Stateroom upgrade?

[curefanKL]

I recently booked my first cruise online without the help of a travel agent. I received a special rate with the option to upgrade my stateroom for no additional charge. Has anyone ever received an upgrade? How does it work? I already have a room assignment, so I am wondering how and when I will be upgraded.

[peaches from georgia]

I'm not really sure from your post whether you understand that the first question really is "if" you will receive an upgrade. All that has happened is that you have agreed to an upgrade in cabin category if HAL so chooses, even though you have booked a specific cabin. Or at least that is how I am reading into your post.

Some pax choose not to accept an upgrade option in that they believe a higher category does not necessarily mean a better or more desirable location on the ship and they want to keep what they have booked. If you are upgraded you may not even know about it until you are at the pier.

Have a great first cruise. :D

[1cruiselvr]

That's the standard offer everyone gets if they accept - the opportunity for the possiblity of an upgrade, should the cruiseline offer one. The key word here is possibility. Don't get your hopes up for a freebie upgrade. It doesn't happen that often on HAL as they have a very loyal following that book and pay for the higher suite and balcony categories. Did you book a specific cabin or a guarantee category? Your chances of an upgrade within a category is greater if you booked a category guarantee. Happy Sailing!

[curefanKL]

Yes, I do understand that it is not guaranteed. I guess my real question is does it really happen?

[jhannah]

Yes, it does. But, as noted, not that often. And if you booked an FF large outside, for instance, your upgrade could be five "categories" to a DA (using the Zaandam as an example) but you'd still have a large outside. Just in a different location.

[curefanKL]

Thanks everyone. I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed!