Over the last few months there have been a large number of 'Getaway deals' or 'Guarantee' deals on the various cruise lines, so I am not sure recently how many times I have had the conversations about guaranteed cabins, but thought that this would be good to share.
So let’s start, what is a guaranteed cabin, well it means you will get at least a cabin of the category you book on but at the time of booking we do not know exactly which cabin it will be. Each cruise line has different descriptions, but if you book a guaranteed inside you will get at least an inside, a guaranteed suite means you will get a suite etc.
You will certainly be advised before you sail of your assigned cabin, however if you don't like the position there is little or no chance that the cruise line will change the assigned cabin.
Simples, so far! But is it like a game of poker and can you improve the odds?
How many D8 inside cabins are there on Cunard ships, how many A7 cabins are there on QE and QV or how many BF cabins are there on some Princess ships? Can you find a Category W, X, Y or Z cabin on a deck plan for Royal? Well, the answer is not many and no respectively.
These are the ones that are generally sold on a guarantee basis; don't know why, probably so the lead price advertised by the cruise line is low and increases the 'popularity' of the sailing.
So choosing one of these or other guaranteed cabins may increase your odds of getting an upgrade, you might get a Royal Flush! or you might just have to stick. If you want to win it you have got to be in it! But beware, some of the balcony cabins in the categories on which the guarantees are sold may have a metal front or even an obstructed view.
Bit of anecdotal evidence, booked one of my regular customers last Sunday, I will call him Mr WXYZ. onto Queen Victoria, he does book late and look for the good cabin at the right price and we had a long discussion about what to do, he took a guaranteed Balcony cabin (A7). I have just had the upgrade notice and he has got an A1 balcony in an excellent midships position, what a result!
I have seen others, and not just from Cunard or Princess but don't forget someone will get the obstructed view cabin or the one right at the front and you can't complain if its you, the rub of the 'cheap' deal there!
Now there has been a lot of press about P&O and Cunard's new Vantage fares and also the re-categorisation of the cabins, so not sure what will happen next year. But if they do do Getaway fares on a guarantee the same principles will apply.
This approach is really no good if you want a specific cabin, want to be on Port or midships etc. but if you have no preference then is it worth your gamble? If it was me, I'd probably give it a go the more the bargain the better.
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