Guaranteed Balcony - Wonder

[schildiams]

On the odyssey there is a 2e obstructed guarantee and an xb ocean view balcony guarantee. Does this mean the the bc will never be obstructed?

[ReRe71]

13 hours ago, molly361 said:

No cabin assignment yesterday  Oh well

I’ve been stalking the site as well, booked a suite gty for December and no assignment yet 

[Biker19]

10 hours ago, schildiams said:

Does this mean that the bc will never be obstructed?

I wouldn’t count on it. 

[Mum2Mercury]

We almost always book guarantees -- we haven't been disappointed yet, and the price difference is usually fairly significant.  Thoughts: 

- We've usually learned our cabin number from the "barcode trick", which Mike described in Post #2.  Note:  He says use an iPhone ... it works with Androids too.  Once my boarding pass is available on the computer, I scan the computer screen barcode with my phone, and -- voila! -- our cabin number. 

- Boarding passes become available 45 days out.  We've typically been able to see our cabin number 3-4 days after that.  I admit I go a little number-crazy and check multiple times per day.  

- We have never been dissatisfied with our cabin.  It seems that we usually get something on the 6th floor (not that that's a promise in any way).  6th is a floor that's not particularly popular among cruisers, but it's become our favorite, as it's just one quick flight of stairs from the Promenade.  We find that handy.  With one exception, we have always been mid-ship; we think that's because mid-ship often costs a bit more, and people don't want to pay it.  

- Once we saw our room number, and then it disappeared -- but the next day, the very same number reappeared.  I'm inclined to think that -- once a room is assigned -- they don't change it.  

[molly361]

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

We almost always book guarantees -- we haven't been disappointed yet, and the price difference is usually fairly significant.  Thoughts: 

- We've usually learned our cabin number from the "barcode trick", which Mike described in Post #2.  Note:  He says use an iPhone ... it works with Androids too.  Once my boarding pass is available on the computer, I scan the computer screen barcode with my phone, and -- voila! -- our cabin number. 

- Boarding passes become available 45 days out.  We've typically been able to see our cabin number 3-4 days after that.  I admit I go a little number-crazy and check multiple times per day.  

- We have never been dissatisfied with our cabin.  It seems that we usually get something on the 6th floor (not that that's a promise in any way).  6th is a floor that's not particularly popular among cruisers, but it's become our favorite, as it's just one quick flight of stairs from the Promenade.  We find that handy.  With one exception, we have always been mid-ship; we think that's because mid-ship often costs a bit more, and people don't want to pay it.  

- Once we saw our room number, and then it disappeared -- but the next day, the very same number reappeared.  I'm inclined to think that -- once a room is assigned -- they don't change it.  

I will be VERY happy if I get the 6th floor on my upcoming Wonder sailing.  That is my go to deck.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

We've usually learned our cabin number from the "barcode trick", which Mike described in Post #2.  Note:  He says use an iPhone ... it works with Androids too.  Once my boarding pass is available on the computer, I scan the computer screen barcode with my phone, and -- voila! -- our cabin number. 

 

That's why I also mentioned this (for Android users)...

 

Method 2. Scan the bar code with a QR scanner from another device and that should also show you the numbers.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'm inclined to think that -- once a room is assigned -- they don't change it.  

 

Rarely but it can and does happen.

[Starry Eyes]

On 9/30/2023 at 12:22 PM, molly361 said:

I pretty much never book guarantees so this is a new game for me.  I remember a time years and years ago I booked one and the cabin was assigned a few hours after booking.  And way before final payment date.   This is a GGG Wonder bargain for December

I’ve booked a fair number of gty lately and none of my official assignments lately have come before check in.  My two November gty cruise assignments (including a Wonder  cruise) only show in the barcode; officially those cabins are not yet assigned.  It could happen sooner, I suppose, for our Wonder GGG Dec deals, but I am not stalking the app.

