What would you do? Utopia

[colesc15]

Currently, we're booked in a casino comp b2b in the same cabin. It's a virtual balcony, which we've had before and didn't mind. 

 

I can upgrade to an oceanview balcony guarantee for each sailing for about $30 total between the two sailings.. Obvious downside is not having the same cabin and having to change cabins. 

 

Would you just keep what I have, or get the oceanview balcony but have to move after day 4? The more we've done interiors/virtual balconies, I don't mind them, it's just so cheap to go to the oceanview balcony that it has me considering it. 

[molly361]

I would take the OV balcony and change cabins 

[OCSC Mike]

If you value the OV balcony even the slightest bit I would upgrade.

 

I've only done one 3/4 B2B. We switched cabins and it wasn't a big deal to us.

[bajathree]

I have very similar choice...have Oceanview balcony comp for the 4 night and interior comp for the 3 night. However I was able to get the interior directly opposite the balcony...so very easy move and same room attendant most likely. But just like you....for like $10 I could switch to an Oceanview balcony Guar for the 3 night.

Edited May 1 by bajathree

[colesc15]

3 minutes ago, bajathree said:

I have very similar choice...have Oceanview balcony comp for the 4 night and interior comp for the 3 night. However I was able to get the interior directly opposite the balcony...so very easy move and same room attendant most likely. But just like you....for like $10 I could switch to an Oceanview balcony Guar for the 3 night.

I keep going back and forth on it since I didn't mind the interior when I was 100% against it for years until we tried it. 

[colesc15]

21 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

If you value the OV balcony even the slightest bit I would upgrade.

 

I've only done one 3/4 B2B. We switched cabins and it wasn't a big deal to us.

Decisions decisions. I was shocked my wife and I didn't hate the interior our first time after 20 cruises of balcony or above 

[OCSC Mike]

12 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Decisions decisions. I was shocked my wife and I didn't hate the interior our first time after 20 cruises of balcony or above 

That’s somewhat similar to how we wound up in interiors. My wife cruised as a kid & her parents always had a balcony. When we went on our honeymoon cruise (my first ever) we obviously got a balcony b/c my wife said that’s what she needs.

 

After several more cruises with a balcony we were exactly 4 points from Diamond. I suggested we go on the cheapest 4N cruise from PC (an hour drive for us) in an interior to get to Diamond then we could go back to the balcony she thought she needed. It turned out that she liked the interior & we never looked back.

 

We’ve had balconies since then on family cruises (a couple with GS’s) and confirmed that we don’t even use them when they’re there for free. We even missed the darkness & how cold interiors can get at times.

 

Anyway, that’s why I mentioned “if you value the balcony” in my response. It holds virtually no value to us and I wouldn’t get one just because it’s a great deal on paper, even without the switching cabin part, but everyone values things differently.

[colesc15]

44 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

That’s somewhat similar to how we wound up in interiors. My wife cruised as a kid & her parents always had a balcony. When we went on our honeymoon cruise (my first ever) we obviously got a balcony b/c my wife said that’s what she needs.

 

After several more cruises with a balcony we were exactly 4 points from Diamond. I suggested we go on the cheapest 4N cruise from PC (an hour drive for us) in an interior to get to Diamond then we could go back to the balcony she thought she needed. It turned out that she liked the interior & we never looked back.

 

We’ve had balconies since then on family cruises (a couple with GS’s) and confirmed that we don’t even use them when they’re there for free. We even missed the darkness & how cold interiors can get at times.

 

Anyway, that’s why I mentioned “if you value the balcony” in my response. It holds virtually no value to us and I wouldn’t get one just because it’s a great deal on paper, even without the switching cabin part, but everyone values things differently.

Agreed! We found ourselves using the balcony less and less, and loved how dark and cool the interior cabin was. We randomly had the virtual balcony on Wonder last month and that felt like a nice in between because I could at least see what it was like outside at any time instantly. 

[Sunshine3601]

Is it definitely an OVB or any chance of ending up with a boardwalk balcony?   

