What Does GTY on a Cruise Mean?

Knowing that you scored a bargain can make a vacation even more enjoyable.

Novice cruise-ship passengers might be confused if their ticket says GTY in place of a cabin number and deck location. But experienced cruise bargain-hunters have a different response when they see GTY on their ticket: hopeful anticipation knowing they have a fifty percent chance of receiving a better cabin than they paid for.

Guaranteed

The letters GTY on a cruise ticket stand for guaranteed--meaning a minimum standard room guarantee at a guaranteed minimum price. Passengers with GTY on their ticket will receive their cabin and deck number assignment around the time of check-in.

No Harm in Asking

Cruise lines advertise a limited number of cabins at a low cost to entice passengers. A little-known fact is after these low-rate cabins sell out, cruise ships will often continue booking such deals if asked.

Complimentary Upgrade

Those buyers receive a GTY, or a guarantee cabin type at a guaranteed price. If no more cabins are available in that category, passengers receive an upgrade to the next available category.

The Risk

The only downside is this: if the bargain room is available (due to cancellations or miscalculations), GTY passengers will get what they paid for.

References

• Los Angeles Times: Guarantee Might Mean Cruise Upgrade
• Cruise Cheap: What is a Guaranteed Cabin?