Hoping for upsell to Neptune suite, but hopes dashed

[Tinker's mom]

We are booked on the Eurodam for a November 4th cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  We have a Signature Suite, which is lovely.  However, I have had a dream of being offered an upsell to a Neptune suite.  We booked through a travel agent and she knows we would be interested depending on the price if HAL calls with an offer.  However now when I look at the website, the only Sold Out is the Neptune suites.  I was so disappointed to see that.  For all of you experienced cruisers, is all hope lost for an upsell offer?  Reading on Cruise Critic made me want to try a Neptune suite just once. lol

[a.madruga]

we did the same back in april on NA but no luck either, so this time we decided to get a NS guarantee that way we know that it will be a great cabin no matter where...still though SS are very nice enjoy your cruise

[OlsSalt]

Some people still find they have to cancel right before departure. We have had several very last minute upsells and free Neptune upgrades. Two were less than 24 hours before departure.  One was when we were checking in. But that was a cruise when there were lots of last minute cancellations due to a freak East Coast weather event that delayed all flights out. 

[*Miss G*]

That happened to me with two different sailing — that the Neptune Suites showed as sold out for a while.  Then later on down the road they became available again.  I guess they were just tweaking things.  Don’t give up hope!

[Kwaj girl]

Might be a dumb question, but if you really wanted a Neptune Suite why didn't you just book one to begin with?  Life is short!!

 

[Tinker's mom]

Next time I will do the same! lol

[Tinker's mom]

4 minutes ago, Kwaj girl said:

Might be a dumb question, but if you really wanted a Neptune Suite why didn't you just book one to begin with?  Life is short!!

I think I just was being dumb and too frugal.  We should have done it from the start.

 

[*Miss G*]

Ask your TA to call HAL to see if one’s available.  If you had used a PCC you could have called them directly so I hope your TA’s reliable.

[Kwaj girl]

4 minutes ago, Tinker's mom said:

 

Try Regent next time.  Everyone is treated like royalty, everyone has a suite and everything is included - drinks, gratuities, excursions.....

[kevingastreich]

We have received Neptune Upsell offers on every one of our cruises. We've never taken them because we are always happy with our Signature Suites. This time we actually booked a Neptune because we really wanted on and didn't want to rely on the possible upsell offer. It was only $299pp more than the SS for a 7 day Alaska cruise. The upsell offer if it came most likely wouldn't have been any better than that in my experience. 

[Krazy Kruizers]

A few years ago we had to cancel cruises at the very last minute.

 

Someone got a Pinnacle Suite for one of our cruises and someone else got a Neptune Suite for another cruise.

[Tinker's mom]

Thanks for all the replies.  Lots of experienced folks on CC which really helps.  I have lots of notes on my phone downloaded for use while cruising.

[CruiserBruce]

I had hopes of winning the Mega Millions tonight...but, alas, no.

You had, at best, slim chances. 

 

 

 

 

[liketraveling]

I am on the Eurodam now and was hoping for upsell from a balcony to a Signature Suite but were sold out.  10 days before sailing I received an upsell offer.  I book directly with my HAL PCC. 

[Tinker's mom]

That is great liketraveling! Enjoy your cruise.  Next time we will book directly with HAL PCC.  The only plus with using our travel agent was over our flights to San Diego that got changed to ungodly hours for coming home.  She got us better flights and seats and we didn't have to do anything to correct things.

[RocketMan275]

You need a new travel agent.  One that provides real benefits like a 10% discount.  

[RJ2002]

16 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

Try Regent next time.  Everyone is treated like royalty, everyone has a suite and everything is included - drinks, gratuities, excursions.....

 

Yes, Regent is an option... for a price.  And a significant price, at that, if you want the same amount of space as a Neptune.  Regent calls all of their staterooms suites, so don't get too swept away with the terminology.  Check the cabin sizes for true comparisons from one line to another.  Having sailed Regent, I will say the onboard experience can be exceptional, but again, you are paying for it.  😉

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Sorry the Neptune didn’t happen but hey, it’s a cruise!  

[Tinker's mom]

Absolutely SetAnOpenCourse!  We are blessed.

 

[OlsSalt]

9 hours ago, RJ2002 said:

 

Yes, Regent is an option... for a price.  And a significant price, at that, if you want the same amount of space as a Neptune.  Regent calls all of their staterooms suites, so don't get too swept away with the terminology.  Check the cabin sizes for true comparisons from one line to another.  Having sailed Regent, I will say the onboard experience can be exceptional, but again, you are paying for it.  😉

 

7 day - Cuba -Oct 2019 (from websites)

Regent Concierge Suite - $857 a day (looks like  a standard HAL verandah suite) 

Need to go up to a Regent Penthouse suite to get something as large as the HAL Neptune, but with a much smaller balcony at $928 a day

Veendam Neptune Suite - $528 a day

For $329  more per person per day for the, Regent standard verandah Concierge; or $400 per person per day for Penthouse suite cabins similar to the HAL Neptune you do get the following included extras: i

• WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS CRUISE:

• • ALL FARES INCLUDE: 2-FOR-1 All-Inclusive Fares, FREE Roundtrip Air* with FREE Transfers Between Airport and Ship, FREEUnlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Open Bars and Lounges Plus In-Suite Mini-Bar Replenished Daily, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities, FREE Specialty Restaurants, FREE Unlimited WiFi
    
    CONCIERGE SUITES AND HIGHER INCLUDE: FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Package* and more

Edited October 18, 2018 by OlsSalt

[*Miss G*]

So much FREE stuff!  I hear if you say it enough it becomes true.

[OlsSalt]

5 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

So much FREE stuff!  I hear if you say it enough it becomes true.

 

Hey, after a zillion cruise credit points,  I did finally  get "free" laundry. 

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, OlsSalt said:

• • ALL FARES INCLUDE: 2-FOR-1 All-Inclusive Fares, FREE Roundtrip Air* with FREE Transfers Between Airport and Ship, FREEUnlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Open Bars and Lounges Plus In-Suite Mini-Bar Replenished Daily, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities, FREE Specialty Restaurants, FREE Unlimited WiFi
    
    Those may be "included' but they certainly aren't "free".

 

[terrydtx]

We are booked on our first Viking Ocean cruise in 2020. 10 day Venice to Athens with a Penthouse Veranda Suite which is about same size as a HAL SS cabin.  We looked at a similar HAL cruise on the Veedam but when we added up all of what is included with VO and added in other factors like smaller ships, no children no casino, no pesky photographers and no SR upcharges there was not a lot of difference in cost.

[OlsSalt]

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

We are booked on our first Viking Ocean cruise in 2020. 10 day Venice to Athens with a Penthouse Veranda Suite which is about same size as a HAL SS cabin.  We looked at a similar HAL cruise on the Veedam but when we added up all of what is included with VO and added in other factors like smaller ships, no children no casino, no pesky photographers and no SR upcharges there was not a lot of difference in cost.

 

Very quick calculation and I could not find what you were booking - only 9 day Venice to Athens on Viking for 2020. Which I compared to a 12 day Venice to Venice including Athens and Istanbul (Yea!).

Viking Sea: $777 per day per person

HAL Amsterdam: $216 per day per person