GUARANTEE WHAT??? THE CONFUSION AND ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS WHEN YOU ARE OFFERED A CABIN ON A GUARANTEE BASIS

Getting offered a cabin on a guarantee basis often sounds like a great way to make a big saving on a cruise, but, and it’s a big but so you really need to be clear as to exactly what you are accepting before deciding it’s for you.

So, let’s start by telling you what a guarantee is and what it’s not, and then I will guide you as to when you could accept one and when you should not. Guarantee cabins appear with many cruise lines these days and they can be a good way to make a nice saving.

Okay…     let’s use a few examples. Guarantee cabins are used frequently by P & O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean to name but a few. Most cruise lines offer them.

THE OFFER OF A CABIN ON A GUARANTEE BASIS CAN VARY FROM CRUISE LINE TO CRUISE LINE BUT NEARLY ALWAYS MEANS THAT YOU WILL BE OFFERED THE MINIMUM OF THE SPECIFIC GRADE, THE CABIN WILL BE ASSIGNED BY THE CRUISE LINE AND THIS COULD BE ANYWHERE AT ALL ON THE SHIP, FORWARD, AFT, HIGH DECK, LOW DECK…

It’s a lottery and you have absolutely no comebacks or claim against the cruise line and/or the travel agent if you accept a guarantee cabin, but then don’t like it once it’s assigned. The cruise line is under no obligation to change it and will almost certainly not.

I’ve been in this business a very long time now and I have heard it time and time again that someone complains because they don’t like the cabin they are assigned even though it was on a guarantee. As long as the cabin assigned is of at least the grade they confirmed at time of booking then it’s a done deal.

Now what you need to watch out for. If you accept a guarantee on a P & O cruise ship, let’s say an Outside cabin, then that’s what you’ll get as a minimum. It could be a Balcony. Very nice but I have had in the past a couple who specifically wanted an Inside cabin, booked on a guarantee ands then subsequently threw a tantrem when the cruise line kindly upgraded them to an Outside cabin at no extra cost!! Be aware though that with P&O, a higher grade of cabin, even if still another Outside cabin, could be forward right over the anchor. A higher grade which under the terms of the guarantee can be assigned at the cruise lines’ discretion could be in a much worse position than the lower grade. It happens often too.

Travelling as a family of four and need two cabins? Guarantee cabins do not work here unless you are prepared to take two cabins which could be on different decks, at opposite ends of the ship and could be nowhere near each other. They could even be different grades.

Also be aware that taking a guarantee cabin often means you will not get any opportunity to have a specific dining option confirmed. The cruise line may note your preference but there’s no guarantee you’ll get what you ask for.

Want a cabin where your bed allows you to sleep facing the direction of travel? Again, that’s too specific and a guarantee cabin is not for you.

If you can fully accept the obvious drawbacks then a guarantee could be worth taking.

My advice, always assess the offer of the guarantee against what it would cost to get something specific confirmed at time of booking. The difference in cost may be vast and you might decide the guarantee is worth the gamble…      but, that exactly what it is. A gamble. On the other hand it might not be as much as you think to pay for a specific grade in a midships position.

Let me know if you have ever taken a cabin on a guarantee basis and if it worked, or it did not work, for you!!!