Should we upgrade?

[peanutrach]

We just got an email to upgrade from our Verandah Suite to the Deluxe Verandah Suite on the Veendam to Bermuda departing NYC on June 19th. The offer is for $399/pp. Is this a good deal? Is this room significantly better?

I am tempted to take it b/c this is our honeymoon cruise (we are getting married on the ship before departing NYC). But I want to get a feel for whether this is a good deal and determine if this room is a lot better since I haven't taken Holland America before. Any feedback would be great! Need to make the decision today or else all the upgrades could be sold out!! Thanks in advance!!!!

Rachel

[sail7seas]

You should make up your mind immediately or there's a good chance you will lose out. They make these offers to a number of people and those who answer first, get it.

Only you know if it is worth the extra money to YOU.
The Deluxe Veranda Suites and all the amenities which accrue with it are outstanding. It is a substantially better cabin and you will have use of Neptune Lounge etc

[GrammieK]

YES, YES, YES!!!!!
We always choose the Deluxe Verandah and for a honeymoon it will be even more special. First, there is the extra room and don't forget the free laundry. The veranda is so huge!! Bring along some music and you can have your first dance with a beautiful view as you sail away!! Congratulation on both counts - your wedding and your upsell! You will not be disappointed!!

[peanutrach]

Thanks for the quick response! I am on hold now for the upgrade...keeping my fingers crossed. I figure it looks like a wonderful room and why not since we are only going on our honeymoon once! I hope I'm not too late.

[Randyk47]

I would take it because it is your honeymoon cruise. Hopefully you'll not be having another honeymoon cruise anytime soon so consider it a once in a lifetime opportunity. The deluxe suite is extremely nice and you'll really enjoy it. However, only you can say whether or not it's worth it. Sure there have been better deals but there has been worse offers also. Again, this is a unique cruise for a unique occasion.

[CtheW0rld]

since it is your honeymoon i would say yes (although even insides come with a bed :D )

[peanutrach]

Just booked it! HOORAY!!!
Thanks for the quick advice...my fiance wasn't answering his phone (must be in a work meeting) so I decided to make the executive decision :D
I'm sure he will be happy with it!

[Lucy Jane]

Rachel,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I personally would just save the $700.00 and use it for something nice you may find on your cruise. You will have fun on the cruise regarless of the category of cabin.

[Lucy Jane]

Rachel,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I personally would just save the $700.00 and use it for something nice you may find on your cruise. You will have fun on the cruise regarless of the category of cabin.
Rachel,
I guess I just replied as you were getting the upgrade. You will enjoy the new suite.
Nancy

[Silverwing]

YES, YES, YES all the way! Especially as it is a celebration cruise.

Warmest congratulations on your wedding which is on my birthday!

We love Holland America and their wonderful deluxe suites and are sure you will really appreciate the huge cabin and balcony - check the deck plans for the Veendam on the HAL website and compare the size of a deluxe cabin and balcony with what you have booked.

It's great being able to use the Neptune lounge (only available for deluxe and penthouse passengers) with its fantastic concierges, coffee machine and delicious nibbles (which change three times a day). One of our favourite perks is being eligible to have breakfast in the exclusive Pinnacle Grill restaurant (same menu as main dining room, but with personal service and much quieter).

There are many other perks too, but don't hesitate too long as these offers are always 'first come first served' and I expect lots of other people will jump at the chance of this upsell.

Do let us know what you decide.

[sail7seas]

Congratulations and Best Wishes.

Happy you acted fast and were able to take advantage of the offer.
Warning... Once you stay in a "S" cabin, it will be hard to not do so next cruise. ;) :D

[Randyk47]

Just booked it! HOORAY!!!
Thanks for the quick advice...my fiance wasn't answering his phone (must be in a work meeting) so I decided to make the executive decision :D
I'm sure he will be happy with it!

Good decision! :) It's a special cabin for a special event. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

[AZNative2000]

Congratulations!

On both your wedding and your cabin choice.

You won't be sorry!

[fatcat04]

Good for you. It is a splurge for us but we have never regretted it. Had a cabin right across from the Neptune Lounge this time around and used it several times a day for coffee, tea, and snacks. Plus the concierge service for excursions and reservations and laundry included is a significant bonus.

Congrats, best wishes, and enjoy. I know you will have a lovely time!!

[Nancyquilts]

Congratulations and Best Wishes.

