how do they determine upgrade???

[kazu]

Valid point... HAL does control the upgrade and they would need to benefit the Company too.

 

to further support the passenger profitability theory (which is why HAL is in business, yes to make U.S. Corporate profit $$$ - and that is not a bad thing...)

 

Maybe my 50% upgrade success is also based on keeping a repeat passenger happy who spends money on board in the gift shop, shore excursions, on-board wine purchases, cocktails in the theater (full price)?

 

Their goal is to fill up the ship in excess of 100% with the most profitable passengers.

 

I think it would be naive to think it would be totally random, but the dart board concept made me laugh out loud. (**** THANKS for the laugh***)

 

I think there is some truth in this. I was told at one time that part of the justification on upsells/upgrades is the profitability and how much one spends on board and that was part of the reason I received the offers I did :D (There was only one category to go to for those upsells;)). My source was very knowledgeable so, while I don't know how much influence it holds, it definitely has a bearing on things. Casino counts too:D

[hrhdhd]

Seems strange that HAL would want the higher spenders to have a larger, more comfortable room. We spend a lot more time in our stateroom when we're in a Neptune Suite vs. a lower category. More time in room = less time wandering around spending $$.

[G&G]

Personally, I believe it is a group of people blindfolded in a room with darts and where the darts go so go the upgrades. :eek:

 

I prefer pin the tail on the donkey. :D

 

We have sailed with HAL on 35 cruises. When we have booked a guarantee we have been very lucky and received an upgrade every time.

[MR NW GUY]

Seems strange that HAL would want the higher spenders to have a larger, more comfortable room. We spend a lot more time in our stateroom when we're in a Neptune Suite vs. a lower category. More time in room = less time wandering around spending $$.

Maybe....

 

Another thought is that the people booking the suites have a larger amount of disposable income and would spend more $$$ even in shorter time that those wandering around.

 

I bet HAL has the data to support the decision. As we have all seen, the cruise business is much more competitive these days and they can not afford to leave any profit opportunity un challenged.

[MR NW GUY]

I prefer pin the tail on the donkey. :D

 

We have sailed with HAL on 35 cruises. When we have booked a guarantee we have been very lucky and received an upgrade every time.

Oh WOW!!! I read your post and had to go back and re-read the OP's original post. My comments were not at all focused on the fact that he was booking a "guarantee" for the first time vs. a specific room.

 

I have no schema in regards to booking a guarantee vs. a specific room. Perhaps the same profitability theory is valid? I need to ponder this a bit now.:confused:

 

Cheers!

[hrhdhd]

Maybe....

 

Another thought is that the people booking the suites have a larger amount of disposable income and would spend more $$$ even in shorter time that those wandering around.

 

I wasn't talking about people who booked a suite from the get-go. I was talking about people being upgraded to suites.

[MR NW GUY]

I wasn't talking about people who booked a suite from the get-go. I was talking about people being upgraded to suites.

Yea, I was a little slow on the draw here.... See my post #30?

[serendipity1499]

Personally, I believe it is a group of people blindfolded in a room with darts and where the darts go so go the upgrades. :eek:

 

You are probably right..;):)

We'll be five star soon & normally book outside cabins & long cruises....Have always booked through a travel agent with the exception of our first HAL cruise to the Amazon..That was when we discovered that a Travel Agents fare was 12% lower than HAL's fare..After speaking to a HAL Supervisor & learning that HAL can't compete with their high volume group Travel Agents & Hal's OK we transferred our booking for the lower price & a higher grade cabin..

Most of the time we have "No upgrades please" inserted into our reservation especially when traveling with Friends..When alone we might accept an upgrade or up sell if we like the cabin, but actually the only time we did take the up sell was when we were offered a balcony or lanai up sell & took the lanai only because we wanted to try it..Loved the Lanai as we enjoy spending our days out the Promenade deck with other people.. Only once did we have a balcony & actually enjoy being out on deck more!..

Don't take HAL Insurance as it does not have adequate coverage..It's also more expensive only because you can cancel at any time..We never worry about insuring the $$ amount spent for the cruise, as medical & evacuation insurance are more important to us..It can cost up to $100,000 to be evacuated from a remote area..

 

With the Savings on the cabin & insurance which has always been a bundle, we can spend more on our vacation..

 

That's more important to us than an upgrade..

