3 cheers for the Upgrade Fairy

[JmzandJojo]

Just checked my immigration form. We booked a cabin as VF garuntee on the advice of the HAL rep. Gonna have to send him a Thank You card. We've been given the coveted upgrade to VA!!!!! even the VA we hoped for....Westerdam VA4176 at the back of the ship. I've heard pros and cons about being in this cabin position, but we are THRILLED!!!

Anyone with experience of this cabin or one in a similiar position on a Vista ship, we'd love to hear your opinions.

Firsttime Cruiser
Westerdam May 28th to alaska

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations on your upgrade.

[HALOnlyCruiser]

JmzandJojo:
Well done! I'm so jealous! We have a VH Guarantee on the Oosterdam in July, and I am trying to summon the Upgrade Wizard:

"Eleka Nahmen Nahmen, Atum Atum Eleka Nahmen......"

Enjoy your VA!!!!!!!

[RedmondCruiser]

Question -- Did you book through Holland America ?? I'm becoming a firm believer that HAL only gives upgrades (1) for a fee (2) to people who book through their web site & (3) to first time HAL cruisers.

[KAKcruiser]

Not true. I always book directly with HAL and have never been given an upgrade after about 14 cruises. I think upgrades are given according to their needs. If they need or can sell your category easier, they will upgrade you. I don't think they upgrade to make you happy.

[JmzandJojo]

I did book directly through HAL over the phone, and yes I am a first time cruiser. the representative I spoke with actually reccommended that I take the garuntee with a shot at an upgrade. I knew it was a risk. the cabin avaliable online was not very desireable. I took the risk of a steel balcony way up front on the ship with some other drawbacks. I guess gambling pays sometimes. To be honest I'd have just as soon not had to stress about the upgrade, but hey....NOT going to fuss now.

[LHC]

Good for you.
Linda

[RedmondCruiser]

JmzandJojo - Well you qualify for two of my three theories. Congratulations. The word for those of us who frequent HAL often is that when booking do NOT use your mariner number and present yourself as a first time HAL customer. --- On our last cruise a couple who signed up on HALs web site got an upgrade from a VD or VE to an SS cabin for NO extra charge. Having been on 26 HAL cruises and never been upgraded it seems to becoming a bone of contention. On our survey I asked for a written home office reply on just what HALs upgrade policy is. I sincerely doubt that I will hear from them.

[cruznon]

Congrats on the great upgrade. I LOVE the aft cabins! The view is amazing! I think you are going to enjoy it.
We recently booked a guarantee cabin for the first time. My husband booked cruise with HAL and he was encouraged to book guarantee and that there might be an upgrade...who knows what will happen? Hope we are as lucky as you. I have never been upgraded, so ..... just waiting to see where we'll be assigned...

[arlenez]

Just checked my immigration form. We booked a cabin as VF garuntee on the advice of the HAL rep. Gonna have to send him a Thank You card. We've been given the coveted upgrade to VA!!!!! even the VA we hoped for....Westerdam VA4176 at the back of the ship. I've heard pros and cons about being in this cabin position, but we are THRILLED!!!

Anyone with experience of this cabin or one in a similiar position on a Vista ship, we'd love to hear your opinions.

Firsttime Cruiser
Westerdam May 28th to alaska

Hi:

We were recently on the Westerdam in Cabin 7126, which is three levels above your cabin at the back of the ship and we absolutely loved it and would have no problem booking it again.

Enjoy your cruise.

Regards,
Arlene

[Bo'sun Hank]

JmzandJojo - Well you qualify for two of my three theories. Congratulations. The word for those of us who frequent HAL often is that when booking do NOT use your mariner number and present yourself as a first time HAL customer. --- On our last cruise a couple who signed up on HALs web site got an upgrade from a VD or VE to an SS cabin for NO extra charge. Having been on 26 HAL cruises and never been upgraded it seems to becoming a bone of contention. On our survey I asked for a written home office reply on just what HALs upgrade policy is. I sincerely doubt that I will hear from them.
sorry to break your bubble, but I booked through *************.com, picking a TA from there, did a VF guarantee, several cruises on HAL, they had my mariner number upfront. Got our cabin assignment yesterday for our cruise next Saturday, VA, 7126...

[dvrdude]

JmzandJojo,
Congratulations, that'a an awesome up-grade!

I usually book through on-line agencies, and have sailed on HAL previously and still managed to pull a VF to VA on our up-coming Westerdam cruise in May. :rolleyes:

[Mary Ellen]

Question -- Did you book through Holland America ?? I'm becoming a firm believer that HAL only gives upgrades (1) for a fee (2) to people who book through their web site & (3) to first time HAL cruisers.My dad and step-mom, who 1) paid nothing extra 2) booked though our B&M TA and 3) had sailed on HAL before/used their Mariner #, went from a C to an A. Both cabins were handicap, which also disproves as some have thought, that handicaps don't get upgraded.