Why The Upsell/What's The Catch?

[RANCHOVISTA]

Just received a phone call from Carnival asking me if I would be interested in an upgrade to a Grand Suite on the Miracle for our cruise on 2-28-15 to Mexico. We already had a nice balcony on deck six. The additional cost would be $760.00 total not per person. What's the catch? Seems to good to be true. Any thoughts or suggestions. I have until noon (Pacific time) to get back to her. I value everyone's comments here on the thread, some of you are far more experienced in cruising then I am. Thanks in advance. I also have FTTF, do I need to keep it or turn it back in for someone else to use?:rolleyes:

[amyh13]

How many people in your cabin?

[bigdog1958]

Just received a phone call from Carnival asking me if I would be interested in an upgrade to a Grand Suite on the Miracle for our cruise on 2-28-15 to Mexico. We already had a nice balcony on deck six. The additional cost would be $760.00 total not per person. What's the catch? Seems to good to be true. Any thoughts or suggestions. I have until noon (Pacific time) to get back to her. I value everyone's comments here on the thread, some of you are far more experienced in cruising then I am. Thanks in advance. I also have FTTF, do I need to keep it or turn it back in for someone else to use?:rolleyes:

 

There is no catch, but some deals are better then others. Carnival is probably not selling the more expensive cabin the way they would like, so they are offering it to you to upgrade at a cost, and then believe they can sell your cabin easier at a good price for them. I have have 3 upsell calls or emails from carnival over the years, and I have accepted two out of 3. If you do your research and think its a good deal for you and want to try this type of cabin, go for it.

[OnePsychLynne]

There's no catch. You just have to decide if it's worth the additional cost :)

[nhraformula00]

I am sure it is just a numbers game for them. The likelihood of them filling the suite with less than 2 weeks to go are why they are offing it to you. They want the ship filled, more people onboard mean more people spending money.

[Rena921]

Keep your FTTF. You will only get priority embarkation/debarkation with the suite.

[love my grandkids]

If you could afford it would grab it. Always wanted to try that cabin.

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

Jump on it:)

[Cruisegirl6]

Which room do you have?

 

Honestly, the suites are not worth it to us, we don't sit on the balcony much and we also don't stay in our room much, you don't get the perks as other cruise lines offer for suites and its just a larger room and whirlpool tub, honestly the $760 you can put towards eating at the steakhouse, tipping, drinks, etc. That money also can pay for your drink packages. We don't find the suites to be as nice as other cruise line suits but thats my opinion.

[WildBlueYonder64]

Sorry this is not specifically on topic, but what telephone number(s) are displayed on caller ID when Carnival is calling? I'm assuming a 407 area code, but since I don't normally answer calls I don't recognize, I wouldn't want to miss one.

[Dgshooter]

Sorry this is not specifically on topic, but what telephone number(s) are displayed on caller ID when Carnival is calling? I'm assuming a 407 area code, but since I don't normally answer calls I don't recognize, I wouldn't want to miss one.

 

When my PVP calls it is a 305 (Miami) area code.

[coder01]

I think it is 305

[WildBlueYonder64]

Thanks for the quick reply - I'll be on the lookout from now on!

[granmarl]

I received the call earlier this week. We are on the same ship, same day. I didn't return the call, she said they had suites available, and I figured they would be $500+. I am happy with our balcony, deck 7. Tempting, maybe some day we'll take them up on an offer but I can spend $500+ on drinks, ports, etc. And the area code was 305= Florida.

[wdnoble9999]

I received the call earlier this week. We are on the same ship, same day. I didn't return the call, she said they had suites available, and I figured they would be $500+. I am happy with our balcony, deck 7. Tempting, maybe some day we'll take them up on an offer but I can spend $500+ on drinks, ports, etc. And the area code was 305= Florida.

 

As others have said, there is no catch. This normally happens when higher category staterooms (suites, in this case) are going unsold. In that case, Carnival would rather get something extra for the room than nothing at all. So the make upgrade offers. We've received these as well, and sometimes we take them up on the offer and sometimes not. For our upcoming cruise, we had declined one offer to upgrade from a category OS to a GS as the price difference didn't justify it in our minds. Three weeks later, we got another upsell offer that was less than half that offered the first time. At $300 for a 7-day cruise, we took that one.

