How the Heck Do You Get Upgrades???

tweeteybird88 · #1 March 19th, 2012, 01:35 PM

I'm looking for the best way to get upgrades on cruises. This question is not cruise line specific, just speaking in general. Check all that apply, and comment on your experiences -- what's worked, what hasn't. What's the big mystery behind it all. Is there a tried and true way to guarantee you'll get an upgrade?

CruiserBruce · #2 March 19th, 2012, 02:40 PM

The system of upgrades is a closely guarded secret. No one has ever mentioned really knowing how it is done. Rumors have it related to demand for cabins- low demand in a higher level cabin will generate upgrades. But how they decide you get it, and I don't is closely held.

15 cruises, never a hint of an upgrade.

cb at sea · #3 March 19th, 2012, 02:47 PM

I've NEVER gotten a "free" upgrade, either!

notentirelynormal · #4 March 19th, 2012, 02:47 PM

The most reliable way to get an upgrade is to pay for it. Other then that, there is no sure way.

Steamboatin · #5 March 19th, 2012, 03:19 PM

Remember that if you are upgraded you will be getting a cabin that no one else wanted.

Thus, probably an inferior location.

Putterdude · #6 March 19th, 2012, 03:19 PM

I agree with both of the above posters...we have had a two upgrades in the past couple of years with Princess...but how and why we really don't why.

Roz · #7 March 19th, 2012, 03:23 PM

The times I've been upgraded were when I booked a guarantee. The cruise line upgraded me for free. Sometimes you get an upgrade, sometimes you don't. There are a lot of factors that go into their decision to upgrade.

paul929207 · #8 March 19th, 2012, 04:15 PM

Book and pay for the cabin you want.

grand isle joe · #9 March 19th, 2012, 04:24 PM

I do believe the amount of upgrades are equal to the amount of people who attended Woodstock.......far different numbers in what people say and reality.....

CraftyEC · #10 March 19th, 2012, 04:28 PM

Not had an 'upgrade' as such, but did book a guarantee veranda suite, which could have been anything from V1-V6, and we got V5, which would have cost us more if we'd chosen this.

I really don't think there is any way to signficantly increase your chances of a substantial upgrade (sea view to balcony, or balcony to suite, for example), as it's governed by the economics of filling the ship - if there are more passengers trying to book lower grades with spare capacity in upper grades then some of those will be upgraded. However, if there is a chance of filling the upper grades with folks paying the full cost then the line will obviously take that option and turn down those wanting cheaper suites if the ship is near full.

Cruisin' Chick · #11 March 19th, 2012, 08:56 PM

A couple of times we were upgraded. On my first cruise, we ended up with an upgrade that should have been considered a downgrade -- under a dining room and we heard vacuuming every night around midnight.

The last few cruises we have booked a specific cabin and marked it "no upgrade."

sail7seas · #12 March 19th, 2012, 09:11 PM

To expect to get something for nothing sets you up for disappointment.
It's good to keep in mind some people are paying the full price for those cabins someone wants a free upgrade to.
It's a great idea to book the cabin you know you will be happy in and if you are given something worth more, good going!!!

IMO ....

sail7seas · #13 March 19th, 2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamboatin

Remember that if you are upgraded you will be getting a cabin that no one else wanted.

Thus, probably an inferior location.

Not always.

Sometimes they upgrade or upsell, to free up less costly cabins that are easier to sell than the higher priced ones. There are cases where people get a great 'freebie' but, of course, that is not the rule nor should anyone come to expect it.

Love.II.Cruise · #14 March 19th, 2012, 09:12 PM

We always book the cabin we want. We've never had an upgrade.

sadiecat · #15 March 20th, 2012, 05:07 AM

We have received only one upgrade and we found out when we checked in for embarkation.

paul929207 · #16 March 20th, 2012, 07:10 AM

If there was something you could do get get an upgrade, everyone would be doing it.

Krazy Kruizers · #17 March 20th, 2012, 08:26 AM

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

There is no way to predict who will get a free upgrade. Some people are offered upsells.

Some people have gotten wonderful upgrades -- others ended up in locations that they were not happy with.

Still waiting for an upgrade -- have been offered upsells only twice.

compozer · #18 March 20th, 2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul929207

If there was something you could do get get an upgrade, everyone would be doing it.

Paul hit the nail on the head!

We book the cabins we want.

sail7seas · #19 March 20th, 2012, 02:28 PM

Why would any of us pay the price for suites if we knew how to get them as free upgrades?

And if we did know some magic method (which doesn't exist), "do 'ya really think we'd post it on a public forum?"

kitty9 · #20 March 20th, 2012, 07:42 PM

I have 67 cruises on nearly every line out there and have gotten ONE upgrade, on Regent.

View Poll Results: How the Heck Do You Get Upgrades??
Book a Guarantee Cabin -- in the hopes of an automatic upgrade	33	34.02%
Just Ask!	8	8.25%
Cruise the Same Line Often -- loyalty perks	12	12.37%
Cruise Different Lines Often -- lines will court new passengers and offer upgrades	3	3.09%
I'm Feeling Lucky -- no rhyme or reason to it	39	40.21%
Get Cruise Line Branded Credit Cards -- offer perks like upgrades and onboard credit	1	1.03%
Book During Off Peak Times -- more likely to get an upgrade when ships are not full	12	12.37%
Take a Luxury Cruise -- all of those cabins are "upgrades" anyway	6	6.19%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 97. You may not vote on this poll

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