Depends on the cruise. Some of the time, picking your own stateroom has just a 5-10% premium. Keep in mind that the people who are very prone to seasickness should not pick their own room. They should pick a room at the midship and ideally at a lower floor level (ex: closer to the sea). The problem is that especially during the busy season, the person is most likely to end up where people who pick their cabin don't want to end up. People might get lucky, but odds are it will not be ideal.
Last month I booked a guaranteed inside cabin 2 weeks before the cruise. I was assigned a stateroom on deck 2 one week prior to the cruise. When I checked in at the pier I was upgraded to an inside cabin with window on deck 4, free basic WiFi and classic drinks package. I haven't calculated the cost of my upgrade, but I was very happy, it was my first cruise, it was my birthday and it was with Celebrity. I had an amazing time. I've already booked a cruise in march 2023, June 2023 and I'm going to book another for September 2023. I will be very very surprised if I receive another upgrade 🤷🏾♀️
How awesome! You got a great upgrade it sounds like. So glad you enjoyed your first Celebrity cruise. They are definitely my favorite line. Thanks for watching and fingers crossed you get another great upgrade!
I work for a cruise line reservations! Just be careful not to book guaranteed often! Because the cruise lines are getting popular again and now over booking. If you don’t have a room/cabin and they have overbooked, you won’t be able to sail! Be careful!
My only cruise booking that I did GUARANTEE interior cabin, they upgraded me for free to an oversized balcony cabin. It was very nice! But, what I found out is i actually like INTERIOR cabins better. I seldom sat on the balcony for many reasons. First of all it was windy, next people would smoke and throw cigarette butts from the above balconies and lastly people in the balconies next door would party on their balconies late at night. So either an inside cabin or a luxury cruise with a balcony that hopefully won't have the riff raff. I intend to book a roundtrip cruise from/to NYC on the transatlantic Queen Mary 2 and prior to that take a cruise from NYC to Bermuda. But interior cabins and oceanview are the best for me.
Thanks for this! I’ve always picked our room when cruising but just came across a great deal ($829pp - plus onboard credit - guaranteed Central Park balcony on a 7-night Oasis cruise in May). It would have been a few hundred more to pick. I’ve been wanting to try an inside balcony so thought this would be the perfect opportunity. I’ve watched a few videos with people sharing negative experiences so am very thankful to hear about your positive experience. I plan to have fabulous time wherever we end up! 😊
I’ve booked rooms when I need two near each other based on the size of our group, but otherwise let the cruise line choose for me. I’m happy with the savings and the rooms have been just fine. I planned our next three cruises and all of them are guaranteed. Great video/content.
My daughter booked the 2 us a great deal with only 48 to sailing. The balcony was less than the interior. Under $2000 for 10 nights, with gratuities, taxes & port fees included.
Booked a guarantee balcony on oasis sailing 8/14. Like you, my first time. While we ended up with a Central Park balcony, with no ocean view, it was an ok cabin. Probably won’t do it again for the little bit saved. Like having the control over deck, location & adjacent venues (noise factors). The $$$ savings was damn enticing though!!
Thanks for watching and sharing, David! That stinks you didn’t have an actual balcony - I totally get wanting to have more control over actual location and other factors.
Last cruise I took on Carnival Magic I did guaranteed balcony. We were on 7th deck near back. Nice and quiet. Saved over $500 on a 7-night cruise. Yes, I would do it again.
I am doing my eighth cruise this coming Sunday, 7-day NE/Canada out of Boston on Royal, and this will be my first SOLO cruise. I made the reservation back in July and picked my room, which I usually do, and I got a Promenade View room on the 8th floor for $615/total. I am very happy with this because I am all about saving as much as I can so I can cruise more often. I also sail exclusively out of Boston now for the savings, and also to avoid gawd-awful air travel now.
How awesome - a great deal and your first solo cruise. Solo cruising is my favorite way to go! I hope you enjoy and have an incredible cruise. Cruising from Boston in the fall sounds amazing. Thanks for watching!
Hey Zach! Another great and interesting video. We've never done a guaranteed cablin. As you may recall we love Celebrity. Do they even offer this? I don't think I've ever seen this option.
Thank you for watching! I’ve never seen this rate on Celebrity either. Who knows if it’s something they may offer once they’re back to full capacity, but not currently that I know of.
Hey Zach - awesome video and tips. I have only ever done guaranteed rooms and have not been disappointed yet. I typically end up on floor 3 or 4 and have not had issues so far. I was once close to the steakhouse and could smell the yummy steak all night 😋 this Bermuda cruise was my cheapest too. I would have been around $600 full price, but paid $280 as I had a Covid credit and a credit card discount of $150. Another perk I have is royal Caribbean stock. If you own 100 share, you get an onboard credit of $100 which I use for my tips. #win
Hi Linda - thanks for watching and sharing! I think I’ll be trying the Guarantee Stateroom thing more often after this great experience on Enchantment. I’ll let them pick my room if it means I get to cruise more often! Glad you got such a great deal as well.
Oh Zach I am one of those picky cruisers. I have to have the cabin in the middle of the ship as i can and on the middle deck if I can. Do not want to be anywhere near public venues , kitchens etc.. I would love to save money but not at the expense of my comfort..I need to know what I am getting. But great informational video🚢😊
Thanks for watching. And totally understand your position. Many folks have particular locations they like to stay and it’s not worth and money you might be saving to be in a location you won’t be completely happy with. It is a hard-earned vacation after all.
I've never been on a cruise in my life but I'm starting to think now is the time to get with it. Sure, I'd definitely book a Guarantee Stateroom to save money...heck yeah!
I've never paid more than $200 more for picking a room on a $2000 cruise, so it's usually less than 10% to pick your room. Maybe you got a special bargain, or it's different for shorter cruises.
I did it once...NEVER again...plus you are NOT guaranteed to sail on that cruise if the cruise over books. Also the amount you save depends on the cruise line.
I don't get the guaranteed option when booking a solo cruise with Royal. With 2 guests it does appear. And sometimes booking with 2 guests comes out cheaper. "Sorry, my companion couldn't make it" ;)
I have never had the opportunity to save that much using a guaranteed stateroom. I have it on an upcoming one, but the savings I am offered has never been more than 10%.
Hi Zac! Very informative! I thought I was a risk taker until seeing this video😂!! The savings was great but I would be scared shipless I would get all the way to the ship and not be able to sail!
Hahaha 😝. I have never heard of anyone being unable to sail because they booked a Guarantee Stateroom. If you have a booking for that cruise, you’re on regardless of the category you’re booked in. Thanks for watching!