Who can explain room categories and the upgrades in simple words?

[LHC]

Dear Smart CC'ers,

Which ones of you can explain for us realatively new cruisers on all the categories and upgrades....for example if you utilize any of the emails sent by Hal which say book now and have up to a 3 category upgrade on Holiday cruising or 7 category upgrade on other sailings...what do they mean and which categories are Up? Explain guarenteed for us too please...
LHC

[ebrener]

Dear Smart CC'ers,

Which ones of you can explain for us realatively new cruisers on all the categories and upgrades....for example if you utilize any of the emails sent by Hal which say book now and have up to a 3 category upgrade on Holiday cruising or 7 category upgrade on other sailings...what do they mean and which categories are Up? Explain guarenteed for us too please...
LHC

Hi LHC,

Category codes change by cruise line, and also sometimes by cruise ship. What it basically boils down to is that you have 4 types of cabins:

Inside cabins
Oceanview cabins (both obstructed and unobstructed)
Balcony (or Verendah cabins)
SuitesWithin each of these, there are several categories. The categories are basically used to differentiate cabins with different sizes or locations (mainly locations, as you will see very few cases with significant difference in sizes). For example, Categories M and K are Inside cabins on the Maasdam. Both have cabins on the Main Deck. You will have category M cabins towards both extremes of the ship, while Category K cabins are midships. That's why Cat. K commands higher prices than M. Also, as you go up to other decks, prices generally increase.

When the cruise line talks about an upgrade of 2 categories, for example, they mean if you book a Category M inside, they will upgrade you to a K, so you get a better location. A 3-category upgrade may place you on a higher deck. Usually, upgrades are restricted to the same type of cabin (Inside to Inside, Oceanview to Oceanview, etc.) so it's much harder to find a deal where you're automatically upgraded from an Inside to an Oceanview.

One possible exception to that is the Guarantee cabin. When booking a guarantee, you allow the cruise line to choose the actual cabin number (as opposed to you selecting it), and in turn, they guarantee a cabin in the category you book or higher. You can book an inside guarantee at the lowest category, or at categories in between. Again, you don't get to select the location, but prices for guarantees are usually lower and you get the chance of being upgraded. However, guarantess are not always available, and may not be available for all categories or cabin types.

Hope this helps...Feel free to e-mail if you have any more questions...

Regards,

Enrique
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[elmorejj]

Catagory upgrades do not include Deluxe veranda suites and above. A guarantee cat. is just that, it will guarantee the category you book, with a possible upgrade to a higher cat. Be sure you are satisfied with the cat. you book as that might be the one you get..........jean:cool:

[grannynurse]

Hi,
Usually, unless specified, upgrades are within category. For instance if the offer says book an outside and get a veranda, that would be the exception.
The usual would be an H outside to a C outside, or an N inside to a higher grade inside. I have never seen an outside (c and below) to an S suite. We've asked and they don't include S or PS in these upgrade deals. They do however, have discount cabin offers. We've received many over the last several months.

If you book a C and decide later that you want a B veranda, you would have to pay the difference.

In booking a guarantee cabin category, and they are listed under guarantee, you are guaranteed that class cabin at least, and may be upgraded to anything higher. BUT, they choose the cabin. There is a statement in the HAL policy that says the line may upgrade a passenger at their discretion at no extra cost. Rooms are assigned about 10 days prior to sailing.
Hope this answers your questions.
GN

[LHC]

DD and I received the kiss of the upgrade fairy at Christmas...we booked an inside and got an outside with a window....now we were low on the ship but in the middle and had a grand time....looking forward to the next one on the upcoming Holidays in 2006....keeping my prayers going for more good room assignments.
LHC

[boomerSexyK]

As a newbie as well....can anyone tell me if they will do a "guarantee" on a wheelchair accessible cabin? We feel that we have to book very early in order to get the required access. cabin. A guarantee would save us a few bucks, if it were possible to do so.

