Quick question on swapping people between cabins onboard

[tidecruiser]

There are a few of my friends going on a cruise together.  Due to different offers (and some folks having better offers than others) we had to put people in cabins other than the person they would like to room to get the lowest price for each cabin.  We were told that we need to book this way so that we get the lowest rates, but once onboard we can go to Guest Services and they will switch people between cabins without any issues.  Have any of you had experience switching people between cabins once onboard?  Any thoughts or advice you can share?

[retiredgram]

6 minutes ago, tidecruiser said:

There are a few of my friends going on a cruise together.  Due to different offers (and some folks having better offers than others) we had to put people in cabins other than the person they would like to room to get the lowest price for each cabin.  We were told that we need to book this way so that we get the lowest rates, but once onboard we can go to Guest Services and they will switch people between cabins without any issues.  Have any of you had experience switching people between cabins once onboard?  Any thoughts or advice you can share?

We have the same issue and have been told the same as you,

[Colorado Beach Bum]

We have done this a few times. The last time we didn’t want to mess up the casino offers so we just got an extra key to each of the rooms so each could access room they needed to.  I’m sure we could have just changed rooms too.  But really, no problem to do this. 

[dallasdan]

We did this in August.  We were 2 couples sailing and because my DW and I had the better casino offers, we put the wives in one room and guys in another.  Once we boarded and did our muster drill, we went to guest services and they swapped the rooms and gave us new sail and sign cards.  It was easy.  

[chrpai]

I did this a few years ago.  One adult and one minor in one room and one adult and one minor in the other room.   Onboard guest services had no problems moving the kids around to be in their own interior across the hall.

 

We didn't have the cheers package so that might have been an issue.  Or we might have gotten away with something if we had.  I don't know.

[hapytobehr]

We have done it before and never had any issue.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[Elaine5715]

You don't switch people.  You just get extra cards to open the doors.  They don't care where you sleep.

[Nic6318]

Hi 

 

I have never had to do this sort of thing but I understand that it is done often and does work. I also won't get into questioning why people so often feel the need to game the system.

 

My only thoughts on the matter were that it would seem fine when you are "keeping it in the family", but if you are doing this with friends or colleagues, you put yourself in the position where you are relying on their dependability. What happens if anyone can't make it? Depending on the booking, canceling now gets more complicated. Right now, what happens if someone tests + before sailing?

[pamesacruisin]

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

You don't switch people.  You just get extra cards to open the doors.  They don't care where you sleep.

We are a family of 5 with 3 cabins.  So we can each have card keys to all 3 cabins?  

[volfan22701]

we have done this many times. no issues but each person changing rooms need to be there with their card.

[Melcoug]

Just did this last weekend. Three of us traveling, but only two of us had good rate offers. Booked one balcony and one inside to make things cheaper. I was booked in the balcony with the friend who had a good rate, but the other friend who was booked solo in the inside wanted to be in the balcony. 

 

Once onboard, we made a "reservation" for Guest Services through the Hub app so we didn't have to wait in line. I got a key for the inside and the other friend got a key for the balcony. Guest services didn't care and neither did the room stewards. You'll need to carry around two cards, but "room key" has different printing on it so it's easy to tell apart from your sign and sail card. 

[Elaine5715]

28 minutes ago, pamesacruisin said:

We are a family of 5 with 3 cabins.  So we can each have card keys to all 3 cabins?  

Yep

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

We have done it. Booked my daugther in love with me and my son with my husband. We are platinum and this way we could all embark and debark together. All we did was ask for additional keys. It was great. My son and daughter in love enjoyed the laundry service and strawberries🙂

[volfan22701]

we have never had to use 2 cards. always made a new card for the ones switching rooms so it functioned just like the original. have done this on at least 7 or 8 cruises.

[Bgcruising]

17 hours ago, tidecruiser said:

There are a few of my friends going on a cruise together.  Due to different offers (and some folks having better offers than others) we had to put people in cabins other than the person they would like to room to get the lowest price for each cabin.  We were told that we need to book this way so that we get the lowest rates, but once onboard we can go to Guest Services and they will switch people between cabins without any issues.  Have any of you had experience switching people between cabins once onboard?  Any thoughts or advice you can share?

Yes. Do whatever it takes to get the lowest price possible. Even if it's a hassle  dont forget to buy the cheers package too while minors are with adults so you dont have to pay for both drinking adults. 

