Cabin Guarantee Only World Cruises 2017

Just returned from voyage on QM2. Whilst making a 2017 World Cruise booking onboard, I was advised that for these bookings, cabin category guarantees can be given only. This applies to all categories including the Grills. Then 48 hours later they advise the cabin number you have been allocated.

As to why, I was told that a significant reason was the way US citizens book. They can book several overlapping cruises then cancel before final payment and can get their deposits returned. This leaves Cunard with empty cabins at a late stage for which they have to give fare discounts to fill them up.

What they do during the 48 hour period I don't know, perhaps vett the culprits?

I was told that a significant reason was the way US citizens book. They can book several overlapping cruises then cancel before final payment and can get their deposits returned. This leaves Cunard with empty cabins at a late stage for which they have to give fare discounts to fill them up.

Another thing to add to the "Unfair" thread started today.

Is this something new? To the best of my recollection, it's not been mentioned before on this forum previously.

I don't know about an individual being able to book several overlapping cruises - would not Cunard be able to ascertain immediately if someone had done that and prohibit such a practice from occurring?

At any rate, I certainly would not book a cruise and pay a deposit on a guarantee cabin category if what I wanted was a specific cabin. I can't imagine such a policy would have widespread acceptance.

Salacia

If booking a lengthy voyage, at great cost, I would definitely not be prepared to book a guarantee cabin. If I'm spending big bucks, especially as we book Grills, I want a say in where my cabin is situated.

Sorry, no cabin number, no booking!

Is this something new? To the best of my recollection, it's not been mentioned before on this forum previously.

 

I don't know about an individual being able to book several overlapping cruises - would not Cunard be able to ascertain immediately if someone had done that and prohibit such a practice from occurring?

 

At any rate, I certainly would not book a cruise and pay a deposit on a guarantee cabin category if what I wanted was a specific cabin. I can't imagine such a policy would have widespread acceptance.

 

Salacia

They don't need to be overlapping. It could involve holidays over a range from cruises to fly-drives. The problem appears to be making multiple bookings and being able to get the deposits back. It was said it is happening more and more.

I raised it at the QM-2 M&G. One or two said they knew about people making one or more bookings before making a final choice but they didn't do it. One person seemed to think that is what Indepence did for them (you can't get your deposit back in the UK) and another who suggested it was now a pretty rife practice.

They don't need to be overlapping. It could involve holidays over a range from cruises to fly-drives. The problem appears to be making multiple bookings and being able to get the deposits back. It was said it is happening more and more.

 

I raised it at the QM-2 M&G. One or two said they knew about people making one or more bookings before making a final choice but they didn't do it. One person seemed to think that is what Indepence did for them (you can't get your deposit back in the UK) and another who suggested it was now a pretty rife practice.

If I understand correctly, you are saying that some passengers in the US book more than one cruise, pay a deposit...then at a later date, they decide which cruise/s to take and cancel the other/s. Their deposit is then processed for refund (not an immediate process - during the interim time, Cunard has use of the deposit). Yes, this would mean that some cabins become available before final payment is made, as happens for various reasons such as an unforeseen event, illness, etc.

What I'm having trouble understanding is how Cunard can use this practice (which apparently is completely acceptable as per Cunard's booking conditions) to tell passengers that they must accept a guarantee cabin category rather than a specific cabin if that is what they prefer.

Isn't there some special fare scheme on your side of the pond that requires booking a guarantee cabin category? Other than that, I'm surprised passengers would pay a non-refundable deposit in the hope that the cabin assigned to them would be acceptable as opposed to selecting the cabin of their choice at regular fare.

BTW, I've heard of passengers booking more than one voyage for kennel space because the kennel is in such high demand and has to be booked far in advance, sometimes before plans are firm. But I personally don't know anyone who books more than one cruise for capricious reasons - although, apparently, it violates none of Cunard's rules to do so.

Salacia

After booking a guarantee BA cabin last year. On allocation was not happy, couldn't cancel without losing the deposit and unable to change it. It was 60+ night voyage and we were Diamond members. Note "were" we wont travel Cunard again.

