Advice on room location on Alaska sailings

[TwingleMomFl]

I currently have a Cat 09A booked on deck 6. Is it worth it to save a thousand dollars and change it to a Cat 09C on deck 2 that is a GTY? What is your advice on this? Stay on deck 6 or save some money and go down to deck two? Does it make a difference?

 

[disneybeachprincess]

I currently have a Cat 09A booked on deck 6. Is it worth it to save a thousand dollars and change it to a Cat 09C on deck 2 that is a GTY? What is your advice on this? Stay on deck 6 or save some money and go down to deck two? Does it make a difference?

Personally, I downgraded from a balcony to a secret porthole room so I'd have money for excursions. The Alaskan excursions are quite expensive & I wanted to do one in each port. So depends on your budget. IF it were me, yes I would save the money since I spend very little time in my cabin. Happy cruising!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I know first hand this is a hard decision to make!! We booked Alaska 2014 on opening day and initially had a 9C and was okay with it. I just felt like something wasn't right as the days went by and started reading more trip reports and comments from other posters that Alaska and the Panama Canal were two itineraries where they felt verandahs were worth the extra cost. I looked, noticed a "secret verandah" cat 7A and snagged it. Yep, it cost $1000 more to upgrade but I'm happy with my decision. We look forward to being able to sit out on the verandah if it's too cold on the open decks, early in the morning, later at night, etc.

It's a hard decision, I know so just really think about what you'll find useful with it or won't find useful. If you'd prefer to spend more towards excursions, then the $1000 could really be needed. I do know from researching already, the excursions in Alaska seem to more expensive relative wise compared to other itineraries so you might want to factor that in. We have narrowed down our choices to just a few and decided the verandah would be part of our Alaska adventure!

Have fun,
Heather

 

[lbgraves]

I would do that in a heartbeat! I would also book an inside room. We were in an inside cat 10 for the PC cruise and a SPH cat 10 for Alaska. We spent most of our time at sea out on deck where you get much better views in Alaska. On the PC cruise we enjoyed deck 10 some, but got out of the sun on deck 4 most of the day and were very happy with the view. In Alaska we bundled up and even wrapped the fleece blankets provided around us some days, but the view was spectacular and is on both sides of the ship. It's very different than cruising in the carribean where it's just open water and you can see another ship in the distance.

 

[MikeAndNick]

Think about this: the sun goes down about 11:30 pm and comes up about 4:30 am. Do you really want a window to let the sunlight in? We had an inside room and got lots of sleep. We heard about people that had trouble sleeping because the sun crept in with the curtains closed.

 

[AquaDame]

I've been waiting to see the GTYs pop up for Alaska but I can't find any...? Would you mind sharing?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've been waiting to see the GTYs pop up for Alaska but I can't find any...? Would you mind sharing?

YOu won't see GTYs until you try to select a room within the category you want. GTY (regular guarantee) rooms only happen when a certain percentage of rooms within a specific category are booked. At that time you can't select a specific room, only the category.

If you are asking about the last-minute restricted fares (IGT, OGT, VGT), those don't come out until about 60-90 days prior to a specific cruise, and only on those cruises that aren't selling well.

 

[Luv2Diz]

We were in a 9C last year for our Alaska cruise and loved it. We actually got a kick out of being that close to the water level and watching the icebergs float by outside our window!

We liked being on Deck 2 forward. It was a straight shot up the stairs to the adult area and the WD Theater and gift shops just another floor above that. I'd book a 9C again in a minute.

 

[TwingleMomFl]

YOu won't see GTYs until you try to select a room within the category you want. GTY (regular guarantee) rooms only happen when a certain percentage of rooms within a specific category are booked. At that time you can't select a specific room, only the category.

Yes, for the July sailing I was looking at when I went to select my room number it told me it was on GTY status.

 

[AquaDame]

YOu won't see GTYs until you try to select a room within the category you want. GTY (regular guarantee) rooms only happen when a certain percentage of rooms within a specific category are booked. At that time you can't select a specific room, only the category.

Yes, for the July sailing I was looking at when I went to select my room number it told me it was on GTY status.

Oh how interesting! I must have only seen the other kind before - I don't usually get that far unless I really am booking (and have always done it way in advance to date). Thank you!

 

[m&m's mom]

For $1000 difference, I would- and am- choose a 9C. I have been to Alaska before and the excursions are what I missed doing more of last time. We had a balcony, and I did enjoy it, but it's not worth $1000 just to get a few decks higher. This time I booked a 9C- deck 2.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

If it's a choice between 'splurge' excursions and room category for Alaska, I would surely go with the lower priced room.

And in general, if you're not going for the verandah I would go with "whatever is cheapest". You will get better views from the decks than through a porthole.