What is a cabin Guarentee, has anyone actually been successfull to get the upgrade?

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tech_fanatic

Okay, a guarentee cabin is what a cruise line does when they oversell a particular cabin category. They expect a certain number of rooms to cancel and when they do, they have a backup this way. Similar to what airlines do by overooking flights, but with the case of the airlines, they don't always have a backup when everyone shows up, the cruise line will.

Let's say you book an inside stateroom with a guarentee. If your cruise line has some cancellations in that particular category, then you will get one of the room numbers that becomes available. However, if no one cancels in that category, you will be upgraded. Sometimes it doesn't amount to much, maybe a higher deck or something like that. But, you may get upgrade to a an oceanview room, or even a verandah room and in a few situations a suite.

The thing you have to remember is that you are taking somewhat of a risk for a potential gain. You may get put in a not so great area of the ship, under a night club or something like that (generally these are lower categories so you may not have a problem) you may be at the front or back of the ship, instead of midship, etc. If location doesn't really matter to you, then it is a great way to go. If you are concerned about get sick or anything like that, you may want to book your actual room this time to see if you have any problems, if not you can go guarentee the next time.

Just remember that you won't get to actually pick your stateroom, as you normally would. This is determined by what is available. Sometimes you can find out prior to check-in, but sometimes it isn't as easy. But once it is assigned, you pretty much get that room and there is no moving around.

If there is a room or location you really want, I wouldn't do the guarentee. If you don't care so much, I would do it.

I hope this helps!

moonlillies

I did. I was bumped up about 3 floors.

cruise junkie

carnival is good for upgrade but i hear some others are not..earlyer you book the better your chance

ms xazzia

Well, typically when you book a cruise you can say that you want room #1104, for example. When you do the cabin guarentee, however, you do *not* choose a room and in exchange for a lower rate, you allow them to give you a room of their choice (which you'll get when you check in). They also promise to not give you a cabin in a class less that you pay for and that yes, there is a possibility of an upgrade.

As far as upgrades, it seems that while it does happen here and there, it happens in the minority.

My suggestion? Call the cruiseline. The last time I booked, I gave them my desired class and told them to pick me a room with the least obstruction and they did! It was one of the only rooms on the deck that didn't have an annoying pole obstructing my beautiful view.

It really pays to pick your own room. It's just not worth it to me to save $30-$60 to be placed in a room right next to the main staircase!

Good luck, hope this helps! :)

phantom_of_valkyrie

The reason I would not do this is b/c location matters. My husband gets motion sickness. The higher up you go, the worse it is b/c you are moving more. Plus you are most likely to get a cabin at the front of the ship. This will rock much more than one in the middle and of course, you will be directly in the party zone. Either right underneath the casino and hear it all night long, or risk the possibility numerous people have complained about with their Verandah balcony, that the balcony could be viewed by people standing on the main deck. No topless lounging on the balcony for you. One of my friends on our last cruise had pingpong balls bouncing on their balcony the whole week.

It's not like there is really an "upgrade" to be given. You pay for a balcony cabin. Most of them are exactly the same. You might get the upgrade one category but you aren't going to get the Emperess Suite or anything if you didn't buy the suite.

However, if you already know that neither of you get motion sick and you aren't light sleepers if you happen to be near the casino or disco (or you are the people spending all night in the disco or casino) there is no reason not to save the few bucks on this.

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