I've searched but can't find: What are the differences in cabins within a class, indicated by such things as "AA" or "VS"?

[Linguist208]

We've booked a guaranteed class (Vista Suite) on the Rotterdam, but we don't know what the different letter codes mean. Our booking documents show "Guarantee" but also show "BC" for the category. Is there some resource that lists the differences between, say, a "BC" and a "BB", or an "AS" and a "B"?

 

I've tried searching here for it, and I'm usually pretty good at searching, but I don't even know what keywords to use.

 

Thanks!

[dobiemom]

Location, location, location (usually). 😉

Edited October 27, 2021 by dobiemom

[The-Inside-Cabin]

48 minutes ago, Linguist208 said:

We've booked a guaranteed class (Vista Suite) on the Rotterdam, but we don't know what the different letter codes mean. Our booking documents show "Guarantee" but also show "BC" for the category. Is there some resource that lists the differences between, say, a "BC" and a "BB", or an "AS" and a "B"?

 

I've tried searching here for it, and I'm usually pretty good at searching, but I don't even know what keywords to use.

 

Thanks!

The differences are subjective and only meaningful when comparing categories on the same ship.    A category D on one ship may be a lot different than a category D on another ship.  The only way to use this information is to get a deck plan, look at the categories and judge for yourself.    As @dobiemomsaid its usually location, sometimes size or view.    Usually cabins in the center are more desirable (except the aft cabins on some ships).   Cabins under noise generating activity are lower etc....

 

The only thing you can tell is that the people in Revenue Management think one cabin is more valuable than another for  reasons that are never disclosed.  

Edited October 27, 2021 by The-Inside-Cabin

[DaveOKC]

The different letter codes represent different classes of cabins WITHIN a category (Vista Suite in your case).  For the most part the cabins are the same, but some are a bit different, such as some having larger balconies or being slightly larger or smaller than the average for that category.    A few may even be "Spa cabins" which means they come with a couple of spa related items.  In most cases, HAL assigns different letters to signify cabins which THEY feel are slightly better (most times it is due to being in better locations on the ship like higher up or in the middle).  Just remember that HAL's idea of a better location may not be the same as yours!

 

As the your reservation being a BC Guarantee means that you are guaranteed a Vista cabin in a BC class or "better".  BC being the lowest class of Vista cabins.  This is the most frequent way guarantee reservations are sold, but sometimes you can pay a bit more and get a guarantee for a higher rated class, lets say a B, then you would get at least a B class cabin.

 

IMO, I try to stay away from guarantee reservations - I would rather pay a bit more and not risk getting stuck in a location I dislike.  Of course, there are exceptions to this for me, like if I am on a casino offer where the fare is so low I am willing to risk it.

[Linguist208]

On 10/27/2021 at 10:53 AM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The differences are subjective and only meaningful when comparing categories on the same ship. 

Yes, that's why I posed in the HAL-specific group, and mentioned the specific ship we're sailing and and the specific category I was asking about.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

On 10/27/2021 at 8:08 AM, Linguist208 said:

. Is there some resource that lists the differences between, say, a "BC" and a "BB", or an "AS" and a "B"?

 

 

No - there isn't any resource that publishes that information or lists the differences.

[canadianbear]

Looking at the deck plans for your ship there seems to be very few of  BC guarantee which is the lowest they can put you in.  I’ve attached a couple of photos.  If those fill up you will get upgraded.  I agree with dobiemom-location, location.  Not sure if this makes sense or not! 

[Blackduck59]

Check a colour coded deck plan. The locations of each cabin type will be mapped for you. Being that it is a "guarantee" you will have no idea what cabin but you will know where it could be. And like another poster said sometimes the reason "why" one cabin is more desirable than another is a mystery without a solution.

[Gretchendz]

Here's a list for Rotterdam:

PS4/2 OUT PINNACLE SUITES AVG 1290 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SQ2/2 OUT SPA NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 465 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH PANORAMA

SA3/2 OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SB3/2OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN BEETHOVEN

SC2/2OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SUN

SS3/2OUT SIGNATURE SUITES AVG 400 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SY2/2OUT SIGNATURE SUITES AVG 400 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH GERSHWINA

S3/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT BEETHOVEN

A4/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN BEETHOVEN

B4/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION

BC2/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH MOZART BEETHOVENVQ3/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH PANORAMAVS2/2OUTVERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION MOZART GERSHWINV4/2OUTVERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN

VA4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART

VB4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SUN BEETHOVEN

VC4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH MOZART GERSHWIN

[oaktreerb]

Looking at the Nieuw Statendam, a similar ship layout:  The BC rooms can be booked directly but the BC is a “placeholder” for Vista Suite Guarantees as the cheapest in that category..  You will get that or better.  The BB are under the Lido and higher up, more movement and noise maybe.  The best or AS rooms of that Vista Ste category are mid ship and sandwiched between stateroom occupied decks.  The A category is mostly mid ship and over and under the AA.  Then you will sometimes find a stateroom in an unexpected place.  Best are midship and with a stateroom above and below.  Have you looked at staterooms on Halfacts?  The layout of the Vista Suites is different from the Veranda.  Is it worth the cost?

Edited October 31, 2021 by oaktreerb

[oaktreerb]

13 hours ago, Gretchendz said:

Here's a list for Rotterdam:

PS4/2 OUT PINNACLE SUITES AVG 1290 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SQ2/2 OUT SPA NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 465 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH PANORAMA

SA3/2 OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SB3/2OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN BEETHOVEN

SC2/2OUT NEPTUNE SUITES AVG 502 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SUN

SS3/2OUT SIGNATURE SUITES AVG 400 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT

SY2/2OUT SIGNATURE SUITES AVG 400 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH GERSHWINA

S3/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT BEETHOVEN

A4/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN BEETHOVEN

B4/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION

BC2/2OUT VISTA SUITE AVG 267 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH MOZART BEETHOVENVQ3/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH PANORAMAVS2/2OUTVERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION MOZART GERSHWINV4/2OUTVERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART GERSHWIN

VA4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH NAVIGATION SCHUBERT MOZART

VB4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH SUN BEETHOVEN

VC4/2OUT VERANDAH AVG 233 SQ FT INCL. VERANDAH MOZART GERSHWIN

Interesting information.  It took me a while to figure it out.   Where did you find it?

[Gretchendz]

40 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

Interesting information.  It took me a while to figure it out.   Where did you find it?

 

 

Travel agent site--Out obviously is outside, each lists the floors by name, square feet

Edited November 1, 2021 by Gretchendz