changing S1 to Suite Guarantee

[karli_ratte]

so... I've had an S1 booked for our Carribbean cruise in November for over half a year. all S2 have been gone for a few days, S1 was gone weeks/months ago. CS, RS and PS are still available for way more money than I could ever afford. Guarantees cost 380€ more than what we originally paid (benefits are the same. 1,2,3 is now go!).

As I'm in Europe, final payment is not due until 4 weeks before departure (actually, 14 days before departure according to my paper documents). Today I called Celebrity and asked if switching to a guarantee might mean that I could drop to an S2 if one became available on short notice (e.g. due to somebody moving up to my now available S1). They assured me that I could never drop below what I had originally booked. Worst case would be staying in an S1 and having donated 380€ to Celebrity. So I made the switch.

I will be perfectly happy with remaining in an S1, though I would hate to end up on a lower deck than originally booked, but hey, I gambled, so I'll have to accept that. Still, I'm a bit worried about ending up with an S2 after all, even though I decided before making the switch to keep my inner peace even if that happens. I'd be happy to hear from anybody, who made a similar switch. The lady on the phone mentioned something about a wait list, whatever that means. So now the long wait until I will be assigned a new cabin begins. oh, we're select (elite after this cruise), though I don't think that this will make any difference from what I've read on these boards...

[Wine-O]

I wouldn't pay that much for a GTY. You already have an S1 -- you could end up with an S2 after having paid the additional money. They may move others up to the CS, RS, or PH, and give you their stateroom.

[excitedofharpenden]

You've taken a gamble. A suite guarantee (W GTY) could put you in an S2 if one is available. If there isn't one then you may just end up in the S1 you have vacated. You could also score a bigger suite if you are lucky. Personally with an S1 on Equinox I wouldn't have taken that €380 gamble (I might have done for an S1 GTY), but wish you luck!

 

Phil

[Nachosdelux]

I wouldn't pay that much for a GTY. You already have an S1 -- you could end up with an S2 after having paid the additional money. They may move others up to the CS, RS, or PH, and give you their stateroom.

 

+1. That is a pretty big gamble. You could also get your original room back. Hope it works out for you.

[karli_ratte]

haha, yes, I think you all confirmed my sentiment. I guess I just felt in a gambling mood today and I'll now have to wait for the outcome :)

Actually, I had originally booked the S1 for a higher price than I have now paid including the change to the guarantee (got a price reduction of over 600€ due to a glitch on their website :p). And I hope that the nice lady on the phone knew what she was talking about when she said that I couldn't drop back to an S2... let's wait and see...

[Wine-O]

haha, yes, I think you all confirmed my sentiment. I guess I just felt in a gambling mood today and I'll now have to wait for the outcome :)

 

 

Celebrity would love for you to frequent their Casino. :rolleyes::D:D

[excitedofharpenden]

Let us know how you get on!

 

Phil

[chemmo]

Sincere best wishes, you are brave.

 

I am at the opposite end of the spectrum, very room fussy, book early because I am sure if I wait for an offer I will loose the room I want. Not knowing what room I was going to get would drive me mad!

 

May the upgrade fairy be kind. Let us know what room you do end up with!

[thebutlerdidit]

so... I've had an S1 booked for our Carribbean cruise in November for over half a year. all S2 have been gone for a few days, S1 was gone weeks/months ago.

I also think that you've taken a big chance. Even though suites are showing as unavailable, it sounds like you haven't yet reached final payment date yet. You can normally count on cancellations as that date nears. I also question it when I see certain categories listed as sold out. I just now switched my A2 cabin to one closer to midship. There were 2 A2 cabins listed as available when I called my TA. Now, minutes later, A2 is showing as sold out. I believe that there are actually at least 2 available, including the one that I just vacated. Seeing no A2 cabin availability, one would assume that an Aqua Guarantee would net an A1 or higher cabin, but I think that assumption would be wrong.

[karli_ratte]

Celebrity would love for you to frequent their Casino. :rolleyes::D:D

 

 

If this ends bad for me, I'll definitely try and stay away from the casino [emoji1]

[Ma Bell]

Personally, I don't think it will end badly regardless of what you get. I actually prefer the S2s because of the configuration of the cabin and the storage.

[karli_ratte]

Even though suites are showing as unavailable, it sounds like you haven't yet reached final payment date yet. You can normally count on cancellations as that date nears.

