What is a category upgrade?

[mar4408]

My husband booked our cruise and he said the PVP told him he qualified for a 3 category upgrade. We don't know what that means.:)

[TrentS]

Look in the brochure at the category of cabin you booked (or requested when he called the PVP), they're offering to give you (or already gave you) a cabin that's 3 categories higher/more expensive for the same price as the cabin he initially booked (or requested).

[johnql]

All cruiselines categorize their cabins from best (most expensive) to worst (least expensive) and then they label them. For instance, the categories could range from A (Penthouse Suites) to Z (Inside Cabin, lowest deck). In between is everything else (e.g., B = Mini-Suite, F = Outside w/ Balcony, H = Outside, no balcony, etc.).

 

It sounds like your cruise line (or travel agency) is running a promotion whereby you can book a specific category (let's say, H = Outside, no balcony) and be upgraded three categories for free. That sounds great but it might not be quite as great as it sounds. Sometimes they divvy up the categories in very thin slices, meaning there might be several sub-categories of outside, no balcony cabins. Standard Outside could be H, Superior Outside could be G, another Superior Outside could be GG. The distinctions between these categories could be minimal (slightly larger for the Superiors, probably better location but that's very subjective).

 

Bottom line: in theory, you're getting a better cabin than what you're paying for, but not necessarily incredibly better. A three-category upgrade does NOT usually mean that booking an inside cabin will get you a mini-suite (skipping over outside and outside w/balcony).

 

My advice: take down all the specifics (total cost and specific cabin category after "free" upgrade) and continue to do some cost comparisons. Many travel agencies offer similar promotions all the time, so it pays to compare. Just remember: never EVER pay the published, brochure rate. You can always do better.