Cabin TBA???

[kskelley40]

Long time cruiser...lately on NCL, but when I book a cruise I always have the opportunity to select my own cabin.  Just recently booked the Magic for Thanksgiving week.  It was a casino offer.  I didn't even have the chance to select a cabin number, just the cabin type.  So, right now I have a balcony cabin that states TBA.

My question is:  when will I find out my cabin assignment?  The cruise is paid in full.  Will I get a cabin assignment before we board?

This is new to me, after 22 cruises this is the first time I did not know why cabin number months ahead of time, do not like this!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Sea Hag]

I wouldn't like it either, but it's a fact that you may not get your cabin assignment until you check in at the port. Have you called and asked? If you do that, they may be able to assign you a cabin.

[Stallion]

more likely you will get assignment about 2-3 weeks after buying the cruise

[Shaded Lady]

58 minutes ago, kskelley40 said:

Long time cruiser...lately on NCL, but when I book a cruise I always have the opportunity to select my own cabin.  Just recently booked the Magic for Thanksgiving week.  It was a casino offer.  I didn't even have the chance to select a cabin number, just the cabin type.  So, right now I have a balcony cabin that states TBA.

My question is:  when will I find out my cabin assignment?  The cruise is paid in full.  Will I get a cabin assignment before we board?

This is new to me, after 22 cruises this is the first time I did not know why cabin number months ahead of time, do not like this!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like the offer they gave you was for a 'guarantee' cabin... you'll get the type of cabin you paid for, but they get to pick the location... usually this is a cheaper option for those of us who are paying for cruising on a budget and for the cheaper price often you end up in the less desirable cabin, like right under the galley! Not always, but often...

 

As for when you'll get your cabin assignment, it could be any time, including up to when you arrive at the port. Like others have suggested, I'd call Carnival.

 

If your offer was not for a guarantee, I'd contact Carnival to find out why this happened...

[coevan]

even if it saved us $100, no way would I let Carnival pick my cabin. There aren't many bad cabins, but I have heard stories of some very noisy nights and mornings. We are very picky about our cabin locations. We have turned down a few casino offers for this reason.

[kskelley40]

I don 't like it either but needed to be on this cruise for business purposes.  Even when I went to the website to look for another cabin, without the casino offer, it would not give me the chance to select a cabin.  But, as long as we are in a balcony cabin, it really doesn't matter where it is.  Will just wait and see...still have 4 months to go.

Thanks for the input.

[coevan]

3 minutes ago, kskelley40 said:

it would not give me the chance to select a cabin.

 

 

never came across this, unless you are clicking, let Carnival pick a cabin. You can always pick your own cabin.

[Elaine5715]

12 minutes ago, Shaded Lady said:

It sounds like the offer they gave you was for a 'guarantee' cabin... you'll get the type of cabin you paid for, but they get to pick the location... usually this is a cheaper option for those of us who are paying for cruising on a budget and for the cheaper price often you end up in the less desirable cabin, like right under the galley! Not always, but often...

 

As for when you'll get your cabin assignment, it could be any time, including up to when you arrive at the port. Like others have suggested, I'd call Carnival.

 

If your offer was not for a guarantee, I'd contact Carnival to find out why this happened...

Sometimes the casino offers include guarantees and looks like the OP selected it instead of selecting their own.

[coevan]

again, this is exactly why we don;t like casino offers

[kskelley40]

I have cruised on Carnival several times and the option to select your own cabin vs Carnival selecting it was not there when I booked it.  The rate through the casino was just too good to pass up.  Only port fees and taxes, so it really doesn't matter where the cabin is for that rate.

Just don't want to be worrying about it on embarkation day.

Thanks everyone....

[DallasGuy75219]

1 hour ago, kskelley40 said:

I didn't even have the chance to select a cabin number, just the cabin type.  So, right now I have a balcony cabin that states TBA.