Just returned from voyage on QM2. Whilst making a 2017 World Cruise booking onboard, I was advised that for these bookings, cabin category guarantees can be given only. This applies to all categories including the Grills. Then 48 hours later they advise the cabin number you have been allocated.

 

As to why, I was told that a significant reason was the way US citizens book. They can book several overlapping cruises then cancel before final payment and can get their deposits returned. This leaves Cunard with empty cabins at a late stage for which they have to give fare discounts to fill them up.

 

What they do during the 48 hour period I don't know, perhaps vett the culprits?

These long cruises tend to fill up quickly. Is it not possible that the category you wanted was already filled up and only a guarantee was available? Since you have just tried to make a booking and given that it was a World Cruise, maybe you were a little late in immediately getting a specific confirmation?

As for Cunard blaming the US passengers, doesn't Cunard also allow reservations by UK residents on segments and a period wherein the deposit can be refunded? If not, then the problem lies with Cunard. They have the ability to control the allocation of the cabins. I see nothing wrong with reserving segments of a World Cruise because it is permitted by the cruise line.

And I fully agree with the foregoing posters who said they would not make such a reservation. It is idiotic.

These long cruises tend to fill up quickly. Is it not possible that the category you wanted was already filled up and only a guarantee was available? Since you have just tried to make a booking and given that it was a World Cruise, maybe you were a little late in immediately getting a specific confirmation?

 

As for Cunard blaming the US passengers, doesn't Cunard also allow reservations by UK residents on segments and a period wherein the deposit can be refunded? If not, then the problem lies with Cunard. They have the ability to control the allocation of the cabins. I see nothing wrong with reserving segments of a World Cruise because it is permitted by the cruise line.

 

And I fully agree with the foregoing posters who said they would not make such a reservation. It is idiotic.

No Tampa Girl they had several free cabins. We were paying full fare, chose one, a P2 in Princess Grill on the sunny side but warned we might not get it. Forty-eight hours later we were offered one on the other side.

In the UK you pay a deposit, generally 15% at the time of booking. It is non-returnable if you cancel for any reason. If medical you may be able to recover it through your insurance company.

I'm not sure that Americans booking multiple voyages is the problem here. We booked months back for 2017 QE SF-Southampton and were told it was guaranteed only in our category (balcony).

I assumed it was because of the way they divide up availability for various segments. Think about it, if they offer segments plus the entire world cruise they have to..in effect...hold cabins available for each segment and hold cabins for anyone wanting the whole world cruise. It must be some crazy algorithm used to allow booking of both types of cruises.

We were assigned the room we wanted within a few days. Of course being from the US, had I not liked the room I could have cancelled and got all my money back. That's the real difference here. I don't know why others cannot get their deposit back, is it policy or law?

After booking a guarantee BA cabin last year. On allocation was not happy, couldn't cancel without losing the deposit and unable to change it. It was 60+ night voyage and we were Diamond members. Note "were" we wont travel Cunard again.

Sorry for your bad experience. But the truth is that when we book a guarantee category on a ship, the terms are well published and should be of no surprise.

I guess it's something we all learn eventually: Don't book a guarantee category if you can't accept the terms - and plan on being assigned the worst cabin in that category, just in case the Fates are not on your side ;) And the corollary is that sometimes an upgrade isn't an upgrade. :eek:

Just to add: often cabin assignments come after final payment date - at least that has been my experience. After final payment date, no one gets a full refund, as far as I know. -S.

Sorry for your bad experience. But the truth is that when we book a guarantee category on a ship, the terms are well published and should be of no surprise.

 

I guess it's something we all learn eventually: Don't book a guarantee category if you can't accept the terms - and plan on being assigned the worst cabin in that category, just in case the Fates are not on your side ;) And the corollary is that sometimes an upgrade isn't an upgrade. :eek:

 

Just to add: often cabin assignments come after final payment date - at least that has been my experience. After final payment date, no one gets a full refund, as far as I know. -S.

