Thoughts on Guaranteed Suite

[Shay]

I’m thinking about booking a guaranteed suite on the Oasis for 2 adults and 2 teens. There is about a $1k price difference between the guarantee and Jr. suite. I’m not (too) worried about the room location, but I’m wondering about the odds of getting a grand suite or better. 
What’s your experience with this?

[BowTieBrigade]

[Templecruiser]

If not worried about location, this will be the best way to get in a Sky class suite cheap if one is available. Other option would be royal up in the last month before cruise.

[GKMCruising]

1k more? I'm not sure if I'd take that gamble. We did a GTY suite on Ovation in September and were happy with the JS we were assigned, but the GTY was actually cheaper than even the JS, so it was a no-brainer for us.

[Censored]

51 minutes ago, Shay said:

I’m thinking about booking a guaranteed suite on the Oasis for 2 adults and 2 teens. There is about a $1k price difference between the guarantee and Jr. suite. I’m not (too) worried about the room location, but I’m wondering about the odds of getting a grand suite or better. 
What’s your experience with this?

I do this whenever I can. But I am a Casino Royale cruiser, and I think they have stopped it for comped players.  I use to love getting upgraded to crown loft suites and grand suites.   

[WAAAYTOOO]

27 minutes ago, Eddy said:

 I think they have stopped it for comped players.

Correct.  They will not allow a casino comp to be "upgraded" to a guarantee of ANY kind.  I tried to upgrade a casino comp to a Suite Guarantee (there were no other suites available.  Only the GTY category)  just a few weeks ago.  Nope.

[Shay]

50 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

1k more? I'm not sure if I'd take that gamble. We did a GTY suite on Ovation in September and were happy with the JS we were assigned, but the GTY was actually cheaper than even the JS, so it was a no-brainer for us.

Sorry I meant overall. The guarantee is $1642 and the jr suite is $1836.

[Censored]

7 minutes ago, Shay said:

Sorry I meant overall. The guarantee is $1642 and the jr suite is $1836.

The JS is usually the best bargain. Especially on Oasis class ships as now you have Coastal Kitchen available for dinner. 

[JasonOasis]

1 hour ago, Shay said:

I’m thinking about booking a guaranteed suite on the Oasis for 2 adults and 2 teens. There is about a $1k price difference between the guarantee and Jr. suite. I’m not (too) worried about the room location, but I’m wondering about the odds of getting a grand suite or better. 
What’s your experience with this?

In the past I've done several suite guarantees 9 times out of 10 we ended up in a junior suite which isn't bad because the GTY fare is actually cheaper than the junior suite fare. Seeing that their are more junior suites onboard the ship than any other class of suite the odds of getting a larger suite are not in your favor although it can happen.  But if you are booking the suite GTY with the hopes of getting a grand suite I would simply book the grand suite.  

Unlike the Royal UP which is managed by a 3rd party vendor, suite GTY's are handled internally by Royals revenue management department and I've had several C.S. agents at Royal tell me they now have a block of junior suites that they hold for suite guarantees, and they now only sell a limited number of suite guarantees per cruise, so the possibility of you getting a grand or higher is very slim, not impossible but very slim at best.

[Shay]

11 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

In the past I've done several suite guarantees 9 times out of 10 we ended up in a junior suite which isn't bad because the GTY fare is actually cheaper than the junior suite fare. Seeing that their are more junior suites onboard the ship than any other class of suite the odds of getting a larger suite are not in your favor although it can happen.  But if you are booking the suite GTY with the hopes of getting a grand suite I would simply book the grand suite.  I will end this by saying manage your expectation because the odds of scoring a grand suite or higher may not be in your favor. 
 

 

[Shay]

I really need a bigger shower and I want access to costal kitchen for dinner. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Also remember that with a JS you can book a refundable deposit where with full suites the only option in NRD.

 

[Censored]

20 minutes ago, Shay said:

27 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

In the past I've done several suite guarantees 9 times out of 10 we ended up in a junior suite which isn't bad because the GTY fare is actually cheaper than the junior suite fare. Seeing that their are more junior suites onboard the ship than any other class of suite the odds of getting a larger suite are not in your favor although it can happen.  But if you are booking the suite GTY with the hopes of getting a grand suite I would simply book the grand suite.  I will end this by saying manage your expectation because the odds of scoring a grand suite or higher may not be in your favor. 
 

 

nothing ventured, nothing gained. It costs nothing to try. I would never pay full pop for a GS or higher. 

[Shay]

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Also remember that with a JS you can book a refundable deposit where with full suites the only option in NRD.

 

Thanks, I did not know this.

[WAAAYTOOO]

22 minutes ago, Shay said:

Thanks, I did not know this.

You’re welcome !

[BowTieBrigade]

3 hours ago, Eddy said:

nothing ventured, nothing gained. It costs nothing to try. I would never pay full pop for a GS or higher. 

Lemme tell you, I’ve got a suite booked for next year on Adventure during an off-week and the rate is amazing!