We have booked on Princess for the last 4 years and have never received an upgrade. Can anyone tell me their experiences with upgrades on either Princess or any other cruise lines? We booked a guarantee obstructed oceanview this year hoping to maybe get an upgrade to an unobstructed oceanview. We just received our cabin assignment, and were not upgraded. A little frustrating since we are past passengers. Anyone's thoughts?
Being a past passenger really doesn't have anything to do with it. The cruise line will make upgrades when they need the category of room that you are booked in. For instance, you may book your obstructed view for $499 and the onobstructed is $599. They need to have a demand of people that want that cheaper cabin. Also when they start assigning rooms to group bookings they shuffle cabins to meet the groups needs.
It really depends on the time of year you cruise too. As Cruise Fanatic points out, they upgrade based on demand. Since you already paid, IF THEY need more cheaper cabins to attract customers with sales, etc.. they will upgrade you, freeing up the less expensive cabins.. But if you go on the cruise during an off-peak date, there isn't enough demand to cause the upgrade thing to happen. If you want to "try" for the upgrade, don't count on it unless you don't mind the obstructed view. Or take a guarantee on a category that is an un-obstrcuted view (which will off course negate the price savings). If you want the better room, the only way to guarantee having it is to pay for it I'm afraid. We have gotten lucky in that we always seem to get an upgrade. But, we always travel during school breaks where demand is higher and the likely hood of an upgrade is higher.
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================================================== ========== Carnival Cruise Lines:
Fantasy 90, Celebration 95, Victory 05, Conquest 05, Spirit 6/06, Freedom 6/08, Holiday 7/08, Victory 6/09, Valor 9/09, Dream 6/10, Splendor 8/10,Conquest 8/11,Magic 11/11,Triumph 4/12,Spirit 7/12,Freedom 11/12, Triumph 2/13 - The fire cruise
NCL Dream October 2006, RCCL Mariner OTS June 2007
Thanks for the info everyone. I have contacted my TA, and they are looking into it for me. Guess I was a little apprehensive about booking the obstructed view, but at that time, there seem to be a lot of rooms left, making me think we had a chance for an upgrade. Now, with only 50 days until sailing, the ship has seemed to sell out. Next time we will book based on where we want to be. Chalk it up to experience!
Well, if the ship is truly sold out, there is a slim chance you may get to the check-in desk to find out you got a last minute bump. But, yes, my rule is to book a TBA cabin at the minimum category I would be ok with having.
Hope your view isn't to obstructed.
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================================================== ========== Carnival Cruise Lines:
Fantasy 90, Celebration 95, Victory 05, Conquest 05, Spirit 6/06, Freedom 6/08, Holiday 7/08, Victory 6/09, Valor 9/09, Dream 6/10, Splendor 8/10,Conquest 8/11,Magic 11/11,Triumph 4/12,Spirit 7/12,Freedom 11/12, Triumph 2/13 - The fire cruise
NCL Dream October 2006, RCCL Mariner OTS June 2007
Definetly a good sign. The only reason they would have changed your cabin assignment is if they changed you cabin... which in your case sounds like they may have upgraded you. Give it a few days and call back and see if you got a new assignment. Of course you may not know now until you get on the ship. That's the only trouble with TBAs is that you may not know where you are going to be until you check in.
Keep your fingers crossed!
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================================================== ========== Carnival Cruise Lines:
Fantasy 90, Celebration 95, Victory 05, Conquest 05, Spirit 6/06, Freedom 6/08, Holiday 7/08, Victory 6/09, Valor 9/09, Dream 6/10, Splendor 8/10,Conquest 8/11,Magic 11/11,Triumph 4/12,Spirit 7/12,Freedom 11/12, Triumph 2/13 - The fire cruise
NCL Dream October 2006, RCCL Mariner OTS June 2007
Something that has worked for me is to keep an eye on the cruise. Should it go down in price even a bit, call them and tell you do not think it was fair you paid a higher price and was punishing for booking early. They will tell you know a couple of times but before it is over you will receive a credit to your cars, a shipboard credit or an upgrade. Works 100% of the time just be persistant and if it goes down again do not be scared to ask again. The upgrade is the easiest for the cruise line.
It seems to be of late working for me too. I always thought once I paid the balance due at 60 days to sailing I was locked. Nope, was issued an on board credit today. I have been moved twice for same money, and have been discounted twice along the way.
It really depends on the ship and sailing and if you have a cabin assignment.
This is as far as asked for move ups with an assigned cabin. If you book gaurantee it will be automatic.
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