Salacia, I think you keep missing the point. The knocked down price guarantee cabins you are writing about which we all understand and where you get your cabin number within weeks of departure after you have made the final payment. This is different and where you can't actually book a cabin number against a full price fare. They tell you which cabin numbers are available in your choice of category and you can request one of them, but they won't confirm for 48 hours whether you can have it. We were warned we might not get the one we wanted and we didn't. This is happening only on World 2017 Voyages and they told me it applied to all category cabins.

In the UK if you try to book online it is clear this is a new way of allocating cabins on World Voyages 2017 and you will only be offered a cabin number 48 hours after you have booked a category and paid the deposit. Whether this new procedure is being used in the USA I don't know.

Just returned from voyage on QM2. Whilst making a 2017 World Cruise booking onboard, I was advised that for these bookings, cabin category guarantees can be given only. This applies to all categories including the Grills. Then 48 hours later they advise the cabin number you have been allocated.

 

As to why, I was told that a significant reason was the way US citizens book. They can book several overlapping cruises then cancel before final payment and can get their deposits returned. This leaves Cunard with empty cabins at a late stage for which they have to give fare discounts to fill them up.

 

What they do during the 48 hour period I don't know, perhaps vett the culprits?

Not sure what happened in this case. We book W.C. segments [QG] the day the bookings go live for past Cunard clients and luckily, always get the cabin number requested. I think some cabins in each category are kept back on the initial booking days but in our experience, you will be able to choose an exact cabin from those released. I don't recall a waiting period to see if that booking will be accepted on that cabin. The booking is taken and we get the cabin of choice, but we do have a few cabins we'd accept.

We wouldn't pay for a cabin unless we knew which one it was.

I have to add here that the cabins we choose are generally not too popular on initial release so that may be why we get our choice.

In the UK if you try to book online it is clear this is a new way of allocating cabins on World Voyages 2017 and you will only be offered a cabin number 48 hours after you have booked a category and paid the deposit. Whether this new procedure is being used in the USA I don't know.

I haven't heard of this but then we don't book online. Maybe you need to talk to an agent.

I haven't heard of this but then we don't book online. Maybe you need to talk to an agent.

I never book online but look to check prices. This I did before boarding QM-2 on 10 Jan 2016. I saw online that only categories could be booked and this was confirmed when I actually booked with Future Cruises on the ship. I have just arrived home and haven't spoken to our Personal Cruise Specialist in Southampton. I book onboard if I can to take advantage of the £350 per cabin deposit.

Salacia, I think you keep missing the point. The knocked down price guarantee cabins you are writing about which we all understand and where you get your cabin number within weeks of departure after you have made the final payment. This is different and where you can't actually book a cabin number against a full price fare. They tell you which cabin numbers are available in your choice of category and you can request one of them, but they won't confirm for 48 hours whether you can have it. We were warned we might not get the one we wanted and we didn't. This is happening only on World 2017 Voyages and they told me it applied to all category cabins.

 

In the UK if you try to book online it is clear this is a new way of allocating cabins on World Voyages 2017 and you will only be offered a cabin number 48 hours after you have booked a category and paid the deposit. Whether this new procedure is being used in the USA I don't know.

I was curious about this so I have done two online W.C.'17 QG dummy bookings. One came up booking on a GUA basis only, the other I was able to continue the booking on a specific cabin right up to the point of confirming payment which naturally I didn't so I can only assume I would have booked the specific cabin.

GUA basis usually means the cabins are booked/mostly booked and is Cunard's usual way of ensuring the booking is taken and you'll get at least that grade, if not higher.

I was curious about this so I have done two online W.C.'17 QG dummy bookings. One came up booking on a GUA basis only, the other I was able to continue the booking on a specific cabin right up to the point of confirming payment which naturally I didn't so I can only assume I would have booked the specific cabin.

 

GUA basis usually means the cabins are booked/mostly booked and is Cunard's usual way of ensuring the booking is taken and you'll get at least that grade, if not higher.

