2nd Cabin Additional Charge

[sjinnj]

Maybe it's just me and I'm dense or having a bad day, but why when I try to book a 2nd cabin RC is trying to charge me several hundred dollars for me to pick the location or they will pick one for me for a lower price.  Obviously, everyone wants their cabins together.  Why is this when I can pick where my 1st cabin is, why wouldn't people just start a new booking and pick the location of the 2nd cabin without this fee?  Or am I just doing something wrong?  Thanks 

[1025cruise]

Guaranteed cabins are always cheaper than pick your own.

[Biker19]

10 minutes ago, sjinnj said:

Or am I just doing something wrong? 

Probably - sounds like you are mixing up booking types between GTY and non-GTY. A bit more detail on what you are trying to do may elicit more feedback.

Edited July 11, 2022 by Biker19

[dcgrumpy]

Are the rooms identical types with the same amount of people? It has nothing to do with booking one room and adding a second. It sounds like the first room that you booked didn't have an Guarantees available, but it was an option for the second room.

 

I don't look at it as them charging a fee to pick my room. I look at it as a discount if I choose not to pick my own room.

[sjinnj]

So, I am trying to book two cabins across the hall from one another.  One an interior and the 2nd an ocean view.  So, 3 people (2 adults 1 child) in 1st interior cabin, starts out at 731 pp and then magically increases to 977 pp.  Then choose 2nd cabin (1 adult and 1 child) goes from 831 they pick where cabin is or 1204, I pick.  Why the almost 400 increase?

[alohayall]

Those GTY rates are seen as a discount. At least that’s what we have come to accept. And they typically aren’t offered until inventory goes down. 
 

You are trading control for a discount. Not everyone is willing.  
 

I am used to Disney pricing. Opening day is the lowest price you can get and pick your room.  After a predetermined number of cabins in a category are booked, they raise the price. Loyal cruisers get early booking (but get no % off like C&A).  If the cabins are not selling well, they will offer a GTY rate. But it is book now, pay now, and no change or cancellation.  I am pretty sure Royal also raises prices as it fills the ship, also, and then offers those deeply discounted GTY rates to get to a full boat.  (They also seem to drop rates and allow re-booking.)

 

As for needing two cabins in close proximity - you are not the intended consumer for GTY rates. It is for cruisers who are willing to be put anywhere on a ship.  

 

It is perception - what you see as being charged more, they offer as a savings opportunity. Or else, I have drunk too much of the cruise industry’s koolaid.

Edited July 11, 2022 by alohayall

[Biker19]

59 minutes ago, sjinnj said:

Why the almost 400 increase?

Because that's how much RCI guesses folks are willing to pay for the certainty of location.

[sjinnj]

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Because that's how much RCI guesses folks are willing to pay for the certainty of location.

The thing is I can just start another booking and get a cabin right next to the first no problems and save $800.  

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, sjinnj said:

The thing is I can just start another booking and get a cabin right next to the first no problems and save $800.  

Then do that.

[cruiseguy1016]

1 hour ago, sjinnj said:

The thing is I can just start another booking and get a cabin right next to the first no problems and save $800.  

 

This is the way we always book when we travel with another couple.

[FionaMG]

I have seen this situation before too. It happened when I said I wanted two cabins. After picking the first cabin, the second (identical category and occupancy) went up in price. I have no idea why. 

I did as the OP says, two cabins booked separately, and got them both at the same (cheaper) rate. 

I wonder how many people don't notice?

[Cruise a holic]

Unless booking suites, I wouldn't book a guarantee ever.  I wouldn't want to be above or below a public area or near any public area.  So you could wind up with a poorly and noisy cabin.  

 

Better to pay more and pick out exactly what you want.

 

[Cruise a holic]

2 hours ago, FionaMG said:

I have seen this situation before too. It happened when I said I wanted two cabins. After picking the first cabin, the second (identical category and occupancy) went up in price. I have no idea why. 

I did as the OP says, two cabins booked separately, and got them both at the same (cheaper) rate. 

I wonder how many people don't notice?

Some cabins that accommodate three or more guests cost more for the cabin.