Lets use this thread to track Port Upgrades

[tracyaem]

I was on the 16th sailing and hoping to snag the Royal (from a Cat T) but the couple in front of me in the upgrade line wound up taking it (they were on their honeymoon so I can't be bitter, lol!)

I believe I overheard that they paid $3400 for it. I would have been willing to pay $2k or less (to move from a Cat T) which sounds like it may have been in the right range, but oh well! The 1-bedroom was fabulous and we saw the other couple around the ship and they were super nice so I'm happy they got it

 

[mam516]

Would the upgrade price cost more if the original category paid for was at a discounted Florida resident rate?

 

[*Flower*]

They only look at the category booked.
We did a military discount on a verandah stateroom and upgraded to a 1 bedroom concierge for about $800 or so last October on a 7 night cruise.

They looked at the category that we booked (not the cost) and used their chart to see what the cost difference was.

 

[gigi1313]

Does the upgrade price depend on the number of people in the room or is it based on just the room category?

 

[JoiseyMom]

Does the upgrade price depend on the number of people in the room or is it based on just the room category?

Has nothing to do with the number of people, just category to category. The only time the number of ppl matters is for lifeboats and how many the stateroom can hold.

 

[mkmommy]

Has nothing to do with the number of people, just category to category. The only time the number of ppl matters is for lifeboats and how many the stateroom can hold.

Category, does that mean say 9b or does category mean, inside
Ocean view, balcony?

 

[Maddon]

Would the upgrade price cost more if the original category paid for was at a discounted Florida resident rate?

I don't think so. We upgraded from a FL resident rate (Cat 5b) to a Cat T on the 11/17 Dream. We originally paid $1100 for 3 (2 Adults one 10 year old) with a last minute FL res rate booking about 2 weeks out. Then we paid an additional $800 for our upgrade at the port. For a total of $1900 before taxes and port fess.

This cruise was clearly undersold. Our Concierge team told us that this is the first cruise where both Cat R were available for port upgrades. I think the fact that Veterans Day was the week before allowing many families a three day weekend helped keep this a light cruise. Then having Thanksgiving the week after may have helped too. To be honest our first thought was to do the cruise over Veterans Day so my daughter would miss less school. My employer overruled and we had to go with the 11/17 cruise.

We ended up paying less for this cruise then the other three we have done on The Dream. All of which were booked with onboard booking discounts and none were in concierges. The fact that we had valid passports and live close to the port really paid off for us this trip. We jumped on the last minute deal and later at the port the upgrade because it's very doubtful that we will ever get a opportunity like this again.

 

[StephandDick]

I don't think so. We upgraded from a FL resident rate (Cat 5b) to a Cat T on the 11/17 Dream. We originally paid $1100 for 3 (2 Adults one 10 year old) with a last minute FL res rate booking about 2 weeks out. Then we paid an additional $800 for our upgrade at the port. For a total of $1900 before taxes and port fess. This cruise was clearly undersold. Our Concierge team told us that this is the first cruise where both Cat R were available for port upgrades. I think the fact that Veterans Day was the week before allowing many families a three day weekend helped keep this a light cruise. Then having Thanksgiving the week after may have helped too. To be honest our first thought was to do the cruise over Veterans Day so my daughter would miss less school. My employer overruled and we had to go with the 11/17 cruise. We ended up paying less for this cruise then the other three we have done on The Dream. All of which were booked with onboard booking discounts and none were in concierges. The fact that we had valid passports and live close to the port really paid off for us this trip. We jumped on the last minute deal and later at the port the upgrade because it's very doubtful that we will ever get a opportunity like this again.

Sounds like a perfect time to go! We are hoping for the same in early May (after Easter & before Memorial Day).

 

[Dprincesses2013]

#1. What catagory did you pay for? 5A
#2. Which Ship? Dream
#3. Number of Nights? 4 nights
#4. Month/Year of Sailing December 1, 2013
#5. What was your Port of Arrival time assignment? 10:30-10:45
#6. What time did you check-in? Around 10:30 #7. What category were you offered for upgrade? concierge deluxe family verandah and concierge one bedroom suite
#8. How much was the upgrade? $600/$1000

We took the concierge deluxe family verandah as that is what we have gotten the past few cruises and since we aren't in the room much but we enjoy the lounge and the convenience, that is the best option for us and it was definitely a savings doing it at port as to pre booking

 

[AndreaDM]

#1. What catagory did you pay for? OGT, assigned a 9B
#2. Which Ship? Wonder
#3. Number of Nights? 7 Night Western
#4. Month/Year of Sailing November 30, 2013
#5. What was your Port of Arrival time assignment? 11:30
#6. What time did you check-in? Not sure, noonish maybe?
#7. What catagory were you offered for upgrade? 5A
#8. How much was the upgrade? $315

We took it, there were other upgrades available as well including concierge, but we didn't feel we needed that service. The line to upgrade was long and moved slowly. The ship was only at 75% so there were a lot of cabins available.

