

[JessyCruises]

Just now, lcpagejr said:

Don't know what you mean??  I control the booking. I choose my cabin.... I just need to work thru my agent on any changes...which I've probably only had to do  1 out of every 10 cruises.  My reservation is on the cruise line site within minutes and I have the same access as if I went thru RCL.  No need to talk on phone...Everything online for me!

 

I mean if I want a price drop, check on upgrades, etc etc.  I prefer to do it myself and not having to work through an agent and wait for them to take action.  For instance when I did do a ressie through a big box store, I would have to call for a price drop.  They would put me on hold while they called the cruise line and then have to o back and forth with questions.  I would rather just do it myself.  It is quicker.  

 

If the agent was giving me enough of an incentive, I might consider it. But if it is a small amount it would not be worth it to me.

[JessyCruises]

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Plus, no waiting on hold for Royal.  One email to the travel agent and that's it. 

 See I would rather wait on hold than wait for an agent to read their email, call Royal, and then get back to me lol

[Ashland]

1 minute ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 

Personally I cannot be bothered to get $75 OBC if it means giving up control of the booking.  I do not like working through other people.  Plus I usually book through the Casino.

 

 

I agree....Not interested in a bit of OBC...we have at times had a hard time using any I've gotten directly with RCI. 

Many years of cruising with RCI and prefer to book and own my reservations with not only them but with hotels and flights as well. My personal choice and everyone else's too.

[lcpagejr]

38 minutes ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 See I would rather wait on hold than wait for an agent to read their email, call Royal, and then get back to me lol

Well...all I can say is that hasn't been my experience. For example; For my upcoming cruise next month on Adventure of the Seas... we initially booked MTD. Then decided we wanted late seating. I emailed my agent at 7pm.... At 8:30pm I received an email saying "your all set".... Next morning I checked the RCI website and my late seating was shown and they had already deleted my MTD time reservations

[cb at sea]

If you want a SPECIFIC cabin, you should book it outright.  If you don't really care WHERE you are, you can save money by booking a GTY.  Totally personal preference!

[Coralc]

If you want to book directly through the cruise line, just call and ask them. The problem might be that you have multiple people. Make sure that you are comparing the same type of booking. If Royal Caribbean says it the stateroom is not available, then book online through another website. 

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 

I mean if I want a price drop, check on upgrades, etc etc.  I prefer to do it myself and not having to work through an agent and wait for them to take action.  For instance when I did do a ressie through a big box store, I would have to call for a price drop.  They would put me on hold while they called the cruise line and then have to o back and forth with questions.  I would rather just do it myself.  It is quicker.  

 

If the agent was giving me enough of an incentive, I might consider it. But if it is a small amount it would not be worth it to me.

The prices my TA gets us are so good I’ve never been able to get a price reduction in years. 

Everything else with my reservation I handle on my own online.

 

To each his own. 

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Plus, no waiting on hold for Royal.  One email to the travel agent and that's it. 

AMEN

[SakeDad]

When you say "multiple websites" have balconies available for assignment a) are you entering the exact same search criteria (# of people, ages, state you live in etc...?) b) are you talking sites like Expedia, Travelocity, etc or as someone mentioned and actual Travel Agent booking engine which is password coded and for TA's only? 

I would hazard to guess if it's the 1st and you try to complete your booking it will come back and tell you that cabin is no longer available (just as they do with "only 2 left" airline fares)

Good luck, and as others have said, if it doesn't matter where you are take the GTY and be happy wherever they book you, many  times it's in a higher category than you would have if you chose the cabin.

[waterbug123]

14 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

Don't know what you mean??  I control the booking. I choose my cabin.... I just need to work thru my agent on any changes...

 

Yes, no matter how you book you can always do things like book excursions, specialty dining or spa appointments by yourself online.  But you don't control your actual "booking" if you book through a TA; the TA will have to handle cabin changes upgrades, price drops, etc.  And some people do change their minds frequently about those things, or like the option to be able to do so without having to wait on their TA.  If your TA is available 24/7 that's great, but there have been plenty of threads over the years from folks who had unresponsive TAs.  There are advantages and disadvantages to booking directly, and there are advantages and disadvantages to booking through a TA; everyone needs to do what works for them.  🙂

 

14 hours ago, lcpagejr said: