Trying not to hold my breath. Upsell questions

[Tinknock50]

That's great, thank you! I didn't realize we could contact them before they made offers to us.

I wondered if he might be cranky if I bothered him by calling, but he was very nice and said just to check back within a month of the cruise. I would be courteous of course, and not be a pest by calling every day. :)

[DaveOKC]

That's great, thank you! I didn't realize we could contact them before they made offers to us.

 

I usually have my PCC contact them. He seems to have better communication with them than I would.

[Tinknock50]

I usually have my PCC contact them. He seems to have better communication with them than I would.

He seemed pretty nice when I called him. I think you will be fine. However, you may have to go through your PCC or TA to actually make a change. (Should be no problem at all if you booked directly with HAL).

[debsjc]

This is an option we'll consider if we can't get a Neptune...because even though my husband said it will be so hard to go backwards, he realizes that we did get a fantastic deal on this one (casino rate plus the Explore 4 promotion). Neptune suites were at least $800pp more WITHOUT Explore 4, so if we'd booked at that rate and then had to pay for our drinks and tips, it would have never been a consideration.

 

We checked out the retreat cabanas on Zuiderdam and they were pretty nice...a private shady area to enjoy a guaranteed deck chair.

 

We have had a retreat cabana twice now on the Eurodam, and loved them. It's a lovely quite space to relax, with a choice of sun and shade, no loud music blaring. Plus the cabana boys are wonderful, they were quite upset when we went and got our own lunch a couple of times! They are more than happy to go and get whatever you want. It is nice to escape the hustle & bustle of the Lido sometimes.

[styles27]

He seemed pretty nice when I called him. I think you will be fine. However, you may have to go through your PCC or TA to actually make a change. (Should be no problem at all if you booked directly with HAL).

 

 

 

That's good to know...I always book directly with HAL or on their website so I can at least call and let them know I'm interested in an upsell.

 

Thanks again for the information!

[Linaeve]

When I called the Upsell number ,he said to wait until 30 days out to check. So I am calling May 11th.:) As others have said ,sometimes the deals get better closer to the cruise.

 

What is the Upsell number? I only have my direct HAL contact, would you mind letting me know the number or where I could find it. Would love to call and just check.

 

Nevermind! I see you posted it! Thanks!

[Linaeve]

Thanks for the number! Just called and the NS are sold out on the ship now, bummer but thats ok. They are asking $349 pp to go from a Veranda to an SS, no thank you! I'll call again as we get closer. THanks everyone!

[olya1972]

Can I call Up sell Dept. directly if I booked through on-line TA? Any question I have cruise company refer me back to TA. Is it different when it comes to up sell? Thank You.

[Linaeve]

Can I call Up sell Dept. directly if I booked through on-line TA? Any question I have cruise company refer me back to TA. Is it different when it comes to up sell? Thank You.

 

I would try calling either way. While I booked directly through HAL, they didn't ask about who I booked through they only asked for my booking number. Also, I know my HAL contact told me that when you get upsell offers you have to call directly, not even the HAL travel agent can set you up so I would definitely try calling if I were you! I wish I would have called sooner!

[Tinknock50]

Can I call Up sell Dept. directly if I booked through on-line TA? Any question I have cruise company refer me back to TA. Is it different when it comes to up sell? Thank You.

You can call and find out what is available to upsell, but I think you will still have to call your TA to actually make the change. It also possible that your TA will contact you about an offer when they come through. Calling them yourself is just insurance in case your TA overlooks it.

[murphy*kitty]

We have booked an SC on the Eurodam, leaving in a few weeks. We would much prefer an SA, which would put us closer to the Neptune Lounge. (not very spoiled, I know).

My question---- has anyone ever received an upsell offer from SC to SA? We would be able to pay a little more, just not the entire difference.

Thanks to all you helpful Cruise Critic members for any input.

