Upgrades, yeah right!

[Cauvet]

My TA just called and said that HAL is offering us an upgrade to an S suite for only $650 pp or $1300 on our Sea of Cortez cruise Sunday. Well that is almost how much we paid pp for a B mini suite. What happened to the complimentary upgrade? My TA agreed was called back HAL to ask for a complimentary upgrade--haven't heard back so I guess that's that. So much for being upgraded!

[ekerr19]

I'm sorry, but what reason do you have for thinking you will get a "complimentary" upgrade from a B to an S???

HAL still can and probably will sell that category for the published price... I'm really confused here.... :confused:

That is a huge upgrade, why would it be free?

[bluehorizonlover123]

An upgrade is when it is free. If they are asking you to pay it is not an upgrade. It is a chance for them to sell you something else.

[sail7seas]

My TA just called and said that HAL is offering us an upgrade to an S suite for only $650 pp or $1300 on our Sea of Cortez cruise Sunday. Well that is almost how much we paid pp for a B mini suite. What happened to the complimentary upgrade? My TA agreed was called back HAL to ask for a complimentary upgrade--haven't heard back so I guess that's that. So much for being upgraded!


As someone who pays for that "S" category cabin, I'm happy to hear they aren't simply giving it to you.

We all would like to pay for a "B" and get an "S".

We've cruised HAL a great many times (each and every time in an "S") and certainly have never gotten it free.

Thanks HAL for not making us feel "taken". If we hear alot about free upgrades to those suites, we will stop paying for them. We will stop cruising HAL. Now and then, okay. There are various reasons why occasionally it may happen.....but Often???? It shouldn't be a regular thing IMO

[ekerr19]

It is also a good price for an upgrade from a B to an S, which in many cases can be thousands of dollars more per person...

I'm not sure what the OP is expecting...:confused: HAL seldom gives these categories away.

[ekerr19]

As someone who pays for that "S" category cabin, I'm happy to hear they aren't simply giving it to you.

We all would like to pay for a "B" and get an "S".

We've cruised HAL a great many times (each and every time in an "S") and certainly have never gotten it free.

Thanks HAL for not making us feel "taken". If we hear alot about free upgrades to those suites, we will stop paying for them. We will stop cruising HAL. Now and then, okay. There are various reasons why occasionally it may happen.....but Often???? It shouldn't be a regular thing IMO

Sail - Our posts crossed and I couldn't agree with you more... how nice it would be to purchase a B and receive and S automatically, just because they are available... ;)

[Bill S]

Cauvet: I am confused too! What complimentary upgrade are you referring to?

A few weeks ago I checked with my TA to find out how much it would cost us to pay for an upgrade from a Cat VE to a Cat SS on the Oosterdam and it was $700/pp, which I thought was way too high for not all that many differences in cabin space/amenities between the those two cabin categories for 7 days.

By comparison with my situation as described above, $650/pp to go from a Cat B to a Cat S is a decent price IMO, at least we would certainly consider it. There is a big difference between a Cat B to a Cat S in space and amenities, but only you can decide if the price is worth it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

It is also a good price for an upgrade from a B to an S, which in many cases can be thousands of dollars more per person...

I'm not sure what the OP is expecting...:confused: HAL seldom gives these categories away.

I totally agree Laura, I hope and pray that I get that deal for the Maasdam. Right now the S Suites are all booked and we are on a wait list for a S. We are currently booked in a B. I personally feel what was offered was a great deal.

[ekerr19]

Lisa -

We are currently waitlisted for the S on Volendam too. Why I did not book it originally, I can't tell you. My DH always tells me to book what I want - I try and economize and we really don't mind a lower category, but in the end I always want the S - go figure. :)

I hope you are lucky! My M&D are booked on the Statendam 3/21/05 to Hawaii - they so much wanted a verandah (at minimum) and were waitlisted because they booked so late - in the end, they got what they wanted; though it was at the last minute and cost a small fortune, they are happy.

[BruceMuzz]

It's an age-old game; trying to get something for nothing.

[jhannah]

An upgrade is when it is free. If they are asking you to pay it is not an upgrade. It is a chance for them to sell you something else. I respectfully disagree. By definition, an upgrade is a grade that is "up" or higher. An S compared with an SS, VA, VB or any lower category is an upgraded cabin. Whether it's paid or gratis matters not.