[J&R Cruisers]

Upgrade fairy
I can't explain upgrades any better than the previous posts. Can only say that in all our cruises we have been upgraded from inside to outside, from down to balcony and I think even sideways. Who knows how they decide in the offices. Even have gotten a room assigned at time of boarding. When we do a guarantee we just sit and wait to see what happens.
GOOD LUCK!!!:)

[Jemima]

The 2 or 3 or 7 category upgrades actually mean you get the category you book, but the price is the same as the lower category. Example, if an inside category K was a "3 category upgrade" at$xxxx, that means you are booking K with a price that's the same as 3 categories lower is or was. It does not mean that you would get a cabin 3 categories higher.
If the K was a guarantee, that would mean you would get a K or higher. If you booked a specific K cabin then that is where you probably will stay.

[arzz]

Most of the time we book guarantees. We are not fussy. As long as we are sailing we are happy. We do not fret if our balcony has a plastic bulkhead or a metal bulkhead. We do not care if we are way in the bow or riding the stern. If we book an outside all we want is a place to sleep and a window. We find that part of the fun is waiting to see what we actually are assigned.

But....many people are very particular on what they will and will not accept in a cabin. Booking a guarantee is great but realize that you may be assigned ANY cabin in the guaranteed category, or any category higher than the guarantee and you do not have the right to choose or reject what you are given (and, as mentioned earlier do not expect a jump from an inside to an outside, or an outside to a balcony -- such upgrades without additional payment are virtually non-existant). If those terms are satisfactory we find guarantees are a great way to go. As often as not, if we guarantee, say, a B verandah, we may end up with an A verandah -- or we guarantee any outside and we get a D or E (full ocean view) -- but much of the time we get the same category that we guaranteed -- and more likely than not the cabin is in a less desirable location in the assigned category -- after all it was the one that was left -- but you can cruise more often if you pay less!

[cruisinjudy]

I have never seen a wheelchair access guarantee. Generally I believe you need to book far in advance and select your cabin for the access.

[gizmo]

The 2 or 3 or 7 category upgrades actually mean you get the category you book, but the price is the same as the lower category. Example, if an inside category K was a "3 category upgrade" at$xxxx, that means you are booking K with a price that's the same as 3 categories lower is or was. It does not mean that you would get a cabin 3 categories higher.
If the K was a guarantee, that would mean you would get a K or higher. If you booked a specific K cabin then that is where you probably will stay.

Good post. This is something that can confuse anyone. Most people look at those brochures and think if they book a K at the price listed, they are going to get upgraded 3 categories which is not correct.

[flashdog_1]

I've seen H and HH, E and EE etc. and wonder what the difference is . Is the double letter or single letter "higher" or can I just tell by the price? Anyone? Thanks

[LHC]

My youngest son is in an electric wheelchair. We have to inquire as to what facilities are accessible and then I have to look at the layout and actual modifications to see if it is doable.
I also look and book early not expecting any deals, just needing what we need in order for us to have a great time.
Last summer we were on an extended road trip...I kept calling hotels on the trek and being told yes they were handicap accessible just to stop and see really they were not. It takes a good deal of space to turn, maneuver and manage a 300 plus chair....I would get a lock into a doable room and count the days down until my cruise!
Linda

[SDHALFAN]

These are all great posts, and very informative. Thank you - especially Enrique - I found your post most informative.:)

I would have to agree with a couple of the posters though in that if you need a wheelchair accessible cabin then just go ahead and book the one you want. There are several of these cabins on most of the ships in HAL's fleet but there are also a lot of people with physical disabilities cruising and those cabins can go very quickly. The good news is that they appear to be extremely roomy and comfortable.

Have a wonderful cruise.

Valerie:)

[hrhdhd]

Booking a guarantee is great but realize that you may be assigned ANY cabin in the guaranteed category, or any category higher than the guarantee and you do not have the right to choose or reject what you are given (and, as mentioned earlier do not expect a jump from an inside to an outside, or an outside to a balcony -- such upgrades without additional payment are virtually non-existant).

Just to keep everyone's hopes up, we booked an F (large outside) guarantee for our Christmas cruise on the Westerdam and got a VC (verandah). We were not expecting to be upgraded (although we were hoping!), so it was a nice surprise, especially for a holiday cruise.