I think you are all missing the point,except the original post we are talking about booking 12 months out plus and being offered a guarantee cabin and paying $20k plus pp. This has only eventuated the last 2 years. Hence no more Cunard for us unless they treat customers as customers

I think you are all missing the point,except the original post we are talking about booking 12 months out plus and being offered a guarantee cabin and paying $20k plus pp. This has only eventuated the last 2 years. Hence no more Cunard for us unless they treat customers as customers

If I may say, you are missing my point.

The thread is about GUAs only on '17 W.C.

I tried a dummy booking this morning and some cabins were on a GUA already. This indicates the cabins are popular. It was also possible to book a non GUA, a specific cabin on a W.C. segment.

If you are offered a catagory GUA now on a cruise which takes place in a year's time, but wanted to choose a cabin rather than have one assigned, my reading is, and I accept I might be wrong, you should have booked earlier.

This is happening more and more with cruise companies. I want to book a 63 night circumnavigation of Australia and NZ with Holland America for Oct 2017. No numbered cabins available on line, so I rang them. They actually have plenty of cabins available on the grade I want, but will only release them on a guarantee basis. Well I am not going to pay £30k plus for a holiday and not know which cabin I am going to get. It might be okay for a 7 night cruise to take a guarantee and risk being opposite the laundry or underneath the restaurant, but I am not going to want that on a long cruise. As for multiple bookings, that is a growing problem. The USA customers have much more generous terms then we do here in the UK, including the ability to have their deposit refunded if they don't go ahead with the booking, and don't get me started on the subject of being able to take advantage of any subsequent price reductions.

Frankly UK customers are treated poorly compared with our Transatlantic neighbours.

These long cruises tend to fill up quickly. Is it not possible that the category you wanted was already filled up and only a guarantee was available? Since you have just tried to make a booking and given that it was a World Cruise, maybe you were a little late in immediately getting a specific confirmation?

 

 

 

As for Cunard blaming the US passengers, doesn't Cunard also allow reservations by UK residents on segments and a period wherein the deposit can be refunded? If not, then the problem lies with Cunard. They have the ability to control the allocation of the cabins. I see nothing wrong with reserving segments of a World Cruise because it is permitted by the cruise line.

 

 

 

And I fully agree with the foregoing posters who said they would not make such a reservation. It is idiotic.

Cunard does not refund UK or Aus passengers. So it is a US issue.

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I just booked the QE world cruise sector Sydney/Kobe and was offered a choice in cabins. I was grateful for this as I wanted a port cabin. At the end of the day it was a significant factor in persuading me to book as otherwise I might have waited for a better offer.

However, I agree with a previous poster that it must be a nightmare for Cunard to control the available cabins for a world cruise given that people are booking either the whole thing or a myriad of different sectors. I would suggest to Cunard that cabin choices should ALWAYS be available for sectors of 30 days plus (or whatever number of days you want to put on it). Given the significant $$ investment this only seems fair.

I think Sectors are ok to book a specific cabin - its the World Voyage that is the problem.

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I'm not sure that Americans booking multiple voyages is the problem here. We booked months back for 2017 QE SF-Southampton and were told it was guaranteed only in our category (balcony).

 

I assumed it was because of the way they divide up availability for various segments. Think about it, if they offer segments plus the entire world cruise they have to..in effect...hold cabins available for each segment and hold cabins for anyone wanting the whole world cruise. It must be some crazy algorithm used to allow booking of both types of cruises.

 

We were assigned the room we wanted within a few days. Of course being from the US, had I not liked the room I could have cancelled and got all my money back. That's the real difference here. I don't know why others cannot get their deposit back, is it policy or law?

We are also booked on the QE2 World Cruise 2017, but could not get an assigned balcony cabin. We were told that it is booked on a GTY, and we will not know our cabin number until after final payment. How were you able to get your cabin assignment so quickly?

We too had a good choice of cabins for the Sydney/Kobe sector - they showed up online and with the TA. We chose the one we wanted very easily. Since we booked in June , however, there are not so many available now.

We too had a good choice of cabins for the Sydney/Kobe sector - they showed up online and with the TA. We chose the one we wanted very easily. Since we booked in June , however, there are not so many available now.

The sectors arent the issue. As I mentioned before its the World Cruise experiencing the issue.