Triples blocked --need help!

[Holly2]

Last week tried to book two cabins for us and our three grown children on the Century 12/20/10 -- was told that, although the ship is nowhere near capacity, the number of triples exceeds the Coast Guard regulations. I was floored! We had done this cruise last year and had been looking forward to it. I had been keeping an eye on the availability and it was fine.

 

The Celebrity Vacation Planner was very nice and said he would try to see if a cabin could be released but was unsuccessful.

 

Anyone know has Celebrity has handled this in the past? I was hoping that they would upgrade some of the passengers in triples to an additional empty connecting room (of which there are many!).

 

We already have flights booked (and a Florida hotel booked if can't get onboard). I've always cruised with Celebrity -- there's a Carnival cruise the same dates and itinerary but not sure if we would enjoy it.

 

Would appreciate any suggestions. (Know we could book 3 cabins but hate to pay a single supplement.)

[kitty9]

There's nothing you really can do. Celebrity is operating under the Coast Guard regulations on the number of passengers a ship can carry, with regards to lifeboat capacity. I'm guessing that since you say there are so many cabins open, there are lots of families sharing one cabin, therefore lowering the number of cabins that can be held for three or four in one cabin. To be very honest, I think you waited far too long to book a holiday cruise, and that's also part of the problem.

[ocngypz]

Once they reach their pre-determined max occupancy for a sailing, the extra berths are capped by inventory.

 

They never uncap it either.

[Lsimon]

We've run into this before on a holiday crusie on a different cruise line. They will limit the total capacity and stop selling triples and quads on the presumption that the remaining cabins will sell out with 2 per cabin. So while you can get additional cabins for a max of 2 per cabin they won't let you book three or more to a single cabin.

 

This comes down to the old decision about booking far in advance or waiting until the cruise gets closer.

 

In any event your only option for Century might be to either book two cabins for the kids or to wait and see if the capacity opens (it might if someone cancels, if enough singles book, and/or if you wait until the very last minute and there are enough vacancies).

 

Are you sure Carnival still has the capacity to let you book the triple? I wouldn't make that presumption at this late date without checking.

[Holly2]

Thanks for your responses.

yes, Carnival still has triples.

Actually, we aren't technically booking a holiday cruise -- we get back on the 24th. As luck would have it, triples ARE available for the Christmas cruise leaving Dec. 24th. (Last yeark we booked the Christmas cruise after Thanksgiving including a triple).

 

Will try Celebrity again tomorrow. Is there anyone I should speak to besides the Vacation Planner? There are over 100 cabins available - seems they would want to work something out. Since we have the flights, we can wait until the week before the cruise to book if necessary.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Janet987]

Holly,

This happened to us and triples did open up later...but around final payment day which is now well past. My first suggestion is to work with a local TA who has a good relationship with X's district sales manager, sometimes there is a capacity work around....but doubt it at this late date.

 

A new Thanksgiving Sale just announced...check the rates for the cheapest available inside or guaranty cabins and go with them. Extra bathrooms! always a bonus with three grown kids.

[CoachT]

This is where waiting until the last minute can be a disadvantage.

[fleckle]

Another possibility would be getting another family member or friend to join you and share the cost of a 3rd cabin.

[Scenestealer7]

In this type of situation, would they be likely to lower the price of a single supplement, to encourage more singles to book? I'm a solo cruiser looking for a good deal :)

[Holly2]

or let a single book a GTY..... that would help also. Looking at all the available cabins is frustrating...

[Janet987]

Holly & Scenestealer,

The 11/30 Exciting Deals are already posted and the Single Supplement is 175% for this sailing. Some other sailings go to 150%. Rarely have I seen less with X...even last minute. Other lines will sometimes drop it to "none"..noticed the new Epic offered that for some January sailings. There are on-line agents (can't give names) with special Singles Departments. They provide hosted singles cruises plus keep a list of all "Singles Discounts". If you google something like "last minute singles cruise discounts" a number of cruise singles specialists should be in results.

[Scenestealer7]

Thanks for the info, Janet!

[Essiesmom]

Holly & Scenestealer,

The 11/30 Exciting Deals are already posted and the Single Supplement is 175% for this sailing. Some other sailings go to 150%. Rarely have I seen less with X...even last minute. Other lines will sometimes drop it to "none"..noticed the new Epic offered that for some January sailings. There are on-line agents (can't give names) with special Singles Departments. They provide hosted singles cruises plus keep a list of all "Singles Discounts". If you google something like "last minute singles cruise discounts" a number of cruise singles specialists should be in results.

 

I'm booked to sail on Solstice TA Mai, and my single supplement in a C3 cabin is 124% EM