final payment and then upgrade? (NOT upsell)

We did it once, or rather a TA did it for us once, so I don't know the exact procedure. We found a room that was open, called the TA, and got a call back in about 10 minutes saying it was done.

I recently called about an upgrade from OV to balcony after final payment when the balcony price went down and it is possible. And I could upgrade. However, i would lose free gratuities which was a special when I first booked.

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Thank you both for the quick replies.

Keep us updated if you are able to get a suite for a reasonable price.

The answer is unequivocally no unless you are willing to pay the cancellation fee on your previous booking. Just tried to do this and that was the response. See thread on booking policies.

Did you book with a non-refundable fare?

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Has anyone had experience upgrading cabins after final payment, and if so can you pls provide me with some advice?

 

Specifically, we have an outside cabin booking. We'd like a suite, but it's a LOT more right now, and we're hoping prices drop.

Final payment is tomorrow, if the prices do drop later, say a month from now... would HAL let me pay the difference and upgrade to the suite?

note, i'm NOT talking about an "upsell" offer that gets emailed to you a few weeks prior to the cruise, i'm talking about the regular posted rates like on the HAL website, or from you PCC.

 

 

Please let me know if anyone has been in the same scenario? Thanks in advance!

I upgraded my parents a couple of months ago from an inside to a balcony after the final payment period. It was a significant price drop where what they paid originally for an inside was about the same as the going rate of a balcony. Originally, HAL wants to charge the difference between what an interior and a balcony at the time the cruise was booked. They only reduce it to the prevailing rate after our call was transferred to a "pricing specialist".

The answer is unequivocally no unless you are willing to pay the cancellation fee on your previous booking. Just tried to do this and that was the response. See thread on booking policies.

In your post above you missed adding that you booked a non-refundable special fare, which was established in your second post on your thread you referenced.

I rang yesterday and changed from an OV to a balcony for a very small amount. We are 6 weeks out from sailing. It never hurts to politely ask - the worst that can happen is that HAL will politely say "no".

I wonder about that "Non-refundable fare" bit? I thought it was the deposit that was non-refundable. Of course, the fare becomes non-refundable after final payment...

We booked the Prinsendam with a non-refundable deposit this Spring. That was my understanding.

I wonder about that "Non-refundable fare" bit? I thought it was the deposit that was non-refundable. Of course, the fare becomes non-refundable after final payment...

 

We booked the Prinsendam with a non-refundable deposit this Spring. That was my understanding.

This is what the restricted fare says:

This is a special fare offered for a limited time, and certain restrictions apply. Payment must be made in full at the time of booking. Fares are 100% non-refundable from the point of payment unless one of our Cancellation Protection Plans is purchased at time of booking.

In your post above you missed adding that you booked a non-refundable special fare, which was established in your second post on your thread you referenced.

That is incorrect I didn't book a non refundable special fare. The final payment had been made 24 hours prior to the question about upgading. I was told no I couldn't upgrade without a penalty and that doing bhso I would forfeit my deposit which was several hundred dollars.

That is incorrect I didn't book a non refundable special fare.

To those who have posted, thank you for your replies,

1. As stated in the original post, the fare is EXACTLY the same. The difference is OBC. There is literally no cash involved here at all.

2. The difference in time is literally 24 HOURS.

3. Yes it is a nonrefundable fare. I wasn't asking for a refund. In fact I was wiling to upgrade and PAY MORE.

4. Nickel and diming on the fare? really? Is it nickel and diming US when we pay exorbitant prices for bottom shelf beer, liquors or as another posted stated in a separate thread the wine prices? Or better yet you have to just about become an alcoholic and purchase the beverage package for 15 drinks a day if you want any kind of break on prices. We can't go else where for these things, so they can charge whatever they choose.

The answer is unequivocally no unless you are willing to pay the cancellation fee on your previous booking. Just tried to do this and that was the response. See thread on booking policies.

Sorry this response is not accurate. I've done it numerous times on multiple types of bookings. I've had them upgrade me for no cost as well if prices have come down they have let me pay the difference in price to go up to a different room. This was not part of the upsell program but me keeping an eye on the fares and calling to have my room changed. This is not to say that they will do it 100% every time but I've been told by a few agents that is as long as it is revenue-generating they don't usually have an issue.

All of that being said, if you had any sort of promotional on board credits gratuities included or drink packages it may change you getting those included and you would have to choose between the new room or keeping the amenities

Correct. Nonrefundable in that i couldn't get a refund without penalty according to schedule as some other person posted. It was not the restricted 100% paid fare at the original time of booking.

Sorry this response is not accurate. I've done it numerous times on multiple types of bookings. I've had them upgrade me for no cost as well if prices have come down they have let me pay the difference in price to go up to a different room. This was not part of the upsell program but me keeping an eye on the fares and calling to have my room changed. This is not to say that they will do it 100% every time but I've been told by a few agents that is as long as it is revenue-generating they don't usually have an issue.

 

All of that being said, if you had any sort of promotional on board credits gratuities included or drink packages it may change you getting those included and you would have to choose between the new room or keeping the amenities

All I can speak from is my experience and the response was No. Period. If you have done this you're another example of the inconsistency within HAL for changes after final payment. I offered to pay for an upgraded room, and the answer was no. I would sacrifice the amount of money according to the schedule because it would be a new fare. You did this apparently after final payment, and you said the magic words.....they will not do it 100% of the time...meaning inconsistency. ..."few agents saying as long as revenue generating"....this is not always true too.

Your booking was non-refundable.

All I can speak from is my experience and the response was No. Period. If you have done this you're another example of the inconsistency within HAL for changes after final payment. I offered to pay for an upgraded room, and the answer was no. I would sacrifice the amount of money according to the schedule because it would be a new fare. You did this apparently after final payment, and you said the magic words.....they will not do it 100% of the time...meaning inconsistency. ..."few agents saying as long as revenue generating"....this is not always true too.

So if the booking is made under non-refundable fare, you cannot even pay to upgrade after final payment? Is so, that is very important caveat and needs to be pointed out.

Incidentally I am holding a room because I cannot find out if the fare is refundable or not. The final payment date is next week but on HAL's website my only payment option is to pay full fare and the website gives no other information whatsoever. Am I right to suspect this is one of those non refundable fares and I would not even be able to pay to upgrade later?

Scuba, It is possible that you will still receive a free upgrade after final payment. We just did. Then two weeks before we received an upSELL, from OV to Veranda, for half the cost of paying full price in the first place. Good luck.

Please let us know how it goes for you to get an upgrade .