CAUTION: NCL category guarantee

[Chalker Guy]

I am VERY unhappy with NCL about now. Party of 3 couples, we are Latitudes, other two are first timers on limited budget. Booked them guarantees on Majesty category HH, deck 3 ocean view (non-obstructed). Cabins are only 108 sf, so booked us on deck 3 category D (145 sf) so we would have enough room to get together. The cabins were booked by an agent as a group. NCL "upgraded" them to deck 8 fully obstructed view cabins, leaving us behind on deck 3. THIS IS NOT AN UPGDRADE!

 

Yes, I knew the possiblility existed, but I thought it was unlikely and that NCL would exercise just a bit of reason. If they can dump you into an obstructed view, they will!

[runner26.2]

Can't you just say no to an upgrade?

[bakerintn]

I can see why you feel the way that you do.

 

However, booking a guarantee is a crap-shoot. If specific cabins in the desired category were not available when booked, then you knew that you would get something other than that. NCL does consider the cabins that you were assigned to be in a higher category than the guarantee, regardless of what you think. The deck 8 ocean view cabins clearly show on their website as a higher priced category than the deck 4 cabins.

 

The degree of obstruction I guess is the issue, and I know that it is hard to find out exactly what that is for each cabin. Nevertheless, it would be reasonable for one to expect that the "best" ocean views would be booked specifically and what NCL would have left would be the less desireable ones.

 

At least the odds on guarantees are better than in the casino!!

 

Have a great cruise, regardless .... as you know there is so much more to a cruise than hanging around in your cabin.

[DMH15]

if you want control don't do guarantee rooms. My cousin TA suggested a giar and I said no. Now my cruise is sold out and I am happy with MY CHOICE.

[beachchick]

IMO, you've got no reason to be mad at NCL. You asked your TA to book those two guarantee cabins; NCL never guarantees that all cabins booked by a party (in your case, three cabins) will be together, the same category, or on the same deck; NCL assigned them where they, the cruise line, chose. What do you mean your TA booked the cabins "as a group"? As far as I know, each cabin has it's own reservation number. The reservations can be linked, but they are not one big reservation. If you aren't willing to take the risk, don't book the GTYs. Either live with it and have the best time possible or call your TA and ask to pay the difference for specific cabins you all want.

 

beachchick

[CC Help Michell]

IMO, you've got no reason to be mad at NCL. You asked your TA to book those two guarantee cabins; NCL never guarantees that all cabins booked by a party (in your case, three cabins) will be together, the same category, or on the same deck; NCL assigned them where they, the cruise line, chose. What do you mean your TA booked the cabins "as a group"? As far as I know, each cabin has it's own reservation number. The reservations can be linked, but they are not one big reservation. If you aren't willing to take the risk, don't book the GTYs. Either live with it and have the best time possible or call your TA and ask to pay the difference for specific cabins you all want.

 

beachchick

 

I agree. I don't understand being angry at NCL for assigning you to any cabin on the ship when you chose a guarantee, as long as it's the same category you booked, or higher. You received exactly what you purchased. If you can't live with the worst category in the class you are booking, OR the worst cabin in any higher category, then don't book a guarantee.

[negn]

I had the same thing happen but had not done gty stateroom. They ""upgrated ""us to obstructed view but the very tiny cabin. My DH and I are not petite. We would have had to climb over each other. Went to pursur to complain and was told they were filled. I stated I would then take an obc for my inconvenience. Ironically they soon gave us our reserved room back

[Birdnutty]

I haven't been in Majesty's obstructed rooms, but I've been in a few others, and they are not that bad. There usually is room to see around the boats - you just don't have full view.

They're usually on a central deck, so it's easy to get to everything much more conveniently. Personally, we'd be thrilled to get that kind of upgrade from a deck 3 porthole.

 

I also always use the same NCL Personal Cruise Consultant instead of outside TA's. Not only is she one of the nicest people alive, she is able to work magic that is not possible with private TA's. I do miss out on some of the perks that outside TA's offer, but there is nothing like having an insider being able to pull strings.

 

Booking a guarantee is gambling, especially with groups. Sometimes you win the jackpot, sometimes not.

[michigan tim]

When you book a gty you are guaranteed that category or higher, but are at the mercy of the cruiseline for your stateroom assignment and the assignment will come from the pool of cabins not booked. I'd certainly consider this an upgrade and who knows, they might even get changed again. Bottom line, it's a gamble; sometimes you win sometimes you lose. I'd call this a slight win. You could also pony up some more dough and move into whatever category you want or perhaps for no additional funds get a stateroom locked in to the original guaranteed category. You have some options.

[CruisnGram]

I am VERY unhappy with NCL about now. Party of 3 couples, we are Latitudes, other two are first timers on limited budget. Booked them guarantees on Majesty category HH, deck 3 ocean view (non-obstructed). Cabins are only 108 sf, so booked us on deck 3 category D (145 sf) so we would have enough room to get together. The cabins were booked by an agent as a group. NCL "upgraded" them to deck 8 fully obstructed view cabins, leaving us behind on deck 3. THIS IS NOT AN UPGDRADE!

