Moving assigned guaranteed cabin?

[washoff]

I booked an inside guaranteed cabin for a Vision of the Seas cruise next month. The reservation was assigned a few days ago, and it is on the 2nd deck. Wanted to be close to the buffet on the 9th deck because we plan in eating in the cabin the entire time because of Covid. I called to look into moving the inside cabin to a higher floor, and they want to charge me nearly $500 more since apparently it is in the cabin category above the one I was assigned. Puzzled by the cost difference since if I had gone ahead and picked the location for my room at time of booking it would have only cost $250 more (even as of today that is still true).

 

Unfortunately, just a few days after I booked, they dropped the price of a guaranteed oceanview cabin to be the same price as the guaranteed interior ones. It would have gotten me more leverage to get an inside cabin at a higher level on the ship without being charged extra.

 

The cabin close to the buffet is smaller than the interior cabin I was assigned, and it seems like they are deeming it to be in a higher category soley because it is a higher deck.

 

Any tips to try to get where I want to without paying such a high extra cost? 

[neverbeenhere]

Deck 8: seems to have the exact same category. If those are staterooms available 

[neverbeenhere]

You should be able to move to any stateroom of the exact same category that is open. 

[washoff]

Thank you. I just re-looked. You are right! My cabin is category 3V and there are cabins both on deck 7 and deck 8 that are 3V and available.

 

The moment the Royal Caribbean call agent saw I had booked a guaranteed room, he said there would be a cost to move. I wonder why I got quoted such a high extra cost to move?

[ONECRUISER]

1 minute ago, washoff said:

Thank you. I just re-looked. You are right! My cabin is category 3V and there are cabins both on deck 7 and deck 8 that are 3V and available.

 

The moment the Royal Caribbean call agent saw I had booked a guaranteed room, he said there would be a cost to move. I wonder why I got quoted such a high extra cost to move?

Changing after assigned your Cabin no cost to move into exact same Cat Cabin. Not same 3V to 3V have to pay current rate difference

[cruisegirl1]

Good luck in getting a different cabin assignment.  Just off topic but commenting on your post, you say you plan to eat all meal in your (inside) cabin the entire time because of Covid.  OK.    Are you aware that there is no dining table or even dining chairs, maybe one desk chair?  Also, if this is to avoid others, please be aware that the Windjammer is often crowded at mealtimes and may be so when you go to get your meals to take back to eat in the cabin.  Do you expect to remain in the cabin the entire cruise as the cruises are sailing pretty full and you will likely encounter others in all venues? 

 

M 

Edited October 30, 2022 by cruisegirl1

[neverbeenhere]

Call back. 

[washoff]

Thank you. I will call back tomorrow as apparently their reservation line is closed today when I called.

 

Yeah, pre-Covid, I would occasionally bring back meals to the cabin from the buffet when cruising, so I realize it is not optimal, but something I can tolerate.

 

It is just for eating that I plan to avoid others since I can't stay masked then. I plan on wearing my mask at all times outside of my cabin and I am comfortable enough to go about the ship and enjoy the entertainment.

 

I did a cruise last November before Omicron hit and that time I did eat in the buffet most of the time, but the ship was empty, so I was always able to be far away from anyone else when I did do that, and masks were required in the buffet area except when you were actually eating. That was when the vaccines were more effective, and vaccination and strict Covid testing was required, so I felt slightly more comfortable doing that then, but I still stayed masked the rest of the time.

 

Admittedly though, the only reason I am taking this cruise is I had airline credit from pre-Covid that they would not extend any longer and it was about to expire, otherwise I probably would have waited a little longer to take another cruise. Thank you for the concern!

Edited October 30, 2022 by washoff

[Starry Eyes]

I generally first try to determine my assigned cabin category, then look up the available cabins in my exact category, noting the cabin numbers of my top 2-3 choices (just in case somebody else snags my favorite while on holding for an agent…it has happened).  Then I place the call.

[Jyllie63]

2 hours ago, washoff said:

Thank you. I just re-looked. You are right! My cabin is category 3V and there are cabins both on deck 7 and deck 8 that are 3V and available.

 

The moment the Royal Caribbean call agent saw I had booked a guaranteed room, he said there would be a cost to move. I wonder why I got quoted such a high extra cost to move?

you must have gotten the same rep I got today to do the same thing. I called the Crown and Anchor desk and they did it with a smile and no extra money 🙂

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, washoff said:

Thank you. I will call back tomorrow as apparently their reservation line is closed today when I called.