HAL is simply making a business proposition. It would allow you to have a larger cabin and them to have more money ... not only from you but from whomever would then be able to purchase the cabin you currently have but who wouldn't pay full price for the S. It's simply business.

[dakrewser]

My TA just called and said that HAL is offering us an upgrade to an S suite for only $650 pp or $1300 on our Sea of Cortez cruise Sunday. Well that is almost how much we paid pp for a B mini suite. What happened to the complimentary upgrade? My TA agreed was called back HAL to ask for a complimentary upgrade--haven't heard back so I guess that's that. So much for being upgraded!

The list price diference is over $2000/PP ($4000 per cabin) - I'd say it was a great offer.

[BoardwalkBabe]

We just upgraded from an oceanview H to a BC for $200 a person, which I thought was pretty good. I am not overly familiar with HAL's policies and prices, but I know from my TA that HAL was not likely to comp upgrade us from the H to the BC, so for $400 total, I was happy to pay for it. With three days at sea, we will enjoy that verandah!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I would see this an a really nice offer. It appears that HAL is attempting to "reward" a previously booked passenger with an upgrade at what appears to be a discounted rate rather than bringing the price down for a newly booked passenger. They're simply offering the opportunity. I can't imagine coming back to them and saying "Sure I'll take the upgrade, but I want it for free". If I were HAL, I'd say "Huh???" I don't even want to know if they meet you anywhere in between on price.

When they do complimentary upgrades, it's generally just one category, certainly not 3 or 4. Some people may luck out and for some reason step up several categories, but I sure hope not.

Besides, fair's fair. I'd be pretty upset if I booked an "A" category and found out that someone who booked a "B" had been upgraded to an "S" for free!!!

[Cauvet]

Oh, come on, everyone wishes and hopes for the "Upgrade fairy", I read it on this board all the time. I am not asking for something for nothing. We always book verandas and suites on all our cruises but have never ever been upgraded.
It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And those of you that always book an S, wouldn't it be nice to have the penthouse or royal suite once? Seems the folks upstairs never get the upgrade.

[adamsmark]

I am not asking for something for nothing.
No? You're not? Could have fooled me. ;)

[xpcdoojk]

Oh, come on, everyone wishes and hopes for the "Upgrade fairy", I read it on this board all the time. I am not asking for something for nothing. We always book verandas and suites on all our cruises but have never ever been upgraded.
It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And those of you that always book an S, wouldn't it be nice to have the penthouse or royal suite once? Seems the folks upstairs never get the upgrade.

Amazing. Get a good offer you have three choices. Accept it. Refuse it. Or make a counter-offer. Looks like HAL took your counter-offer of free and chose answer two. No. :p :D

jc

[Randyk47]

Wow....talk about walking into a minefield blindfolded....the OP certainly did that with his posting! Quite honestly, as pointed out by several above, I think this actually was a very fair and reasonable offer. Wishing for a free upgrade and then getting upset when it doesn't happen doesn't seem to wash, loyal HAL cruiser or not. Not all upgrades are free and, while it may happen from time to time, that big of a jump for free is asking a lot. We were offered an upgrade from our SS to an S on the Oosterdam last March for about the same amount and decided not to take it. We didn't go back and tell our TA to ask HAL to comp the upgrade. We were more in the "thanks but no thanks" mode but certainly not put out by the offer. I'd imagine that HAL kept offering other SS passengers and then maybe the category below and so on until they found somebody willing to pay the cost. I know that the S's were fully occupied by the time we sailed.

[jhannah]

It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And that they do, on occasion. But it certainly cannot be a regular practice or there wouldn't be enough upgraded categories because the vast majority of HAL cruisers are Mariners. I loved our free upgrade on the Zuiderdam from an A to an SS. It wasn't because I was a Mariner or anything like that. Our chosen and booked cabin was taken down by the engineering department for maintenance and, luckily, an SS booking was cancelled. I have since booked SS and even S accommodations because their pricing at the time was so close to the A that it was a great deal. It seems like that is basically what was offered to you.

[Oceanwench]

As someone who pays for that "S" category cabin, I'm happy to hear they aren't simply giving it to you.

We all would like to pay for a "B" and get an "S".