 

Are there obstructed OVB on Utopia?   If yes, would you be upset if got one?  

 

Would it matter what location you ended up with a guarantee cabin?

 

Just some things to consider.

[colesc15]

3 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Is it definitely an OVB or any chance of ending up with a boardwalk balcony?   

 

Are there obstructed OVB on Utopia?   If yes, would you be upset if got one?  

 

Would it matter what location you ended up with a guarantee cabin?

 

Just some things to consider.

Yes, it'd be a oceanview balcony. And no obstructed oceanview view balconies on any oasis class ships

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Agreed! We found ourselves using the balcony less and less, and loved how dark and cool the interior cabin was. We randomly had the virtual balcony on Wonder last month and that felt like a nice in between because I could at least see what it was like outside at any time instantly. 

We had a virtual balcony once from a GTY. It didn’t do much for us but I get why people like them. We really don’t care about seeing outside for whatever reason. Also had a Central Park view interior once. We didn’t use the bench or look out the window much but the room felt/is bigger than a standard interior so we liked it.

[firefly333]

Idk of it's a 3 day or a 4 day, but for a 3 day I wouldn't want to change cabins. 7 days my choice might be it's worth changing. But for 3 days? Probably not. 

[bajathree]

12 hours ago, colesc15 said:

Yes, it'd be a oceanview balcony. And no obstructed oceanview view balconies on any oasis class ships

Yep....agree...that's what makes the choice difficult....there really isn't a bad Oceanview balcony on Oasis class. Maybe end up a long walk or under deck 14 ...but other than that view wise it's all good.

[firefly333]

I must be the only person here who really hates the hassle of packing up and moving cabins. 

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I must be the only person here who really hates the hassle of packing up and moving cabins. 

 

I'm sure you're not alone, lol. I hang up almost all my clothes (our first request from our stateroom attendant is always for a dozen more hangers) so I don't have a ton to throw in my suitcase. Most of it stays on the hangers and just gets moved as-is.

 

My wife has more to pack up. Maybe she'd care more but she didn't think it was a big deal the one time we did it.

 

All that said, we have several B2B's on Utopia booked and I'm definitely happy that none involve moving since they were booked early with group rates.

[firefly333]

24 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

I'm sure you're not alone, lol. I hang up almost all my clothes (our first request from our stateroom attendant is always for a dozen more hangers) so I don't have a ton to throw in my suitcase. Most of it stays on the hangers and just gets moved as-is.

 

My wife has more to pack up. Maybe she'd care more but she didn't think it was a big deal the one time we did it.

 

All that said, we have several B2B's on Utopia booked and I'm definitely happy that none involve moving since they were booked early with group rates.

I have yet for them to move my stuff on hangers. Twice was the week my steward was on vacation so someone else had to do it. Last time they told me to pack myself up and they would move mynsuitcase. Not 1 time have they moved my hanging stuff. I've moved me mostly. 

[OCSC Mike]

20 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I have yet for them to move my stuff on hangers. Twice was the week my steward was on vacation so someone else had to do it. Last time they told me to pack myself up and they would move mynsuitcase. Not 1 time have they moved my hanging stuff. I've moved me mostly. 

 

Ugh, I don't blame you for caring then. I only did the one B2B and it obviously went very smoothly.

[PhillyFan33579]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I must be the only person here who really hates the hassle of packing up and moving cabins. 

I feel the same way you do. I don’t have another B2B booked until 2025, but rule number one is we wouldn’t book a B2B without having the same cabin for both cruises. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I feel the same way you do. I don’t have another B2B booked until 2025, but rule number one is we wouldn’t book a B2B without having the same cabin for both cruises. 

I have a b4b in oct I added 3 legs to recently. My awesome ta managed to find a cabin to stay in this late which is amazing. All the american groups were sold out or gone he added me to canadian on those 3, never happened before. I didnt think it was worth flying home just for a 8 day to coco cay so asked him about adding. I also wasnt aware this early oct groups could be sold out. Or not available. Starting oct 6. He is a  miracle worker this time. 