 

Yeah, pre-Covid, I would occasionally bring back meals to the cabin from the buffet when cruising, so I realize it is not optimal, but something I can tolerate.

 

It is just for eating that I plan to avoid others since I can't stay masked then. I plan on wearing my mask at all times outside of my cabin and I am comfortable enough to go about the ship and enjoy the entertainment.

 

I did a cruise last November before Omicron hit and that time I did eat in the buffet most of the time, but the ship was empty, so I was always able to be far away from anyone else when I did do that, and masks were required in the buffet area except when you were actually eating. That was when the vaccines were more effective, and vaccination and strict Covid testing was required, so I felt slightly more comfortable doing that then, but I still stayed masked the rest of the time.

 

Admittedly though, the only reason I am taking this cruise is I had airline credit from pre-Covid that they would not extend any longer and it was about to expire, otherwise I probably would have waited a little longer to take another cruise. Thank you for the concern!

 

When you call back, do not mention that it was a guaranty.  Just call and say you want to move from 3V cabin XXXX to 3V cabin ZZZZ.  

[cruisegirl1]

13 hours ago, washoff said:

Thank you. I will call back tomorrow as apparently their reservation line is closed today when I called.

 

Yeah, pre-Covid, I would occasionally bring back meals to the cabin from the buffet when cruising, so I realize it is not optimal, but something I can tolerate.

 

It is just for eating that I plan to avoid others since I can't stay masked then. I plan on wearing my mask at all times outside of my cabin and I am comfortable enough to go about the ship and enjoy the entertainment.

 

I did a cruise last November before Omicron hit and that time I did eat in the buffet most of the time, but the ship was empty, so I was always able to be far away from anyone else when I did do that, and masks were required in the buffet area except when you were actually eating. That was when the vaccines were more effective, and vaccination and strict Covid testing was required, so I felt slightly more comfortable doing that then, but I still stayed masked the rest of the time.

 

Admittedly though, the only reason I am taking this cruise is I had airline credit from pre-Covid that they would not extend any longer and it was about to expire, otherwise I probably would have waited a little longer to take another cruise. Thank you for the concern!

best wishes for a pleasant cruise.  The upcoming cruise will be nothing like your last November cruise.  It will be difficult to be in areas away from others, especially indoors.  

 

Enjoy

M

Edited October 31, 2022 by cruisegirl1

[jjsparkles]

I tried to get mine moved today. I called and also tried the live chat but was very firmly told that as I’d booked a guaranteed balcony it would not be moved unless I wanted to reprice the entire cruise. I didn’t mention what I’d booked but they very quickly pointed it out. 
 

I suppose it’s just the risk you take booking this. I just have a slight concern re noise, but not concerned enough to pay the £800 extra 😄 So we’ll just enjoy what we have. 
 

Very surprised to get assigned our cabin so fast. We only booked on Friday and cruise isn’t until next May. 

[reallyitsmema]

8 minutes ago, jjsparkles said:

I tried to get mine moved today. I called and also tried the live chat but was very firmly told that as I’d booked a guaranteed balcony it would not be moved unless I wanted to reprice the entire cruise. I didn’t mention what I’d booked but they very quickly pointed it out. 
 

I suppose it’s just the risk you take booking this. I just have a slight concern re noise, but not concerned enough to pay the £800 extra 😄 So we’ll just enjoy what we have. 
 

Very surprised to get assigned our cabin so fast. We only booked on Friday and cruise isn’t until next May. 

 

US bookings usual allow cabins to be moved, your rules are different than ours.

[jjsparkles]

2 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

US bookings usual allow cabins to be moved, your rules are different than ours.

Thanks, that explains it. I hadn’t thought of that being a reason. 

[washoff]

I called again today and was able to move the cabin! Now we are right by the stairs that are right by the buffet two decks up. Really pleased with this. Thank you everyone!

Edited November 1, 2022 by washoff

[karebare22]

Same thing just

On 10/31/2022 at 2:42 PM, jjsparkles said:

I tried to get mine moved today. I called and also tried the live chat but was very firmly told that as I’d booked a guaranteed balcony it would not be moved unless I wanted to reprice the entire cruise. I didn’t mention what I’d booked but they very quickly pointed it out. 