Warning to others on how this happens... When you price cruises on Carnival's website, the pricing matrix will show the lowest available price for each category.  If you click it that price, it will take you to an "express" reservation for a room at that lowest price.  It could be a guarantee room (see "TBA" in attached example) or an assigned room (in which case Carnival will automatically assign a cabin without giving you an option to choose your own). 

 

If you want the ability to choose your own room, you have to click "Pick A Room" on the initial pricing matrix to get to options than a guarantee cabin or automatic cabin assignment at the lowest rate for that category.

Edited July 21, 2019 by DallasGuy75219

[Chervil]

1 hour ago, kskelley40 said:

I don 't like it either but needed to be on this cruise for business purposes.  Even when I went to the website to look for another cabin, without the casino offer, it would not give me the chance to select a cabin.  But, as long as we are in a balcony cabin, it really doesn't matter where it is.  Will just wait and see...still have 4 months to go.

Thanks for the input.

Okay, is no one else wondering what business purpose requires someone to be on a cruise?

I don't mean to get into your personal business, kskelly40, but I am intrigued, if you don't mind sharing?

Edited July 21, 2019 by Chervil
accidentally a word

[Banditswife]

we booked a guarantee cabin for a Sept 19 cruise.  I thought it would take awhile to be assigned a cabin, but when printing my docs, cabin # was there.  You might check your luggage tags for a cabin #.

[Bases5]

My cabin was assigned 3 weeks after booking and that was six months before departure.

 

  We always book guarantee and save a little money. After assessment you can call to relocate almost every time if you don’t like it. We we’re not able to relocate 1 time. Most of the time they do a pretty good job picking. 

 

I also agree with above posters. Casino offer or not there is a option to pick your own cabin, you just have to click on the correct tabs. 

But the price definitely goes up so the offer might not be as appealing.

[CorvetteLady]

5 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

never came across this, unless you are clicking, let Carnival pick a cabin. You can always pick your own cabin.

 

Not if all the other cabins are sold.  We just booked the Breeze and the only balconies left were guarantees.  We did a guarantee on NCL last year and got a cabin assignment in about 3 days, I don't think that will happen with Carnival.  On our first cruise, many years ago, we didn't get a cabin until check-in but we got an upgrade from an ocean view to a balcony, I just hope we don't get over/under a bar! 🙂

[xDisconnections]

5 hours ago, Chervil said:

Okay, is no one else wondering what business purpose requires someone to be on a cruise?

I don't mean to get into your personal business, kskelly40, but I am intrigued, if you don't mind sharing?

There’s a leadership conference and networking function being hosted on my Antarctica cruise with many speakers and attendes reserving specifically for this.

 

There are plenty of “business purposes” that would require someone to be on specific cruises. Whether it’s simply due to scheduling constraints, or accreditations, conferences, conventions, networking events, work incentives or company outings, there are plenty of reasons one can call a cruise a business trip. This can even be related to visiting a specific port to pick up items for a business or to establish contracts. Just take a look at the hotel industry... same concept but at sea. When you escape Carnival, the likelihood of people traveling on business does have the chance of increasing due to a more sophisticated environment.

 

When the OP stated “business purposes” as such, it’s really vague enough to even include the dates of the cruise, honestly.

Edited July 21, 2019 by xDisconnections

[Chervil]

9 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

There’s a leadership conference and networking function being hosted on my Antarctica cruise with many speakers and attendes reserving specifically for this.

 

There are plenty of “business purposes” that would require someone to be on specific cruises. Whether it’s simply due to scheduling constraints, or accreditations, conferences, conventions, networking events, work incentives or company outings, there are plenty of reasons one can call a cruise a business trip. This can even be related to visiting a specific port to pick up items for a business or to establish contracts. Just take a look at the hotel industry... same concept but at sea. When you escape Carnival, the likelihood of people traveling on business does have the chance of increasing due to a more sophisticated environment.

 

When the OP stated “business purposes” as such, it’s really vague enough to even include the dates of the cruise, honestly.

