41 Hidden Cruise Deals Only Seasoned Travelers Know About

33. The Art of the "Guarantee" Cabin Gamble

For the flexible traveler, booking a "guarantee" cabin can lead to unexpected upgrades and significant savings. When you book a guarantee, you pay for a specific cabin category (e.g., inside, oceanview, balcony) but allow the cruise line to assign your specific cabin closer to the sailing date. The gamble is that if your chosen category is full, you might be upgraded to a higher category for free. This is especially effective on popular sailings, where lower categories fill up fast, leaving the cruise line to upgrade guarantee passengers into available higher-tier rooms.