Awful Guaranteed Cabin

[rcarrosq]

We are platinum with over 22 cruises and booked a last minute cruise in June sailing on the Breeze on Nov 2. We like midship interior cabins and this is what we chose. Today we finally got our cabin assignment. We were given #6495 aft. Seriously? This cabin is darn near the very last cabin on that deck. At this point is there anything we can do? In a cabin so far in the back we will feel every pitch and roll. I was under the impression that our platinum status would help us get a decent cabin. We also requested early dining but are confirmed for late dining. I was told by my TA that we could see the maitre’d in the MDR on the first night to see if it can be changed. It was suggested we grease his palm. Again....seriously? I thought platinum came with some perks. 
 

Has anyone here ever been able to change a guaranteed cabin?

[bury me at sea]

I have no personal experience but have read reports here of people saying a phone call to Carnival resulted in a change of guaranteed cabin assignment.

 

Of course the whole point of guaranteed cabins is that for a very slightly reduced price you will be assigned a cabin that no one else has chosen to book.

 

You probably have a good chance of changing your dining assignment effective the second night if you follow the prescribed procedure of speaking with the Maitre d' on embarkation day.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise.

[Djptcp]

Unfortunately that's the drawback with booking Guarantees. We learned it the hard way on Holland America last Feb. when we booked a Neptune Suite as a Guarantee in order to receive a very discounted casino rate. The vast majority of NS are mid-ship near the Neptune Lounge and in our previous 4 HAL cruises we were able to choose our Neptune Suite and still receive the very discounted casino rate. Not so this time and we were assigned a NS way aft and far from absolutely everything. I had told the booking agent I had mobility issues and she said she would alert the Inventory Dept. of our request to be with the majority of the NS. I had also sent an email to the Special Needs Dept. We received our assignment one week before sailing and were upset at the aft location. I called HAL right away and was told to fax my request for a change and I did so. It didn't matter that we are 3-Star Mariners or that I had already expressed my mobility issues. The few NS that are located way aft are also smaller with the same amount of furniture and we were always bumping into something. The location definitely impacted our cruise enjoyment as it was difficult for me to get around. I contacted our HAL agent when we returned and she said that the Guarantees get whatever is left and usually locations other people didn't want. I sympathize with you, but your cruise being last minute probably dictated a location nobody else wanted.

[CruisingAgain]

Check the fun times as soon as you board for the time that you can see the maitre'd to get on the list for a change of dining time. It is usually around 1:00 in one of the dining rooms.  As platinum you will be given priority for the change over others who are not platinum and requesting the change.  But if they don't have availability for early dining then there is nothing they can do. You might want to as for YTD if they don't have early dining availability.

As far guarantee cabins ... you couldn't chose midship when you paid the guarantee price. Guarantee inside is ANY inside cabin on the ship and most likely the least desired cabins because those are selected and paid at the higher price. If you TA led you to believe you were chosing midship then you need a new TA who understands Carnival. As far as I know, Platinum doesn't get you better guarantee cabins. 

 

 

[CruiseHealing]

First let me say I am also Platinum.  First your cabin.  Last year we booked a guarantee balcony cabin on the Elation.  It was also aft on the main deck. It was a one day sale that was $20 more than an interior cabin.  We loved the cabin so much we booked the same cabin on the Elation for this November.  You may feel a little motion but aft cabins are so close to the Lido butffet and Lido pool.   It is a long way to Serinity deck, but to us that was a minor thing when we are the Dream, because the Lido pool area is as not as windy as the Serinity area.  

 

You are Platinum, so you can request Your Time Dining, which is very flexible to meet your schedule.  I think you are setup nicely, and your status gave you a good guarantee opportunity.  

 

Enjoy your cruise vacation!

[Tapi]

As my PVP tells me. Look at the deck plans and find the absolute worst cabin within the category you’re booking. If you’re happy with it, then book a guarantee. If not, then the guarantee option is NOT for you. Seems like somebody should’ve given you that piece of advice. 
 

