Got a port upgrade to the Roy O Disney suite!

[rotary2808]

You got really lucky getting the Bridge tour, too. They've really cut back on even letting the suite people visit the Bridge.

I've never heard of concierge getting our pictures from Shutters. I'd prefer to go get my own anyway, even if I'd already chosen them, and had them set aside.

Concierge got our pictures from Shutters on our last cruise. They got them twice, once about half way through the cruise and then on the last night. You just keep the ones you want and return the ones you don't want to the concierge and Shutters will charge your onboard account for the ones you kept. I think there was a form in with them so they knew what you kept.

 

[jilljill]

Concierge got our pictures from Shutters on our last cruise. They got them twice, once about half way through the cruise and then on the last night. You just keep the ones you want and return the ones you don't want to the concierge and Shutters will charge your onboard account for the ones you kept. I think there was a form in with them so they knew what you kept.

This is what concierge did for us last summer as well. It was so nice to stay away from Shutters knowing the pictures would be delivered to our cabin to look over.

 

[AlexandNessa]

We were on the January 24 2010 4 day Disney Wonder cruise.

Bottom line:

Cat 4 to 3 was $600 and they had several available.
They had no category 2 rooms available.
Cat 4 to 1 (Roy O Disney suite) was $1,550. We talked it over and decided to go for it. Wow, what a room!


We are a family of 5 and had paid for a category 4 room, the smallest room that can fit 5 people in one room. Because of the ‘kids sail free’ promotion, this was less expensive then 2 adjoining rooms plus we wanted a veranda.

Below is the cruise and taxes only. Note: This does not include all other expenses like air travel, car rental, tips, dining at Palos, a Florida day pre-cruise plus we went to Disney World for 2 more nights after the cruise plus other spending.




January 24, 2010 4 day Wonder, kids sail free
Room w/Tax
Adult $1,093.92
Adult $1,093.92
Child 13 $44.92
Child 9 $44.92
Child 6 $44.92
$2,322.60

Port upgrade cat 4 to cat 1 on the 4 day Wonder= $1,550.00

Total $3,872.60

Hmmm, I wonder why more and more people are upgrading at the port and not booking suites ahead of time? Geez, I've paid more than that in advance for a Cat 3 for 2 people for 4 nights. I think I'm going to join the club and rethink my booking strategy from now on for regular sailings....

Great deal you got. Congrats!

 

[justmestace]

This is what concierge did for us last summer as well. It was so nice to stay away from Shutters knowing the pictures would be delivered to our cabin to look over.

We were in a Cat 3 last summer, and they didn't mention that to us. I get anxious to see the pics, so I'd be down there everyday looking for them anyway. It gives me something to do.

 

[justmestace]

Hmmm, I wonder why more and more people are upgrading at the port and not booking suites ahead of time? Geez, I've paid more than that in advance for a Cat 3 for 2 people for 4 nights. I think I'm going to join the club and rethink my booking strategy from now on for regular sailings....

Great deal you got. Congrats!

When we sailed last summer, there were no Cat 1's or 2's at port, but I want to say there were 4 of the Cat 3's....maybe even more. So we upgraded at port. BUT....we also would have been perfectly happy in the room we'd already booked. Upgrading was a very last minute decision...as in....while we were in line to enter the terminal, we'd heard there were some available.
If I'd really wanted a suite from the get-go, I would never take the chance that there would still be one available at check-in. As it was, I was nervous and anxious, waiting our turn, and hoping that there would still be one for us. I don't think I'd want to start another cruise that way...feeling the need to rush to the port, be first in line, and all antsy during check-in, til they send you to the other desk to check upgrades. It took some of the fun out of the day.

 

[Presentation]

When we sailed last summer, there were no Cat 1's or 2's at port, but I want to say there were 4 of the Cat 3's....maybe even more. So we upgraded at port. BUT....we also would have been perfectly happy in the room we'd already booked. Upgrading was a very last minute decision...as in....while we were in line to enter the terminal, we'd heard there were some available.
If I'd really wanted a suite from the get-go, I would never take the chance that there would still be one available at check-in. As it was, I was nervous and anxious, waiting our turn, and hoping that there would still be one for us. I don't think I'd want to start another cruise that way...feeling the need to rush to the port, be first in line, and all antsy during check-in, til they send you to the other desk to check upgrades. It took some of the fun out of the day.

I concur, book the room you will be happy with from the get go then if you wish to try for an upgrade, go for it. That is what we did.

We did call two days in advance inquiring about a upgrade. At that time the Roy O and several cat 3 rooms were available. Had we upgraded two days earlier when we called the cost was much higher, over $5,000 to upgrade to the cat 1 vs $1,550 at the port.

 

[PearlySwan]

^^^ OP, congrats on your upgrade! Sounds as though you had a fantastic time on your cruise. Kudos to you.

Are upgrades only possible for those who arrive at port early?

 

[nic_x]

We upgraded to a Cat 3 from a Cat 4 on a February 2009 cruise on the Magic, and we weren't at port early. We flew in that day, arrived at port just before noon, and weren't expecting any upgrades to be available. However, at noon, there were several upgrades available to buy at port, including a few suites.

BTW--when we were in our suite, our room steward, Rodolfo, was phenomenal.

