Oversold Cruise?

[bbenson]

I was looking at bookings today and notice that one one sailing there were a lot of GTY only catagories. So, I was wondering, they book GTY rooms just in case people cancel, so in essence, they overbook the ship. I was just wondering if it has ever happened that someone had a GTY and didn't get on the ship at all because people didn't cancel? Is this even possible? Oh, and I've never booked a GTY nor do I intend to since I'm a little particular about my cabin, I was justing wondering. Thanks in advance!

[dforeigner]

Airlines do it, hotels do it, why not the cruise lines. Unlike the airlines and hotels, I yet to hear someone not being able to go on a cruise due to it being over sold. The cruise lines will make pretty good offers for people to reschedule their cruise in order to make room for everyone.

[DeltaOne]

I was looking at bookings today and notice that one one sailing there were a lot of GTY only catagories.

The cruise lines will offer GTY in the cheaper categories when they still have a lot of more expensive rooms to sell. They'll then upgrade (for cost or free) already booked passengers to make room for the new GTY rooms they sell. Their goal, of course -- is for the ship to sail at 100% capacity.

[paul929207]

Prior to final payment, cruise lines will overboo, expeccting some passengers to cancel. This is why they occasionally have to make offers to get people to switch from an overbooked cruise to one with space.

 

Once final payment is made, cruise lines usually not take reservations for a full ship. They will put people on a waitlist., but these people are not guarenteed a cabin.

[pungo3]

Yes, if you read the boards frequently, you'll see people announcing the offers they've received to give up their cabin. The cruiseline definitely makes it worth your while to give it up. Heck, I hope they call me some day. My schedule is pretty flexible and I'd love to end up with two cruises for the price of one!

[chasetf]

...I was just wondering if it has ever happened that someone had a GTY and didn't get on the ship at all because people didn't cancel? ....

GTY (Guarantee) means that... you are guaranteed of getting on the ship. The only way you will not is if you accept their "move-over" offer when they are overbooked.

[JerseyGuys]

Brian I was on one of the CB short cruises in May 2008, those 4-5 days cruises were heavily overbooked. As a result some people got insanely great offers (not me unfortunately) to give up their cabins, so that they could accomodate people with a guarenteed cabin after final payment. I know of a number of people who gave up their 4 or 5 day cruise and got a refuld on that cruise, compenstation for lost airfare, and a 7 day cruise after October 2008....I would have given up my spot in a minute....

[johnmik1]

I was speaking to a Princess officer who told me that 3-5% of all passengers on all sailings don't show.He said that this was constant so they overbook because of this.

[Joe Pflanz]

I once booked a 10 day Hawaiian Cruise. Booked over a year in advance. had a balcony room reserved, not a GTY. About 3 months prior to the cruise I was called and asked if i would move over to a different cruise if they made it "worth my while"

 

My mouth dropped as they told me of their offer. A choice of 3 other cruises, upgraded to the best available room, and some money back. None of the offered cruises were less than 17 days. Of course I asked what the best available room was, thinking it may be a inside even. Was told that it would be a suite.

 

Now being the astute husband, that I am, I said I had to call my wife to get "permission to change" They gave me an hour to get back to them.

 

Ended up on a 21 day trans-atlantic/mediteranean cruise, in a suite on the Royal, including airfare, and even got back a substantial sum of money. To top it off we were seated at the Captain's Table for the entire cruise, unfortuantely on first seating, and the Captain eats at 2nd, but we had the First officer, and it was a charming time.

 

Joe

[Colo Cruiser]

The cruise is not oversold if it shows GTY available.

 

If all cats are waitlisted then it is oversold. ;)

[PaddleAddict]

I once booked a 10 day Hawaiian Cruise. Booked over a year in advance. had a balcony room reserved, not a GTY. About 3 months prior to the cruise I was called and asked if i would move over to a different cruise if they made it "worth my while"

 

My mouth dropped as they told me of their offer. A choice of 3 other cruises, upgraded to the best available room, and some money back. None of the offered cruises were less than 17 days. Of course I asked what the best available room was, thinking it may be a inside even. Was told that it would be a suite.

 

Now being the astute husband, that I am, I said I had to call my wife to get "permission to change" They gave me an hour to get back to them.

