wyldkarma Posted September 27, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 27, 2016 We have taken over a dozen or so cruises now and never booked a Guaranty X stateroom. We almost always get a balcony stateroom and have always carefully chosen our cabins. However, While checking out some prices of upcoming cruises out of Galveston (we live in TX 3hrs from the port), I noticed Royal Caribbean had a 7 nt sailing coming up in less than 30 days and they had a balcony guarantee X available for $605, the lowest price for any other balcony stateroom was $1167. I quickly grabbed that guaranteed rate since it was nearly 1/2 off all other balcony staterooms. We would never have booked that cruise, but for that cheap rate, what the heck. Usually the guar X rates are only a few bucks cheaper so this was a pleasant surprise. I will take my chances. Any day of cruising is better than sitting around the house. Will let you know how it turns out. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiGal117 Posted September 27, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 27, 2016 Wow that's amazing! It will be interesting to see where end up Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumtech77 Posted September 27, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 27, 2016 Do you know how lucky you are? That's almost a true 2 for 1. That rate won't last to long. I'll be surprised if it's still available by Friday. Enjoy Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted September 28, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 28, 2016 I wonder if GTY rates are the way around RCI's pledge not have price drops inside 30 days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted September 28, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 28, 2016 I wonder if GTY rates are the way around RCI's pledge not have price drops inside 30 days? That and all the last minute senior and military rates that are popping up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyldkarma Posted September 28, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We are kinda excited, we have never sailed on the Liberty of the Seas. Just checked this evening, that cruise is now sold out. Interesting how that works. I don't have a room assignment yet and the ship is sold out. Spin that roulette wheel and lets see where I end up with a balcony guarantee. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackshirt Posted September 28, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We did a Guar X on Liberty for a suite in June. Not quite as good a deal as you got but still pretty good. We got a Junior Suite, as expected and were very happy with the cabin assignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted September 28, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We are kinda excited, we have never sailed on the Liberty of the Seas. Just checked this evening, that cruise is now sold out. Interesting how that works. I don't have a room assignment yet and the ship is sold out. Spin that roulette wheel and lets see where I end up with a balcony guarantee. ;) With that almost 50% pricing, it's not surprising that it is all sold out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASOXFANN Posted September 28, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We booked a guaranteed inside for our Thanksgiving cruise. It was 1/3 the price of choosing a cabin. We received our cabin assignment, and it was just fine. We've had good luck with guaranteed cabins both times we've booed them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robtulipe Posted September 28, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 28, 2016 (edited) A week ago, for our upcoming Brilliance TA, we upgraded our well located deck 4 Cat. H OV cabin, which had been assigned to an Y Gty, to a balcony guaranty when only D1 balconies were showing available. It was about $130US total more and we lost $100 OBC. The next day we were given one of those D1s which also wasn't in a bad location but we were able to change to another D1 that was still available and only a few cabins from the friends we are travelling with. We wouldn't have bothered changing cabins if we weren't cruising together and our cabins were quite far apart. If we had paid to select that D1 cabin it would have cost about 2300 US or 60% more than getting it with a guaranty. :D PS-it was actually an E3 Gty we changed to but that is essential an X Gty since both can be assigned the lowest balcony category on the ship. Also our booking was in $CAD as that was to our advantage exchange wise when we booked so that is why $US figures are approximate. Another thing was even though the taxes/port fee and gratuities (these were pre-paid) had increased since we did the original booking onboard Anthem last January both stayed at the same cost as only our cruise fare increased with our paid upgrade. ;) Edited September 28, 2016 by robtulipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho_proudfoot Posted September 28, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We booked a guarantee balcony for our recent cruise on the Navigator. room assignment came back almost immediately, Deck 8 right by the centrum lifts. Very happy with allocation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeNJ1109 Posted September 28, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We are kinda excited, we have never sailed on the Liberty of the Seas. Just checked this evening, that cruise is now sold out. Interesting how that works. I don't have a room assignment yet and the ship is sold out. Spin that roulette wheel and lets see where I end up with a balcony guarantee. ;) My wife and I love Cat X Guarantees ... as long as we're on the ship in a balcony cabin, all is right with the world. Please post again when you get your formal cabin assignment, we're very curious to know where you end up! Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted September 28, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 28, 2016 We are kinda excited, we have never sailed on the Liberty of the Seas. Just checked this evening, that cruise is now sold out. Interesting how that works. I don't have a room assignment yet and the ship is sold out. Spin that roulette wheel and lets see where I end up with a balcony guarantee. ;) she's beautiful especially since her recent refurb. who knows you may snag a JS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Hudson Posted September 28, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 28, 2016 I have booked many a guarantee cabin. Never had a "bad" cabin and have been pleasantly surprised at the good locations I have received. Several times when booking an inside guarantee I have been assigned an outside. Good luck! Katherine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted September 29, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 29, 2016 A week ago, for our upcoming Brilliance TA, we upgraded our well located deck 4 Cat. H OV cabin, which had been assigned to an Y Gty, to a balcony guaranty when only D1 balconies were showing available. It was about $130US total more and we lost $100 OBC. The next day we were given one of those D1s which also wasn't in a bad location but we were able to change to another D1 that was still available and only a few cabins from the friends we are travelling with. We wouldn't have bothered changing cabins if we weren't cruising together and our cabins were quite far apart. If we had paid to select that D1 cabin it would have cost about 2300 US or 60% more than getting it with a guaranty. :D That was a great deal you got. 2300 USD can go a along way for excursions and onboard purchases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyL Posted September 30, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 30, 2016 We recently booked a Balcony GTY on the Anthem during Thanksgiving week. We paid $300 p/p less than my brother because they needed 2 cabins next to each other and had to be assigned. We got our cabin assignment a few days later and I'm very pleased but I realize it could still change before the cruise. Either way, it will still be a balcony and we paid a good rate. Have fun! Last minute cruises are the best. BTW, we were on Liberty last year when it cruised out of Cape Liberty, NJ and loved that ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted September 30, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 30, 2016 We got our cabin assignment a few days later and I'm very pleased but I realize it could still change before the cruise. The chances of RCI changing the cabin after initial assignment is just about zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyldkarma Posted October 1, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted October 1, 2016 When do they typically assign the rooms on GTY bookings? The ship sold out several days ago, it sails in about 3 weeks, and still no room assignment. Seems a bit odd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted October 1, 2016 #19 Share Posted October 1, 2016 When do they typically assign the rooms on GTY bookings? The ship sold out several days ago, it sails in about 3 weeks, and still no room assignment. Seems a bit odd? There is no "typical" They can be assigned hours after booking, a year in advance or at the pier on boarding day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robtulipe Posted October 1, 2016 #20 Share Posted October 1, 2016 (edited) When do they typically assign the rooms on GTY bookings? The ship sold out several days ago, it sails in about 3 weeks, and still no room assignment. Seems a bit odd? It could be RCI has overbooked and you are one of their reserve bookings. Our Brilliance TA in 2 weeks has been sold out quite a few times over the last few months but then some categories became available every time as it is now. Currently RCI is offering an E3 and a Q guaranty and one can select a D1 balcony or an OS. I've seen and booked a guaranty on cruises showing no availability They know that some bookings will be cancelled in spite of being in the final phase of the penalty period especially on a TA with its typically older passengers. We had friends that were suppose to be on this cruise with us but they had to cancel because of a medical issue that came up the DW. Edited October 1, 2016 by robtulipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted October 1, 2016 #21 Share Posted October 1, 2016 The ship sold out several days ago, it sails in about 3 weeks, and still no room assignment. It seems sold out but very likely RCI pulled all availability while they assign GTY cabins and address other inventory issues. It would be a bit unusual to not get an assignment 3 days out (the online check in limit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelerThom Posted October 1, 2016 #22 Share Posted October 1, 2016 We did a Guar X on Liberty for a suite in June. Not quite as good a deal as you got but still pretty good. We got a Junior Suite, as expected and were very happy with the cabin assignment. Cat. X is a Balcony GTY Cat. W is a Suite GTY Would I be correct if assumed you had had a Cat. W? It is possible (but unlikely) to get a JS with a Cat. X; theoretically it is possible to get a JS from a Cat. Z Inside GTY (I have gotten a Balcony from a Cat. Z booking - once:cool:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patreke Posted October 1, 2016 #23 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I would love to take advantage of GTY rates but as soon as you put 1 traveller they disappear from options, any idea why a solo can't do guarantee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted October 1, 2016 #24 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I would love to take advantage of GTY rates but as soon as you put 1 traveller they disappear from options, any idea why a solo can't do guarantee? Because the RCI IT guys hate you - call in and you should be able to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyL Posted October 2, 2016 #25 Share Posted October 2, 2016 The chances of RCI changing the cabin after initial assignment is just about zero. Thank you biker19, I'm happy with the cabin they assigned us. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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