Have you Purchased An Upgrade After Boarding?

[valbob89]

We booked an GTY room (I believe it was an IGT) for our Alaska sailing this past pay.

We ended up being assigned to one of those sideways inside rooms

It was just under $2000 for two people.

At the port, we were able to upgrade to a 1BR suite for a little over $1,000.

So I think it's the room you're assigned to that counts...

Wow, I would be thrilled if we could do that. I am in a verandah now and was told it would be over $6,000 to upgrade to the IBR suite now, or at the pier, on our MR a week from Sunday. For a lot less, I could just get MANY drinks of the day and think I upgraded.

 

[DesertGal]

Not what you asked, but i'll tell you our experience in Port Canaveral. We checked in, then went to the supervior's desk and bought an upgrade (from our verandah room to a one bedroom suite) before boarding the ship. The cost was 1/2 what I was quoted on the phone before the sailing. They have a cheat sheet they use at the supervisor's desk to give you the upgrade prices from one cat to another. I would think it would be better to do it preboarding since that is when most people do it. If you wait until after you board I would think most of the upgrades would be gone by the people that do it like I described above. Good luck, the one bedroom spoiled us!

Out of curiosity, how much was it? We are booked in a verandah room for our 7 day in November, and really want to upgrade to a one bedroom suite as a surprise for my hubby since his birthday is the 2nd day of our cruise. I had planned on getting there early (we have an 11:00 check in) and asking at the terminal.

 

[Rexie and Stitch]

We were on the Disney Magic on 10/8/11 Eastern Caribbean cruise. Days before the cruise I checked & there were several one-bedroom suites available. The cost difference between this Cat 3 and our booked Cat 5 Verandah room was approximately $4,000 if we wanted to change prior to the cruise. We arrived at the port to find that only 3 were still available, all handicapped accessible. We decided to pass (we'd had friends in HA on previous cruise who complained about the showers). After we got onboard we took our time to throw things in our room & get a bite to eat. We then walked to the rooms we'd been told were open and asked the cabin steward if we could peak inside. It took about 30-seconds before we looked at each other & asked how fast could we run to Guest Services!! We almost didn't wait in line there as the "Mickey's ship is full" sign was up, but decided to try anyway. Boy were we thrilled we did!! Yes, the cabin was still available As we were still docked the CM called down & found that the upgrade price was the same quoted inside the terminal, and we only had to pay $1,715 to go from a Verandah room to a One-Bedroom Concierge Suite It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us and we are really glad we made this choice. The room (8102) was fantastic and our Concierge Danny was wonderful.

 

[Homemom]

Rexie and Stitch, we had room 8602 on the Wonder, that room (and verandah) were amazing!

DesertGal, we paid $600 on a 4 night to go from a cat 4 to the one bedroom. On top of our kids sail free offer it was an amazing deal!

 

[valbob89]

Rexie and Stitch, we had room 8602 on the Wonder, that room (and verandah) were amazing!

DesertGal, we paid $600 on a 4 night to go from a cat 4 to the one bedroom. On top of our kids sail free offer it was an amazing deal!

That is a great deal. Because you mention it was a 4 day cruise I assume it wasn't a recent sailing, a MR out of LA? Thanks

 

[DesertGal]

Rexie and Stitch, we had room 8602 on the Wonder, that room (and verandah) were amazing!

DesertGal, we paid $600 on a 4 night to go from a cat 4 to the one bedroom. On top of our kids sail free offer it was an amazing deal!

Thats a great deal.

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm crossing my fingers but am thrilled to be in a Cat 5

 

[txwdwmom]

We recently upgraded from a 5B to a one bedroom for less than $100 for the 3 of us once we were onboard! Our TA told us is was possible if we asked and we were amazed when it happened!

 

[DesertGal]

We recently upgraded from a 5B to a one bedroom for less than $100 for the 3 of us once we were onboard! Our TA told us is was possible if we asked and we were amazed when it happened!

Wow. I would be so thrilled. What time did you get there? We are 11:00 check in and plan on arriving early. Did you do it after you were on the ship or at the terminal.

 

[lllpath]

We recently upgraded from a 5B to a one bedroom for less than $100 for the 3 of us once we were onboard! Our TA told us is was possible if we asked and we were amazed when it happened!

