chances of getting an upgrade at the pier

[catspaw1]

Hi all, What are your experiences with getting an upgrade at the pier if space is available? What's the best way to ask?

 

What are the chances of an upgrade to a balcony as we have already booked an outside cabin? Or even higher if we just have to pay a little more- or is it better to ask for a comp?

 

There are definitely higher category cabins left & we have around 5 weeks till sailing.

 

BTW the TA said if we paid for an upgrade a few days before sailing that would change our special package- we got the classic beverage package thrown in & we definitely want this- and we may not get the beverage package if we upgraded then. So she suggested just asking at the pier & making sure we have our luggage with us in case they give us another cabin so we can just change the room number on our tags. Your opinions on this?

 

Thanks everyone for your help!

[kenevenpar]

Slim to none. And Slim just left town :D

 

If available, (not common), you may, stress may, be able to do an upsell. The upgrade fairy is very stingy :eek:

[ORV]

It sounds like you have a very inexperienced Travel Agent.

[CruisingChick]

None, in my opinion. Every time we ask they say no. Ship is full.

 

Last cruise I even checked with our TA days before we sailed and she said to ask as they were showing availability. We asked 3 different people they all said the ship was sold out and nothing was available. :(

[jelayne]

Check your luggage or get out your wallet. To upgrade and keep your beverage package will cost the full fare before it was reduced.

[sandancer]

First of all you cannot take your luggage through security. Only carry on bags. The staff on the pier will tell you to ask at Guest Relations. Guest Relations will have a sign up saying the ship is sold out. They will suggest going back to them after the ship has sailed. Others have reported that they have gotten a new cabin but have been asked for the current room rate so no bargain. We almost always do this and have yet to be successful in getting upgraded at a reasonable cost. Even when there are empty cabins.

However, it's always worth asking. You

[dkjretired]

It sounds like you have a very inexperienced Travel Agent.

 

I tend to disagree with you, if you upgrade a few days prior to getting on board, it is very possible that you may lose your package and get whatever the benefits are at the time you upgrade. Actually, there are some TAs who would not know this and I would appreciate someone telling me this. I do agree that perhaps the TA doesn't know at what point luggage is collected however I see no reason why you couldn't hold onto your luggage until you check in.

Edited April 15, 2015 by dkjretired

[ORV]

I tend to disagree with you, if you upgrade a few days prior to getting on board, it is very possible that you may lose your package and get whatever the benefits are at the time you upgrade. Actually, there are some TAs who would not know this and I would appreciate someone telling me this. I do agree that perhaps the TA doesn't know at what point luggage is collected however I see no reason why you couldn't hold onto your luggage until you check in.

 

Yes, I was talking about the luggage part. I don't know about you but I've never taken my large bags through security and had them with me at the check in, nor would I want to. Most people say you can't, but I'm not sure. Of course if you are doing carry on, and we have on a cruise before, then no biggie. And, correct me here if I'm wrong, but any paid upgrade would happen at guest relations or with the Purser's office once onboard, not with the shore side people that are checking you in.

 

I'm in complete agreement with you on the package info though, although many times you can upgrade and keep a package.

[dkjretired]

Yes, I was talking about the luggage part. I don't know about you but I've never taken my large bags through security and had them with me at the check in, nor would I want to. Most people say you can't, but I'm not sure. Of course if you are doing carry on, and we have on a cruise before, then no biggie. And, correct me here if I'm wrong, but any paid upgrade would happen at guest relations or with the Purser's office once onboard, not with the shore side people that are checking you in.

 

I'm in complete agreement with you on the package info though, although many times you can upgrade and keep a package.

 

I agree with you completely...

[Gonzo70]

And, correct me here if I'm wrong, but any paid upgrade would happen at guest relations or with the Purser's office once onboard, not with the shore side people that are checking you in.

 

 

Not sure if this still occurs occasionally, but a few years ago someone at the pier called the Pier Coordinator was authorized to sell upgrades to people AFTER checking in but BEFORE boarding the ship. While these were not free, they were a good deal if available (a fixed rate based on what category you had and the category you were upgrading to - generally well below the normal rate). If you search you will even find some threads where people have posted the dollar amounts for the various upgrades. Have not heard of this occurring past three years or so - not sure if it is not even an option, or if it just is extremely rarely available.

[Knolmom]

If your bag does not fit through the security scanner when boarding the ship( a little smaller than the one at the airport) you cannot carry it on. It must be xrayed. Yes, you will Definately loose your beverage packages. Also, upgrades are usually offered to people with the highest status in the cruise line's loyalty program, or to those who have spent a certain $ level either in the shops or casinos on past cruises.

[kenevenpar]

Yes, you will Definately loose your beverage packages. Also, upgrades are usually offered to people with the highest status in the cruise line's loyalty program, or to those who have spent a certain $ level either in the shops or casinos on past cruises.

 

No, you will not definitely lose your package. We requested the price to upgrade shortly before our cruise, and were allowed to do so and maintain our beverage package (December 2014). Not saying that there are not times when you would lose the package, but it is not a certainty.

[BEAV]

No, you will not definitely lose your package. We requested the price to upgrade shortly before our cruise, and were allowed to do so and maintain our beverage package (December 2014). Not saying that there are not times when you would lose the package, but it is not a certainty.