Happy you acted fast and were able to take advantage of the offer.
Warning... Once you stay in a "S" cabin, it will be hard to not do so next cruise. ;) :D
I agree with all of the above, especially the congratulations and best wishes. We had an upsell once to that category, and it spoiled us for a regular balcony. :D

[we're sailing away....]

It all depends on how often you cruise

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations!!

You will love the Deluxe Suite!!

What a wonderful way to spend your honeymoon.

And also congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

[Spender Nui]

We just left an S Suite on the Veendam yesterday. You've made a wise choice ... and congratulations.

[1cruiselvr]

I'm curious - did you book your cruise directly thru Holland America or did you use a travel agent?

[erewhon]

You made an excellent executive decision to choose the Deluxe Suite.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, may you have a long and
happy life together.

[cluelyss18]

quick question, maybe one of you can answer. We are booked, now we check in online. Does the timing of when you check in online have any effect on when your cabin is designated? For instance, you check in online 4 months out, then you'll be one of the first for cabin disgnation....or you check in about a month out and be one of the last meaning maybe you have a better chance of getting into a higher category if you have a gty??
Am I making sense?

[samnewbie]

Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage.

Enjoy your upgrade, fab decision!

Have a wonderful cruise and a wonderful start to your life together.

Sam :)

[peanutrach]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I told the fiance when he got home and he was super excited, especially when he heard that they will press his shirts for him ;) VERY excited about the wedding/honeymoon trip! Thanks again!!!

[hpf]

Congratulations on your wedding and upgrade. From spmeone who has been married 50 years take advantage of the laundry and pressing as there will be a lot for you to do after returning home.
Have a great cruise and life together.
Helen

[kazu]

I am so glad for you that you jumped on this and took it.

What a great way to celebrate your honeymoon.

congratulations on your wedding - may you have many happy years together and what a great way to start with a Deluxe Verandah.:D:D

Smooth seas & happy honeymoon & sailing:)

[sail7seas]

quick question, maybe one of you can answer. We are booked, now we check in online. Does the timing of when you check in online have any effect on when your cabin is designated? For instance, you check in online 4 months out, then you'll be one of the first for cabin disgnation....or you check in about a month out and be one of the last meaning maybe you have a better chance of getting into a higher category if you have a gty??
Am I making sense?


Only the upgrade/upsell fairy knows for sure but I seriously doubt when you check in on line has any bearing on who gets an upgrade offer.

[1cruiselvr]

I asked about booking via HAL or TA because I'm curious about the emails everyone seems to be getting for upgrade offers. I've sailed HAL many times and never gotten one. I'm trying to figure out if it's because we use a TA vs others booking directly with HAL? Sorry I that changed the subject on the OP. Congratulations on scoring a wonderful upgrade, it will make your honeymoon even more memorable. Happy Sailing!

[Randyk47]

I asked about booking via HAL or TA because I'm curious about the emails everyone seems to be getting for upgrade offers. I've sailed HAL many times and never gotten one. I'm trying to figure out if it's because we use a TA vs others booking directly with HAL? Sorry I that changed the subject on the OP. Congratulations on scoring a wonderful upgrade, it will make your honeymoon even more memorable. Happy Sailing!

We've booked just about every possible way you can and in all our cruises we've only gotten one upsell offer. Really goes to the mystery of how the upgrade/upsell fairy works and I've yet to see anything but inconsistency.

[peanutrach]

I asked about booking via HAL or TA because I'm curious about the emails everyone seems to be getting for upgrade offers. I've sailed HAL many times and never gotten one. I'm trying to figure out if it's because we use a TA vs others booking directly with HAL? Sorry I that changed the subject on the OP. Congratulations on scoring a wonderful upgrade, it will make your honeymoon even more memorable. Happy Sailing!

We booked directly through HAL but this is our first HAL cruise so I am not sure if that made the difference in terms of getting the upsell offer.

[LADYLAYLA]

I asked about booking via HAL or TA because I'm curious about the emails everyone seems to be getting for upgrade offers. I've sailed HAL many times and never gotten one. I'm trying to figure out if it's because we use a TA vs others booking directly with HAL? Sorry I that changed the subject on the OP. Congratulations on scoring a wonderful upgrade, it will make your honeymoon even more memorable. Happy Sailing!


If you book through a TA, the TA will be the one getting the call or email and will have to relay to you. On our last cruise, our TA got an offer for one of our cabins to upgrade from OV to another cabin type -- DH talked to her and got no details. By the time I got the information, it was too late

[Se4deb]

Plus you will get personalized stationery with Mr. and Mrs. on it. Congrat on your new life adventures.