We are sailing over Thanksgiving on the Dream. Where do you go to ask about an upgrade? Guest Services?
Thanks...

 

[guntherkat]

Wow. I would be so thrilled. What time did you get there? We are 11:00 check in and plan on arriving early. Did you do it after you were on the ship or at the terminal.

We are also sailing to MR and have kids about the same age...are you on the Nov 6 sailing? If so, come join our board

 

[castawaycayfans]

If we use DCL transfers and arrive after 1:30, what are our chances of getting an upgrade? We are in an 11b for 4 and dropped our kids off the reservation. Now our cat has gone to gty--I would love to surprise DH with an upgrade. Any thoughts???

 

[Alexander]

We've done two upgrades:

Paid for a Cat. 12 with 4 guests (KSF, so we only paid $1200), so we were automatically upgraded to an 11 on the Wonder 3 night Easter 2009. At the port we upgraded to a 1 Bedroom for $800. So in all we sailed on a 3 night in a 1 bedroom for $2,000.

Used DVC points for a 9A and upgraded to a 5E on the 4 night Dream August 2011 for $185. The 5E was one with a HUGE balcony, we loved it.

 

[Disney Dreams]

If we use DCL transfers and arrive after 1:30, what are our chances of getting an upgrade? We are in an 11b for 4 and dropped our kids off the reservation. Now our cat has gone to gty--I would love to surprise DH with an upgrade. Any thoughts???

It looks like you have cruised many times, so as you know, people can arrive at varying times and DCL transfers are not generally the first to arrive. That said, the odds of getting an upgrade are unknown because there is no way to know for your particular sailing what may or may not be available prior to arrival. Also, sometimes upgrades become available post-departure. It just depends on your specific ship and its passengers.

- Dreams

 

[SlimKat]

Just returned from the Disney Magic Western on Saturday (10/22). We originally had two connecting Cat. 7 rooms (Navigator's Verandah) using DVC points. DH upgraded to 2 bedroom at the port for 6 people for $2,500. best thing we ever did. Concierge was fabulous. Treated like kings and queens. They reserved Palo brunch and two dinners for us last minute. Having hot breakfast en suite was wonderful. I don't think hubby can ever go back to regular rooms again. And I'm not stopping him.

 

[Lucky13Cruisers]

Anyone care to share experiences with asking to switch cabins within the same category? I just checked out some reviews of our cabin assignment on the Wonder and many people complained about the noise from one of the clubs. We have taken many cruises but have never been automatically upgraded or asked about doing so. We are just trying to figure out how much $$$ we are willing to spend to get better sleep. Let's just say we are frugal cruisers.

 

[designertravels]

If you just want a room in the same cat. Call and try to change now. AT port if you are not looking for a big upgrade on a 7 night. $500.00 should cover you for a move.

Jill

 

[DesertGal]

We are also sailing to MR and have kids about the same age...are you on the Nov 6 sailing? If so, come join our board

We are actually on the November 26 Western Caribbean. We had originally booked for the Nov 6 MR, but decided to spend thanksgiving in WDW so changed. Darn, our kids would have had fun!

 

[vzj]

Just found this forum so I'm new....going on 2nd cruise, leaving Dec 30 on the Magic....kids don't know yet, surprising them Christmas day....

Hopefully a quick question:
Last time we upgraded at the check-in...it was a great deal, this was in August of 2010.

Things have changed about check-in and we seem to have missed getting in on the first check-in at 11 am and don't check in to 12:30 pm. So not sure how many people will have checked in before me.

I just got off the phone with Disney and the lady said to still arrive early and we can ask for an upgrade then...if its available and the earlier we get there the better.

Can anyone confirm this or let me know what time I should get there....we're leaving from Canaveral on the 30th of December.

THX

 

[over50visits]

The cruise lines have to submit passenger manifests to the Dept. of Homeland Security 2 - 3 days prior to sailing.

At least 60 minutes in advance, not 2-3 days.

 

[schepp]

Just got back from 7 night MR cruise on the Wonder and upgraded from cat 6 to a 1 bedroom suite for $928 at the port.