 

[joecatz]

#1. What category did you pay for? 5A FLORIDA RESIDENT RATE
#2. Which Ship? Dream
#3. Number of Nights? 4 nights
#4. Month/Year of Sailing December 8, 2013
#5. What was your Port of Arrival time assignment? 10:30-10:45
#6. What time did you check-in? Around 10:30
#7. What category were you offered for upgrade? CONCIERGE 1BR
#8. How much was the upgrade? $920

well worth it. we were already upgraded to a family veranda (4B) but couldn't pass on the opportunity. especially since we booked a FLR rate to begin with at roughly $1400 for a family of 4.

The kids couldn't believe there was a TV in the mirror and a jacuzzi tub! and the extra space in the room and concierge service was amazing.

I honestly don't know if it spoiled us forever.

 

[zummi525]

what is the earliest you can get in to check in. We are already booked in a V but would love to try for a discounted R oT.

I was thinking the earliest i saw people arriving is 9:45? just wanted to ask as we will be driving in from disney world

thanks for all the great info everybody!

 

[GenerationK-er]

Let's keep the port upgrades coming. I am stalking this thread for Magic upgrade info.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

what is the earliest you can get in to check in. We are already booked in a V but would love to try for a discounted R oT.

I was thinking the earliest i saw people arriving is 9:45? just wanted to ask as we will be driving in from disney world

thanks for all the great info everybody!

It used to be that people were let into the terminal at PC right around 10:30. That seems to have been relaxed a bit as DISers have reported being allowed into the terminal recently at around 10:15. DH and I were on the first bus from MCO for our cruise on the Dream in September. We were in the terminal by 10:10 and at the supervisor's desk by 10:20. For our cruise, people who took private transportation were not allowed into the terminal until 10:30. I'm not sure how typical that is.

 

[MDennis28]

It used to be that people were let into the terminal at PC right around 10:30. That seems to have been relaxed a bit as DISers have reported being allowed into the terminal recently at around 10:15. DH and I were on the first bus from MCO for our cruise on the Dream in September. We were in the terminal by 10:10 and at the supervisor's desk by 10:20. For our cruise, people who took private transportation were not allowed into the terminal until 10:30. I'm not sure how typical that is.

Excellent! What time is the first bus out of MCO?

 

[MDennis28]

It used to be that people were let into the terminal at PC right around 10:30. That seems to have been relaxed a bit as DISers have reported being allowed into the terminal recently at around 10:15. DH and I were on the first bus from MCO for our cruise on the Dream in September. We were in the terminal by 10:10 and at the supervisor's desk by 10:20. For our cruise, people who took private transportation were not allowed into the terminal until 10:30. I'm not sure how typical that is.

Excellent! What time does the first bus leave MCO? Was it packed? What time should we be down there to get on it please?

 

[Jk125]

Are the upgrades only offered at port?

We are taking our first cruise in April I was thinking about taking Disney Transport from WDW, but think that would get us there too late to get an upgrade. Or can I check-in at WDW and get an upgrade there?

More space would be a huge help as DD has ASD.

 

[MDennis28]

Are the upgrades only offered at port?

We are taking our first cruise in April I was thinking about taking Disney Transport from WDW, but think that would get us there too late to get an upgrade. Or can I check-in at WDW and get an upgrade there?

More space would be a huge help as DD has ASD.

Yes, upgrades per se are only offered at port. However, you can change/upgrade your reservations now. You will just pay the difference. Upgrading at port is cheaper but much riskier. Always book the room you will be happy in if there are no upgrades a available.

 

[kurts mom]

We will be sailing out of Miami in March (SO EXCITED) We've sailed with DCL before but have never asked for an upgrade at port. I've heard several people talk about going to the supervisors desk. Do we check in first? Where is the desk at port of Miami? Thanks.

 

[gritz]

Hi! I'm sailing out of Galveston. Where would I go to try to get a port upgrade? How do I find out if the cruise is already fully booked before I sail?