Upgrades - Rare Experience or Common?

[Mike320]

Hi,
We are on the 1/22 Magic and have been reading these boards for OH about a year!

I see lots of comments on upgrades but am wondering if this is something that frequently happens or is rare.

We booked two adjoining Cat 9s in Feb 2004. I don't know if that hurts or helps us.

Anyway, it's almost here and I'd be happy to sleep on the dishwasher!

Happy New Year!
Michael

 

[crazy4cruises]

We've been upgraded on two of our four cruises. The first time, we were in an assigned cat 11 and were upgraded to a cat 6 on the 9/13/03 Magic. We booked about a month prior to the cruise through DU. This time, we booked a cat 12 GTY through Vacationstogo.com for the 1/6/05 Wonder, again about a month ahead of time. We just got our documents and were upgraded to a cat 9. I think the time of sailing may help. I've seen a lot of upgrades for January sailings lately.

 

[Mike320]

I've seen a lot of upgrades for January sailings lately.

Thanks! I know it is a long shot but just wanted to ask.
Mike

 

[mmouse37]

We were booked in two adjoining Cat 9's for our upcoming Wonder cruise in January on the 6th and found out we were upgraded to 2 adjoining Cat 6 verandah cabins.

Upgrades do happen, but not as often as it looks like on these boards...remember the people here are just a small percentage of people that sail on DCL so it looks like upgrades happen all the time. There really is no rhyme or reason for them.

P.S....is that Swansea in Wales??? Hometown of Catherine Zeta Jones??

MJ

 

[Mike320]

P.S....is that Swansea in Wales??? Hometown of Catherine Zeta Jones??

MJ

MJ - no, it's Swansea Massachusetts, home of ...welll ME!

 

[crisi]

Someone here did some math off a poll and decided that 3% of cruisers get upgraded. Its much less common at higher categories (i.e. there are waiting lists for the suites - so you are not likely at all to go from a 6 to a 3).

 

[mmouse37]

And I thought I knew most of the names of towns in Mass. Spent many a wonderful summer there as my mom grew up in Gloucester!!

Oh well, Swansea, Mass...home of the famouse Mike320!!!

MJ

 

[Mike320]

I love it here..it's close to the water...close to boston, newport, the beaches.....

Come back...I'll buy you a cocktail!

 

[mmouse37]

Do you know Salem at all....if so, you know that very big statue in the center of town of the man the big cape and hat??? Well that is my great, great, great.....etc.....granddaddy!!! First govenor of Salem!!!

MJ

 

[Mike320]

My god............you've got me under your spell!

 

[logan1_2000]

My goodness, look at this thread, DCL has turned into the love boat, LOL!

Seriously, as another January upgrade recipient, my only one in 4 cruises and first in two January cruises, I agree that it seems to be random, infrequent, over represented possibly here on the boards because of how pathological we posters are as a group (the average family books a Cat. whatever, enjoys it, and then moves on to the rest of their lives; we're trying to add mouse ears, a bow and stern to our lives). You expressed the best approach--you'd be happy to sleep on the dishwasher--and I expect you will love your cat. 9's--the room is identical to the Cat. 8's I have been in, just a different deck, and the big porthole window is great.

 

[mmouse37]

My family does call me a witch from time to time!

MJ

 

[ivanova]

I see lots of comments on upgrades but am wondering if this is something that frequently happens or is rare.

Short answer: rare.

DCL cruises sell out much more than other cruise lines (possibly due to the fact they only have two ships) so there's less of a need for them to upgrade anyone and no room to upgrade them to....

 

[Boaguy]

On the 10 day christmas cruise we got upgraded from window to half verandah (slanted view...)..it was our first cruise so I dont know how often it happens.

 

[cadburysmom]

We've never been upgraded on any of our previous 4 cruises but have always had a blast! We've always booked the same Cat.9 cabin...easier for my DS10 to find, easier on and off the ship and less expensive than most. That doesn't mean I wouldn't LOVE to be upgraded!! I'm sure this single mom and her son would be in hog heaven. Wonder if there are any "Upgrade Fairies" reading this???

 

[alexandrew]

On our last 2 cruises, we were upgraded from a cat 9 to a cat 5...the first time we were upgraded, DCL called our TA to inform him a few weeks prior to sailing...The second time, we were notified at check-in...

From the many posts I've read over the past 5 years on this board, I would submit that upgrades are exceptionally rare....

 

[jfis1020]

I dream of an upgrade! We are in two 12s because that's all they had on our upcoming cruise. I would give anything for a verandah! Pixie dust?

 

[brack]

We are going on our 5th DCL cruise next week and unless we get an upgrade by next Saturday then we have never been upgraded.

I too would not turn one down but will be happy just to be on the ship when it leaves port.

 

[Mike320]

It's a hot topic and I love reading the posts.

I will open my docs when they finally arrive like I scratch off a dollar lottery ticket - if I get something great, if not, I really didn't have very high hopes anyway!

We have two outside Cat 9s adjoining. I'm mid-ship and near an elevator. The only thing I wanted was to be on Deck 2 and not Deck 1 cuz of the port hole size. Small potatoes.

Maybe when my stuff comes over the next couple of weeks we'll have an upgrade but like people say 'be careful what you wish for'. I could move to the Stern of the ship and every small wave becomes a trip to the bathroom!

 

[AspiringCindy]

You have a slightly better shot at upgrading...if you check in early! On our last DCL cruise, we checked in VERY early and payed for an upgrade! $200..total for the four of us to be upgraded from Cat.9 to Cat 5!! So, if you don't get upgraded on your docs, try very nicely at the dock!