Cruise paid, substantial price drop - upgrade possible?

[woodz]

For the 1st time in 14 cruises the price on our upcoming cruise has had a price drop. The price we paid for an inside "NN" GTY would now pay for an outside "F" mid-ship. (Just check a major, national on-line agency) Has any one had any luck with getting an upgrade through their travel agent? FYI, we are past HAL cruises who book "interliner" rates and the price drop is not through an interline agency.

 

Thank your any and all answers.

[hammybee]

Anything is possible but not probable.

 

Good luck to you.

[woodz]

I am going to book a cruise with the same agency for 3 weeks after this one. What ever happens I will be OK, just trying to get the biggest bang

for the buck!!!

[sailorbill]

woodz - You haven't said whether the price drop happened before or after final payment date. If it is before the final payment date you should be able to get your travel agent (or agency) to reduce your fare, or, at worst, you can cancel your booking and rebook without a HAL penalty. If the price drop was after final payment date you have no rights to any adjustments by the cruise line. Nearly all cruise lines reduce prices on unsold staterooms as sailing day approaches because there is no revenue from empty beds and no onboard sales from the profit centers (bars, shops, casino, spa and shore excursions).

 

However, since you have booked an inside lowest category guarenty, you will be most likely be "upgraded" since there are only two NN staterooms on HAL ships. How far up the category ladder your upgrade will be depends on available staterooms, but the price you paid should also be a consideration.

[woodz]

I have paid in full, so I will just hope for the up-grade fairy to grant us a great cabin. Thanks for being so helpful.

[woodz]

Up grade fairy came today. Our TA went the extra mile for us and we received a "J" midship on the lower promenade deck. Perfect!!!

[Jade13]

What is an interliner rate?

[gizmo]

Interline is special rates for people and their families that are in the travel industry.

[woodz]

Jade13,

 

My DH is retired Southwest Airlines. All airline employees can receive special rates on cruises, flights, car rentals, hotels and resorts. Sometimes the savings are good, sometimes the exact same as online booking rates. Many times a cruiseline will have extra rooms to sell, but only a few days until departure. They know that airline employees (and other travel industry employees) can fly on a stand-by basis and may be able to travel at the last minute. It's always an adventure and not always a bargain.

[Jade13]

Woodz, thanks. My Dh is in the hospitality industry (Chef in a Hotel) and I asked Hal if they could get us a group rate/special rate (hey it doesn't hurt to ask), but they could not. So, I ended up going on-line this time.

[cnmiranda]

A similar situation happened to us on Princess, the price dropped after final payment. We were upgraded to two mini suites for the cost of what we paid for a regular balcony room. Of course it turns out the dropped mini suite price was the price of the balcony. We didn't ask for a refund because we preferred the upgrade. The ta told us in situations like this it's better for travel agencies that are big seller's of Princess cruises to have adjustments without problems, I've read of other people in this situation that had no such luck when the booked with local, or non-internet travel agencies.