WS Guarantee?

[Justprettynpink]

What are the pro's and con's of booking a WS guarantee? or should we pick a room now and wait for the upgrade fairy to call?

 

Would we be guaranteed a full suite no matter what?

 

We would be happy with the WS but would like a chance for a balcony....

 

 

Thanks everyone!

[Pam in CA]

Con: You could be assigned a WS or any suite anywhere on the ship. Some full suites are not as good as others. For instance, if you are assigned a full suite under the Horizon Court or pool deck, you could experience noise from very early in the morning until very late at night.

 

Pro: Can't think of one. It's a gamble whether you'll be assigned a full suite and even then, it might be in a location you don't want to be.

[Justprettynpink]

Thanks Pam! :-)

[candide333]

We chose a guarantee on the Grand for a WS. At the time, there was one left F301 and I had heard some negative remarks, but we gambled that we would not get that WS. Three months later, we were assigned F301. There were some major smoke, air conditioning and vibration issues. Later, we booked F311 on the Golden and it was wonderful.

[bellebaby]

Also, F301 is smaller and a different configuration than the others. F315 is an accessible suite.

 

If you select a guarantee, you could be assigned to one of these cabins.

 

B

[Colo Cruiser]

If you have no issue with the lack of a balcony (worst case scenario) you really can't go wrong with the GTY.

[Justprettynpink]

I think we will chose our cabin... :-)

 

Thanks B!

[cr8tiv1]

Have been in F303, F309, and F311 on the Golden. By far, F311 was the best location. I am booked in F311 on the Grand but have asked my TA to mark it "Upgrade". I love Window Suites my cabin mate misses her balcony. If we don't the upgrade to a full suite, I am very happy in the Window Suite.

[Justprettynpink]

Why did you like 311 over 309?

[cr8tiv1]

Why did you like 311 over 309?

 

Like others have mentioned, there is a little bit of noise and vibrations from the stabilizers. The Future Cruise Staff member told us it was from water going through the tubes.

 

We found that F311 was far enough away from the bow (motion as the bow cut through the water) that we didn't feel any impact.

 

We found that F311 was a little farther away from the stabilizers.

 

We found that F311 was further away from the "main" center entrance doors (we almost always used the closed doors near the Customer Service desk).

 

We also discovered after our cruises were all over, that all of our beds were on the aft wall (feet pointing to the bow). Not that this mattered much except that we got used to the layout and could "find" our way in the dark without bumping into things. Strictly coincidental.

 

The only staterooms I would avoid are F301 through F303. But, if these were the only staterooms left, I would have no problems since I love the Window Suites.

 

On the Golden, we were on the same deck as the Shore Excursions, Crown Grill, Customer Service, FCC and Captain Circle Desks. I think this is the best set up for Window Suites (very little foot traffic at any time).

 

One more perk...there is a women's public rest room at the end of the hall on the Golden. Once, I had to make an "emergency" run in my bathrobe since my bathroom was being used by my cabin mate. I am sure this is also true for the Grand (not positive), but not in your bathrobe since the casino is situated on this deck.

 

I've included a floor plan for the WS. I didn't do this, but appreciate the architect that took all the time to render this drawing.

 

I can not say enough about these suites.

GRAND PRINCESS WINDOW SUITE 2.pdf

Edited March 13, 2014 by cr8tiv1

[Colo Cruiser]

Did you create that?

[capnjack]

We chose a guarantee on the Grand for a WS. At the time, there was one left F301 and I had heard some negative remarks, but we gambled that we would not get that WS. Three months later, we were assigned F301. There were some major smoke, air conditioning and vibration issues. Later, we booked F311 on the Golden and it was wonderful.

 

 

We had F301 on the Caribbean Princess for two 7 days B2B, and had none of the issues you described. it was slightly smaller and lacked the desk under the windows, but we had plenty of storage space without it. I would take F301 on the Caribbean Princess again.

 

In answer to the OP question, you would be guaranteed a full suite with a WS guarantee. You may get a suite in the front of the ship with a balcony that unusable except when at port, or you may get one on Riviera deck right under one of the pools and have noise from chairs being moved around early in the morning.

 

On the other hand, if you are upgraded you will have a balcony.

[Justprettynpink]

sooo...We decided to book F311 on the Caribbean Princess for our July 18, 2015 cruise. We had our pick of cabins. We also said we would take an upgrade if the fairy decided to visit.

 

 

 

My selling point to my husband is that we could pack lighter and send clothes off to be cleaned :-)

 

I am super excited!!!

 

Thanks for sharing your advice and for letting me sharing my excitement!!!

[cr8tiv1]

sooo...We decided to book F311 on the Caribbean Princess for our July 18, 2015 cruise. We had our pick of cabins. We also said we would take an upgrade if the fairy decided to visit.

 

 

 

My selling point to my husband is that we could pack lighter and send clothes off to be cleaned :-)

 

I am super excited!!!

 

Thanks for sharing your advice and for letting me sharing my excitement!!!

 

I am sorry to disappoint you, but if you bring "less" clothes because you have free laundry, you won't have anything to put in the many drawers and closets.

 

There are three full closets (2 as you enter and one more next to the bathroom) You can always use it to store your luggage.

