Awful Guaranteed Cabin

[heidiatmn1]

5 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Your logic escapes me, how does it give you a bad taste about Carnival?

It gives me a bad taste because I would think I should at least get the same rate or less being a gold cruiser vs someone who has taken 1 cruise before.  Why do I get penalized because I've taken more cruises with Carnival?

[LMaxwell]

27 minutes ago, heidiatmn1 said:

It gives me a bad taste because I would think I should at least get the same rate or less being a gold cruiser vs someone who has taken 1 cruise before.  Why do I get penalized because I've taken more cruises with Carnival?

 

VIFP is just marketing stuff.  I don't feel I am owed more than others.  I book at the prevailing rates and look for the best overall deal for me.  You are not being penalized.  Your friends booked at a different date.  Prices change daily.  Maybe they booked an Early Saver where you can choose your own room but has different deposit criteria.  There are numerous different fares for any given cabin it depends which terms and conditions you are comfortable with.  I'm not comfortable with Early Saver terms, so I pay more and don't use it.  But I am not being penalized.  That's absurd 

Edited October 25, 2019 by LMaxwell

[heidiatmn1]

9 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

VIFP is just marketing stuff.  I don't feel I am owed more than others.  I book at the prevailing rates and look for the best overall deal for me.  You are not being penalized.  Your friends booked at a different date.  Prices change daily.  Maybe they booked an Early Saver where you can choose your own room but has different deposit criteria.  There are numerous different fares for any given cabin it depends which terms and conditions you are comfortable with.  I'm not comfortable with Early Saver terms, so I pay more and don't use it.  But I am not being penalized.  That's absurd 

They did not-I helped them book-we had 2 laptops side by side and called a PVP.  I don't feel I'm owed more than others either but the same would have been nice.  Especially since it meant I then could have booked the room next to them.  They're good friends but I wasn't paying $150 more to be next to them. 

[mek]

1 hour ago, heidiatmn1 said:

  I am convinced Carnival is going to give first time cruisers and first level the best deals and best cabin assignments.  They know they have you hooked.  

I know people think that but I'm not sure it's true.  I'm Platinum and several years ago I booked an OV guarantee and was upgraded to a balcony, but I don't think that happened because of my status.  

OMO, it's just the luck of the drawl.

 

Edited October 25, 2019 by mek

[jimbo5544]

10 hours ago, heidiatmn1 said:

It gives me a bad taste because I would think I should at least get the same rate or less being a gold cruiser vs someone who has taken 1 cruise before.  Why do I get penalized because I've taken more cruises with Carnival?

Why would they get a better room?  I have never even evidence that 1st time cruisers get better deals.  First you say you do not care so book GTY and then you think Carnival is dissing you.  

Edited October 26, 2019 by jimbo5544

[Elaine5715]

12 hours ago, heidiatmn1 said:

I book guarantee almost always because the worst room is usually "good enough" for me.  We've gotten good and bad.  Now in regards to you being platinum.  I am convinced Carnival is going to give first time cruisers and first level the best deals and best cabin assignments.  They know they have you hooked.  I'm gold-recently I booked a guarantee because it was much cheaper-friends who are 2nd time carnival cruisers decided to join us.  Their rates were lower than mine and could PICK their stateroom.  It wasn't a casino rate or anything special.  We called carnival and they confirmed this was the case.  If I wanted to pick the same stateroom, it would have cost me $150 more.  This put a bad taste in my mouth.  Give me no motivation to stay loyal to carnival.

The price difference is because you booked different rates.  Room guarantee assignments are not based on status.  Probably everyone on your flight will have paid a different rate, those who book "guarantee" meaning unassigned seats may have paid less or more, depending on when they book

Edited October 26, 2019 by Elaine5715

[Illbcruzn4life]

22 minutes ago, fredu said:

 

Platinum as well here on Carnival, for whatever it's worth.

You have to be out of your freaking mind to book a guarantee cabin when for the same price you could

have chosen the cabin YOU WANTED!

 

Smh!!!

 

the OP clarified later that the only cabins available to be booked were gtys.

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 minute ago, fredu said:

 

Ah, OK....thanks for clarifying that.....I was wondering.

On a similar note, 3 years ago we did an LA-Tahiti-LA 28 day cruise on Princess.

We booked an inside guarantee....we were assigned a lousy cabin over the theater....

I called and asked this gentleman I spoke to if there was anything he could do to

change our cabin......well, lo and behold, he upgraded us to a balcony....no charge!

28 days of bliss.

 

can't beat that. As they say, "you have nothing to lose by asking".

[CruiseHealing]

On my most recent cruise we booked an interior cabin on deck 6 for $339 pp (4 day cruise). Two days before sailing the upgrade fairy called and offered us an aft balcony for $150 more (total). That made the effective rate for our cruise to be $414 pp.  The rate for an aft cabin earlier in the week was going for $599 pp.  I asked the fairy why he offered this to me and he stated you are "Platinum".  So status does help!

 

i dont know how many others he had offered this deal to, but we really enjoyed the cabin.  We too really like aft cabins!

[CdrescherRBL152]

On 10/23/2019 at 6:52 PM, 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?

You booked guaranteed. So you get what they have not been able to sell. You booked last minute so you get what dining they have available. Having sailed 22 times you should have known that before you booked. 

[PhillyFan33579]

23 hours ago, heidiatmn1 said:

It gives me a bad taste because I would think I should at least get the same rate or less being a gold cruiser vs someone who has taken 1 cruise before.  Why do I get penalized because I've taken more cruises with Carnival?