[molly361]

1 minute ago, Starry Eyes said:

I’ve booked a fair number of gty lately and none of my official assignments lately have come before check in.  My two November gty cruise assignments (including a Wonder  cruise) only show in the barcode; officially those cabins are not yet assigned.  It could happen sooner, I suppose, for our Wonder GGG Dec deals, but I am not stalking the app.

No worries i'm stalking enough for the both of us😇

[Starry Eyes]

19 minutes ago, molly361 said:

No worries i'm stalking enough for the both of us😇

If you get the better assignment, I know you will have earned it

 

(though we know it doesn’t really work that way😉)

[Cruiscs]

On 9/29/2023 at 11:58 PM, cakewalk73 said:

How do you change a guaranty cabin? 

TA changed it

[amby6063]

We have 3 gty cabins booked for early January on Symphony  and I have been stalking daily (or more lol) too! Glad I’m not the only one! 😂😂

[BecciBoo]

On 9/29/2023 at 6:08 PM, OCSC Mike said:

 

After it is officially assigned either your TA has to do it if you used one or you call RC if you booked directly through them.

 

NOTE: You can only change to an available cabin in your EXACT category.

The only thing disappointing about that is that if the agent on the phone cannot see your cabin #, he/she will refuse to change your location.  Since ours was assigned way late, when it finally showed up on our rez, it was too late to get a better location and it was a problem with the wheel chair the whole cruise.  The cabin was right in the middle between elevator bays.  Would have been nice to get closer to one.  So there is something to normal booking...location location location.  Both times on the Royal Up and a GTY I have regretted the location, although thankful to get into an OV instead of an interior.  

Edited October 5, 2023 by BecciBoo

[OCSC Mike]

28 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

The only thing disappointing about that is that if the agent on the phone cannot see your cabin #, he/she will refuse to change your location.  Since ours was assigned way late, when it finally showed up on our rez, it was too late to get a better location and it was a problem with the wheel chair the whole cruise.  The cabin was right in the middle between elevator bays.  Would have been nice to get closer to one.  So there is something to normal booking...location location location.  Both times on the Royal Up and a GTY I have regretted the location, although thankful to get into an OV instead of an interior.  

 

All true of course. Sorry you didn't get exactly what you wanted.

 

I primarily stopped booking GTY's when I started using a TA for group rates to save money once standard prices started getting crazy but the ability to also choose my cabin is definitely worth something, even if you're not overly picky (which we aren't but everyone has preferences).

 

It was also a lot easier to move GTY's after assignment back when ships weren't all so crazy full. As recently as a year ago I had no problem switching cabins even with a late assignment. The last switch I ever made was 6-7 days before sailing. I had already switched once and was content but then a cabin popped up in what was an ideal spot so I switched again... we wound up 6 doors down from a cabin we had 3 months prior and loved the location. We also got to go find our previous stateroom attendant who was great but he had moved down the hallway a bit so we didn't get him again.

Edited October 5, 2023 by OCSC Mike

[Starry Eyes]

4 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

The only thing disappointing about that is that if the agent on the phone cannot see your cabin #, he/she will refuse to change your location.  Since ours was assigned way late, when it finally showed up on our rez, it was too late to get a better location and it was a problem with the wheel chair the whole cruise.  The cabin was right in the middle between elevator bays.  Would have been nice to get closer to one.  So there is something to normal booking...location location location.  Both times on the Royal Up and a GTY I have regretted the location, although thankful to get into an OV instead of an interior.  

Yes, you have to be officially assigned a cabin before you can ask to swap to a different cabin in the exact same category.  Many of us use the bar code trick to get an early clue what our assignment when we still do not have an official cabin assignment.  It is not an official cabin assignment, so one cannot expect to change cabins based on a bar code.  I like using the bar code trick to satisfy my curiosity and to help guide my RoyalUp bids (if we love our the cabin # in the barcode, we might cancel or decrease some RoyalUp bids; OTOH if we are unenthusiastic about the cabin # in the barcode we might add or increase some Royal bids).

