Expert: Linda - 2/22/2008

Question
Taking our first cruise on June 21st out of Miami. Its a Carnival 5 day Caribbean Western to grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and back. The ship is the Imagination. An older ship, but looks nice, its our first, so what do we know. Concern is with the cabin. I have 2 adults and 2 kids, 11 and 14. I heard that i should book a "guaranteed cabin" and maybe i will get a complimentary upgrade, maybe. Do you know what the chances are of an upgrade? I fear that we will get stuffed like sardines in a tiny cabin. Thank you

Answer
Hi, David, go for the guaranteed cabin if offered, if you know what you may get..  The reason I say this is under maritime law, there must be a bed available for all in a room. They can't give you a double bed for 4 people.  You will get either a cabin with a double on the deck and 2 pulldowns, or you'll get a double and couch that makes into a double.  Remember, though that just because it's an "upgrade" doesn't always make it better.  Geeze, what do you mean?  OK, lets say your original cabin is a double down and 2 up, midship, oceanview and they give you an "upgrade" which might be double down and another double from the couch....ok, gotta climb over to get to bathroom, or it may be your original cabin was midship and your upgrade is right under the disco...maybe an upgrade, but maybe one you don't want. Listen to disco till 4 am may not be pleasant.  Since its my first cruise, if your family is easy going laid back kind of people, go for the guaranteed....BUT, if your family likes to know what they're getting into, plans ahead, maybe a bit more "black and white" kind of people, then book the cabin you want.  You'll love cruising, so with this first cruise, you'll find out what's really important to you and use that info when you book your next cruise.

Happy sailing, ask away if you have more questions David

Linda