Suite Upgrade for $$$

[geoherb]

My TA called this afternoon. HAL had sent him an offer for us to pay to upgrade from a balcony guarantee to a suite on our upcoming 7-night cruise on the Westerdam. The cost was $398 total ($199 per person). Was I crazy to turn it down?

My logic was that a balcony cabin is enough of an upgrade from the inside cabin we had on our last cruise. And $398 can buy dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, shore excursions in Aruba and Curacao, and a wine card.

I'd love to hear from people who have booked suites whether the extra space and amenities are worth it, or if they wished they had saved some money on their accommodations to spend other places.

[jtl513]

A balcony cabin is plenty large enough for the two of us ... but we don't spend much time in our cabin. I, too, would have declined. :)

[Kibou2008]

Hi Geoherb,

We are on the same sailing, and I got the same call from my TA. I went ahead and took the upsell (single supplement) for $398. Hopefully I'll see you at the the Westerdam March 15 roll call Meet up and let you know if I spent the extra $$$ poorly or well :-)

4 1/2 weeks and counting,

Kibou

[cp556]

Depends which category of suites was being offered: SA, SB, SC which are deluxe verandah suites with free laundry/dry cleaning, Neptune Lounge, etc. benefits ... or SS, SY, SZ Superior verandah suites which come with far fewer benefits.

To me, $199/pp for the Deluxe Verandah Suites would be a great deal and I'd grab it right away....

[skippyy]

My TA called this afternoon. HAL had sent him an offer for us to pay to upgrade from a balcony guarantee to a suite on our upcoming 7-night cruise on the Westerdam. The cost was $398 total ($199 per person). Was I crazy to turn it down?

My logic was that a balcony cabin is enough of an upgrade from the inside cabin we had on our last cruise. And $398 can buy dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, shore excursions in Aruba and Curacao, and a wine card.

I'd love to hear from people who have booked suites whether the extra space and amenities are worth it, or if they wished they had saved some money on their accommodations to spend other places.

Can say that last year we purchased an up-grade to SA suite (for
more than you're being offered, same # of nights) Tremendous suite,
huge bath, shower,tub, two lavatories and dressing table for wife.
Concierge services afforded with SA suite are exceptional,pastries,
coffees, finger foods, early on-off ship and tenders. But, if I was
watching my money instead of spending it, different story...it is
a very good VALUE...

[ViolaSwamp]

I don't know from experience, but I don't think we'd upgrade from a balcony to a suite for $400. For $100, probably. For $200, eh, maybe. $400 - probably not.

[BoiseIdahoSpud]

We cherish private time in the suite and on the veranda so the extra space is appreciated every minute of every day. The deluxe veranda suite service extras and little touches are well worth a $400 upsell in our opinion.

It's all about how you like to spend your time and money. If the thought of spending time in your suite annoys you, then don't do it. Either way, have a wonderful cruise.

Pete

[Nancyquilts]

We upgraded on a 10 day cruise for $550 each, and it was worth it. Just a little above the price for taking the Copper Canyon train, and a marvelous place to be. Now I'll go back to my outside obstructed cabin, but it was fun for just once.

[jhannah]

For just a week ... nah. I'd have likely declined it, too.

[Cruise Fanatic]

Last year on our Oosterdam Cruise in Dec., my partner and myself were offered the same upsell (199.00 pp) to a SA catagory. We had booked a SY catagory. We both felt that it was worth the price. When we booked the cruise they did not have any Deluxe Suites available, which is what we normally book. This just made the cruise even better.

[geoherb]

It was an upgrade to a superior verandah suite. If it had been to a deluxe suite, I would have jumped at the offer. The amenities that come with that level seem like they'd be worth it.

I'm going to be happy with my balcony cabin. But if they end up putting us in a suite for free, I would not turn them down.

[savannahgirl1]

We always do "regular" veranda cabins, thats what we have on our upcoming cruise. I wouldn't have took it either. Maybe if it was just $100 then yeah. But $350 or so, not so much. :rolleyes: Now free, sure toss my luggage in that baby. :D

[FireIce0010]

My TA called this afternoon. HAL had sent him an offer for us to pay to upgrade from a balcony guarantee to a suite on our upcoming 7-night cruise on the Westerdam. The cost was $398 total ($199 per person). Was I crazy to turn it down?

My logic was that a balcony cabin is enough of an upgrade from the inside cabin we had on our last cruise. And $398 can buy dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill, shore excursions in Aruba and Curacao, and a wine card.

I'd love to hear from people who have booked suites whether the extra space and amenities are worth it, or if they wished they had saved some money on their accommodations to spend other places.

Sounds like you're happy with your current cabin and since you like the idea of spending that money on other things, then I say that you made a good choice. The balcony cabins are nice. :)

[Host Walt]

Having been in both, in my opinion, the extra space and the goodies aren't worth the additional cost.

We liked the space, especially, but we also found that we didn't need it at all because we use the cabin pretty much for sleeping and changing clothes and little else.

When we disembarked on the last day, my feeling was sort of like the end of a flight in first class. We arrived at the same time as everyone else and had nothing at all to show for the extra money.

(BTW, the fact that the upsell is still available suggests that many people feel the way I do.)

Have a great cruise.

[suse]

If it's free, it's for me. Otherwise, nah.

[patwin]

We had booked a Eurodam cruise in Apri and we were excited and would like to take advantage of this deal if being offered to us. I called my TA and was told it was for the US market only :mad:. Canadian TAs had never received such offers by HAL before.Did any Canadian has such experience from your TA before?

P & W