How to get an upgrade?

[CRSNDSNY]

On our 7-day CDL honeymoon cruise Dec. 2001, my DH and I had a category5 Verandah and LOVED it. We are going again on the Wonder 1/5/03 and were curious if there is any way to get an upgrade either at no charge or discounted. We will be staying in a Category 10 (secret porthole 5020) to save money, but would really love to be upgraded with a view.

Any ideas?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I don't think there is any proven formula for getting an upgrade, especially at no cost. Those are given on a somewhat random basis, usually from categories which are overbooked into those that are not. There's a lot of luck involved.

At the port, you can purchase an upgrade, if the category to which you want to move has openings. This will cost pretty much the same as if you had booked it in advance. It's worth asking when you check in what it would cost to upgrade to a category 5 or 6. You may feel like it's worth it at the time, having written the big check 60 days prior.

As for ideas, I guess I don't really have any. If you have a lucky shirt, hat, pair of underwear, etc., it couldn't hurt to wear it. It's not out of the question that it will happen on its own, but it is fairly rare. Say they have five cabins that they need to upgrade due to overbooking. There are still another 872 cabins on the ship, so you can figure the odds.

Good luck!

 

[Samsma]

I read in another post that it helps to pay your entire balance before the due date. Don't know if there is anything to this, just what I read.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Don't know if paying the balance helped anyone else, but it has never helped me. We always pay in full when we book (in other words, we don't book until we have the money), but have never been upgraded on DCL in 7 cruises.

 

[AnnMorin]

We paid in full at booking time on all three of our cruises (first was all cash second two half cash half points ) all three have been special occasions and we have never been upgraded. I think you are much better off just purchasing what you can afford and being happy with that instead of stressing over the randomness of upgrades. A lot of people get worked up (it's not fair etc etc.) it is just better to buy what you can afford and if you happen to luck out be delighted, if not be just as happy with your purchase!

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I think I'll go for the lucky underwear idea.

We are just SO excited to go. I can't wait to compare the 4-day to the 7-day and book another cruise.

 

[GinaAnn]

Just got my docs for Jan 26th wonder. We got upgraded from cat 11 room 5001 to a cat 9 room 1054. Hate being on the bottom of the boat but it will do.
Gina

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Can you refuse an upgrade if you are unhappy with its location?

 

[mrp4352]

How can you tell if the ship is full? Do you just call DCL and ask?

 

[fred ferdlap]

We moved from a cat 11 to cat 7 in Jan.

Our friends booked the same day we changed our reservations and stayed in the bowels. Cat 11

My booking was a year old and we needed 3 in a cabin.

So I think it all depends on the configuration needed, age of your reservation number and luck.

My freind is kindof bent out of shape, but I offered to invite him up some afternoon.

Oh plus I retained the onboard credit offered last year.

Book before leaving the ship it's 100% refundable outside of 60 days and can be changed around. I did. and will again.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I purchased an upgrade at the port for our last cruise. I was able to go from a Category 9 to a Category 4 for 365 dollars FAR less than purchasing it originally!
It pays to ask

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Alex:
How did they figure out your luggage when you changed categories at Port? Did you make this request at the Castaway Club desk?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

You can ask about purchasing an upgrade at any of the check-in desks. I never use the Castaway Club desk, because I can usually find a "regular" desk with less of a line, or no line at all.

If you do change cabins when checking in, I believe that they will make the change on the ship's computer, and your bags will be re-routed. I'm pretty sure it's all tracked electronically. It may mean that your bags are a little late getting to your room, but not necessarily.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

They will take bring it up for you but I got tired of waiting, I just went to the cabin we were supposed to have and grabbed it!

 

[Hygiene99]

except for us , on the inuagural western on may 11,2002
we upgraded from cat 10 secret porthole to cat 4
at a cost of $1000.00 ....... but our luggage did not
we finally went down to our old cabin 5020 and brought it up to
our new cabin 8002 , yea front desk said they would get it there
but we needed to get some stuff out of it.. for dinner and did not have time to wait for them anymore.................
this was even after i told our stateroom host............
peter

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Is there any reason you changed your mind about making the category jump and paying the large amount of $$$? I'm just concerned because we're in 5020 in Jan.

 

[TnRobin]

There is nothing wrong with 5020. It is a great room. It is especially great that you did not pay to have a window, yet you will have one. (partially obstructed, but still a free window)

I would assume that Peter made the decision at the port that $1000 for a Larger room and a veranda was worth it for him.

 

[Hygiene99]

yes we just felt like it , a little treat for us we have stayyed in 5020 twice and recommend it to all ... we just wanted to try a verandah and still was less money than booking it ahead of time..
at that point we where going to get into Cat 3 bt it was not avaliable..... peter

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by fred ferdlap
We moved from a cat 11 to cat 7 in Jan. Our friends booked the same day we changed our reservations and stayed in the bowels. Cat 11. My booking was a year old and we needed 3 in a cabin.

I don't understand. There is no cabin on DCL that holds less than 3. You didn't have to upgrade for that. Are you saying your friends in Cat. 11 stayed "in the bowels?" There is no Cat 11 lower than Deck 5. An upgrade to Cat 10 or 9 would put one "in the bowels" on Deck 1 or 2, unless lucky enough to get one of the few Cat 10 on Deck 5 or 7. Many people are under the impression that an "upgrade" also assures a higher deck, but that is not always the case!

My favorite is Cat 7 Navigator Verandah on Deck 7. I would prefer that over <I>anything</I> on the ship except Cat 1, 2 or 3 of course!