We booked the OV guarantee and were assigned an OV on the Empress deck. 

I had never done the guarantee before but with that 3 deck/category upgrade I'll definately try it again!  To book the category we are assigned now would run $300.00 more than I paid!

 WOO HOO!

We also ended up on the Empress deck...so excited!!!  We did the Early Saver so we saved over $500 for the category we ended up with plus OBC.  Can't wait to go!  My parents did the Balcony guarantee once and ended up on the highest level.  I figure as long as you can't end up with obstructed view what do you have to lose? 

How do you watch the prices?  We paid our deposit a while ago and are cruising in November.

Thanks

what do you go on to watch the prices?

You call up your cruise month and destination on the Carnival site and view the prices for your exact cruise date and category.  This (Sept 12) cruise has had a steady increase in price since mid June, can't tell you what your cruise is doing since I'm not involved, but THIS cruise (9/12) is probably close to full (except the suites which are way overpriced and still available).

so do the suites ever go down in price?

The suites might go down in price, but I doubt low enough for the Holiday as there are only 10 of them.  I paid under $500 for this cruise and ended up on the Empress deck with a window...I doubt the suite will go low enough for me to be willing to upgrade.

This is our first cruise with Carnival in November on the Fanasty.  We booked a suite because we are bring our boys along and did not know if we would have enough room for all 4 of us in a different room.  I am hoping we can go on another cruise next October but maybe in a smaller (cheaper) room if we would could fit.

Thanks for the info

Tina,  I would consider booking two rooms with connecting doors would save you some money and give you and your husband some privacy too.  Enjoy!

Thanks--are we able to do that with our boys only being 6 and 3?  Like I said we are new to Carnival cruising.  If so that sounds like a fabulous idea we have been a little concerned about privacy.

All you have to do is book you and a child then husband and a child in each room them just put both kids in the one room and have your room stewart make your bed into a king...see it done all the time.

Enjoy!