 

Yes, I knew the possiblility existed, but I thought it was unlikely and that NCL would exercise just a bit of reason. If they can dump you into an obstructed view, they will!

 

I'm a little confused. How can you book a certain category yet still call it a guarantee? You don't get to pick a specific category if you truly booked a guaranteed cabin. So, there are two scenario's here;

 

1) If you truly booked them in Category H, there's no way NCL can upgrade them to another cabin unless they give their permission. They selected a specific cabin in a specific category, and that's their cabin. So, if that's the case, you need to call NCL and tell them they don't want the upgrade.

 

2) You actually booked a guaranteed cabin and NCL assigned them to Category H. In that case, you cannot control anything that NCL does with moving them around. That's why they offer the guaranteed cabin bookings at lower rates...it's within their control to move those people anywhere they want on the ship. And, since you booked a specific cabin, in a specific category, they won't move you, even though you booked together. As I said in #1, you booked a specific room and they can't move you without your permission.

 

As far as your comment about NCL putting you in OV if they can...of course they will. OV's are less popular and if they need unobstructed for those who are paying more to book a specific category, they are going to do it. I fail to see why you are so upset (or surprised) at this. That's what happens when you book guaranteed. You can't pay the lesser guaranteed price and expect to have the same control as you do when you pay more and select a cabin.

 

CG

[iheartbda]

I'm a little confused. How can you book a certain category yet still call it a guarantee? You don't get to pick a specific category if you truly booked a guaranteed cabin.

 

CG

Now you have me confused.:D

You can book in a guarantee in a certain category, it's the actual cabin # you don't have control over...did it twice.;) One time it was a spur of the moment cruise and I just wanted the cheapest. The second time a friend did all the booking and she was one of those counting on an upgrade....which didn't happen.:D Neither cabin was bad but guarantees are not for us, I like to pick exactly where we'll be.

 

I agree with all those who say the OP has nothing to complain about. Even though they say an obstructed view is not an upgrade they seem to be very upset that they were "left behind on deck 3". Maybe this is their REAL complaint.

[CruisnGram]

Now you have me confused.:D

You can book in a guarantee in a certain category, it's the actual cabin # you don't have control over...did it twice.;) One time it was a spur of the moment cruise and I just wanted the cheapest. The second time a friend did all the booking and she was one of those counting on an upgrade....which didn't happen.:D Neither cabin was bad but guarantees are not for us, I like to pick exactly where we'll be.

 

 

 

There's lots of confusion here it seems. LOL I'm not overly familiar with guarantee's cause I don't book them, but from what I know, and what I've read, you don't pick an exact cabin category (A,G, H, etc) when you book a guarantee. You book a guarantee in the TYPE of cabin you want....inside, ocean view, balcony, etc.

 

On the Majesty, category HH is an unobstructed ocean view room...a specific category within ocean view rooms. It's not a guarantee. A guarantee would be another category letter (or number) within ocean view cabins and you would be guaranteed an ocean view room or higher. And it could be an obstructed view ocean view.

 

I'm thinking that the OP booked 2 guaranteed ocean view rooms for his friends and they were assigned to category HH originally. Then, NCL decided they needed those cabins and moved the friends to another ocean view cabin....which happened to be obstructed view. Such is the way with guarantee's.

 

CG

[johnritt]

I'm cheap. I always book inside cabins only so I don't get spoiled with a balcony and and am ruined for life.:)

 

That said, I will never book a guarantee because as cheap as I am, I want to choose my location (high and inside). To me, it is worth the extra money to be there.

 

All will be lost if the upgrade fairy calls someday because I do like a deal. Hopefully, upgrade fairies don't call steerage scum.

[punkmuse]

you get to pick the category as that is what determines the price.

 

we booked a GTY category K on deck 4 (that is the price we paid) we did not get to pick our cabin # obviously.

 

when we got our assignment we are on deck 8 in a category J (which i think is the same as K just higher up)

 

you are guaranteed at the very least a cabin in that category on that floor but could get upgraded. i guess its up to you whether or not you think its truly an upgrade

[iheartbda]

There's lots of confusion here it seems. LOL I'm not overly familiar with guarantee's cause I don't book them, but from what I know, and what I've read, you don't pick an exact cabin category (A,G, H, etc) when you book a guarantee. You book a guarantee in the TYPE of cabin you want....inside, ocean view, balcony, etc.

CG

By George, I think you've got it.;)

 

Like I said, I'll never book a guarantee again. I'd rather have a lower unobstructed view cabin than a higher obstructed view one. Also, we like midship and when we go to Bermuda, we like to look out over St. George so I lock in the location. But, to each his own.

[mpk218]

I'm cheap. I always book inside cabins only so I don't get spoiled with a balcony and and am ruined for life.:)

 

That said, I will never book a guarantee because as cheap as I am, I want to choose my location (high and inside). To me, it is worth the extra money to be there.