Like you, I’m Platinum. Unfortunately these days being Platinum doesn’t mean what it used to. Frequently I get treated better as a first timer on other cruise lines than as Platinum on Carnival.

 

Have a great cruise! 

Edited October 23, 2019 by Tapi

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, rcarrosq said:

We are platinum with over 22 cruises and booked a last minute cruise in June sailing on the Breeze on Nov 2. We like midship interior cabins and this is what we chose. Today we finally got our cabin assignment. We were given #6495 aft. Seriously? This cabin is darn near the very last cabin on that deck. At this point is there anything we can do? In a cabin so far in the back we will feel every pitch and roll. I was under the impression that our platinum status would help us get a decent cabin. We also requested early dining but are confirmed for late dining. I was told by my TA that we could see the maitre’d in the MDR on the first night to see if it can be changed. It was suggested we grease his palm. Again....seriously? I thought platinum came with some perks. 
 

Has anyone here ever been able to change a guaranteed cabin?

It’s not Carnival’s fault if you don’t understand what you are doing. A guaranteed cabin means you can get any cabin in the type you choose, which in your case was an interior cabin. Being Platinum has no impact on guaranteed cabins.
 

Additionally, Platinum status only gets you priority when it comes to dining times. Only Diamonds are guaranteed the dining time of their choice. 
 

i suggest you review the VIFP page on Carnival’s website to familiarize yourself with perks associated with being a Platinum. You don’t seem to be very familiar with these perks. 

Edited October 23, 2019 by PhillyFan33579

[StolidCruiser]

Another Plat who expected to book a guarantee (to save around $80) and get assigned a primo cabin that they would have chosen for themselves in what is essentially a crapshoot - because of their so-called “status”.

 

Karma, baby... pure and simple.

 

 

[rcarrosq]

Thanks to everyone who responded with kindness and respect. I am very familiar with Carnival’s policies and my TA did tell me of the  crap shoot that is a guaranteed cabin. He told me I would get at least the same as I booked or maybe better. So..... I booked interior and that’s what I got.....and no, it was not a special discount. It was the same price it would’ve been had I picked my own cabin. 

[Saint Greg]

I haven’t booked a guarantee since my second cruise..but I don’t think you can chose midship interior. I think you can just pick interior. 

But I won’t book a guarantee room. Location is too important to me. There was a cruise I wanted to book this fall that only had guarantee rooms left. I booked a different cruise  for now and pushed that one back to 2021...and got a really good room on it cheaper than the guarantee would’ve been.

[Illbcruzn4life]

25 minutes ago, rcarrosq said:

Thanks to everyone who responded with kindness and respect. I am very familiar with Carnival’s policies and my TA did tell me of the  crap shoot that is a guaranteed cabin. He told me I would get at least the same as I booked or maybe better. So..... I booked interior and that’s what I got.....and no, it was not a special discount. It was the same price it would’ve been had I picked my own cabin. 

what was your rationale for going with a guarantee if you could have picked the cabin you wanted for the same price?

 

first i ever heard of a gty that wasnt cheaper but i gave been away from CCL FOR awhile 

[rcarrosq]

Guaranteed was the only thing available in all categories. We booked because we liked the itinerary.  I’m sure all will be fine. Now I know to never book a guaranteed cabin. 

[ray98]

It is a guarantee.....you trade a cheaper fare by letting them fill cabins not selected during the booking process by those who choose their cabin.  It isn't the end of the world, I have stayed aft on many occasions.

 

 

Edited October 24, 2019 by ray98

[Jerseygirl1416]

I really don’t see anything wrong with an aft cabin. I’ve had aft facing cabins and I’ve been all the way forward on deck 12 on the Breeze. I didn’t feel any movement. I think on these big ships if the seas are bad enough to feel it you’re going to feel it all over. And the added perk is quiet hallways being all the way aft or all the way forward. I’d be more concerned that you’re over a public deck. I think you’d be over the limelight lounge. If you feel strongly maybe you could upgrade yourself to a cabin in a location you like better. Whatever you do, have a great cruise! The Breeze is a great ship.

