META upgrade question...

[loliola]

If you are in an obstructed balcony, would a META upgrade be to an unobstructed, or to a mini?

[Coral]

If you are in an obstructed balcony, would a META upgrade be to an unobstructed, or to a mini?

 

Minisuite.

[Pam in CA]

Minisuite.

Correct. A "Meta" upgrade is from one cabin type to another. You've booked a balcony (regardless of whether it's obstructed or unobstructed) so the next cabin type would be a mini-suite.

[loliola]

Thanks again Pam. Other posters were giving me different information, saying that Meta upgrade on Royal or Regal could be from obstructed balcony to unobstructed balcony, in which case I would keep my current "No upgrade". Your information is always invaluable and accurate! I will call and request "Meta upgrade only".

[Pam in CA]

An obstructed to unobstructed cabin or balcony upgrade would be a category upgrade. The difference is the first letter of the cabin category. Every balcony category starts with a "B" so a category upgrade would be something like a BE to a BB. A Meta upgrade from a balcony would be the first letter from a "B" to an "M" for a mini-suite.

[Av8tor]

I never even realized there was such a thing as an obstructed balcony... Is that a new thing, perhaps on the Royal? What obstructs the balcony??

[caribill]

I never even realized there was such a thing as an obstructed balcony... Is that a new thing, perhaps on the Royal? What obstructs the balcony??

 

a) Panel between balcony and the sea is metal instead of see-through glass.

 

or

 

b) A metal beam blocks part of the balcony

 

or

 

c) On the Royal and Regal, a lifeboat blocks much of the downward view

[rollingstone]

on the Royal, an upgrade can be from a balcony to a deluxe balcony obstructed by a lifeboat. Not a good trade in my opinion.

[loliola]

on the Royal, an upgrade can be from a balcony to a deluxe balcony obstructed by a lifeboat. Not a good trade in my opinion.

 

We are not talking about the regular upgrade, the post is about META upgrades. Different animal; read Pam's explanation above.

[Alaska0799]

An obstructed to unobstructed cabin or balcony upgrade would be a category upgrade. The difference is the first letter of the cabin category. Every balcony category starts with a "B" so a category upgrade would be something like a BE to a BB. A Meta upgrade from a balcony would be the first letter from a "B" to an "M" for a mini-suite.

 

Another question... Could that be a mini suite without balcony?

[Pam in CA]

We are not talking about the regular upgrade, the post is about META upgrades. Different animal; read Pam's explanation above.

On the Royal, there is a cabin type called "Deluxe Balcony" and the category starts with the letter "D." It would be a Meta upgrade from a standard balcony. The Royal (and the Regal) are the only ships with this type of cabin.

 

Another question... Could that be a mini suite without balcony?

Yes. If it's an "M" cabin type, i.e., a mini-suite, whether or not it has a balcony, it would be a Meta upgrade from any balcony cabin. Same for an upgrade from a mini-suite to a window suite. That would also be a Meta upgrade.

 

As they say, be careful what you wish for. :)

[beshears]

Pam, you seem to have ALL the "knowledge" which is great.:)

 

On the balcony rooms, what is the difference between a BE and a BB? We were upgraded to a BB. Is a BE better than a BB?

[Pam in CA]

On the balcony rooms, what is the difference between a BE and a BB? We were upgraded to a BB. Is a BE better than a BB?

Location, location, location. And, location depends on personal preferences. It's perceived that the higher the deck, the better the location. It's also perceived that the more mid-ship, the better the location. I much prefer towards the aft and I rarely book any cabin above Caribe. That's my preference. For me, it's not just about saving money but that's really where I'd rather be. You can be in a BB on Aloha deck or in a BB on Caribe deck. The Aloha deck is perceived as a better location but knowledgeable people would prefer the much larger balcony that's half-covered/half-uncovered on Caribe.

 

If you've been upgraded to a BB, you can ask your TA to move you to any cabin available that's a BB or lower category in a location you prefer.

[Alaska0799]

On the Royal, there is a cabin type called "Deluxe Balcony" and the category starts with the letter "D." It would be a Meta upgrade from a standard balcony. The Royal (and the Regal) are the only ships with this type of cabin.

 

Yes. If it's an "M" cabin type, i.e., a mini-suite, whether or not it has a balcony, it would be a Meta upgrade from any balcony cabin. Same for an upgrade from a mini-suite to a window suite. That would also be a Meta upgrade.

 

As they say, be careful what you wish for. :)

 

Pam, the knowledge you impart is invaluable. Thank you for sharing with us less experienced cruisers so we may benefit from your experience!

[caribill]

If it's an "M" cabin type, i.e., a mini-suite, whether or not it has a balcony, it would be a Meta upgrade from any balcony cabin. Same for an upgrade from a mini-suite to a window suite. That would also be a Meta upgrade.

 

As they say, be careful what you wish for. :)

 

On the ships with window suites, nobody has ever posted having been given a free upgrade from a balcony cabin to a window suite.

 

I suspect the same will be true in that nobody would be involuntarily upgraded from a cabin with a balcony to one without a balcony, even to a mini-suite without a balcony.

[loliola]

On the Royal, there is a cabin type called "Deluxe Balcony" and the category starts with the letter "D." It would be a Meta upgrade from a standard balcony. The Royal (and the Regal) are the only ships with this type of cabin.

 

Yes. If it's an "M" cabin type, i.e., a mini-suite, whether or not it has a balcony, it would be a Meta upgrade from any balcony cabin. Same for an upgrade from a mini-suite to a window suite. That would also be a Meta upgrade.

 

As they say, be careful what you wish for. :)

 

Ok...calling them back and changing back to "No Upgrade"....

[socialworker]

This is such a wonderful place for gathering information. Like Pam, I prefer the aft area on a lower deck and I usually, although not always, purchase an unobstructed, obstructed ocean view cabin. A "regular" upgrade for me could actually result in me receiving a cabin with a fully obstructed view mid-ship. No thanks!

 

Thankfully I learned on this board about a META upgrade. Now I'm pretty sure we won't get one and I'm okay with that, I just didn't want to end up with something I don't consider an upgrade.

 

Happy cruising!

 

Judy