complimentary upgrade vs guarantee

[gm217]

Is there a difference between the two. Which is better to book. Any info would be appreciated.

[coiran]

Never heard of booking a comp upgrade!

 

Ron

[KAWS]

A guarantee means you are guaranteed to get something in the category that you've chosen. For instance if you book an inside guarantee, then you can get any level of inside. It's not considered an upgrade. Same for ocean view or balcony. If you book a balcony, you get a balcony, but it could be the lowest or the middle or highest category; again not an upgrade.

 

An upgrade would be if you booked a balcony guarantee (for example) and you wound up with a suite. Same if you booked an inside and wound up with an ocean view, or a balcony or whatever. Something higher than the cateogory you booked.

 

Does that make sense?

[CruisinChris]

People on these boards often talk about guarantees and upgrades like they're the same thing. A guarantee is a type of booking that does not specify a specific stateroom but that does specify a minimum category (hence the name guarantee). Your stateroom could be assigned anytime from immediately until you arrive at the pier. It's not an "upgrade" if you booked a balcony guarantee (BE for example) and end up in a BA because that's the way the guarantee works.

 

A complimentary upgrade is when you've booked at specific stateroom/category say a BB and Princess changes your room to a BA or above out of the goodness of their heart.

 

BTW, if you change your room and pay a difference in fare, that's not an upgrade - you just changed your booking. (as in I was able to upgrade for $100).

[crusdiva]

A guarantee means you are guaranteed to get something in the category that you've chosen. For instance if you book an inside guarantee, then you can get any level of inside. It's not considered an upgrade. Same for ocean view or balcony. If you book a balcony, you get a balcony, but it could be the lowest or the middle or highest category; again not an upgrade.

An upgrade would be if you booked a balcony guarantee (for example) and you wound up with a suite. Same if you booked an inside and wound up with an ocean view, or a balcony or whatever. Something higher than the cateogory you booked.

Does that make sense?

 

People on these boards often talk about guarantees and upgrades like they're the same thing. A guarantee is a type of booking that does not specify a specific stateroom but that does specify a minimum category (hence the name guarantee). Your stateroom could be assigned anytime from immediately until you arrive at the pier. It's not an "upgrade" if you booked a balcony guarantee (BE for example) and end up in a BA because that's the way the guarantee works.

A complimentary upgrade is when you've booked at specific stateroom/category say a BB and Princess changes your room to a BA or above out of the goodness of their heart.

BTW' date=' if you change your room and pay a difference in fare, that's not an upgrade - you just changed your booking. (as in I was able to upgrade for $100).[/quote']

 

True.

For instance DH and I booked an AE guarantee on our 11/21 Star cruise and today got our cabin assignment - we've moved up 5 "categories" to an AA. :D No additional fees.

[azdmelani]

A guarantee means you are guaranteed to get something in the category that you've chosen. For instance if you book an inside guarantee, then you can get any level of inside. It's not considered an upgrade. Same for ocean view or balcony. If you book a balcony, you get a balcony, but it could be the lowest or the middle or highest category; again not an upgrade.

 

An upgrade would be if you booked a balcony guarantee (for example) and you wound up with a suite. Same if you booked an inside and wound up with an ocean view, or a balcony or whatever. Something higher than the cateogory you booked.

 

Does that make sense?

 

just to clarify- if you book a JJ guarantee (an inside cabin) you are guaranteed that category or better, you would never go down in category

[cherylandtk]

And just one last clarification--some lines do have bookings that are called 'inside guarantee', no specific category named. On Princess, however, one books a specific minimum category. There is no such thing as an 'inside guarantee', the closest equivalent is called a 'Cat M guarantee'--or whatever the lowest inside category is on that particular ship. Many TA's will just call this an inside GTY, but in reality, you have booked a minimum specific category.

[seacuracao]

True.

For instance DH and I booked an AE guarantee on our 11/21 Star cruise and today got our cabin assignment - we've moved up 5 "categories" to an AA. :D No additional fees.

 

That happened to me in May on CB. Best explanation I got was that the more expensive AA's were not booking so they were clearing the other categories of mini's to sell. Anyone can verify that??

My TA also says repeat customers get preference on upgrades??

Unfortunately, now that I am sold on AA's, they are all gone for my Halloween on CB:eek:

AD and lurking for the 28th:)

[bjboothman]

It is also NOT a complimentary upgrade when your TA moves you up from one category to a higher category as the result of a reduction in fare by the cruiseline. That's a situation IMHO where the TA should ask you if you prefer a higher category or a lower price on the cabin you originally booked.

 

I get such a kick out of people who tell me their TA got them this fabulous free upgrade, when I know darn well that I made the choice of either taking the better room or the reduction in price.

[sonomaphil]

That happened to me in May on CB. Best explanation I got was that the more expensive AA's were not booking so they were clearing the other categories of mini's to sell. Anyone can verify that??

My TA also says repeat customers get preference on upgrades??

 

That is usually the reason the move people up in category. Cruise lines always like to have lower priced cabins available at all times.

 

I think your TA is wrong about repeat customers getting preference. If anything most people around here think it's the opposite!

[seacuracao]

It is also NOT a complimentary upgrade when your TA moves you up from one category to a higher category as the result of a reduction in fare by the cruiseline. That's a situation IMHO where the TA should ask you if you prefer a higher category or a lower price on the cabin you originally booked.

 

I get such a kick out of people who tell me their TA got them this fabulous free upgrade, when I know darn well that I made the choice of either taking the better room or the reduction in price.

 

 

ooohhhh, NOW THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING.

How would the layman know to take advantage of the lower fare vs upgrade?

 

Yesterday, i learned I can get bagels and lox even though it is not on the room service menu.

Today I will learn how to save some money to spend in the casino(NOT)

 

You can learn a lot around here!

[spongerob]

How would the layman know to take advantage of the lower fare vs upgrade?

It pays to keep an eye on pricing yourself. I have a couple of websites that have live pricing I use to benchmark cruise prices. If they go down, no doubt others have, too. If you see it, call and ask your TA about it. Some agents are really good about checking on these things themselves. Others have to be prodded. Keeping yourself informed is quite easy, and occasionally well worth$$ the effort. Cha-ching! :)

[monakayk]

And just one last clarification--some lines do have bookings that are called 'inside guarantee', no specific category named. On Princess, however, one books a specific minimum category. There is no such thing as an 'inside guarantee', the closest equivalent is called a 'Cat M guarantee'--or whatever the lowest inside category is on that particular ship. Many TA's will just call this an inside GTY, but in reality, you have booked a minimum specific category.

 

OK---this is exactly what I did...an 'inside guarantee' and it is called a Cat. M on my confirmation.

 

So that means I can end up in a higher category if all the lowest categories are booked?

 

I am confused now all about it...where we might end up.

[monakayk]

o

Yesterday, i learned I can get bagels and lox even though it is not on the room service menu.

 

So what do you have to do to get bagels and lox for room service?

 

Is that the only thing you can get if it is not on the room service menu?

[seacuracao]

So what do you have to do to get bagels and lox for room service?

 

Is that the only thing you can get if it is not on the room service menu?

check out room service questions by cruisermon jul 8:cool:

seems so, but that is enough for me. You can "retail" cereal, milk, yogurt, etcfor consignment to the fridge for later snacking:D