[Tinknock50]

I would try calling either way. While I booked directly through HAL, they didn't ask about who I booked through they only asked for my booking number. Also, I know my HAL contact told me that when you get upsell offers you have to call directly, not even the HAL travel agent can set you up so I would definitely try calling if I were you! I wish I would have called sooner!

That is good to know. I wasn't sure you could accept it on your own having booked with a TA.

 

On the other hand, when I have tried to change something directly with HAL, they asked for my booking number and then told me "you will have to contact your TA". When you gave him your booking number, he knew you were good to go because he could see you were a direct booker.

 

I hope others will report their experiences to let us know how that works. I will be checking May 11th when I call them again. :)

[DaveOKC]

I would try calling either way. While I booked directly through HAL, they didn't ask about who I booked through they only asked for my booking number. Also, I know my HAL contact told me that when you get upsell offers you have to call directly, not even the HAL travel agent can set you up so I would definitely try calling if I were you! I wish I would have called sooner!

 

The way I understand it is that if you booked through a TA the upsell offers go to the TA and the TA contacts you. If you want it, the TA calls HAL for you, thus you do not have direct contact with HAL. This makes the situation a bit more complicated.

 

If you book through HAL, they will send you an email upsell offer with a HAL number to call if you want it (you do not go through your HAL PCC or HAL booking. Much easier and quicker process.

 

While you can call the inventory department directly, I doubt you would have much luck. First, they are not going to give you an upsell offer before the email offers go out (IMO). And once they do go, the best deals get taken very quickly.

 

If you book through a TA, the best thing to do is to let them know that you are very interested in an upsell offer if one should arise.

[Tinknock50]

We have booked an SC on the Eurodam, leaving in a few weeks. We would much prefer an SA, which would put us closer to the Neptune Lounge. (not very spoiled, I know).

My question---- has anyone ever received an upsell offer from SC to SA? We would be able to pay a little more, just not the entire difference.

Thanks to all you helpful Cruise Critic members for any input.

Someone will probably have a better answer, but aren't they both Signature Suites? If so, I don't believe that would be an "upsell".

[Tinknock50]

The way I understand it is that if you booked through a TA the upsell offers go to the TA and the TA contacts you. If you want it, the TA calls HAL for you, thus you do not have direct contact with HAL. This makes the situation a bit more complicated.

 

If you book through HAL, they will send you an email upsell offer with a HAL number to call if you want it (you do not go through your HAL PCC or HAL booking. Much easier and quicker process.

 

While you can call the inventory department directly, I doubt you would have much luck. First, they are not going to give you an upsell offer before the email offers go out (IMO). And once they do go, the best deals get taken very quickly.

 

If you book through a TA, the best thing to do is to let them know that you are very interested in an upsell offer if one should arise.

 

Agree. Calling myself for me is just insurance against my TA overlooking an e-mail she may have gotten from HAL. It also may be a heads up on e-mails ABOUT to go out too.....that would give you extra time to consider their worth.

[RenaeInCA]

I'm going to chime in on our recent experience. We booked our NS about 2 months before our Oosterdam voyage from 3/31 to 4/7 directly through HAL. I had read a review about someone taking an upsell from NS to PS, so about a month out I started watching my email closely. On the 23rd day before sailing, I got an email offering us the PS (Pinnacle Suite) for roughly $1600 extra (I can't recall the exact amount and since we had trip insurance it raised that cost, too). When I called, a few hours after the email went out, both PS were stil available and we got to choose the one we wanted. I would assume that when you called to inquire about the upsell, you'd be given your choice of available suites.

[DaveOKC]

Someone will probably have a better answer, but aren't they both Signature Suites? If so, I don't believe that would be an "upsell".

 

Both are Neptune suites, so it is very unlikely a SC customer would get an upsell to an SA. I would call my TA or PCC and have them inquire on the options available.