Thank you!
I know there are themed cruises (like the Star Trek cruise) and that someone might even work reviewing cruise ships or destinations.
The thought of having a conference or seminar hadn't really crossed my mind though.

[xDisconnections]

4 minutes ago, Chervil said:

Thank you!
I know there are themed cruises (like the Star Trek cruise) and that someone might even work reviewing cruise ships or destinations.
The thought of having a conference or seminar hadn't really crossed my mind though.

My pleasure! I hope that cleared up some confusion.

[coevan]

10 hours ago, CorvetteLady said:

Not if all the other cabins are sold. 

 

 

if all the cabins are sold out, how are some available?

[CorvetteLady]

21 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

if all the cabins are sold out, how are some available?

I don't know why they only have guarantees left but that seems to happen as the cruise gets closer.  I really don't know how it works, how many they set aside as guarantees, why they wouldn't just open them up so you could choose.  The guarantee is usually the lowest priced in each category and maybe easier to sell.  There is always that chance for a great upgrade!  I can only go by my experiences, we booked the NCL Epic about two months out, there were still some cabins we could have chosen but they were more expensive, by booking the guarantee we didn't get any of the free stuff that NCL offers but we didn't want it and our TA said we would probably get a good location and we did.  I much prefer choosing a cabin but sometimes you just have to take a chance.

[Shaded Lady]

1 hour ago, Chervil said:

Thank you!
I know there are themed cruises (like the Star Trek cruise) and that someone might even work reviewing cruise ships or destinations.
The thought of having a conference or seminar hadn't really crossed my mind though.

I used to work with a real estate broker who taught RE classes to other agents... several times they had cruise classes and added the price of the class (at a discount) to the cruise! As the instructor he was given the cruise for free! Others got to complete their continuing education requirements for their license and enjoy a cruise at the same time!

 

**Edit** this was in Florida, where cruising is so easy to do!

Edited July 21, 2019 by Shaded Lady

[DallasGuy75219]

3 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

if all the cabins are sold out, how are some available?

The cruise lines know based on history how many reservations they expect to be canceled before departure, just like airlines overbook flights.

[Lottacruises]

I've seen a few times also where I could only allow them to assign a room to me. It's worked out well each time. You never know when it will be assigned, just check your online check in and one day your room number will be there.

[Nic6318]

23 hours ago, kskelley40 said:

Long time cruiser...lately on NCL, but when I book a cruise I always have the opportunity to select my own cabin.  Just recently booked the Magic for Thanksgiving week.  It was a casino offer.  I didn't even have the chance to select a cabin number, just the cabin type.  So, right now I have a balcony cabin that states TBA.

My question is:  when will I find out my cabin assignment?  The cruise is paid in full.  Will I get a cabin assignment before we board?

This is new to me, after 22 cruises this is the first time I did not know why cabin number months ahead of time, do not like this!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Kskelley

 

Some people are picky about their cabin location, but the main issue with a guarantee cabin is that your balcony can have an obstructed view. (a lifeboat)

 

If this would be a problem for you, I would suggest calling them.  Ask if you can pay for an upgrade. Make certain that you would keep any OBC's that were awarded with your casino offer with the change. This isn't always possible, but it is worth a try.

 

have a great cruise

[DebJ14]

18 hours ago, Banditswife said:

we booked a guarantee cabin for a Sept 19 cruise.  I thought it would take awhile to be assigned a cabin, but when printing my docs, cabin # was there.  You might check your luggage tags for a cabin #.

We booked a last minute balcony guarantee on the propulsion challenged Vista because it was $300 less per person than selecting an 8A.  Within minutes of making the payment we had the cabin assignment.  We did well because they assigned us an 8C in a very quiet location.  It was the first time in many years we went with a guarantee.  The first time it did not work out at all and we ended up in an 8A with a cabin over showroom and had to listen to all the shows and rehearsals.