[SeaBrz]

6 hours ago, chrpai said:

I did this a few years ago.  One adult and one minor in one room and one adult and one minor in the other room.   Onboard guest services had no problems moving the kids around to be in their own interior across the hall.

 

We didn't have the cheers package so that might have been an issue.  Or we might have gotten away with something if we had.  I don't know.

I’m definitely NOT trying to be the “cabin police”, but did want to mention that legally the ships require an adult 21 or older in each cabin. I sail from a popular Spring Break port and, although I’ve only seen this enforced during that time, it does happen. I had the great misfortune on one cruise getting an adjacent balcony cabin to four teen “Girls Gone Wild” while their parents slept peacefully in inside cabins across the hall. We heard them, but were less affected then people on lower decks. They were reported climbing between balconies and throwing stuff down on lower decks. According to our room steward, after the second night the family was told they were going to be kicked off at the next port if it continued. It was my last FL cruise in March or April.

[nlktx49]

Not what I thought this was going to be about, so disappointed.😁

[chrpai]

1 hour ago, SeaBrz said:

I’m definitely NOT trying to be the “cabin police”, but did want to mention that legally the ships require an adult 21 or older in each cabin. I sail from a popular Spring Break port and, although I’ve only seen this enforced during that time, it does happen. I had the great misfortune on one cruise getting an adjacent balcony cabin to four teen “Girls Gone Wild” while their parents slept peacefully in inside cabins across the hall. We heard them, but were less affected then people on lower decks. They were reported climbing between balconies and throwing stuff down on lower decks. According to our room steward, after the second night the family was told they were going to be kicked off at the next port if it continued. It was my last FL cruise in March or April.

 

Guest services were well aware of their ages and took care of it no problem.  You also clearly haven't met my kids as they don't need the cabin police.  One of them is now at University of Miami on a full ride so if she goes Girls Gone Wild it's out of my hands.

[80sGal]

1 hour ago, SeaBrz said:

I’m definitely NOT trying to be the “cabin police”, but did want to mention that legally the ships require an adult 21 or older in each cabin. I sail from a popular Spring Break port and, although I’ve only seen this enforced during that time, it does happen. I had the great misfortune on one cruise getting an adjacent balcony cabin to four teen “Girls Gone Wild” while their parents slept peacefully in inside cabins across the hall. We heard them, but were less affected then people on lower decks. They were reported climbing between balconies and throwing stuff down on lower decks. According to our room steward, after the second night the family was told they were going to be kicked off at the next port if it continued. It was my last FL cruise in March or April.

This isn't entirely accurate.   Each room does not require an adult over age 21 -- only a responsible party on board based on age.   From Carnival's site:

 

Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:

• Guests 12 and younger
  If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older) traveling in the balcony stateroom with them. 
• Guests 13 - 17 years of age
  Can be separated by up to 3 staterooms from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
• Guests 18 – 20 years of age
  Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer. 

[Dadofsix]

4 hours ago, SeaBrz said:

I’m definitely NOT trying to be the “cabin police”, but did want to mention that legally the ships require an adult 21 or older in each cabin. I sail from a popular Spring Break port and, although I’ve only seen this enforced during that time, it does happen. I had the great misfortune on one cruise getting an adjacent balcony cabin to four teen “Girls Gone Wild” while their parents slept peacefully in inside cabins across the hall. We heard them, but were less affected then people on lower decks. They were reported climbing between balconies and throwing stuff down on lower decks. According to our room steward, after the second night the family was told they were going to be kicked off at the next port if it continued. It was my last FL cruise in March or April.

This is not an accurate statement. Last year on our shut down cruise we booked three cabins all in a row two adults in one cabin, two teenagers in one and the last one with a teenager and a twelve year old. I booked this directly with a Carnival PVP and there was no issues. The restriction that you are suggesting is for singles under 21 years of age traveling without older family members on board.

[tidecruiser]

Thanks for all the replies.  That makes me feel much better.

 

As far as the concern about cheating the system, I agree.  However the PVP was the one who told me this is how we are going to do this to get the best value for everyone.  Which worked out great, 1 of my friends livelihood was significantly impacted and his income drastically effected with the shut downs for a few months and he was boarderline able to go and this allowed him to be placed on a casino rate with another person.  But their personalities wouldn’t go well rooming together.  So we get the best of both worlds and this friend now can join us.

[Computer Nerd]

On 10/21/2021 at 10:00 AM, Elaine5715 said:

You don't switch people.  You just get extra cards to open the doors.  They don't care where you sleep.

My wife does! 😁