 

The closer to sailing date, the better the offers. But of course, it's possible that the closer one gets to sailing dates, the upgrades available are likely to have already been sold. So, pick your price point and if you get an offer that matches it, great. And if you don't, you'll have a great time regardless. :)

[thomarvin]

Did you take it?

[RANCHOVISTA]

Thanks to all for your helpful comments. There will be just the two of us (Seniors). Never had a suite before and it's our 50th wedding anniversary. When I called them back they sweetened the deal a little more. $200.00 OBC and $75.00 in Casino cash. I think we made out real good. Life's good, even if you're an old geezer like me.:)

[thomarvin]

Congratulations on 50 Years!! Enjoy your "sweet suite" :D

[granmarl]

A special occasion like this deserves the grand suite. Happy Golden Anniversary. :-)

[travler27]

Thanks to all for your helpful comments. There will be just the two of us (Seniors). Never had a suite before and it's our 50th wedding anniversary. When I called them back they sweetened the deal a little more. $200.00 OBC and $75.00 in Casino cash. I think we made out real good. Life's good, even if you're an old geezer like me.:)

 

Trust me, you'll never go back to a small room again. Carnival did this to us on our first cruise and every cruise since then I've had to book an Ocean Suite or a Grand Suite. They know what they're doing. I think you should keep the FTTF as the suite only gets you priority embark. You need FTTF for early room access, early luggage delivery and priority debark.

[nybumpkin]

Thanks to all for your helpful comments. There will be just the two of us (Seniors). Never had a suite before and it's our 50th wedding anniversary. When I called them back they sweetened the deal a little more. $200.00 OBC and $75.00 in Casino cash. I think we made out real good. Life's good, even if you're an old geezer like me.:)

A few years ago there was a CNBC (I think) program about the economics of cruises - they focused on NCL, and one of the points made was that if they sail with an empty cabin they're not making money off that cabin.

 

I think you did quite well. Enjoy your grand suite (they're really nice:cool:), and Happy Anniversary!

[mistyinca]

I have wondered recently if perhaps the upsell calls are for rooms that were locked in to prices or never took advantage of price drops.

 

For example, on my upcoming cruise, I've already gotten $220 in obc for price drops. Let's say I had been locked into my price or never called for a price drop. Come sailing time, I now basically would have been in for $220 what the current prevailing price is. They offer me what seems like a good deal, but how much of that "good deal" is really the $220 that I wasn't able to take advantage of.

 

Just a thought, if that makes sense.

 

I do realize most of the time its easier for them to sell a lower grade room, but I just wonder if this scenario I've presented plays a part in it.

[FreezingInMichigan]

A week or so ago they offered me an upsell from our Panorama deck balcony to an Ocean Suite for that same price difference. I think they're having a hard time selling our sailing. Guarantee balconies are going for $509. More bacon for me. :p

[cucruizin]

Thanks to all for your helpful comments. There will be just the two of us (Seniors). Never had a suite before and it's our 50th wedding anniversary. When I called them back they sweetened the deal a little more. $200.00 OBC and $75.00 in Casino cash. I think we made out real good. Life's good, even if you're an old geezer like me.:)

 

Yes, you made out good. Happy Anniversary and enjoy your suite!!

happy cruising!!

[Maleeni]

Just received a phone call from Carnival asking me if I would be interested in an upgrade to a Grand Suite on the Miracle for our cruise on 2-28-15 to Mexico. We already had a nice balcony on deck six. The additional cost would be $760.00 total not per person. What's the catch? Seems to good to be true. Any thoughts or suggestions. I have until noon (Pacific time) to get back to her. I value everyone's comments here on the thread, some of you are far more experienced in cruising then I am. Thanks in advance. I also have FTTF, do I need to keep it or turn it back in for someone else to use?:rolleyes:

 

Years past, they were free.

 

They play puzzle when the assemble cruises. Based in their stats, the window for selling that room has passed, they want your room, or any other thing is possible. Now, the decision's yours.