[hmorrow]

My original post was do to the fact that I ASSUMED I will be "upgraded" from the VH guaranty, since there are only 4 vh's. Just trying to see where they might put us and if prior bookings would have an influence on their choice for us. Not really 'an upgrade" as we know it, like when the upgrade fairy is involved, as chances are very good that we will have to have something other than the vh, due to the small inventory, and are just trying to figure out what our chances are for something very nice..........but more like an assignment for the guaranty,,I probably used the wrong verbage when I said "upgrade"

From all the input, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason..........but I liked the dart theory, also, as I'm usually lucky!

Helaine

[CruiserBruce]

My original post was do to the fact that I ASSUMED I will be "upgraded" from the VH guaranty, since there are only 4 vh's. Just trying to see where they might put us and if prior bookings would have an influence on their choice for us. Not really 'an upgrade" as we know it, like when the upgrade fairy is involved, as chances are very good that we will have to have something other than the vh, due to the small inventory, and are just trying to figure out what our chances are for something very nice..........but more like an assignment for the guaranty,,I probably used the wrong verbage when I said "upgrade"

From all the input, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason..........but I liked the dart theory, also, as I'm usually lucky!

Helaine

 

There is no publically known rhyme or reason, but I am sure there are clear policies and procedures. The issue is the needs of each cruise can vary widely, so it might appear to be without a system. But I am sure there is one. We, the public, just don't know it.

 

It might be a bit risky to assume you will get an upgrade from the VH, due to there only being 4. Well, someone has to be in those 4 VHs, and it could easily be you.

[startwin]

My original post was do to the fact that I ASSUMED I will be "upgraded" from the VH guaranty, since there are only 4 vh's. Just trying to see where they might put us and if prior bookings would have an influence on their choice for us. Not really 'an upgrade" as we know it, like when the upgrade fairy is involved, as chances are very good that we will have to have something other than the vh, due to the small inventory, and are just trying to figure out what our chances are for something very nice..........but more like an assignment for the guaranty,,I probably used the wrong verbage when I said "upgrade"

From all the input, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason..........but I liked the dart theory, also, as I'm usually lucky!

Helaine

 

On my last cruise I began with a VH guarantee (first time I've ever booked a guarantee), and got an upgrade and then an upsell to Neptune. It worked out very well for me. Usually I prefer to pick a specific cabin and check "No upgrades".

[serendipity1499]

My original post was do to the fact that I ASSUMED I will be "upgraded" from the VH guaranty, since there are only 4 vh's. Just trying to see where they might put us and if prior bookings would have an influence on their choice for us. Not really 'an upgrade" as we know it, like when the upgrade fairy is involved, as chances are very good that we will have to have something other than the vh, due to the small inventory, and are just trying to figure out what our chances are for something very nice..........but more like an assignment for the guaranty,,I probably used the wrong verbage when I said "upgrade"

From all the input, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason..........but I liked the dart theory, also, as I'm usually lucky!

Helaine

 

Ah ha..Sorry for the mis-understanding, but hope you get a wonderful cabin assignment! Please be sure to let us know how you did & hope you have a lovely cruise..

Betty

[sail7seas]

Seems strange that HAL would want the higher spenders to have a larger, more comfortable room. We spend a lot more time in our stateroom when we're in a Neptune Suite vs. a lower category. More time in room = less time wandering around spending $$.

 

 

B] A pricey (or not so costly) bottle of wine ordered and consumed in MDR costs the same as a bottle of wine ordered delivered to cabin. One doesn't have to leave their cabin to spend. :D

 

Often there would be an additional tip to the steward who delivered the wine to the cabin. :)

 

[/b]

[kazu]

Seems strange that HAL would want the higher spenders to have a larger, more comfortable room. We spend a lot more time in our stateroom when we're in a Neptune Suite vs. a lower category. More time in room = less time wandering around spending $$.

 

Interesting thought - when we have a Neptune suite yes, we do spend more time there - BUT we don't need to wander around to spend money:D Most of our trips are purposeful:D Crow's Nest for drinks, shopping, Casino, Adagio strings/duet for drinks and listening, etc., etc., etc. I've never found that having a suite impedes what we spend unfortunately;)

 

In actuality, we probably spend more as we have the space to entertain so order HAL's liquor, some wine, etc. for our guests. We also use the mini bar (no host bar) if necessary for guests. ;) and hit one of the bars for pop, additional drinks - whatever is necessary:D

[kazu]

My original post was do to the fact that I ASSUMED I will be "upgraded" from the VH guaranty, since there are only 4 vh's. Just trying to see where they might put us and if prior bookings would have an influence on their choice for us. Not really 'an upgrade" as we know it, like when the upgrade fairy is involved, as chances are very good that we will have to have something other than the vh, due to the small inventory, and are just trying to figure out what our chances are for something very nice..........but more like an assignment for the guaranty,,I probably used the wrong verbage when I said "upgrade"

From all the input, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason..........but I liked the dart theory, also, as I'm usually lucky!

