Got a notification of an upgrade...Ah, NO.

[cruznon]

Just a "heads up"...

Yesterday morning an email arrived exclaiming we'd been given an "upgrade."

Technically, it was upgrade to a higher category, but not an upgrade in cabin for us. I had selected an inside(first time trying an inside cabin) in an area we carefully chose on Lido.

Our "upgrade" was to a fully-obstructed window cabin (middle of a life boat AND directly above the casino.)

Needless to say, I immediately called Princess. Within minutes we were back in our original cabin.

For those new to cruising, if given an upgrade, always check out "upgraded" cabin location on a deck plan. Don't assume an upgrade is a step up. However, many times it's great news!

[paul929207]

Did you mark your reservation "Do Not Upgrade"? These is no guarantee you will learn of the upgrade in time to get your original cabin back.

[-Lew-]

 

For those new to cruising, if given an upgrade, always check out "upgraded" cabin location on a deck plan. Don't assume an upgrade is a step up. However, many times it's great news!

We also select our cabin location very carefully and have our TA mark our booking NO UPGRADE!

 

Lew

[billco]

Just a "heads up"...

Yesterday morning an email arrived exclaiming we'd been given an "upgrade."

Technically, it was upgrade to a higher category, but not an upgrade in cabin for us. I had selected an inside(first time trying an inside cabin) in an area we carefully chose on Lido.

Our "upgrade" was to a fully-obstructed window cabin (middle of a life boat AND directly above the casino.)

Needless to say, I immediately called Princess. Within minutes we were back in our original cabin.

For those new to cruising, if given an upgrade, always check out "upgraded" cabin location on a deck plan. Don't assume an upgrade is a step up. However, many times it's great news!

Or, when you book, you can have it marked "no upgrade."

[cruznon]

I simply forgot to mark "no upgrade" this time.

Yes, I was fortunate to get original cabin back.

[cruznon]

Oops...duplicate posting.

Edited August 19, 2015 by cruznon

[crochetcruise]

Or, when you book, you can have it marked "no upgrade."

 

My TA couldn't do that on her computer. I did know, through Cruise Critic to be wary about an upgrade. She has said that as I'm in the highest available Disabled Accessible Stateroom-Window Suite on the Golden Princess, and no other Full Suite meets my need for a Handicapped Accessible bathroom so don't worry! Have already had 1 fright with Princess cancelling the original cruise "for Operational Reasons" but I was given AUD$55 in On Board Credit; found another cruise for AUD$35 LESS than the original price AND with an additional day aboard, so REALLY happy with the change. It's warmer weather for me. A friend said, "It was meant to be!" We did contact Princess Cruises about my need for a Handicapped Accessible Stateroom, so Princess is fully aware of my requirements.

[Grego]

I realize that a window looking at a tender isn't a great view, but is a window at least and if you are paying for it at the inside fare it probably would be something we would have been OK with even though we wouldn't think of booking an inside cabin.

[sunsetbeachgal]

OP,

 

Many folks, myself included, would be quite happy to be upgraded from pretty much any inside Cabin, regardless of location, to an obstructed outside. As other have said, mark your cabin "do not upgrade" in the future.

Edited August 19, 2015 by sunsetbeachgal

[Coral]

My TA couldn't do that on her computer. I did know, through Cruise Critic to be wary about an upgrade. She has said that as I'm in the highest available Disabled Accessible Stateroom-Window Suite on the Golden Princess, and no other Full Suite meets my need for a Handicapped Accessible bathroom so don't worry! Have already had 1 fright with Princess cancelling the original cruise "for Operational Reasons" but I was given AUD$55 in On Board Credit; found another cruise for AUD$35 LESS than the original price AND with an additional day aboard, so REALLY happy with the change. It's warmer weather for me. A friend said, "It was meant to be!" We did contact Princess Cruises about my need for a Handicapped Accessible Stateroom, so Princess is fully aware of my requirements.

 

If you need a handicapped/disabled cabin - always mark this no-upgrade. They have been known to upgrade people to non-disabled cabins!

 

Though - I have never heard of window suite cabins being upgraded to suite cabins with balconies.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Coral

[hm9912]

Just a "heads up"...

Yesterday morning an email arrived exclaiming we'd been given an "upgrade."

Technically, it was upgrade to a higher category, but not an upgrade in cabin for us. I had selected an inside(first time trying an inside cabin) in an area we carefully chose on Lido.

Our "upgrade" was to a fully-obstructed window cabin (middle of a life boat AND directly above the casino.)

Needless to say, I immediately called Princess. Within minutes we were back in our original cabin.

For those new to cruising, if given an upgrade, always check out "upgraded" cabin location on a deck plan. Don't assume an upgrade is a step up. However, many times it's great news!

 

I have heard (someone can correct me if I am wrong) that upgrades are given for a variety of reasons including a family that might require two adjoining inside cabins for their children which could be the reason you received an obstructed view cabin to free up an inside cabin?

 

On our last cruise on the Caribbean Princess to Mexico we originally wanted an inside cabin but our TA managed to get us an obstructed view cabin for around the same price.

When we arrived at the pier Princess informed us that we were receiving an upgrade to a mini suite. Not only was it a mini suite which we had never previously seen but it was a handicapped mini suite. I had never seen such a large bathroom and shower on a cruise ship.

