Carnival Cruise Cabin Assignments

Passengers interested in less expensive guarantee cabin options with Carnival Cruise Line should first understand the different types of Carnival cruise cabin assignments before choosing this sometimes unpredictable cruise fare.

What type of cabin will you be assigned?

About Cruise Ship Cabins

Every cruise ship offers several types of cruise ship cabins for passengers to select from when making their cruise reservations. Larger, more elaborate cabins are often more expensive, but they offer better amenities to enjoy, while smaller cabins are more affordable and economical.

On Carnival cruise ships, passengers can select from these basic types of cabins:

• Interior: These are usually the smallest cabins on board and do not have any window or outside view, though they will still have a curtained spot on the wall as a decorative accent. Furnishings are typically very basic and storage space may be limited.
• Ocean View: Slightly larger than interior cabins, ocean view staterooms feature one window of a relatively moderate size. Some ocean view cabins are equipped with one or two portholes instead of a full window. Neither the portholes nor the windows can usually be opened, and some ocean view cabins have obstructed views from lifeboats, deck supports, or other features.
• Balcony: Balcony cabins are slightly larger, more luxurious cabins, and many of the larger Carnival cruise ships offer several hundred balcony cabins due to their popularity with passengers. The door to the balcony may serve as the cabin’s window or there may be an additional window, and a limited number of cabins may offer wraparound or extended balconies depending on where they are located on the ship. Like ocean view cabins, balconies may also be partially obstructed.
• Suites: These multi-room cabins are the largest and most luxurious. They frequently feature balconies, multiple bedrooms, more luxurious furnishings, and larger sitting areas. Some suites also offer special passenger privileges, such as exclusive services or amenities. Suites are typically located in the most desirable parts of the ship where the motion is least detectable.

Different Carnival ships offer a different selection of cabins. The Fantasy class vessels, for example, offer very few suites and balconies but a large number of more affordable interior and ocean view cabins. The newer, larger Spirit class ships have very few standard ocean view cabins but a much larger percentage of suites.

Guarantee Carnival Cruise Cabin Assignments

When most passengers choose their cruise ship cabins, they are assigned to that particular stateroom as they make their reservations. In rare cases, some passengers may be offered cruise cabin upgrades, but reserved cabin assignments do not typically change.

Ocean View Cabin

When Carnival cruise cabin assignments do change is for guarantee category cabins. This is an option Carnival allows passengers to choose if they are flexible about their stateroom and don’t mind a bit of uncertainty in their travel plans. Guarantee cabins are usually offered at a slightly lower rate, giving passengers the option of getting a discount on a Carnival cruise without sacrificing the general type of cabin they’d like to use.

When a passenger chooses a guarantee cabin assignment, they are assured of getting at least the lowest class of cabin in that specific category. Ocean view and balcony cabins, for example, have several different classes based on their size and where they are located on the ship. A passenger who pays the lower guarantee rate may only have the lowest of those cabins, but they may also be assigned to the highest category of those cabins, resulting in significant savings. Cabin assignments are generally made just a few days prior to sailing after most cruise reservations have been finalized and the cruise line can determine where empty cabins are located.

Pros

Guarantee cabins can be a good choice for passengers who are flexible about their cabin preferences, and there are several benefits to choosing a guarantee category, including:

• Cost: A guarantee option is usually a few dollars lower than even the cheapest cabin in that category, and the savings can add up substantially if the passenger is assigned to a better category.
• Upgrades: Passengers in guarantee cabins have better odds of being upgraded to a completely different category, such as moving from an ocean view cabin to a balcony. Large upgrades are never certain but can be a pleasant surprise when checking in to the cruise port.

Interior Hallway

• Surprises: Some passengers enjoy the mystery of not knowing precisely what their Carnival cruise cabin assignments will be, and choosing a guarantee cabin can be an exciting surprise.

Cons

At the same time, opting for a guarantee cabin is not always the best choice. Potential pitfalls include:

• Location: Many times, the last cabins available on board may be in less desirable locations, such as near high traffic or noisier areas, or they may be part of adjoining cabin blocks.
• Motion Sickness: Passengers who are prone to seasickness may want to avoid guarantee cabins that could place them in the extreme fore or aft of the ship where the motion is more noticeable.

What to Do If You Don’t Like Your Assignment

Passengers who opt for a guarantee cabin but aren’t satisfied with their assignment have very few options to correct it because most ships are fully booked when they set sail. If empty cabins are available, passengers may be able to speak with the purser at the ship’s information desk to request a different assignment, though additional fees may apply. To help avoid problem assignments, passengers may make requests when they choose a guarantee assignment, but the cruise line is not obligated to honor those requests.

Carnival cruise cabin assignments can vary greatly whether passengers opt to choose their own cabin or gamble on a guarantee cabin selection. Whatever the result, however, as long as the passengers can set sail on their dream cruise vacation, the cabin will be perfect.

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