Helaine

 

No one knows the secret and anyone who does certainly isn't going to share;)

 

the odds of an upgrade should be good, but I remember some wise words here on cc - don't book anything less than what you would be happy in.

 

As long as you will be happy in that category the Gods are probably on your side and as you say, you are lucky. I'm hoping you get an upgrade you like but remember you could be in VH

[BumperII]

I know only a small part of how the upgrade fairy does not work. If all the SA suites on a cruise are booked at full price, no one will get upgraded to this class. On most cruises, the SA suites are among the first to sell out. On the R and S class ships, don't worry. The least desirable veranda suite is still terrific!!:D

[shrimp56]

First HAL cruise we booked a specific cabin and were happy with it. The next cruise on the Volendam we booked a BB guarantee and got a B, moving us more midships which was what we wanted.. On the Eurodam we went from a VF to a VQ and were happy little campers. On our next cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam we booked a VF guarantee on board and our travel agent got us their group rate for a VD guarantee so we've already been upgraded a bit. I don't expect to go any higher.

 

On my upcoming Century cruise I booked an inside GTY and got bumped up one category. But the fare was dirt cheap, so no complaints.

[hmorrow]

No one knows the secret and anyone who does certainly isn't going to share;)

 

the odds of an upgrade should be good, but I remember some wise words here on cc - don't book anything less than what you would be happy in.

 

As long as you will be happy in that category the Gods are probably on your side and as you say, you are lucky. I'm hoping you get an upgrade you like but remember you could be in VH

 

I KNOW to only book what I'd be happy with, and we don't mind being all the way foward, so no problem, there. Just HOPING for something WONDERFUL- but we'll be on a cruise, so IT WILL be wonderful, no matter what. But a girl can dream............Helaine

[kazu]

I KNOW to only book what I'd be happy with, and we don't mind being all the way foward, so no problem, there. Just HOPING for something WONDERFUL- but we'll be on a cruise, so IT WILL be wonderful, no matter what. But a girl can dream............Helaine

 

I am hoping for something WONDERFUL for you too - nothing wrong with dreaming at all;) And you're right - you will be on a cruise so it will be wonderful.

 

Do come back and let us know what you get please - fingers crossed for you:D

[Typhoon1]

One of the great mysteries of cruising.

 

The average cruiser will probably never know.

[dfish]

First HAL cruise we booked through a TA and had specific cabins - three VDs in a row and were quite happy with them. No upgrades or upsell offers.

 

Second cruise we booked directly with HAL in an inside cabin. We were upgraded to an OV during a sale and later received an upsell offer to a BA balcony, which we took.

 

Third cruise was booked directly with HAL. Originally, we were in an inside cabin, but my travel partner backed out and the new one insisted on a window, so when we called HAL we requested that and received a guarantee because that was all they had left in the category we requested. We were upgraded to an aft balcony. On that cruise I had also made the arrangements for the CC Meet and Greet.

 

Last cruise we booked an inside directly with HAL and that is where we were. The third time was the charm and I knew I'd get to experience an inside cabin eventually if I kept booking them.

 

Debbie

[Cqis]

Have a few cruises under my belt. Only one upgrade, and it was when I boarded. We went to our assigned cabin, the cabin steward said no a mistake we have another cabin, it was from an inside to a window. Now this is what I think. Someone had a Back to Back and did not want to move.

 

This cruise we received two upsells. Did not take them because besides the extra for the cabin it would have also increased our insurance amount. We are hardly ever in the cabin anyway.

Cely

[hrhdhd]

B] A pricey (or not so costly) bottle of wine ordered and consumed in MDR costs the same as a bottle of wine ordered delivered to cabin. One doesn't have to leave their cabin to spend. :D

 

Often there would be an additional tip to the steward who delivered the wine to the cabin. :)

 

[/b]

 

Er, yes, but not my point.

[frankc98376]

I think there is some truth in this. I was told at one time that part of the justification on upsells/upgrades is the profitability and how much one spends on board and that was part of the reason I received the offers I did :D (There was only one category to go to for those upsells;)). My source was very knowledgeable so, while I don't know how much influence it holds, it definitely has a bearing on things. Casino counts too:D

 

I hope this is the case as on our last cruise we got 7 days toward status just for our onboard spending and paid rack for an SB.