We've cruised HAL a great many times (each and every time in an "S") and certainly have never gotten it free.

Thanks HAL for not making us feel "taken". If we hear alot about free upgrades to those suites, we will stop paying for them. We will stop cruising HAL. Now and then, okay. There are various reasons why occasionally it may happen.....but Often???? It shouldn't be a regular thing IMO

I totally agree -- and thanks for saying this, Sail.
I think these same thoughts every time I read of someone *expecting* a free upgrade.
It doesn't happen often ... when it does, it is a nice surprise.

Maybe some people read the threads on upgrades and make the assumption that upgrade = free?
A lot of posters paid for their upgrades, but got a good rate as an incentive.

As someone who has only booked verandah cabins, I decided to upgrade myself to an SS for the next two cruises.
I paid the $$ ... and as S7S said, one would feel "taken" if HAL were to start giving a lot of free upgrades to this level.

[CrabbyHarper]

On our Nov cruise on the Maasdam we were offered an upgrade to S suite from B for what I thought was a reasonable sum. Gosh! We jumped right on that - my credit card was sizzling! And to us it was worth every penny!

We once got a complimentary up grade - on the Celebrity Galaxy - I think it was one category higher but got us a balcony. We've never booked less than a balcony since. So both HAL and Celebrity have benefitted from that.

Don't want to pay for an upgrade? It's your call.

Gerry the Crab

[dakrewser]

It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And those of you that always book an S, wouldn't it be nice to have the penthouse or royal suite once? Seems the folks upstairs never get the upgrade.

Um, they do. On our recent O'dam cruise the occupant of one PS had been given a comp upgrade from S.

But comps are rarely given (by anyone) to "be nice", they're given because they want the cabin you're booked into. See the other thread were airline comp upgrades to 1st class are discussed.

THe line offered you a heck of a deal (probably because you were a "loyal cruiser") and you threw it back in their face. Perhaps you should get your TA to grovel just a bit on your behalf.

[LizB1]

Oh, come on, everyone wishes and hopes for the "Upgrade fairy", I read it on this board all the time. I am not asking for something for nothing. We always book verandas and suites on all our cruises but have never ever been upgraded.
It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And those of you that always book an S, wouldn't it be nice to have the penthouse or royal suite once? Seems the folks upstairs never get the upgrade.

Seems to me that not too long ago someone on the CC board received a complimentary upgrade from an S to a PS and was very pleased to receive this complimentary upgrade.

[obriendan]

We've been upgraded on HAL with no charge from outside C to Veranda B on the Panama Canal cruise. It was on a soldout cruise and we found out about it at the dock. On a South America-Antarctica cruise (21 days), the ship was about 90% full and I inquired about an upgrade upon boarding and it was $850/pp. So the offer from B to S for a seven day cruise seems about right.

[Esme]

Seems to me that not too long ago someone on the CC board received a complimentary upgrade from an S to a PS and was very pleased to receive this complimentary upgrade.

I remember that and also I think I remember who it was that received the upgrade from an S to the PS !

[Time2sail]

Who:confused:

[Bill S]

I recall that Lougee was on a HAL cruise some time ago and was upraded from a Cat A or B to a Cat S and the person who had originally booked the Cat S was upgraded to the Cat PH. So, it does happen, but golly, not often enough in our experience! :)

[Cruiseoften]

Adding it all up, DH and I have spent well over a year of our lives in HAL beds - we always book Cat. A,B or C and have always had the cabin of our choice - upgrades - NEVER!

We've never asked for any special 'favors' but have enjoyed several 'Farewell Dinners' at the Captains Table and frequently been seated with an Officer for dinner. Invariably we're included in the Captains VIP parties and sometimes a luncheon. We enjoy those occasions, they're all very pleasant. We'd be thrilled with an upgrade but the Good Luck Fairy has not yet touched us.

I recall the S to PS upgrade - guess that couple's number came up! - perhaps ours will one day! I live in hope but am not holding my breath! It's like a lottery!

Having secured the cabin of our choice, we probably would'nt have gone for the offered upgrade good as I think it was. Much depends on personal economics.

[Time2sail]

Have your cruised on the Amsterdam? If so, what did you think?

[Cruiseoften]

Have your cruised on the Amsterdam? If so, what did you think?