 

Ended up on a 21 day trans-atlantic/mediteranean cruise, in a suite on the Royal, including airfare, and even got back a substantial sum of money. To top it off we were seated at the Captain's Table for the entire cruise, unfortuantely on first seating, and the Captain eats at 2nd, but we had the First officer, and it was a charming time.

 

Joe

 

Wow, I just got chills reading that!!!

[luv2swim]

I once booked a 10 day Hawaiian Cruise. Booked over a year in advance. had a balcony room reserved, not a GTY. About 3 months prior to the cruise I was called and asked if i would move over to a different cruise if they made it "worth my while"

 

My mouth dropped as they told me of their offer. A choice of 3 other cruises, upgraded to the best available room, and some money back. None of the offered cruises were less than 17 days. Of course I asked what the best available room was, thinking it may be a inside even. Was told that it would be a suite.

 

Now being the astute husband, that I am, I said I had to call my wife to get "permission to change" They gave me an hour to get back to them.

 

Ended up on a 21 day trans-atlantic/mediteranean cruise, in a suite on the Royal, including airfare, and even got back a substantial sum of money. To top it off we were seated at the Captain's Table for the entire cruise, unfortuantely on first seating, and the Captain eats at 2nd, but we had the First officer, and it was a charming time.

 

Joe

 

I would love that! Maybe someday!

[rcacace]

The cruise lines should start a special list of people willing to be bumped at a moments notice. Perhaps they already have on that I don't know about !

[Times Prince]

The cruise lines should start a special list of people willing to be bumped at a moments notice. Perhaps they already have on that I don't know about !

No they shouldn't. Over the years we have been contacted several times with overbooked offers and we were not able to accept, mostly due to limited vacation periods at work. Recently we finally accepted one because a) we could and b) they made us generous offer including cabin upgrade and OBC and c) This for a dream itinerary. Basically they made us an offer we couldn't refuse !

 

If they had a list we would never have been contacted and wouldn't be praising our good fortune from Princess Cruises to everyone we know. And that is invaluable advertising endorsement for Princess, as we know many friends and coworkers who will probably now consider Princess first for cruising.

 

The "random" nature of the move-over offers for overbooked cruises has benefits that constitute good business. Plus they don't have to deal with the complaints from people who volunteer for the "special list" and then don't get offers.

 

We feel special just for getting the outstanding offer !

[Coastaljen]

I always go for gty if it is an option. I figure I am too indecisive, so just assign me a cabin. I have really only had one bad cabin, and still it was better than being on land. :-)

[victory2020]

They appear to always find enough volunteers. We were offered a move over last May & didn't take it at first. They called back & I negotiated a pretty good deal with them. They told me they actually got a couple people on from the waitlist in the end, so they'd rather be safe than sorry when offering deals.

[8 Bells]

I once booked a 10 day Hawaiian Cruise. Booked over a year in advance. had a balcony room reserved, not a GTY. About 3 months prior to the cruise I was called and asked if i would move over to a different cruise if they made it "worth my while"

 

My mouth dropped as they told me of their offer. A choice of 3 other cruises, upgraded to the best available room, and some money back. None of the offered cruises were less than 17 days. Of course I asked what the best available room was, thinking it may be a inside even. Was told that it would be a suite.

 

Now being the astute husband, that I am, I said I had to call my wife to get "permission to change" They gave me an hour to get back to them.

 

Ended up on a 21 day trans-atlantic/mediteranean cruise, in a suite on the Royal, including airfare, and even got back a substantial sum of money. To top it off we were seated at the Captain's Table for the entire cruise, unfortuantely on first seating, and the Captain eats at 2nd, but we had the First officer, and it was a charming time.

 

Joe

 

Joe, you are one lucky guy! Wish that would happen to me sometime! ;)

[smoosh21]

I was speaking to a Princess officer who told me that 3-5% of all passengers on all sailings don't show.He said that this was constant so they overbook because of this.

But if you just don't show up, you lose your money. The cruise line shouldn't really care too much if a paid room sails empty. Yeah, they might lose some Casino money, but that cabin was still paid for.

[Crown Prince]

The crew loses out on tips. :eek:

[caribill]

But if you just don't show up, you lose your money. The cruise line shouldn't really care too much if a paid room sails empty. Yeah, they might lose some Casino money, but that cabin was still paid for.

 

And drink money and Bingo money and photo money and Spa money and shore excursion money and onboard shops money.......