 

 

It's past final payment in the US, where you get a full refund if you cancel. Here in Europe we still have a few weeks to go. So I hope that my chances are a teeny weeny bit better with mainly those left, who lose their deposits, if they cancel...

[az_tchr]

I would have recorded that conversation! LOL

[elena7seas]

I also think that you've taken a big chance. Even though suites are showing as unavailable, it sounds like you haven't yet reached final payment date yet. You can normally count on cancellations as that date nears. I also question it when I see certain categories listed as sold out. I just now switched my A2 cabin to one closer to midship. There were 2 A2 cabins listed as available when I called my TA. Now, minutes later, A2 is showing as sold out. I believe that there are actually at least 2 available, including the one that I just vacated. Seeing no A2 cabin availability, one would assume that an Aqua Guarantee would net an A1 or higher cabin, but I think that assumption would be wrong.

 

If someone is considering a cabin, and pulls it into a temporary (pending) booking, it can take it out of inventory for 20-30 minutes, even if they release it immediately. So yes, the cabin inventory can appear to be sold out, even when there are cabins available.

[elena7seas]

It's past final payment in the US, where you get a full refund if you cancel. Here in Europe we still have a few weeks to go. So I hope that my chances are a teeny weeny bit better with mainly those left, who lose their deposits, if they cancel...

 

Good luck to you! Please come back and let us know what you were assigned. I'm not much of a gambler; you have more courage than I have. :)

[Caribbean Chris]

Here's what happened to me when I was booked for months in an S1 suite last year. I inquired and my travel agent said I could have the new lower price promoted online and retain 123 benefits - but only if I was willing to give up my assigned room for a guarantee.

 

I did, was almost instantly assigned a new room, it was still in an S1. No upgrade. Since we saved $250 per person/$500 on the cabin, fine.

 

BUT... on board, we realized that our guarantee room's view was inferior - it looked down on all kinds of mechanical stuff below, and was across the hall from a pantry that was lighted, noisy and busy, day and night, with butler's tea carts lined up right outside our door daily. Not actually what I had in mind when we splurged on suite pricing.

 

Actually the same scenario has played out three times when we booked a Celebrity guarantee - never received anything better than the same category, and it was always a much less desirable room location. We gambled, it was nice to save some money, but I don't book guarantees any more.

[cb at sea]

You only do a GTY if it's cheaper than what you paid for your existing cabin.

[need2bespoiled]

As other's have said, I doubt I would gamble and pay more for that gamble as I am pretty picky about my cabin.

 

In addition to all the cancellations around final payment individuals make, It is also possible, though more unlikely that large travel agents have cabins (S2 specifically) reserved as part of a group, that they will release at final payment that you could be assigned to.

 

Please do come back once you have a cabin. I wish you luck and hope you end up in a great cabin!

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[karli_ratte]

just a short update... I was assigned my original S1 sometime late last night. hahahahaha! the consequence I draw from my little adventure? I'll simply have to make sure that I drink an extra 380€ worth of lattes, red bull, pellegrino and wine on the drink package to make up for it :D. I can do that!

 

and hey, the lady on the phone was right: I did not get anything worse than what I had originally booked! :p

[excitedofharpenden]

LOL. I like your lateral way of thinking! Cheers!

 

Phil

[need2bespoiled]

just a short update... I was assigned my original S1 sometime late last night. hahahahaha! the consequence I draw from my little adventure? I'll simply have to make sure that I drink an extra 380€ worth of lattes, red bull, pellegrino and wine on the drink package to make up for it :D. I can do that!

 

and hey, the lady on the phone was right: I did not get anything worse than what I had originally booked! :p

 

It may be too late, but you could ask to be put back in the pool for a new assignment. Then, once your current cabin is open have a friend put a hold on your current S1 so you can't get put back in it. If all the SSs are gone, you -may- get lucky. All depends on how willing you are to gamble more and if they'd actually put you in the pool again. My guess is you've learne (an expensive) lesson. :rolleyes:

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[chemmo]

Why not have a go at what Jenna suggested? Could be double or quits.....

 

Love your philosophy on life, I would love you to come back on later with one of the top suits!

[karli_ratte]

It may be too late, but you could ask to be put back in the pool for a new assignment. Then, once your current cabin is open have a friend put a hold on your current S1 so you can't get put back in it. If all the SSs are gone, you -may- get lucky. All depends on how willing you are to gamble more and if they'd actually put you in the pool again. My guess is you've learne (an expensive) lesson. :rolleyes:

 

oh no, don't give me more crazy ideas! :D