[Linaeve]

We have booked an SC on the Eurodam, leaving in a few weeks. We would much prefer an SA, which would put us closer to the Neptune Lounge. (not very spoiled, I know).

My question---- has anyone ever received an upsell offer from SC to SA? We would be able to pay a little more, just not the entire difference.

Thanks to all you helpful Cruise Critic members for any input.

 

Are you on my ship? Is your sail date 4/29? If so there are no more NS available so you wouldn't be able to change rooms. I know I have heard of people getting bumped up to an SA if they had the guarantee but not sure about upsell. When I called to ask she checked to see what all and any of my options for upsell were. So I would just call and ask.

[djhsolara]

Someone will probably have a better answer, but aren't they both Signature Suites? If so, I don't believe that would be an "upsell".

 

 

SC and SA are both Neptune Suite categories.

 

When we've gotten the call for an upsell, we've experienced that it isn't really differentiated by category but rather just what is available. When we got the call this last time, they had about 5 or 6 that were available for our choice. It was the same price no matter the letter differentiation.

 

 

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[Tinknock50]

SC and SA are both Neptune Suite categories.

 

When we've gotten the call for an upsell, we've experienced that it isn't really differentiated by category but rather just what is available. When we got the call this last time, they had about 5 or 6 that were available for our choice. It was the same price no matter the letter differentiation.

 

 

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My own experience a couple of years ago on the Amsterdam was an Upsell from outside to a standard veranda, or to a suite . A variety of "letters" were available at the same price.

[Parrothead234]

I got my upsell offer 30 days out, grabbed an aft wraparound NS for Alaska!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! The e-mail appeared in my junk folder, so make sure you check that. I know someone else on here mentioned their upsell offer came to their junk (or spam) folder.

[styles27]

I got my upsell offer 30 days out, grabbed an aft wraparound NS for Alaska!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! The e-mail appeared in my junk folder, so make sure you check that. I know someone else on here mentioned their upsell offer came to their junk (or spam) folder.

 

Thank you for posting this.

 

I went and checked and low and behold I had an offer from HAL in my spam box dated April 7th. I wonder why it went to spam when I receive a lot of emails from them in my inbox with ads. This was an important one and it goes to spam? Ugh

 

The offers are....upgrade from Verandah guarantee to

Neptune suite (category SA to SC) for $599pp

Or

Signature Suite (category SS to s) for $299 pp

 

I am glad this wasn't something I would have jumped on because I didn't see it til now and it's probably too late now.

 

Hopefully they'll send another offer as it gets closer.

[msmayor]

All the upsell offers I received went into my junk mail too...and I agree, odd, because all my other HAL email goes straight to the inbox.

 

One nice advantage for me though is that we booked our cruise with a HAL PCC. She actually called me BEFORE the email hit my inbox to let me know about the offer as it would come across her desk a little sooner than mine. It helps, because these offers are limited and available space can go quickly once the price is in the sweet spot.

 

She called me with the offer we ultimately took and was able to let me know exactly which suites remained available so I could choose the location I wanted.

[styles27]

The offer I received said "upgrade to the following best available" so I'm assuming I wouldn't have been able to choose the exact room?

 

 

Could anyone tell me if there are any advantages (besides the size of the room and bathroom) to moving up to a signature suite from a Verandah?

 

I know the Neptune suites seem to have a lot of perks but haven't heard anything special about the signature suites.

[msmayor]

The offer I received said "upgrade to the following best available" so I'm assuming I wouldn't have been able to choose the exact room?

 

 

Could anyone tell me if there are any advantages (besides the size of the room and bathroom) to moving up to a signature suite from a Verandah?

 

I know the Neptune suites seem to have a lot of perks but haven't heard anything special about the signature suites.

 

My offer also said "best available" of category SC, SB, SA...and I was allowed to choose from all available in that category.

 

Others will surely have more information but from my vantage point, the big advantage to the signature suite over verandah is space and location. There is a telephone concierge available as well.