Best Way to Get an Upgrade?

[happyrebster]

Hi all. I am new here and I'm sure this has been asked before, but . . .

I am sailing on the Wonder in May. We have already paid our full fare, but we are now considering an upgrade. Does anyone have any tips on the best way to do this? ("Best", by the way = most cost effective).

Any and all tips appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mmouse37]

People have reported that they have "bought" upgrades at check in at the port that were considerably less expensive than booking them beforehand.

Trouble is that DCL usually sails pretty full and these upgrades may not always be available.

DCL really has no rhyme or reason as to how and when they give comp upgrades....but you never know!!!

MJ

 

[Vivig]

I would not count on receiving any upgrades. We have sailed twice and both times we were not provided an upgrade.

My advise would be to book the cabin that you and your family would be happy with and not book a cabin in the hopes of receiving an upgrade and then being disappointed that you did not receive your much anticipated upgrade.

The previous poster mentioned purchasing at the port, this is also very rare. IF the ship is near full capacity there are none to be purchased. We tried to purchase upgrades, a long shot...but were informed both times that all the rooms were full.


The only tips I can think of is
1) To Pray really hard for an upgrade
2) Go really early to the port, if you are one of the first ones you may luck out.

Let us know how you make out....Good Luck

 

[happyrebster]

Thanks so much for your input. I think I will just call DCL and pay full price for the upgrade over the phone.

 

[Vivig]

Happyrebster,

Not sure if this will help you or not...we have stayed in a category 10 both times and were very happy with our decision. Next cruise we have booked a category 9.

I know many people mention how nice the verandah is....and I am SURE that they are!!! But at this time...it is not one of our priorities.

The positive side is the money you would be using for an upgrade can also be used on a few more souvenirs or drinks.....


The best part of all is that you will be on a Disney ship! I am sure you will enjoy your vacation no matter which category you stay in...


Enjoy your trip

 

[happyrebster]

Hey Vivig -- Thanks! That really helped!

I have never been one to spend any time in my room during a cruise anyway! You make a lot of sense. I think I will stick with my category 11. It was the bargain cost of that category that made me want to take this cruise in the first place, ya know! We got a terrific deal and I think I will stick with it. Thanks!

 

[jrabbit]

Lately the bulk of the comp upgrades reported here have been from Cat 11 gty.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

praying and lots of pixie dust

 

[DCLADDICT]

WE BOOKED IN JULY FOR OUR MAY 23RD WONDER CRUISE, THEN ATTENDED A LOCAL CRUISE SHOW IN OCTOBER, WHERE WE TALKED WITH A DISNEY REP. WE EXPECT TO BE UPGRADED. WE DID THE SAME THING 2 YEARS AGO AND WE WERE UPGRADED FROM CAT 11 TO CAT 9. IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SELLING FEWER CAT 9 AND 8'S RIGHT NOW FOR MAY CRUISES. I NOTICED ON DISNEY'S RESERVATION SITE, THEY NOW HAVE CAT 12 AND CAT 11'S, WHICH THEY DID NOT HAVE 1 MONTH AGO. THAT MAY MEAN THAT THERE ARE SOME UPGRADES IN ORDER TO SELL THESE CATS. TO FILL THE SHIP.

 

[ganurse]

it would be a wonderful surprise dont you think?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by mmouse37
People have reported that they have "bought" upgrades at check in at the port that were considerably less expensive than booking them beforehand.

I think the only reason we were able to do this at port was because it was during a 'slow' season (December 14-18 Wonder). We went from a CAT11 to CAT8 for $252 (total for two adults).

I'm guessing that paying for an upgrade at port in May would be difficult as it is a busier time. It's worth a try, though. But my advice is to always book the stateroom category you'd be most happy in. Anything more than that is a bonus!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by happyrebster
Hey Vivig -- Thanks! That really helped!