No - we're 'small (old) ship' devotees.....Maasdam, now gone Niew Amsterdam, now gone Noordam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam V and V1, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, old/original (Homeric) Westerdam, Zaandam.

:) :) :)

[Time2sail]

I am on my first HAL cruise in May--hopefully not my last.

[Bill S]

Time2Sail: we have cruised twice on the Amsterdam ffor a total of 33 days and have also sailed on the old Noordam, the Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam. The Amsterdam is our favorite: a very elegant and comfortable ship. We have enjoyed all of our HAL cruises but especially those on the Amsterdam. Hope you will like her as well.

[kryos]

Sail - Our posts crossed and I couldn't agree with you more... how nice it would be to purchase a B and receive and S automatically, just because they are available... ;)
But don't high numbers Mariners sometimes get these nice upgrades in appreciation of their loyalty to HAL? I would be surprised if that were not the case. But, yes ... I agree with you that the average Joe shouldn't get such a nice upgrade for free, and I certainly wouldn't expect one with my mere three sailings on HAL. But loyal repeated past cruisers should get "stroked" every now and then, don't you agree?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[gizmo]

Oh, come on, everyone wishes and hopes for the "Upgrade fairy", I read it on this board all the time. I am not asking for something for nothing. We always book verandas and suites on all our cruises but have never ever been upgraded.
It would just be nice if once in a while the lines would upgrade their loyal cruisers. And those of you that always book an S, wouldn't it be nice to have the penthouse or royal suite once? Seems the folks upstairs never get the upgrade.

I couldn't agree more. I think most people think about it no matter what cabin they book. I thought about being in PS many times but the Upgrade Fairy has not paid me a visit yet. :rolleyes:

There is a difference between expecting an upgrade and wishing for one.

Yes, there are people who book an S and do get upgraded to a PS and for whatever reason they may not admitt to it.

But don't high numbers Mariners sometimes get these nice upgrades in appreciation of their loyalty to HAL?

I don't think anyone knows how upgrades work. Here is an example: I was booked in a mini suite, another person who was also booked in a mini suite was offered an upgrade to an S for an unbelievable price. This other person was a first time cruiser. Go figure !! :(

[Stevesan]

We have eight cruises, sixty-seven days on HAl. Not a lot by many other standards, but never a sniff of an upgrade or "bargain price" upgrade offer.

First time on Celebrity, at check-in upgraded from outside Category five to Sky Suite. While boarding saw posted signs stating "No Staterooms Available"
Not the exact wording - I'm paraphrasing. Bottom line, the cruise was sold out.

I seriously doubt HAL personnel have time to vet all the pax on board a ship when they're rebalancing the stateroom load to determine who are the senior Mariners. That data is not likely in a readily accessible software bank. However, it is very easy to identify a first timer, and it's likely a good marketing tool to offer the newbie an upgrade.

[Pudgesmom]

Maybe people who pay higher fares are upgraded.

Beth

[trubey]

Maybe people who pay higher fares are upgraded.

Beth

Actually, I think it may be the opposite! When I spoke to a HAL rep, he told me that the insides and lower classes are much easier to sell; so their marketing department looks at available outsides, verandas and suites vs. insides and guarantees. If there are a lot of more expensive cabins available vis-a-vis the cheap ones, HAL will upgrade the lower price holders to make those cabins available for more revenue. I don't think a veranda costs them a heck of a lot more per passenger on any one given cruise, so it's really just good economic sense to fill up the boat.

jmho, Lane

[Time2sail]

Thank you for the post about the Amsterdam:) I love to get information from those who actually have spent time on her--it adds to the anticipation of my cruise. Hope you have many happy cruises in your future!

[Randyk47]

Bill S - Indeed it was Lougee1043 who got upgraded to an S when the occupant of the S got upgraded to the PS. In fact, they became friends and we're joining Lougee and their friends on a cruise in a couple of weeks. Different cruise line and we've all got fairly high end cabins so I don't think we'll be seeing any upgrades.