Being Gold doesn’t mean a thing. My wife and I have both been Platinum for awhile. Platinums are literally a dime a dozen these days (i.e. there are way too many Platinums). 

[v3cruiser]

looks like a quiet spot besides the crew stariwell which probably aint used much. . should be high enough to not feel any vibe from cavitation from the props like on deck 2.

[xitappers2bx]

On 10/23/2019 at 6:52 PM, 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?

This is one of the difficulties of doing the guarantee cabin, particularly when you have a location you prefer over others (I do too, i'm with you on the mid ship).  Before booking you should have looked and see what interiors were available; I did this a few summers ago on another line, and it ended up working out well, I booked a balcony guarantee category, but liked all the cabins that were available, and figured since it was my first time on that line I'd end up in a less desirable cabin.  I have read from some people that you can call and upgrade to a specific cabin or category that you would prefer, but then you're on the hook for the price difference.  I do think in your case it's probably be better though since you are upset about where the cabin is located so that you can worry less about the location.

 

Now, I wish I could give you some advice about dinner; we are in a suite and they won't even give us early dining or put us on the waitlist; and I have my TA calling them repeatedly in the hopes they'll just get tired of fielding the calls.  I would not suggest bribing with money to change; it's their job to try and make you happy by moving you, if they can, to early dining.

[grandmarnnurse]

On 10/23/2019 at 6:52 PM, 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?

That is a very good reason to never book a guarantee cabin. Far better to choose your cabin. Even on a retirement budget booking only inside cabins, I will pay the small difference to be able to choose my cabin. 

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Being Gold doesn’t mean a thing. My wife and I have both been Platinum for awhile. Platinums are literally a dime a dozen these days (i.e. there are way too many Platinums). 

I feel the same about Diamonds.  

[Illbcruzn4life]

5 hours ago, grandmarnnurse said:

That is a very good reason to never book a guarantee cabin. Far better to choose your cabin. Even on a retirement budget booking only inside cabins, I will pay the small difference to be able to choose my cabin. 

 

For the OP it was all that was available so it was book a gty or not go.🙂

[hockeyluver]

We love the cabins that are farthest  back on the sides, hottest facing. It is our preferred location.  Being platinum has no bearing on where your gty. will be.  Don't like the location ,pay to upgrade.

[kdkirk]

We stayed in cabin 6495 and 6497 on our Breeze cruise in June.  I liked it just fine.  The Comedy club was right below, so if you are elderly and dont stay up late then I could see that being an issue.

[Elaine5715]

12 hours ago, CruiseHealing said:

On my most recent cruise we booked an interior cabin on deck 6 for $339 pp (4 day cruise). Two days before sailing the upgrade fairy called and offered us an aft balcony for $150 more (total). That made the effective rate for our cruise to be $414 pp.  The rate for an aft cabin earlier in the week was going for $599 pp.  I asked the fairy why he offered this to me and he stated you are "Platinum".  So status does help!

 

i dont know how many others he had offered this deal to, but we really enjoyed the cabin.  We too really like aft cabins!

He told you that because it made you feel even better.  That is pure salesmanship.  

[CruiseHealing]

On my most recent cruise we booked an interior cabin on deck 6 for $339 pp (4 day cruise). Two days before sailing the upgrade fairy called and offered us an aft balcony for $150 more (total). That made the effective rate for our cruise to be $414 pp.  The rate for an aft cabin earlier in the week was going for $599 pp.  I asked the fairy why he offered this to me and he stated you are "Platinum".  So status does help!

 

i dont know how many others he had offered this deal to, but we really enjoyed the cabin.  We too really like aft cabins!

[CruiseHealing]

That is what I figured as well.  His job is to upsell anyone he can before sailing.  Maybe Carnival should try to upsell Past cruisers more often.  

 

But the reason for the upgrade call doesn't really matter because I went from an Interior to an Aft-Balcony for only $75 more per person.  I paid significantly less than the going rate of that type of cabin.  I have had upgrade calls over the years, but this is the first time is was a huge dollar advantage. 

Edited October 27, 2019 by CruiseHealing

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, CruiseHealing said:

That is what I figured as well.  His job is to upsell anyone he can before sailing.  Maybe Carnival should try to upsell Past cruisers more often.  

 

But the reason for the upgrade call doesn't really matter because I went from an Interior to an Aft-Balcony for only $75 more per person.  I paid significantly less than the going rate of that type of cabin.  I have had upgrade calls over the years, but this is the first time is was a huge dollar advantage. 

It is simply supply and demand.  Carnival has expanded this program, from cabins they controlled, to all cabins - based upon availability.   

[Lerin]

I'm confused as to why you booked guarantee knowing you liked midship interior cabins? 

Since you have a preference; book what you want. 

Guarantee cabins are for people who don't care where they end up. 

[Sif]

I picked inside guaranty for my first cruise and ended up with a cabin that was fine in every respect except that it was nearly all the way to the stern of the ship, so it was a pretty long walk to get back most nights. At this point I probably would not do guaranty again unless the savings were significant, which they seldom are. Being able to pick a room mid-ship near the elevators was worth every penny on my next cruise, and it's probably going to be the plan going forward.

[Illbcruzn4life]

3 hours ago, Lerin said:

I'm confused as to why you booked guarantee knowing you liked midship interior cabins? 

Since you have a preference; book what you want. 

Guarantee cabins are for people who don't care where they end up. 

gty cabins were all that were available when OP booked