[Tampa Girl]

Plus you will get personalized stationery with Mr. and Mrs. on it. Congrat on your new life adventures.


You get those in the regularl verandah suites, as well. Big deal. But I do use the envelopes for tips at the end of the cruise.

[AZNative2000]

You get those in the regularl verandah suites, as well. Big deal. But I do use the envelopes for tips at the end of the cruise.Well it might mean a lot to the OP while celebrating their honeymoon. You know, maybe the first thing with Mr. and Mrs. (whatever) written on it.:)

Cheers!

[kazu]

I asked about booking via HAL or TA because I'm curious about the emails everyone seems to be getting for upgrade offers. I've sailed HAL many times and never gotten one. I'm trying to figure out if it's because we use a TA vs others booking directly with HAL? Sorry I that changed the subject on the OP. Congratulations on scoring a wonderful upgrade, it will make your honeymoon even more memorable. Happy Sailing!

I can definitely tell you that is NOT the case (unless your TA didn't relay any offers). We've used TA's - bricks and mortar and online. While there isn't much to offer us, we have received upsell offers from our TA via HAL.

No one can figure out how the upgrade/upsell fairy works. At least I haven't and if someone on the board does, they are not talking ;)

[NordicPrince]

Just booked it! HOORAY!!!
Thanks for the quick advice...my fiance wasn't answering his phone (must be in a work meeting) so I decided to make the executive decision :D
I'm sure he will be happy with it!

There was a couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and a local newspaper decided to run a human interest story about them The reporter asked the husband what the secret of having a long term successful marriage was.

The husband replied. "Well when we first got married we made an agreement that I would handle all the major decisions and my wife would handle all the minor decisions, and in 60 years there have been no major decisions yet".

Congratulations on your nuptials and that you are taking the first step in ensuring a long and succesful marriage.

DW and I will be sailing with you on 19 June. Is there any way we can pick you out from the crowd and give you our best wishes?

[JAMS1]

YES - go for it!!!
Have a great time and make lots of memories!!!
Congratulations!!!

[Tampa Girl]

Well it might mean a lot to the OP while celebrating their honeymoon. You know, maybe the first thing with Mr. and Mrs. (whatever) written on it.:)

Cheers!


Oh, yes, it is a big deal for a honeymooning couple. My only point was that as an additional benefit of a real suite over a verandah, it was not a big deal since they would have personalized stationeryeen in a verandah suite.

[HoneyGV]

Just booked it! HOORAY!!!
Thanks for the quick advice...my fiance wasn't answering his phone (must be in a work meeting) so I decided to make the executive decision :D
I'm sure he will be happy with it!

Congratulations on your wedding AND the suite. You made a great choice.

Just remember one thing...NOW you will be SPOILED!...in a GOOD way!:D

[Tampa Girl]

Congratulations on your wedding AND the suite. You made a great choice.

Just remember one thing...NOW you will be SPOILED!...in a GOOD way!:D



And exactly how difficult is it to go back to a "plain old verandah"??? We will be enjoying our first SA suite on the Noordam in October. Will we ever be happy again in a verandah? Please say "yes!"

[Oceanwench]

And exactly how difficult is it to go back to a "plain old verandah"??? We will be enjoying our first SA suite on the Noordam in October. Will we ever be happy again in a verandah? Please say "yes!"

You'll be happy ... but now you'll know what you're missing! :)

[AZNative2000]

And exactly how difficult is it to go back to a "plain old verandah"??? We will be enjoying our first SA suite on the Noordam in October. Will we ever be happy again in a verandah? Please say "yes!"How about "maybe"?:)

After having a suite, we had to decide which and how many of the suite items we would be happy to give up on the next cruise. DARN ... ended up in a suite again.:) We will keep trying.:D

Perhaps when we are able to do longer cruises.

Cheers!

[thepoint]

Yes, absolutely. So glad you took the upgrade. We were upgraded once and now my husband will only go deluxe veranda suite. Research all the benefits that come with the suite. We were unaware at the beginning of the cruise that we could have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill and have priority tender boarding. You also get priority boarding, a cocktail party, and a special luncheon. Enjoy and Congratulations.

[1cruiselvr]

They will also serve the dining room dinner in your suite should you care to eat in your room. It beats dressing for dinner when you don't feel like it. The food comes to you! Happy Sailing!