 

 

These drawers are very large and deep.

 

 

Be sure to check every space before you disembark. There are even drawers in the bathroom (I don't recall that being the case for other suites).

Edited March 18, 2014 by cr8tiv1

[critterchick]

I would also pick a specific cabin. We booked a WS guarantee on Golden once and were assigned F303 (only that and 301 were available). The door leading to the elevators was kept open until I figured out how to close it (there's a button), and we had cigar smoke coming into the hall and just a wee bit in the cabin itself. Once I shut the door, we then had some slamming as people would come through and just let it close without stopping it. We loved the cabin, though, and it was just a minor PITA.

 

But then we booked F311 and who knew that a few yards could make that much difference in in our enjoyment? It was quieter (I still would close that door), although I really didn't feel anything from the stabilizers or motion (you're awfully close to the water line).

 

I'd be happy with any Window Suite but would still mark "upgrade," just for grins. I'd be happy with any suite!

[candide333]

Same for us. We had the cigar smoke, door slamming and smaller cabin on the Grand in F301. On the Golden, we had F311 and no issues. Loved that cabin. Congratulations on your choice.

[DCT61]

"I've included a floor plan for the WS. I didn't do this, but appreciate the architect that took all the time to render this drawing"

 

Thanks for your kind comments on my drawing. At the time I did it, there was very little information on these suites and Princess had not included a floor plan anywhere on the website. Im glad its helped. These are GREAT suites (we enjoyed it MUCH more than the aft facing penthouse suite we had on the SAPPHIRE) and we have booked the same one for our cruise on the GRAND PRINCESS to Alaska in August. Im praying we don't use the stabilizers...they CAN be noisey.

Edited March 18, 2014 by DCT61

[Coral]

I have not read of anyone who booked a WS guarantee and received anything but a WS cabin. I would be curious if anyone has moved from a WS to another suite on a guarantee.

[mysaddlebred000]

I have not read of anyone who booked a WS guarantee and received anything but a WS cabin. I would be curious if anyone has moved from a WS to another suite on a guarantee.

 

Same here. Years ago someone said they don't upgrade any WS's to full suites because they booked a non-balcony cabin so they upgrade people from mini's instead because they booked a cabin with a balcony.

[Coral]

Same here. Years ago someone said they don't upgrade any WS's to full suites because they booked a non-balcony cabin so they upgrade people from mini's instead because they booked a cabin with a balcony.

 

My TA once told me several of her clients are hesitant to book balcony cabins when they bring their toddlers with them.

 

Most (all) upgrades to WS seems to come from outside cabins.

Edited March 18, 2014 by Coral

[cr8tiv1]

"I've included a floor plan for the WS. I didn't do this, but appreciate the architect that took all the time to render this drawing"

 

Thanks for your kind comments on my drawing. At the time I did it, there was very little information on these suites and Princess had not included a floor plan anywhere on the website. Im glad its helped. These are GREAT suites (we enjoyed it MUCH more than the aft facing penthouse suite we had on the SAPPHIRE) and we have booked the same one for our cruise on the GRAND PRINCESS to Alaska in August. Im praying we don't use the stabilizers...they CAN be noisey.

 

Dear DCT61,

 

I am so glad you chimed in here to receive credit for a fantastic job. I was first introduced to the WS by a table mate who was "upgraded" to one on my voyage to Hawaii. They were nice enough to show us their suite. I booked them for several short cruises. I do not miss the balcony at all!

 

I hope you don't mind that I have shared it often on Cruise Critic. I am such a cheerleader for these cabins (maybe more than I should be). Their location on the Golden is great. Not so for the Grand.

 

Thank you again for your rendition. As a retired math teacher, I am awed by your attention to detail.

[Coveguy4]

I've had F307 twice on the Golden. No negatives at all, enjoyed it so much the first time rebooked same cabin 2 months later...

[pj-atsea]

We had 309 on the Caribbean Princess and loved it. We picked 309 because it was more or less central in the window suites. I would do it again. I agree with the 301 and 303 locations having a smoky smell outside in the hallway. For some reason they seemed to keep the door of the cigar lounge open a lot, and then the door to the hallway near 301 was kept open a lot too.

We took this suite on a British Isles cruise and did not really miss a balcony since the weather was often cool plus we were off the ship so much it didn't matter. I'm sure you,ll like it. Too bad they are only available on a few ships. :)

[LewesBeach]

We booked a GTY window suite on the Caribbean Princess (they would not let you pick a cabin). Since I booked, that category S7, is now showing on the website as "sold out", & is waitlisted" according to the Princess rep. What r my chances of getting an upgrade now that the S7 Suites are waitlisted? And can I decline an upgrade if I get one?

[Coral]

We booked a GTY window suite on the Caribbean Princess (they would not let you pick a cabin). Since I booked, that category S7, is now showing on the website as "sold out", & is waitlisted" according to the Princess rep. What r my chances of getting an upgrade now that the S7 Suites are waitlisted? And can I decline an upgrade if I get one?

 

If you book a guarantee, you really can't decline an upgrade as you basically told them you would take any cabin of that category or higher. You can often trade a cabin for another cabin in the same category.