Fantasy 5 persons-8B guarantee or confirmed cabin?

[ldo]

I can take a confirmed cabin 8012 or a guarantee for a 8B with 5 persons (for winter 2022). I'm thinking we'd have a decent shot at a balcony as there are so few OV for 5. But, where's the "Worst" cabin that 5 person family could wind up in? And, if you had a GTY with 4 or 5 persons and got upgraded, please chime in as well.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think you mean 8B? 9B is a standard-size oceanview room, not family size, so does not sleep 5.

We once had 8C GTY and that's exactly what we got -- 8C. I don't think you are too likely to get an upgrade with GTY--they've always been pretty spot on for the most part (it's what they do when there are only a few rooms left in a category--the rooms are still there and are available, but you won't know which one you're getting).

 

[Cheburashka]

If you want a balcony you should book one, as DCL rarely upgrades.

 

[ldo]

sorry-8B on Fantasy. Deluxe Family OV for 5. What we always book OV and are fine with that. However, if they don't have any that sleep 5 at sailing (as there are fewer of them), they have no choice but to upgrade us.

 

[MomOTwins]

sorry-8B on Fantasy. Deluxe Family OV for 5. What we always book OV and are fine with that. However, if they don't have any that sleep 5 at sailing (as there are fewer of them), they have no choice but to upgrade us.

Right, but if they did not have any 8Bs that would sleep 5, they wouldn’t let you book an 8B GTY—the system already takes that into account

 

[Marc D]

sorry-8B on Fantasy. Deluxe Family OV for 5. What we always book OV and are fine with that. However, if they don't have any that sleep 5 at sailing (as there are fewer of them), they have no choice but to upgrade us.

If you are looking at a GTY, it means that the category is nearly full. They switch to GTY not to allow a specific booking at a later date by someone else, but rather to make sure they do not exceed the lifeboat capacity. The chances of getting an upgrade on a GTY are slim to none.

When it happens, it’s because a room is taken offline for a technical problem or a special group needs to book adjoining rooms and the one assigned to you is required.

In most cases, you get the exact category you booked. If you require a balcony, book a balcony room.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The chances of getting an upgrade on a GTY are slim to none.

We've been upgraded on 3 of our 5 GTY bookings. Typically from a 9B to a Verandah room.

 

[ldo]

Hm. I assumed dcl had a logarithm that allows for overbooking of categories based upon cancellation rates. All OV 5 person cabins with room assignments were likely booked when I rechecked a week later (only 1 left after I booked with a cabin assigned) and dcl then went to gty. That allows for them to not turn away a potential fare, with the expectation that they’ll have a certain # of cancels before final payment. With the safety net of upgrading a few to balcony if needed. Otherwise, it'd be a literal fire sale at PIF date.
so, again, worst cabin/location that sleeps 5? if it's not that bad, we might roll the dice (which we rarely do).

 

[SnowWhite2]

They very well could upgrade someone in an OV 5 person cabin that has less than 5 and then put you in the OV 5 person cabin. That is the most logical thing that would happen since there are so few cabins for 5.

 

[ldo]

Thanks. So, wondering what are the “worst” cabins that sleep 5?

 

[princessmommyx3]

Thanks. So, wondering what are the “worst” cabins that sleep 5?

Anything across from a laundry room - 9500 for example. We got this room when we booked GTY and moms with very young kids partied in there every morning at 6:00 am. It was crazy loud.

 

[ldo]

thanks. that's what I was looking for--risking getting 9500 would be enough to keep my 8012 assignment!

 

[princessmommyx3]

thanks. that's what I was looking for--risking getting 9500 would be enough to keep my 8012 assignment!

Definitely!!!

 

[lklgoodman]

We had cabin 5168. It is the larger OV that sleeps 5. There were no cabins across from it and the cabin was very nice. However, it had EXTREME vibrations. And not just when pulling in and out of ports which can be normal. It was nearly all the time. Laying on the bed was like laying on a jack hammer. It was horrible. We've done 6 cruises. 3 on the Fantasy and have never encountered this before. This is an aft cabin and I will never book a cabin in this area again. I now stick to mid-ship when on the Fantasy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We had cabin 5168. It is the larger OV that sleeps 5. There were no cabins across from it and the cabin was very nice. However, it had EXTREME vibrations. And not just when pulling in and out of ports which can be normal. It was nearly all the time. Laying on the bed was like laying on a jack hammer. It was horrible. We've done 6 cruises. 3 on the Fantasy and have never encountered this before. This is an aft cabin and I will never book a cabin in this area again. I now stick to mid-ship when on the Fantasy.

The vibration issue in the aft on the Fantasy has been around pretty much since she came into service. There's speculation that the recent dry dock, during this hiatus, may have fixed that, but no one knows for sure.

We had an aft room on the Fantasy in 2014 and it was just like you said. Lying in bed to watch TV was not an option, as it felt like one of those cheap vibrating beds and my head would bounce against the headboard. I hope it's been addressed now.

 

[gotomu212]

The chances of getting an upgrade on a GTY are slim to none.

This has certainly not been our experience and we’ve been upgraded 5 times from the GTY to the next category. Upgrading from discount rooms (IGT, OGT, VGT) is rare but historically there are often upgrades from GTY which is not a discounted rate.

 

[bakerworld]

The biggest problem with GTY reservation is the unknown. My spouse has a specific area he wants to be on the ship (aft port). I often wondered if you can give them an area of the ship that you want to be - can you refused the initial room?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The biggest problem with GTY reservation is the unknown. My spouse has a specific area he wants to be on the ship (aft port). I often wondered if you can give them an area of the ship that you want to be - can you refused the initial room?

When you book a guarantee reservation you agree to allow DCL to assign whatever room they want. You can't request location, but, on a regular GTY booking, you do specify your desired category (although it could be different). On the last minute restricted fares, the only say you have is the type of room (inside, oceanview, verandah). If you get assigned a room you don't want, you certainly can call and see if it can be changed. I don't believe you can refuse the assignment and be put back in the pool for room assignments.