A “guarantee” cabin selection is where you pay for the cabin category you are willing to take but you allow the cruise line to select the cabin for you. You are guaranteed to get accommodated in minimum category you have selected; you will never get a lower category. But, by choosing a guarantee you have an excellent opportunity of being upgraded to a higher category, usually within the same cabin type (inside to inside, outside to outside, verandah to verandah etc.). While it does happen, it’s rare to be upgraded to a higher cabin type.
On the other hand, you might not only end up in the category you paid for, you could get a cabin in an undesirable location that you would never have chosen for yourself; at that point, you can’t complain about it.
If you like to gamble a guarantee category cabin is for you! A guarantee can be a really good deal. For those of you that are feeling lucky and you know what the disadvantages might be, and you can accept that. Take the chance and the great deal. If, on the other hand, you’d be miserable getting that cabin all the way at the very front of the ship at the lowest level you’d be better off just choosing your cabin at the outset.
Upgrades happen sometimes when a cruise line has a ship in which a certain category of cabin has sold out or is in an “oversell” situation, meaning that more cabins have been sold in that category than actually exist. The cruise line can hardly downgrade someone who has paid for their cruise, so they select certain passengers and upgrade them to whatever has more availability. That’s where a guarantee category can be a good deal; as for the random selection, it’s the luck of the draw.
To big questions that face Cruisers who take the risk of booking a cabin guarantee are: This there a big enough savings to make the suspense worth it? And, perhaps even more important, what are the chances you’ll end up with an upgrade?
Cruisers who book their cruise with a cabin assignment, other cruisers who book a guarantee are only promised a stateroom (somewhere, anywhere on the ship) in the exact same category that they’ve chosen. The actual cabin may not be assigned until sometime after your booking usually closer to departure.
Cruisers are guaranteed a cabin in the category they’ve purchased, with the possibility of an upgrade. You give up the chance to pick your spot — midship, high deck, low deck, etc.
The Money-wise advantages of a guarantee depend on cruise lines. In some cases, even if you don’t get an upgrade you can still save a few bucks. Carnival is among those that sell guarantee cabins at slightly lower fares.
Holland America and Princess are among the cruiselines that permit cabin assignments or guarantees, in a particular category, but you’ll pay the same price. The enticement of the guarantee is the possibility of an upgrade — and it does happen with these cruiselines. If you book a guarantee in a certain category and that category is full, you might get upgraded. On the other hand, someone else (perhaps a member of the past-passenger program with higher status) might get upgraded and you might get their cabin in your category. There’s no way to tell.
Unless you will be happy with a cabin in that category don’t book a guarantee! In other words, if you will not be happy with anything less than a Balcony, don’t book an oceanview guarantee.
The cruise line is not required to give you a cabin in a higher category than you booked! Book a guarantee exactly like you would book an assigned cabin — book the least expensive category that you will be happy with. If you receive an upgrade it will be a nice surprise, but not something you should count on.
“When will I get my cabin assignment?” Sorry to say, there is no answer to that question. A lot of variables play in to that answer. Like how full your particular sailing is. Either way, waiting for a cabin assignment is a pre-cruise ritual.
If you are not a picky sailor and the cruiseline is offering a lower fare than the least expensive assigned cabin, go for it. You are guaranteed to get at least what you paid for or you just might be lucky and get a fabulous upgrade.
If you’re very particular about location, then a guarantee definitely isn’t for you.
You can contact me locally in Florida (the world’s cruise capital) Toll Free at 1-877-999-4970 or by email at erdmanj@discountcruises.com to book today.