I have never been one to spend any time in my room during a cruise anyway! You make a lot of sense. I think I will stick with my category 9. It was the bargain cost of that category that made me want to take this cruise in the first place, ya know! We got a terrific deal and I think I will stick with it. Thanks!

Good idea! Use the money you save on the upgrade as your deposit for rebooking while onboard!

 

[rae519]

I am probably the only cruiser who would be upset to be upgraded! I like my Cat 6, Deck 5 Aft, starboard room and am actually quite possessive about it! It fulfills all my needs (verandah) plus there is no neighbor on the left side!!!

Rae

 

[Leslierx]

We were upgrades last time we cruised (March 2003) from a cat 12 to cat 9. This time we have a gty cat 11 booked for May 13-16. We just got our doc's and are assigned cat 11 room numbers. I am still holding out hope though. Last time we were assigned cabin numbers when we booked, then our travel agent called us 2 days before we left and told us the good news...that we had a window....yeah. I am keeping my fingers crossed this time. I try to keep a positive outlook. My only plus for keeping the cat 11, is that I think the bed is at the far end of the cabin and turned with headboard against wall. I think that would provide better flow in the room. We seemed to be always having trouble when walking past the bed when it was in the middle. I can't complain though....I'm going to Disney!!

 

[inkkognito]

No, Rae, you're not alone!!!
I am just as bad as you are about my favorite room, 5650, aka the Barb & Tony Suite. It's a cat. 6, and I love it better than any cat. 5 or 4. Even a suite would be questionable, depending on the location (except maybe the Walt or Roy, of course).
On the other hand, Tony is much less fussy than me. He likes "our" room, but he also likes trying new places on the ship and thinks suites are great because they have a separate bedroom (he snores, which earns him smacks from me all night long). But just put me deck 5 aft and I am totally content.
And if I were in a secret porthole room, which is our other usual spot, I probably wouldn't like an upgrade to a "real" Cat. 9 due to the potential for noise overhead. I would rather have the obstructed porthole and be on deck 5 (aka the BEST deck onboard) than be under Wavebands.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[TikiGirl]

Booked Cat. 12 GTY - a few days before the docs arrived we checked DCL's website and noticed we received a Cat 9 upgrade!!

We weren't expecting it but boy are we thankful!!!!

 

[Daisy5115]

We just got news of our upgrade today, April 24th, Western. we booked well in advance, cat 11 with a specific cabin number, so not only gty gets upgrades..
We were upgraded to cat 8

 

[lotsofboys]

We were in the same situation as Daisy, booked two Cat 11's specific room numbers onboard in July 2002 and 2 days before our 2/7/04 departure were called with an upgrade for both rooms to cat 8.

 

[happyrebster]

So, it turns out that the very best way is dumb luck!!

I was just sitting here at my desk yesterday and I called DCL to reserve a "stateroom celebration" (the Happy Anniversary one) and, while I was on the phone, I asked whether our docs had shipped for May 20 cruise. She said yes -- you're in a category 9! (We booked a category 11 gty, which was absolutely all that we could afford!) We're gonna have a window! I think I actually screamed with joy! She laughed and it obviously gave her great joy to see that she had made my day!

So, anyway, we are Cabin 2564 which is Deck 2, but not on the noisy list. No idea what did it for us. We booked direct through Disney, so no TA was pulling for us. I had not previously said that it was our anniversary or anything. And we are first time cruisers, so it was not a reward of loyalty. We are DVC owners, but I don't think that they knew that (unless their databases cross-reference really effectively -- I didn't use points to book and never mentioned it to them.) I had called before and said that I was really really hoping for an upgrade, but that's about it.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

It's been such a hard year for us -- I'm am unduly thankful for tiny little surprise blessings like this one!!

Thanks to everyone for your comments. Seems pretty random to me!!

 

[inkkognito]

Congrats!!! Enjoy your porthole. You will find that deck 2 is very convenient for heading up to the restaurants and entertainment. And for some really nice relaxation, sit by the porthole in the evening before going to bed. It's so soothing to look out at the ocean at night.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com