Spending and Upgrades!

[Cruisin'40]

If upgrades are influenced by the amount you spend on prior cruises, what do you think the "magic" number would be for spending. I would think they should have some formula for weighting different spending, they probably make more on bar bills vs. excursions. Also could you go to the casino and chip out and cash in to make it look like you are spending more on gambling (or isn't that possible?).

I would be curious as to the average amount spent on board, minus tips.

[AllmanJoy]

I'm not convinced the spending has ANYTHING to do with upgrades.

 

We do not cruise on a regular basis. On our last cruise (Carnival Pride), we booked the lowest inside category possible. We booked in February for a September sail date. We were upgraded to an outside cabin with french doors and an obstructed view (life boats). I thought this was great, I could open the doors and still enjoy the fresh air. The cabin was located right around the corner from the balcony floor of the Taj Mahl theater--making it convenient to sneek in watch the show in our PJs and back to the cabin without being seen :cool: .

 

This time, I am cruising Princess for the first time--for 10 days :p . We booked in April for a October sail date. We booked a balcony (BF) category and have been upgraded to a BB category (A325).

 

I believe upgrades are based on WHEN you book and how fast the cabins are selling. Anyone else have any idea?

[spongerob]

It is possible that on-board spending comes into play, as do several other factors. For this to be true, there needs to be a tacit assumption that there is a back-room group that does some sort of passenger evaluation and ranks past passengers for possible category upgrades.

 

I still think the possibilities for upgrades rely mostly on luck, type of cabin booked, and the need to move people up based on existing waitlists.

[srphnx]

First lets define our terms.. "upgrade" isn't a cabin reassignment from Baja deck to Aloha deck in the same cabin type. That isn't an upgrade in any meaningful sense.

 

Second, it was never stated that it was the only factor.. more like a tie breaker when other factors have been met.. so examples of this one sailing or that one sailing without taking into account many other factors not the least of which is cabins being open to upgrade people into don't really resolve much.

 

It is my understanding that at the very least they track total on board account which would include casino, shore ex., bar tabs etc. I NEVER book shore excursions thru the ship but this time I "pre booked" a bunch that I dont' even want to take just to see if it helped. I cancell them after final assignment.

 

There is a back-room group or person anyway, he/she is called a cruise finalizer or dispatcher and I have been TOLD that spending is a factor... more than once. What you spent for your cabin first and what you spend on board was stated but between the lines.

 

For those of you who remain "unconviced", how about offering a single logical reason why a company in business to make money wouldn't use the power of upgrades to further business goals. That goal being to create more revenue and spending. Why wouldn't you put the big spenders in a better cabin rather than relying on "luck of the draw"? Happy big spenders would obviously spend more.

[Nova Scotia]

I have never heard of upgrades being based on how much you spend on a previous cruise. There are a lot of factors including on how far in advance you book. Some say that first timers get an upgrade faster to keep them coming back, some say those who cruise on the same line get a break for loyalty. Then of course there is the upgrade fairy, we shouldn't count her out now should we.

 

If you want to take your best shot book far in advance and book a gaurantee. Only book as low as you would be comfortable with though, just in case you don't get upgraded. That way at least you will be satisfied with what you booked.

 

Where did you hear the one about past spending? I have been reading these boards for a few years and have never heard that one.

 

Pat.

[srphnx]

This subject was discussed in depth on this thread.

 

 

Everything you need to know about upgrades

[coiran]

WOW!! BIG BROTHER is really watching close - there was a link to a travel agency on the site I referred to.

 

Ron

[roohound]

I've known of people who were first time Princess cruisers and first time cruisers in general who have received upgrades, so I really don't think there's a lot of credence to the what you spend onboard influences your chance of getting an upgrade theory.

 

JMHO

[1cruiselvr]

The subject of upgrading, how and why has been discounted to the point of nauseum on this board and others. There is no way to know for sure IF they have a system and if so WHAT it is no matter what others say. I think everyone should just book what they know they will enjoy, be happy with it and quit wasting so much thought and effort into trying to figure out how to get a free upgrade. Just be thankful you have the time and money to vacation.

Happy Sailing!

[coiran]

Good response - 1cruiselvr!

[PescadoAmarillo]

While I don't dispute that it would make sense to allocate upgrades based on spending, I've stopped counting the number of things in this world that go counter to logic. And to support the "unlogical" theory...we got back to back 10 day cruises on the Sun last December for less than $60 per person per day (inside, and first time on Princess), and were upgraded to a high outside cabin on the second cruise. On the first cruise, we spent exactly $50 more than tips (for two soda cards). Go figure.

[Druke I]

Coiran

 

I think the most accurate part of your post is the next to last paragraph.

 

Pay for the cabin you want - and should you be offered an upgrade - perhaps you got lucky. On the other hand, you can turn it down - and I have on occasion, when I didn't care for the location of the "upgrade".

 

Michael

[coiran]

I am not the author - but you are correct. This came from another site.