Upgrades at Port?

[collectoraholic]

We were able to port upgrade on the Sept. 22nd Magic sailing out of Galveston. It was the first sailing out of Galveston for the Magic and there was quite a bit of availability for upgrades when we got to the desk. We booked a 5B GTY and were assigned a 5A, so our upgrade was based on the 5B pricing. We wanted to get a 1-bedroom suite and I had checked availability on-line 3 days prior to our sailing before the cruise was no longer available on the DCL site. @ the 3 Day mark, there were three 1-bedrooms open. When we got to the desk, 2 were still open for upgrade. For us, the upgrade price was 50% off of what we would have had to pay to upgrade it on-line @ 3 days prior to our sailing. We thought it was a good deal, so we took it. We were also told that we could have gotten a 2-bedroom or either the Walt or Roy Royal suites, as both of those were available as well. Since it was just 2 of us, we opted to just do the 1-bedroom as we'd originally planned. I do know that someone must've upgraded to the Walt b/c we saw people come out of that Royal Suite one afternoon.

Hope this info helps!

[ImDMous]

We did our first port upgrade this time around for the Sept 23 Pixar cruise. We had booked an IGT so we wanted to see if we could get an outside. We had a figure in our head and decided not to go over. Well, she told us we could get an outside on deck 2 for less than $200 so we gave her our price and worked backwards. We ended up with an awesome navigator's veranda for $375. It was the first on deck 6 starboard so had 3/4 of a regular veranda wall and only a tiny bit enclosed. I think someone before us had upgraded from it and that was the only reason why it was available, but it seemed they had tons of rooms left. Our second seating for dinner was half empty every night. We checked in about 11 and there was only 1 person in line at the supervisors desk. I think it got a lot longer later.

[Daisy'sMama]

So, I have a question. We booked our first cruise - 3 night next Feb on the Dream. For this trip, all I could afford was Cat11C GTY. We are spending a week at WDW afterwards with friends. Are only the people that paid for nicer, bigger rooms eligible for upgrades, or are we cheapies eligible too? (I don't think we are steerage class, but maybe pretty close). What are the chances we will be pixie dusted to a higher CAT?
thanks
Stephanie

[HollandmillerFamily]

So I'm currently ON my cruise and I'm going to post some of the info I really wanted when I was cruising the boards and reading this thread regularly wondering about upgrade possibilities... The price.
So, as noted, it depends on factors like cruise length, ship, time of year, and--I think--how full the ship is. It doesn't matter how many people are in the room or how much you paid originally. The chart they use just factors in what your category is and what cat you want to upgrade to. (Edit: This is for a seven-day Western Caribbean on the Fantasy.)

From a 9B to cat T (one bedroom concierge) was $2170
From a 9B to cat V (standard verandah concierge) was $1470
From a 9B to cat 4 (largest verandah room without being concierge) was $945

From a 7A to cat T (one bedroom concierge) was $1925
From a 7A to cat V (standard verandah concierge) was $1225
From a 7A to cat 4 (largest verandah room without being concierge) was $700

One thing I read that someone else posted was that the problem with upgrading to concierge is that you Will never be able to cruise Disney again without it, which I thought was cute and funny. Yeah, well--take that seriously. We had a blast the last two times we cruised and, like everyone, we've been blown away by the service and friendliness of the crew. So the concierge service is like that on crack. My husband forgot cuff links and Julia found some and brought them down to us in the Walt Disney Theater... And then went and bought caramel corn for us while we stayed in our seats. And totally insisted and didn't make us feel lazy for letting her do it. . This is just one example of the amazing over-the-top concierge service... The one bedroom is freaking amazing and we have the accessible room so it's even bigger! We're just trying to absorb it all. Anyway, just getting some of the info out there now. I promise to post more later. Now back to the cruise!
April
PS--did I mention I'm typing this on the iPad I borrowed for free using the free 100-minute Internet package that comes with concierge? IT ROCKS.

[FJS961]

Originally Posted by HollandmillerFamily

One thing I read that someone else posted was that the problem with upgrading to concierge is that you Will never be able to cruise Disney again without it, which I thought was cute and funny. Yeah, well--take that seriously. We had a blast the last two times we cruised and, like everyone, we've been blown away by the service and friendliness of the crew. So the concierge service is like that on crack. My husband forgot cuff links and Julia found some and brought them down to us in the Walt Disney Theater... And then went and bought caramel corn for us while we stayed in our seats. And totally insisted and didn't make us feel lazy for letting her do it. . This is just one example of the amazing over-the-top concierge service... The one bedroom is freaking amazing and we have the accessible room so it's even bigger! We're just trying to absorb it all. Anyway, just getting some of the info out there now. I promise to post more later. Now back to the cruise!
April
PS--did I mention I'm typing this on the iPad I borrowed for free using the free 100-minute Internet package that comes with concierge? IT ROCKS.

Thats awesome - have a great cruise! Julia has to take our award for the best overall concierge we ever had. Tell her the Setter family says hello and wishes her well ....

[jetskigrl]

Originally Posted by ImDMous

We did our first port upgrade this time around for the Sept 23 Pixar cruise. We had booked an IGT so we wanted to see if we could get an outside. We had a figure in our head and decided not to go over. Well, she told us we could get an outside on deck 2 for less than $200 so we gave her our price and worked backwards. We ended up with an awesome navigator's veranda for $375. It was the first on deck 6 starboard so had 3/4 of a regular veranda wall and only a tiny bit enclosed. I think someone before us had upgraded from it and that was the only reason why it was available, but it seemed they had tons of rooms left. Our second seating for dinner was half empty every night. We checked in about 11 and there was only 1 person in line at the supervisors desk. I think it got a lot longer later.