Seems to me we're trying to make a science out of something that's simply chance. Certainly, short of buying you way up well before the cruise, there's no way to determine or predict if you're going to get upgraded or not. It's like a line of dominoes....tip one over and the whole line falls one after the other...most of the time. Getting an upgrade is pretty much the same....you're either in the line or you're not. There certainly doesn't seem to be any firm logic....high payer/low payer.....frequent cruiser/first time cruiser.....one time it's one way, another time it's the other.

[Pudgesmom]

Lane,

I think I was unclear in my post. What I should have said was, maybe HAL is upgrading those who have paid more for a cabin in their catagory. Kind of rewarding those who aren't nickel and diming their cruise fare.

In any event, I have absoulutely no idea how it works for sure. It was just a thought on my part.

Beth :)

[ekerr19]

But don't high numbers Mariners sometimes get these nice upgrades in appreciation of their loyalty to HAL? I would be surprised if that were not the case. But, yes ... I agree with you that the average Joe shouldn't get such a nice upgrade for free, and I certainly wouldn't expect one with my mere three sailings on HAL. But loyal repeated past cruisers should get "stroked" every now and then, don't you agree?

Blue skies ...

--rita

rita - I don't think so - I wish it were the case. My Mom & Dad have never been received a free upgrade and they have tons of days on HAL. I will have my 100 days on this voyage and between DH and all our kids we all have almost 500 - all paid for by DH & I, but we have yet to receive a "VIP" booking. :)

It seems as though more first time cruisers receive the upgrades than not - I guess I can understand, HAL knows were "repeaters" no need for stroking there, but perhaps looking at some new business, they may randomly select 1st timers. Just a thought.

[ekerr19]

Yes, there are people who book an S and do get upgraded to a PS and for whatever reason they may not admitt to it.


I'm not sure I would want to admit it either (if it should ever happened to me...) why create hard feelings for others? I don't think anyone should feel compelled to reveal this. :)

[LizB1]

rita - I don't think so - I wish it were the case. My Mom & Dad have never been received a free upgrade and they have tons of days on HAL. I will have my 100 days on this voyage and between DH and all our kids we all have almost 500 - all paid for by DH & I, but we have yet to receive a "VIP" booking. :)

It seems as though more first time cruisers receive the upgrades than not - I guess I can understand, HAL knows were "repeaters" no need for stroking there, but perhaps looking at some new business, they may randomly select 1st timers. Just a thought.

I certainly agree with this as I have over 1100 days with HAL and never received a complimentary upgrade, nor have I asked for one. I don't expect it, but if it should happen then I think we would be very happy that they did finally acknowledge those of us who have sailed for many years with the Line.

[trubey]

Lane,

I think I was unclear in my post. What I should have said was, maybe HAL is upgrading those who have paid more for a cabin in their catagory. Kind of rewarding those who aren't nickel and diming their cruise fare.

In any event, I have absoulutely no idea how it works for sure. It was just a thought on my part.

Beth :)

I get it now. Good thought!

lkt

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lane,

I think I was unclear in my post. What I should have said was, maybe HAL is upgrading those who have paid more for a cabin in their catagory. Kind of rewarding those who aren't nickel and diming their cruise fare.

In any event, I have absoulutely no idea how it works for sure. It was just a thought on my part.

Beth :)

Beth, I think you might have the right idea. Some of us are true bargin hunters and others would just call up HAL direct or any TA and pay full MSRP.(Hey I am in the car business I can't help myself:) ) I think HAL is more likely to upgrade those who paid full fair than those who got a bargain. The reason we hear of so many first timers get upgraded is because in most cases they did pay full fare. At least this is my take on the situation.

[viennacruiser]

I agree with S7S,:) I originally booked a VA, than upgraded myself to a SS,, than upon further thought upgraded to an S. :D
I would be upset if someone else just "found" their way into an S with a free upgrade.:(

This will be my first S and I have a feeling not the last:)

[Oceanwench]

I want to be the upgrade fairy!!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

This will be my first S and I have a feeling not the last:)

I can assure you it won't be your last. Our last cruise on the Ryndam was our first S Suite and we got sooooo hooked:p Of our next 3 cruises, two of them are S Suites and hoping and praying to be able to pay for our upgrade to the S on the Maasdam. We have been on a Waitlist since November.

[dakrewser]

I want to be the upgrade fairy!!!


Poof!
http://ew2.lysator.liu.se/pic/art/t/i/tiffu/fairy_empress.jpg