[beerman2]

Unfortunately you received exactly that a "guarantee " cabin. Status means absolutely nothing.

 

Dining,  if just the 2 of you , shouldn't be a problem WITHOUT greasing his palm. Shame on your TA for even suggesting that. 

 

Seems your TA should have helped with the dining situation, but again it's not as big of a deal as implied.

 

 

Being Platium you should be well aware things aren't going to be perfect. You're cruising enjoy it!

[stobe1]

OP,

I dont mean for this to sound disrespectful, but how is it that you are Platinum and were not aware that when booking a guarantee cabin you are gambling and rolling the dice? 

[BlerkOne]

Guaranteed cabins are just that. You get to pick interior, outside, balcony, but not the location and no, you are not entitled to anything because of loyalty level. Carnival is going to continue to sell whatever cabins they can, wherever they can, to maximize their return. You can call Carnival and ask if you can pay for an upgrade.

 

These are perks of booking at the last minute

[Nic6318]

15 minutes ago, rcarrosq said:

Guaranteed was the only thing available in all categories. We booked because we liked the itinerary.  I’m sure all will be fine. Now I know to never book a guaranteed cabin. 

 

Hi

 

Sorry, I am not understanding something.

 

The reason people book "guaranteed" cabins is because they are lower priced. In the future you might notice this.

 

What throws me off is your statements that "guaranteed" was all that was available and at the same time saying that the guaranteed price was the same as if you had chosen your cabin. If choosing a cabin wasn't available when you were booking, then how can you say it was the same price as a guaranteed cabin when it wasn't available as a choice?

 

You can always give people money, but I don't feel there is a need to tip the maître d' when asking for your change in dining time. They do this for every cruise for many people. There likely will be a line of people asking for the same type of request as yourself, so, try to get there as soon as you can. 

 

have a great cruise

[CruiseHealing]

With you being above the limelight lounge, you may want to look for an ocean view or balcony cabin that you can afford and then call your TA to move you at the premium price. The motion of being in an aft cabin is nothing compared to a cabin above a venue like a lounge that goes until to midnight+.  

 

If you can not get your dining move to YTD before the cruise, go see the maitre'd in the afternoon after boarding.  They usually will accommodate your request 

[CruiseHealing]

Before booking I always review the cabins available and what is  below and above the available cabins.  I use cruisedeckplans dot com

[jimbo5544]

Hopefully you learned a valuable lesson.  Go enjoy the cruise.  

[2wheelin]

2 hours ago, rcarrosq said:

Thanks to everyone who responded with kindness and respect. I am very familiar with Carnival’s policies and my TA did tell me of the  crap shoot that is a guaranteed cabin. He told me I would get at least the same as I booked or maybe better. So..... I booked interior and that’s what I got.....and no, it was not a special discount. It was the same price it would’ve been had I picked my own cabin. 

So what was the reason for your post? You knew the rules/risks but are upset they were followed—-in spite of your being platinum?

[CorvetteLady]

We are on this cruise, just an FYI for the confused, sometimes a guarantee is all that is left!  We didn't book until July and all that was left in the balcony category were guarantees.  At least the OP has a cabin assignment, we are still waiting.  I have no idea how this guarantee category works, balconies were sold out in July but over the last two days some have popped up, tried to get one but it had sold.  I don't really care if it's aft, forward or in the middle, I just want it to be between two cabin decks.  

 

Just because people know the rules doesn't mean they can't be disappointed!  

[watermelonqueen99]

In 9 cruises, we have only let Carnival choose our cabin once. We will NEVER make that mistake again. We ended up on deck 9 as far forward as you could get. We had some rocky seas, and it's the only time I've ever felt seasick.

[mafiadon]

I love the aft of the ship and never really noticed a lot of motion. It's quiet with very little traffic. I would worry too much but then it is what we like.