 

[Presentation]

^^^ OP, congrats on your upgrade! Sounds as though you had a fantastic time on your cruise. Kudos to you.

Are upgrades only possible for those who arrive at port early?

It’s not a given that any upgrade will be available no matter when you arrive.

Let me give this example.


Every room is sold out, the ship is full however a person in a category 1 room is sick and cancels the day before the cruise. Bingo, one room is now open.

Let’s say someone in a category 3 room inquires about the upgrade and takes it. Now the category 1 room is booked however……..a category 3 room becomes available.

Next a person in a category 4 room inquires about the upgrade and takes it. Now the category 3 room is booked however……..a category 4 room becomes available.

….and so on.

Of course a person in a category 12 room can take the category 1 room so only one family could upgrade. However it’s my guess that this is possible but unlikely.

The person who booked a category 12 room likely has a tighter budget and they would need to pay a larger amount to upgrade to a 1 then a person who booked a 4.

Again, it could happen, I just don’t think it’s as likely to happen.







So even if at one moment the category that you are seeking is not available, it may become available.


As far as the best time to get a upgrade, if you are seeking a top category I feel the earlier you get to the port, the faster you check in the better your odds but its no guarantee no matter what you do.


The only way to guarantee you travel in a given category is to book it up front. After that it’s a matter of luck and timing.


I only found out about upgrades after I joined Disboards. I upgraded this one time. I read many posts here at Disboards regarding upgrading.


One member here, screen name kcashner, has posted about her multiple experiences upgrading. If you would like to learn more about port upgrading I’d recommend doing a search for her posts and reading the ones related to port upgrades. I found her information very helpful.

 

[shinez]

We upgraded to a Cat 3 from a Cat 4 on a February 2009 cruise on the Magic, and we weren't at port early. We flew in that day, arrived at port just before noon, and weren't expecting any upgrades to be available. However, at noon, there were several upgrades available to buy at port, including a few suites.

BTW--when we were in our suite, our room steward, Rodolfo, was phenomenal.

Curious on how much the upgrade cost for going from a 4 to a 3...we are booked with 2 cat. 4's - 5 of us in one, my mom in another... would love to get bigger digs! Also- can you fit 5 in a cat. 3? Thanks for the posts!!

 

[nic_x]

You can fit five in a category three. There's a bedroom with a queen-sized bed (I think it was a queen), then the main room has a fold-down twin and a double sofa bed.

I think our upgrade was $1800 for a seven-day Western. Not cheap, but we felt like it was worthwhile (even though we would've been very happy with the category 4 we originally booked, too!)

BTW--it definitely would have cost a LOT more had we booked the cat. 3 ahead of time. We checked about a week before leaving home, found out there were some cat. 3 suites available, and balked at the price difference. I can't remember what it was, but it was a lot more than $1800.

 

[kbmo4444]

Curious on how much the upgrade cost for going from a 4 to a 3...we are booked with 2 cat. 4's - 5 of us in one, my mom in another... would love to get bigger digs! Also- can you fit 5 in a cat. 3? Thanks for the posts!!

Shauna - You can fit 5 in Category 3 except for the 4 aft cabins which are HC they only sleep 4. Another food for thought only the 4 midship cat 3 have the murphy bed in the living room as opposed to the bedroom. We upgraded in April on the 4 night from a cat 4 and it cost us $650 or so(can't remember exact). Also since you have 2 cabins only 1 would be upgraded and you would keep the second one. If you have any more ??? about cat. 3 cabins send me a pm.

Karen

 

[Olga]

Since suites have concierge service it helps to go to the reception when you board. Meet the concierge so they can get to know your family and take care of any special request you might have at the time.

• • There is a button on the telephone which is a direct line to concierge, they will have ice, bar glassess, sodas etc delivered within minutes. You may also order canned soda and bottled water from room service.
  • DCL uses different barware in the suites, it 's delivered by concierge.
    
  • If you want to reuse the towels, hang them neatly on the rods and they will not be removed (conserves energy). Leave them on the floor or scattered about and they will be removed.
  • If you can not locate an outlet, concierge will come and point out the locations.
    
  • Dinner can be ordered delivered to your room from any of the rotation resturants, regardless of your dinner rotation. (Cat 1 and 2 may also order Palo delivered). When you are ready for the dishes to be removed, contact concierge.
    
  • A full breakfast will be delivered upon request, best done the night before indicating what time you'd like it to arrive.)
  
  In other words, concierge is your first line of contact for whatever you desire.

 

[sdjen]

Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise.

Your soon (if you call 369 days soon to be neighbor - Can't Wait!! At least we will be neighbors unless you upgrade again

 

[Fawn]

For all future suite cruisers, there is a secret outlet in the Cat 2 and 3...haven't stayed in a Cat 1 yet.

Pull out the top left drawer on the vanity. There way in the back is a plug. Plug in your extension cord, put the drawer back in (it goes most of the way), and there you go. The nightstand is through the door about 3 feet away, so I can plug things in there with this outlet.

 

[jns]

congratulations on the upgrade
any photos to share

 

[Terapin]

When we sailed Jan 3 for a 4 day we were booked in a cat 3. At the port around 1145 there was a cat 2 available and it was about 700 to upgrade for us. We declined (it was just the 2 of us!), but it was fun to dream for a minute while we hemmed and hawed.