A Few Questions

[bowen9475]

We've never sailed on NCL. We are looking at the Boston - Bermuda cruise in late June for our 25th anniversary. We live in MA. How close to sailing can you book? Has anyone booked a guaranty stateroom? What have your experiences with this been? Thanks for any help and information!

[Nic6318]

30 minutes ago, bowen9475 said:

We've never sailed on NCL. We are looking at the Boston - Bermuda cruise in late June for our 25th anniversary. We live in MA. How close to sailing can you book? Has anyone booked a guaranty stateroom? What have your experiences with this been? Thanks for any help and information!

Hi

 

With NCL I received an offer for a cruise leaving today, yesterday. 

 

The only problem, with booking so close to sailing is that any given sailing may sell out and your choice of cabins may be limited. If that is not a concern and you are considering a "guarantee stateroom" then you have to be satisfied with whatever they assign you. There is nothing wrong with that, unless you are picky. 

[Newleno]

40 minutes ago, bowen9475 said:

We've never sailed on NCL. We are looking at the Boston - Bermuda cruise in late June for our 25th anniversary. We live in MA. How close to sailing can you book? Has anyone booked a guaranty stateroom? What have your experiences with this been? Thanks for any help and information!

the latest we booked was about 60 hours out, we also booked a sailaway room which is sometimes cheaper than a gty room.  We are frugal cruisers and this seems to be the cheapest way to go, however sometimes cruises  are sold out, sometimes prices go up closer to sail, sometimes prices go down closer to sail.  June, July, August are peak vacation times.  In May you could have booked a bermuda room for $279, In June that price could be $679 or higher

Edited May 11, 2019 by Newleno

[kochleffel]

Make sure that you understand the difference between "sailaway" and "guarantee." Sailaway rates are offered right from the start of the booking period and are discounted and carry no promo offers, but you can't choose your cabin. You are most likely to get one of the type you paid for but occasionally someone gets a better one. Sailaway cabins are sometimes the first type to sell out.

 

Guarantee cabins are not further discounted, keep their promo offers, and are more likely if you book late, when all or nearly all cabins in the category are already booked. In general you can't choose a guarantee--when you get to cabin selection it will be the only kind offered. You may see this, for example, if the only remaining cabins of that type are accessible cabins. The only similarities between sailaway and guarantee are that you can't choose a specific cabin and might get a better one.

 

Very late bookings are sometimes available at rates lower than sailaways early in the booking period, but this can't be counted on.

[300dtc]

We just booked a guarantee inside leaving in 3 weeks Boston to Bermuda. Also, received my upgrade bid email. We bid a minimum and don't care if we get upgraded or not, seven day cruise isn't that long.

[Birdie And Sue]

6 hours ago, bowen9475 said:

How close to sailing can you book?

Has anyone booked a guaranty stateroom?

What have your experiences with this been?
 

Up until 48 hours before sailing as long as cabin are still available AFAIK.

Yes lots of people have.

Can't say as I have booked neither a GTY nor a Sailaway.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Birdie And Sue

[newmexicoNita]

You need to book 48 hours out and as for gty cabin. We have done this and had work out well and not so well. Do remember, which has been mentioned, it you are thinking last minute booking will save you $$s, this is not always the case.. This doesn't mean it isn't possible or that booking last minute is a mistake. Just remember the later you book, the fewer the choices and the possibility the ship will be sold out or so close that you may not be thrilled with what you end up with 

[cruisencrazy]

If you are booking close to departure, I suggest  calling the cruise line directly.  We did that on a Royal Caribbean cruise and ended up with a really nice upgrade.  You basically take what's left and hope for the best.  You are still on a ship going to Bermuda.  I will say though, for special occasions, we book farther ahead.  You always have the option of not going....  Never hurts to call and see what's available. You can place a 24 hour courtesy hold on anything that looks interesting.  Often it's slightly different to what is online...especially when it says sold out. Happy Anniversary!!!

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by cruisencrazy