Same thing just happened to me. Booked a GTY cabin, and was assigned a  2V cabin 30 days before the cruise. We are now 21 days before the cruise and called via  travel agent to change to another 2V cabin on a different deck to be closer to family. He had RC agent on the line to tell us it would cost us $650 more because it’s considered a category change from GTY. Will call back tomorrow, or try to change the cabin when we board. Wonder if this is a new policy for GTY bookings?  We didn’t have any problems changing GTY cabins a few months ago.

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, karebare22 said:

Wonder if this is a new policy for GTY bookings?

No, you just happened to get an uncooperative CSR. 

[Jbluebird]

On 10/31/2022 at 2:42 PM, jjsparkles said:

I tried to get mine moved today. I called and also tried the live chat but was very firmly told that as I’d booked a guaranteed balcony it would not be moved unless I wanted to reprice the entire cruise. I didn’t mention what I’d booked but they very quickly pointed it out. 
 

I suppose it’s just the risk you take booking this. I just have a slight concern re noise, but not concerned enough to pay the £800 extra 😄 So we’ll just enjoy what we have. 
 

Very surprised to get assigned our cabin so fast. We only booked on Friday and cruise isn’t until next May. 

The same thing happened to us.  A few days ago I booked a guarantee room for August and our room number popped up the next day. I thought guarantee rooms weren't assigned until almost cruise time. 

[Jbluebird]

I also called to get our room changed to a guarantee on a different deck (our room is above the casino), but was also told I'd have to rebook and have my refundable deposit changed to a nonrefundable deposit.  How do you see what rooms are still available?

[wallyj]

7 minutes ago, Jbluebird said:

I also called to get our room changed to a guarantee on a different deck (our room is above the casino), but was also told I'd have to rebook and have my refundable deposit changed to a nonrefundable deposit.  How do you see what rooms are still available?

If you have been assigned a cabin from a GTY booking, US bookings can have the cabin changed to any remaining available cabins in that category. You just do a mock booking to see what cabins are available to pick. I have done this serval times and only once got a Royal  rep tell my travel agent, no. I told my agent to call back, as they were given incorrect info that I could not change my cabin. You do not need to rebook a GTY csbin on the floor you desire, just see if any cabins are left to be assigned.

 

Also when there are no cabins left, wait till about 3-5 days before sail date, when many upgrades will have processed and the possibility of cabins becoming available.

[Biker19]

14 minutes ago, Jbluebird said:

How do you see what rooms are still available?

Use some TA site, not RCI. 

[little britain]

On 10/31/2022 at 6:42 PM, jjsparkles said:

I tried to get mine moved today. I called and also tried the live chat but was very firmly told that as I’d booked a guaranteed balcony it would not be moved unless I wanted to reprice the entire cruise. I didn’t mention what I’d booked but they very quickly pointed it out. 
 

I suppose it’s just the risk you take booking this. I just have a slight concern re noise, but not concerned enough to pay the £800 extra 😄 So we’ll just enjoy what we have. 
 

Very surprised to get assigned our cabin so fast. We only booked on Friday and cruise isn’t until next May. 

UK rules sadly do not allow us to move gty rooms once assigned without repricing.

This serves little purpose apart from **ssing us Brits off before the cruise; especially when we read of our fellow Americans travellers being able to swap and change!!!

 

Another reason why I book via the USA. 

[sgmn]

45 minutes ago, little britain said:

UK rules sadly do not allow us to move gty rooms once assigned without repricing.

This serves little purpose apart from **ssing us Brits off before the cruise; especially when we read of our fellow Americans travellers being able to swap and change!!!

 

Another reason why I book via the USA. 

Thanks LB,  was just about to ask if rules are different for Europeans.  So annoying and for what reason 🤷‍♀️

Looking to book transatlantic but I want the sunny side (starboard east bound ?) guess I'll just have to spend several hundred more to book particular cabin or just go with OV 

 

Edited December 5, 2022 by sgmn

[Starry Eyes]

6 hours ago, sgmn said:

Thanks LB,  was just about to ask if rules are different for Europeans.  So annoying and for what reason 🤷‍♀️

Looking to book transatlantic but I want the sunny side (starboard east bound ?) guess I'll just have to spend several hundred more to book particular cabin or just go with OV 

 

I understand that the difference in booking rules is annoying.  That said, if one books a gty under US rules frequently one’s cabin is assigned shortly before sailing when there are few or no options to swap within the specific assigned category.  A couple times in the past I have booked a gty balcony on TA sailing and been unable to swap to the sunny side of the ship; we sailed on the shady side.  Regardless of US or UK booking rules, you must have the sunny side, you need to pick your own cabin; do not book gty.