 

All will be lost if the upgrade fairy calls someday because I do like a deal. Hopefully, upgrade fairies don't call steerage scum.

 

 

Thats exactly who they call . They dont offer upgrades to those who already are paying the big bucks. ;)

And if they do force you into a balcony or better cabin

one of these days , just keep the drapes shut :D

But if you stay high and inside ,,, swing away.

[johnritt]

[/color]

 

 

Thats exactly who they call . They dont offer upgrades to those who already are paying the big bucks. ;)

And if they do force you into a balcony or better cabin

one of these days , just keep the drapes shut :D

But if you stay high and inside ,,, swing away.

 

Crap. It's like a drug dearler giving away that first bag for free. Get you hooked for cheap and then there you are, on the streets selling yourself for a balcony or worse, a suite.:eek:

 

As far a swinging goes, I doubt DW would go for it.:)

[terrymtex01]

I don't mean this as a flame to the OP, but this thread just goes to confirm with me how people often blame or get ticked at NCL for their own actions. It is hard to accept ultimate responsibility.

[Ilivetogo]

My FIRST cruise will be this August to Alaska on STAR.

Can someone please tell me what a "guarantee" room IS? I haven't a clue what you are talking about.

I rather enjoy being at least somewhat knowledgeable and I'm trying to learn more and more by reading here at CC. :p

[johnritt]

My FIRST cruise will be this August to Alaska on STAR.

 

Can someone please tell me what a "guarantee" room IS? I haven't a clue what you are talking about.

 

I rather enjoy being at least somewhat knowledgeable and I'm trying to learn more and more by reading here at CC. :p

 

 

A guarrantee room is a room that is not initially assigned to you. You do not get to pick the room you will be in but are guaranteed a room of that catagory OR higher. The cruiseline can put you anywhere on the ship as long as the catagory of cabin you are given is the catagory you have picked or is a higher priced catagory.

 

Some choose a guarantee because it is usually cheaper. Some choose a guarantee because sometimes it will get them a higher catagory room for a low catagory price.

 

I think this is right and hope it helps.

[newmexicoNita]

I am VERY unhappy with NCL about now. Party of 3 couples, we are Latitudes, other two are first timers on limited budget. Booked them guarantees on Majesty category HH, deck 3 ocean view (non-obstructed). Cabins are only 108 sf, so booked us on deck 3 category D (145 sf) so we would have enough room to get together. The cabins were booked by an agent as a group. NCL "upgraded" them to deck 8 fully obstructed view cabins, leaving us behind on deck 3. THIS IS NOT AN UPGDRADE!

 

Yes, I knew the possiblility existed, but I thought it was unlikely and that NCL would exercise just a bit of reason. If they can dump you into an obstructed view, they will!

 

I know how you feel, it happened to us on HAL, actually we were upgraded less than our friends, but they had the obstructed view like what you seem to be explaining. It may not seem like an upgrade but it is..Again, this is the chance we take when we choose a guarantee. I have yet to get a really good cabin from opting to go this way, others I know have gone from inside to balcony (that is rare but can happen) it is all a gamble.

 

Nita

[dutchess43]

For all the reasons that was memtioned prior that is why I will not book a guarantee. I would rather take a less cabin but know what I am getting then leaving it up to the cruise line.

[teacher_md]

I booked a Balcony Guarantee on the Pearl and didn't like our assignment. The room they gave us was WAY up in the front of the ship and had connecting doors. I politely called my online travel agent and explained to them the situation and asked them to allow us to change (expecting them to say NO way). Anyway, after paying a $39 change fee they allowed us to choose our own room assignment. Somehow, after all was said and done we ended up paying less because of the current lower rates being offered now compared to when we booked. A little confusing....

 

BUT - I learned that it's not worth it to book a guarantee. If you pay a little more you get what you want and get peace of mind. THIS TIME I got lucky.

 

just wanted to share, AJ

[mmceachn]

I almost always book an outside or balcony GTY, with the understanding that I have no control whatsoever where the cabin will be. I do this to save a little money.

 

The obstructed view cabins on Deck 8 of the Majesty are nice. I would rather be on deck 8 than on deck 3. I have stayed in 815 and 830 and each was only partially obstructed.

828 is fully obstructed, but when we got to St. Georges the lifeboat was taken down for safety drills, so we had a nice view while in port.

 

When I book with my family, we pick our cabins and pay a little more to get the cabins together.

 

When you book a guarantee cabin you are guaranteed at least the catagory that you paid for or you may be upgraded to a higher catagory.

I recently booked an BD garantee on the Dawn and was upgraded to a BB

 

I was happy

[Dukegirl5577]

It totally depends on the itinerary, because with some sailings, you get a lower rate if you book a GTY. In this case, you book by "inside" or "outside" or "balcony." Generic categories like that.

 

With others, the GTY rate is no different than the regular rate, and you are guaranteed a cabin in a particular rate category, such as BB or I or KK, etc. In that case, you pick the rate you want, and are guaranteed to get assigned a cabin in that class or higher. So the upgrade mght be from K to J, or something like that.