I am going on a tour to Italy in May, My Travel Agent just told me that I don't get a room assigned until I meet the Tour guide & she decides which room I get. What business is it of hers or him what room I get. I want a nice room. I am traveling alone and am paying for single occupancy. I don't want a Closet for a room. I want to know know about the room. Is this always the way?
hypothetically speaking, they could allocate you a nice room on the 5th floor, then discover when you arrive that you can't manage the stairs (and there's no lift). or, conversely, that they need your nice room on the ground floor for someone less able than you..
As a regular single traveller, this is fairly normal. It may not be doomy - it could be that instead of a single room you will get a nice double if they have any spare when you check in.
I dont think they could be that sloppy and think of the chaos it would cause at the airport.
What probably happens is that the tour guide allocates the rooms on day of arrival before coming to meet you., or on the bus awaiting your arrival, she can probably swap some over before you reach the hotel, so be nice to the tour guide on arrival. If you are not happy with your room, go straight back down to reception and complain loudly, chances are the guide will still be there.