 

Both RoyalUp and Gty are best for people who are not picky about location.  Those who have specific cabin location needs or desires are better off selecting their own cabins if possible.

Edited October 5, 2023 by Starry Eyes

[BecciBoo]

Yeah that's what I just said...........🙄

[Starry Eyes]

On 10/2/2023 at 12:58 PM, molly361 said:

No worries i'm stalking enough for the both of us😇

Fully acknowledging Royal can manage each cruise differently, I’ll still share the timeline for my for my 11/5 XB booking.  At check in 45 days out, no official assignment though cabin # was coded in bar code.  Cabin was assigned at 30 days…midship deck 12

My Wonder December cabin is still unassigned.  Yours too?  If so, happy stalking.😀

[molly361]

1 minute ago, Starry Eyes said:

Fully acknowledging Royal can manage each cruise differently, I’ll still share the timeline for my for my 11/5 XB booking.  At check in 45 days out, no official assignment though cabin # was coded in bar code.  Cabin was assigned at 30 days…midship deck 12

My Wonder December cabin is still unassigned.  Yours too?  If so, happy stalking.😀

No cabin still stalking- next great debate is do I want to try RU to a GS or not-  I have yet to win one and I know odds are slim of winning AND i have to pay for 2 .  

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

No cabin still stalking- next great debate is do I want to try RU to a GS or not-  I have yet to win one and I know odds are slim of winning AND i have to pay for 2 .  

Since ships have been at full capacity, we have not won a RoyalUp bid for a suite on Oasis or Quantum Class.  The minimum bids are also much higher. We moved from a JS to a GS on Mariner last month.  I think my odds are very slim for Wonder in Nov and Dec.

[Arzeena]

On 10/6/2023 at 11:35 AM, molly361 said:

No cabin still stalking- next great debate is do I want to try RU to a GS or not-  I have yet to win one and I know odds are slim of winning AND i have to pay for 2 .  

I am checking in here to see if your cabin has been assigned and if you got your favorite deck 6. I used to be wary of lower decks but now love them.....especially after coming back from the port and taking the stairs.😁

[molly361]

7 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

I am checking in here to see if your cabin has been assigned and if you got your favorite deck 6. I used to be wary of lower decks but now love them.....especially after coming back from the port and taking the stairs.😁

Nothing yet 

[Starry Eyes]

I checked in for our 12/3 Wonder cruise this morning.  The bar code suggests we will be assigned category CB cabin on deck 11 forward.  In the past our neighbors in connecting cabins have been reasonably quiet.  Hopefully that will be true again.

[molly361]

21 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

I checked in for our 12/3 Wonder cruise this morning.  The bar code suggests we will be assigned category CB cabin on deck 11 forward.  In the past our neighbors in connecting cabins have been reasonably quiet.  Hopefully that will be true again.

Did my first barcode trick.  Got a 4D deck 7 wayyyyyyyyyyyyy forward

[Starry Eyes]

19 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Did my first barcode trick.  Got a 4D deck 7 wayyyyyyyyyyyyy forward

When I looked there weren’t any CB or 4D cabin currently available, so even if our assignments suddenly became official, neither of us would be trying to trade to another cabin. Of course after the assignments are official, a 4D cabin might open up, as there are so many of those.  I expect to stay put.  

 

[jilluh]

Question... I am not as concerned about what balcony I am going to get, but moreso the fact that I even HAVE a guarantee balcony. I just upgraded from a casino comp (free interior) to a guarantee balcony for free. Actually, the guarantee was cheaper than the interior. 

 

Now, that seemed suspicious enough but I went for it. I asked the agent, "Just to confirm, this is for a guarantee balcony?" He said, "Specifically this is for an ocean view guarantee balcony." Okay, I thought. Until I logged into my account and checked my invoice and all it says is "#GTY". 

 

Please tell me he did not sign me up for a guarantee interior? Does everyone else with Balcony Guarantee see the same thing in their account, or does it say Balcony GTY? Thank you!