We were very happy with the upgrade.

 

Howard

[Camelia-]

but decided against it in the end. As has already been said..not all are bad..some upgrades are wonderful. I would rather leave things as they are and pay close attention to my emails from Princess. If I do receive an upgrade notice then I'd rather have the choice of accepting or denying it at that time (if I do have that choice that is). By marking it so I feel that I'm denying myself a chance for a much better cabin I think..and besides it's always fun to anticipate and hope for the best! It worked on my last cruise where we were upgraded from a balcony cabin to a minisuite..loved every minute of it.

 

Camelia

[Thrak]

We've been automagically upgraded twice. First time from the lowest category balcony - the one on the bow where the Promenade deck "steps up" right in front of your balcony - to a midship Aloha balcony a few doors down the hall from our son's handicapped room. The second upgrade was from an inside to a HC balcony on Caribe deck on Crown. Both times we were extremely happy.

 

I did turn down an upsell (for very little money) from a balcony to a mini but I had specifically booked C752 on Grand Princess and didn't want a different cabin. :)

[jpj39]

does princess upgrade solo travellers??

[ALB0711]

does princess upgrade solo travellers??

 

Yes, I got a solo upgrade once from an inside to a Caribe balcony. It was one of the very short 2 night repositioning cruises from Vancouver to Seattle, but I still appreciated the upgrade.

[shredie]

Technically, it was upgrade to a higher category, but not an upgrade in cabin for us.

 

Their idea of an upgrade and yours can be vastly different. I have had it happen that they "upgraded" me to exactly where I didn't want to be. You need to mark the booking no upgrade or watch your email carefully so you can get your original cabin back. It's a hassle when you have to call and explain it all to them. OTOH, I have been upgraded a couple of times where I liked the change, so I don't do the no upgrade thing unless I'm certain that's where I must be. For some reason I can't explain, I have been upgraded six times (I think) now.

[traveling1969]

We typically book a balcony cabin and on Caribe deck on those ships that have the larger Caribe-deck balconies. We discussed the upgrade issue with our TA as we do not want to be "upgraded" to a higher deck with a smaller balcony. She suggested we limit upgrades to what she called a Mega upgrade which in our instance would be to a mini-suite or higher. We have opted for that strategy. Only one upgrade so far but that was to a full suite.

 

Harry

[2BeOnaBoat]

We typically book a balcony cabin and on Caribe deck on those ships that have the larger Caribe-deck balconies. We discussed the upgrade issue with our TA as we do not want to be "upgraded" to a higher deck with a smaller balcony. She suggested we limit upgrades to what she called a Mega upgrade which in our instance would be to a mini-suite or higher. We have opted for that strategy. Only one upgrade so far but that was to a full suite.

 

Harry

 

I'd like to know where 'Mega upgrade' is located.

[cherylandtk]

I'd like to know where 'Mega upgrade' is located.

It's a Meta Upgrade, not Mega. Code is NUM for your TA. You cannot see it or change it yourself.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...Many folks, myself included, would be quite happy to be upgraded from pretty much any inside Cabin, regardless of location, to an obstructed outside...

 

Some of the Emerald deck obstructeds on the Grand-class ships can be quite noisy if over the main theater or other venues. They rehearse during the day, so it is not just noise during performances in the evening. Just a "heads up" for those not aware.

 

I realize that some miss not having natural light, but I personally would prefer an inside in a quiet area over an OV in a noisy one.

[cherylandtk]

I'd rather have the choice of accepting or denying it at that time (if I do have that choice that is)....

Camelia

That's the conundrum though, you do not have that choice. If you see the upgrade soon enough, you can often turn it down, but certainly not always. Which is the risk associated with leaving a booking open to any upgrade. As long as you are aware of this, and OK with it, your strategy is fine. But just be aware that the cruiseline gets the final say, even on some No Upgrade bookings.

[2BeOnaBoat]

It's a Meta Upgrade, not Mega. Code is NUM for your TA. You cannot see it or change it yourself.

 

 

Thanks I'll call them tonight. You have kept the 'Interior to Full Suite' hope alive. :D

[elliair]

Yes, don't fall for "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'VE RECEIVED AN UPGRADE!" My ***! We fell for that the first time. Dummy us, went from a Caribe to the Aloha deck right underneath MUTS! Biggest mistake ever in our cruising life. Now we emphatically state NO UPGRADE!

Edited August 19, 2015 by elliair

[tartan cruiser]

I too would opt for an inside(especially on Lido deck) to a fully obstructed oceanview. We had the middle of the lifeboat cabin as a gty. Our "view" was into the lifeboat with only marginal light. We had to keep the curtains closed if we were in the room because many times maintenance was being done around the lifeboats and they could see into our cabin. What's the saying: "location, location, location".

[Dayenu]

Did you mark your reservation "Do Not Upgrade"? These is no guarantee you will learn of the upgrade in time to get your original cabin back.

 

There is no such button on Princess website. I called them and said, I missed it making my reservation, the agent said, passengers always have to call if they don't want an upgrade.

 

She also said, she will mark "no upgrade, no upsell" - I still got 2 upsell offers after that. We, the passengers, just can't win :(