 

We had a different experience.

 

At the time we inquired about upgrading (about a month before sailing), we were told we would lose the Beverage package because it was not currently being offered on our sail date.

 

So before anyone pulls the trigger to upgrade, ask first what perks you would retain and those you'd lose before you make your decision which way to go.

[jelayne]

We had a different experience.

 

At the time we inquired about upgrading (about a month before sailing), we were told we would lose the Beverage package because it was not currently being offered on our sail date.

 

So before anyone pulls the trigger to upgrade, ask first what perks you would retain and those you'd lose before you make your decision which way to go.

 

That has been our experience also. After final payment the perks go away and to upgrade at the last minute price will costs the perks.

[SandraLee]

We purchased a window on Deck 3 of the Constellation for the April 4 sailing. When we were checking in, she said 'oh, your cabin number has changed!' She thought it was a mistake and went to ask someone.

 

But, we were upgraded to AQUA CLASS from a lowly window on Deck 3.

 

Loved it all. :-)

[kenevenpar]

We had a different experience.

 

At the time we inquired about upgrading (about a month before sailing), we were told we would lose the Beverage package because it was not currently being offered on our sail date.

 

So before anyone pulls the trigger to upgrade, ask first what perks you would retain and those you'd lose before you make your decision which way to go.

 

My point was that it is not a definite. As in your case, there are times that you will lose the perks, and as in my case, there are times you will not.

 

Ken

[Queen of Oakville]

Not just the beverage package, but your booking promotion in general.

 

On our last cruise, we had booked a promo which included bev package but also 3/4 pax free.

 

While there were significant price drops before sailing (and availability) it did me no good because I would have lost the 3/4 free, costing me far more overall.

 

 

 

the only time I've ever had the upgrade/upsell fairy visit was on a FOTS sailing. no beverage packages to loose, but our booking promo got majorly messed up (we had booked a dreamworks package).

[BEAV]

My point was that it is not a definite. As in your case, there are times that you will lose the perks, and as in my case, there are times you will not.

 

Ken

 

Exactly. I wasn't trying to refute your experience, but rather to underscore your claim that each situation is unique, and, unfortunately, there was no textbook written for these scenarios!

[kenevenpar]

Exactly. I wasn't trying to refute your experience, but rather to underscore your claim that each situation is unique, and, unfortunately, there was no textbook written for these scenarios!

 

Sorry it came across that way; I did not think you were refuting.

 

I think it points out that we need to ask, and sometimes, more than once, as we all know the answer can be different depending on which representative we talk with. :confused:

[cherylroslyn]

We purchased a window on Deck 3 of the Constellation for the April 4 sailing. When we were checking in, she said 'oh, your cabin number has changed!' She thought it was a mistake and went to ask someone.

 

But, we were upgraded to AQUA CLASS from a lowly window on Deck 3.

 

Loved it all. :-)

You may have found out about it at the pier, but that was done by staff at headquarters, not at the pier. Congratulations that was a great upgrade, I hope you enjoyed it.

[Duanerice1]

I'd just check prices in these last few weeks. Maybe check the Tuesday special too but I think you can just keep checking your cruise.

 

For the right price losing your beverage package is not a big deal, just buy a new one if you saved enough. Just be sure you know before you make the change.

 

enjoy

[waterbug123]

 

BTW the TA..... suggested just asking at the pier & making sure we have our luggage with us

 

If only it was as easy as "just asking at the pier." I'm guessing your TA hasn't been on many cruises. ;)

[mayfieldlodge]

From my own experience I would look at getting the upgrade before you leave home. Just yesterday I upgraded from 2b Ocean View to corner Family Ocean View. The cruise leaves in under 8 weeks and I had been keeping an eye on the prices and noted a reduction in price on the Family Room (it was still more than I had paid for the regular balcony). I rang my agent at Celebrity and asked if I would lose my classic drinks package and on board credit if I upgraded and she said because I had booked this cruise on board a previous cruise I would not the deals. She also said keep an eye on the price and if it drops again to let her know!!.

I have tried for upgrades at the terminal and had no luck!.

[deise17311]

There is basically 0 chance of getting an upgrade at the pier...fire your TA ASAP for telling you that misleading and lazy information

[cruisestitch]

There are two kinds of upgrades, free and paid.

 

I think that the OP is hoping to ask for a free upgrade at the pier. This is likely to get only a polite "no" from the pier coordinator. Even people with lots of loyalty status seldom get these.

 

Of the free kind, there are occasionally unexpected surprise upgrades. This happened to me. I arrived at the terminal and found out at check-in that I had been moved to a better room. These are few and far between. The upgrade fairy is fickle and may never visit again.

 

Of the paid kind, there was a time when passengers could go to the Pier Coordinator in the terminal, or the Guest Relations desk once on board, and pay to move to a better room. This is pretty much over, since the ships generally sail full. Even if you offer to pay for a better room, you risk losing the perks and packages that you originally booked with. Don't count on being able to do this.

 

As to the luggage, at nearly every port now all the items you bring on board with you must pass through scanners, and the machines are not big enough to accommodate large suitcases. These will have to be checked at the curb.

Edited April 18, 2015 by cruisestitch