 

Mariner is coming into Galveston for one 7 day, then doing short hops. I'd almost rather stay hime I'm so stressed. My buyers thought they could just get me to change to whatever bs he wanted. Tried to tell me how busy hes been and he has to get his credit checked and start the loan process. I agreed to 10 extra days to close. So he tells the title company to add 30 days and remove the original buyer, his friend. Says if they are both on the title the payment goes from 1k to 1900. I dont think that's possible but I dont care whose name is on the title but he never even asked me. I told her 10 days and if he doesnt close I'm done. Changed movers to may 27 and 28 now. And then title company needs a wet signature from me. I have to pay a notary to come to me wherever I am. Oddly I could buy in florida twice via docu sign. Not this title company, I need to sign in person in front of a notary. I coukdnt see straight the other day I was so mad. He thinks hes some kind of flipper expert and tried to convince me extensions to close are automatic. And what if he doesnt close in 30 days and I'm unwilling anyway to have this house sit empty 30 days. I hate liars and people who think I can be manipulated. He was all like he was doing this for a family friend, not himself. I dont care, either buy it or not. I dont care how busy you are if this isnt a priority then let me sell to someone else. I'm quiet in person I guess and people think a push over. I didnt even mention my cruise, why let him know the house will be empty next week if he forgot. My time is obviously of no consequence. If it was a couple days due to something out of his control I'd say ok, but not because hes been to busy to apply for a loan. I suspect also hes trying to buy time to come up with the downpayment on the loan. Cancel then and let's move on. It was his attitude made me so mad. Dont agree to 10 days and tell the title company to write it as 30 days. Slippery. I feel exhausted tbh mentally. Not in the mood to cruise. Leaving tomorrow for san antonio. My plans were all lined up. 

[OCSC Mike]

26 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I feel exhausted tbh mentally. Not in the mood to cruise.

 

Yeesh, that's a lot. I don't blame ya. Hope everything works out as best it can and you can manage to enjoy your cruise next week in the meantime.

[firefly333]

Oopps didnt mean to post this here. Please ignore. I thought I posted to the what are you doing thread, not here.. told ya I was exhausted. Sorry. Too late to delete.

[Tree_skier]

I'd take the OV guarantee for $30 without hesitation.  I've only done one B2B but moving wasn't that big a deal when we did it.  Unlike @firefly333 they moved my hanging stuff so I didn't have to pack that stuff.  

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

I'd take the OV guarantee for $30 without hesitation.  I've only done one B2B but moving wasn't that big a deal when we did it.  Unlike @firefly333 they moved my hanging stuff so I didn't have to pack that stuff.  

I have only done one B2B where we had to move. They moved my hanging stuff and “lost”  3 items of clothing so I am in the camp of “stay in the same cabin” or “move the stuff myself”.

 

I know lots of people say it goes smoothly and no problems but not my experience and not one I want to repeat.

[Tree_skier]

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

I have only done one B2B where we had to move. They moved my hanging stuff and “lost”  3 items of clothing so I am in the camp of “stay in the same cabin” or “move the stuff myself”.

 

I know lots of people say it goes smoothly and no problems but not my experience and not one I want to repeat.

I have 2 more B2B's booked. One March 2025 and one Dec 2025.  The first we have to move... We have a GS for the first leg and our DD and son in law are joining us for the second leg and we have a 2BR suite booked for that.  I could have booked the 2 br suite for the first leg but it was an extra $600 and I thought for 600 bucks I'll take the hassle and risk.

 

The second one is on Oasis and we have the same cabin booked for both legs.  

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

I have only done one B2B where we had to move. They moved my hanging stuff and “lost”  3 items of clothing so I am in the camp of “stay in the same cabin” or “move the stuff myself”.

 

I know lots of people say it goes smoothly and no problems but not my experience and not one I want to repeat.

And this is only a 3 or 4 day cruise. If it's a week it would be more worth it. For 3 nights not worth the extra stress for me.