[LHC]

HrHrHd,
An Early Christmas Gift....I bet you will enjoy your balcony more than most on the ship....
Congrats.
Linda

[kryos]

I'm sailing the Amsterdam in October for a 13-day Panama Canal/Caribbean cruise.

Unlike my normal sailings, on this one I am sailing with a friend ... a woman I met on a past cruise. Since the both of us are smokers, we agreed to share a cabin. Since there are two of us ... we wanna go a bit nicer.

So .... we booked a suite! The cost doesn't come to much more than an inside with the single supplement, so it seems like a good deal.

Now, I realize this suite (a "category A" veranda suite on the Veranda Deck) does not get all those Neptune Lounge privileges ... but exactly what is a category A suite ... and does it come with any perks at all?

Thanks for any help you can provide. Sorry I'm so dumb with this ... but I've never sailed in a suite before ... and probably won't again unless someone is sharing it with me.

Blue skies!

--rita

[Richard Stein]

Upgrades are a crap shoot and depend on how full the ship is and your previous history with HAL. Be sure to have agent prod them as the sqeeky wheel always gets the oil. Getting money back when the price goes down is a little dicey.

[obriendan]

Kyros,

The Verandah Suites on the Amsterdam are 292 sq ft and all are on the Veranjdah Deck. The amenities listed in the brochure are: 1. Personalized stationary; 2. Bathrobes; 3. Fresh fruit; 4. Mini bar refrigerator; and DVD player. As you stated, the Neptune Lounge is only for S and PS.

[RuthC]

Rita, what you are describing sounds like what used to be called a "mini-suite". Actually, it's probably easier all around to think of it in those terms. Mini. Yes, conveys that it's a little above, without implying it's all you can get.
Anyway, what you get with a mini-suite is a door that opens to a small porch. That's the big extra. I think you get the personalized stationery, too, so you can write all those "guess where I am" letters.

[ebrener]

These are all great posts, and very informative. Thank you - especially Enrique - I found your post most informative.:)

Valerie:)

Thank you Valerie! :cool:

[kryos]

Kyros,

The Verandah Suites on the Amsterdam are 292 sq ft and all are on the Veranjdah Deck. The amenities listed in the brochure are: 1. Personalized stationary; 2. Bathrobes; 3. Fresh fruit; 4. Mini bar refrigerator; and DVD player. As you stated, the Neptune Lounge is only for S and PS.
Okay, then basically I get the personalized stationery and the mini bar refrigerator extra. The other stuff ... the fruit, bathrobes and DVD player comes with an inside cabin too.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Blue skies ...

--rita

[SDHALFAN]

Thank you Valerie! :cool:

You are very welcome Enrique. I have been on many, many HAL cruises and still had no idea just exactly what "3 category upgrade", for example, really meant - you certainly explained in terms easy enough for even moi to understand.

On my next cruise, which will be just about one half of the GWV, I have for the first time a guarantee cabin. I didn't ask for one, in fact I specifically told my TA which category I was interested in, however HAL insisted that I could only book a guarantee. Oh well, maybe I'll be visited by the "Upgrade Fairy". As long as I am on a HAL cruiseship and I have a window I'll be happy.

Valerie:D

[LHC]

We will hope for the upgrade fairy to sprinkle her magic dust and give you a wonderful room and view.
LHC

[ebrener]

You are very welcome Enrique. I have been on many, many HAL cruises and still had no idea just exactly what "3 category upgrade", for example, really meant - you certainly explained in terms easy enough for even moi to understand.

On my next cruise, which will be just about one half of the GWV, I have for the first time a guarantee cabin. I didn't ask for one, in fact I specifically told my TA which category I was interested in, however HAL insisted that I could only book a guarantee. Oh well, maybe I'll be visited by the "Upgrade Fairy". As long as I am on a HAL cruiseship and I have a window I'll be happy.

Valerie:D

Hi Valerie,

That's actually not uncommon when a ship is close to being sold out. It may have been that the category you wanted was available only as a guarantee. Just like sometimes they will not make a guarantee available for a particular category...

Regards,

Enrique
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