I think you ended up with our room (6634) right? We got to the port about 10:15 and there were 1-bedroom suites, 4s and a few 5 b's (I think). So we upgraded from 6634 (the 7a secret verandah room) to 8552 (the 4a that we have had on two previous cruises on the Wonder) for $350.

[sunshine1259]

We were on the first Pixar cruise September 16th. We upgraded from a category 10A (SPH) to a 1-bedroom concierge suite for $1173. As it was our anniversary and we had already received a big refund back from Disney for this sailing, we thought, Why not. We are glad we did!!!

[ImDMous]

Originally Posted by jetskigrl

I think you ended up with our room (6634) right? We got to the port about 10:15 and there were 1-bedroom suites, 4s and a few 5 b's (I think). So we upgraded from 6634 (the 7a secret verandah room) to 8552 (the 4a that we have had on two previous cruises on the Wonder) for $350.

Thank you for vacating your room, we thoroughly enjoyed it. When we booked this IGT, we figured it was such a great price we would be fine with no balcony for the first time, no biggie. Then as it got closer we started thinking, well, what could it hurt to look at upgrades, might be able to get an outside for pretty cheap and try that out. When she told us how cheap that veranda was since it's really not considered one even though it is, we couldn't resist. So we still haven't sailed without a veranda, even though we had good intentions to try it out.

[GetGlowing]

100 minutes of free internet at sea almost pays for your Concierge upgrade! Hahahahaa

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by Daisy'sMama

So, I have a question. We booked our first cruise - 3 night next Feb on the Dream. For this trip, all I could afford was Cat11C GTY. We are spending a week at WDW afterwards with friends. Are only the people that paid for nicer, bigger rooms eligible for upgrades, or are we cheapies eligible too? (I don't think we are steerage class, but maybe pretty close). What are the chances we will be pixie dusted to a higher CAT?
thanks
Stephanie

Anybody can end up with a Pixie Dust upgrade. There is nothing wrong with a cat11 or any category. The main difference is you don't have a window. You will even be on the same deck as rooms with oceanviews and verandahs.

[kaseyC]

Originally Posted by FJS961

Thats awesome - have a great cruise! Julia has to take our award for the best overall concierge we ever had. Tell her the Setter family says hello and wishes her well ....

I have to agree. Julia is absolutely amazing.

[ddixon1]

Oh, dear. I know that if I ever have the good fortune to upgrade to concierge, I will never, never be able to book a non-concierge cabin again. So, I suppose that DCL will more than make their money on me! I'll try for our next cruise (in January), but then, I know that I will be hooked, and will want the life of luxury, from that point, on. So, maybe I am hoping that there will not be any upgrades available? To remain blissfully unaware?

[collectoraholic]

Originally Posted by ddixon1

Oh, dear. I know that if I ever have the good fortune to upgrade to concierge, I will never, never be able to book a non-concierge cabin again. So, I suppose that DCL will more than make their money on me! I'll try for our next cruise (in January), but then, I know that I will be hooked, and will want the life of luxury, from that point, on. So, maybe I am hoping that there will not be any upgrades available? To remain blissfully unaware?

Yes, the concierge bug will definitely hit you if you ever sail it. We upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite for the first time on the 9/22 Magic sailing and pretty much the first words out of our mouths when we walked into our stateroom were that we've ruined ourselves for any future sailings. Esp. if we're sailing w/ our 2 girls. This time it was just us, so it was nice, but not totally 'necessary', if that makes sense. We decided to try for an upgrade b/c it was our anniversary cruise. And now we've definitely been ruined. Trying to see if we can change our Cat. for our Med cruise next summer...

[JoiseyMom]

Originally Posted by collectoraholic

Yes, the concierge bug will definitely hit you if you ever sail it. We upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite for the first time on the 9/22 Magic sailing and pretty much the first words out of our mouths when we walked into our stateroom were that we've ruined ourselves for any future sailings. Esp. if we're sailing w/ our 2 girls. This time it was just us, so it was nice, but not totally 'necessary', if that makes sense. We decided to try for an upgrade b/c it was our anniversary cruise. And now we've definitely been ruined. Trying to see if we can change our Cat. for our Med cruise next summer...

We were on the 9/12 Magic and were in an IGT cat 11B. We got to the port and even after chcking in late and standing behind four other families at the supervisors desk we upgraded to The Roy Suite. It was just the two of us. Oh MY! I never said OMG so much in my entire life. I have to say that concierge is very very nice. And I would like to try to do it again, but yes, I can sail without it. In the Roy you got unlimited internet and other perks, I have to say it was the most incredible cruise I have ever been on, and that our kids, who were NOT with us hate us for life .

[hbg4]

Originally Posted by HollandmillerFamily

So I'm currently ON my cruiseThe one bedroom is freaking amazing and we have the accessible room so it's even bigger! We're just trying to absorb it all. Anyway, just getting some of the info out there now. I promise to post more later. Now back to the cruise!
April
PS--did I mention I'm typing this on the iPad I borrowed for free using the free 100-minute Internet package that comes with concierge? IT ROCKS.

Hi we're booked on the Dream in cabin 11006, I believe it is the only accessible one BR. I assume you on the Dream or Fantasy. Could you tell me what it's like? I'm not sure I really want to stay in this cabin but it is the only one available for my B2B cruises. Thank you.