Received upsell offer to Pinnacle Suite

[Medusa]

Well that's a first for sure. Never received an upsell offer to a Pinnacle Suite before. We leave in three weeks  time (Rotterdam) so now I'm wondering should we be tempted or not? Of course it's entirely personal, but as it stands HAL is offering the upsell for 1200 euro pp for a week. There's 4 PS on the Rotterdam and they all show as available. We are currently in a NS GUAR and are already happy with that, so not sure if it's worth it or not. Has anybody ever had any upsell offers to a PS that was too good to pass on? Should we wait? Any input is much appreciated....

[FlorenceItaly]

I received the same $1200pp(U.S) upsell last June on the Noordam.  We passed.  I did read about a similar upsell at $750pp, but, not sure I would have paid that either.  Also, would need to pay additional monies for increased insurance.  The space looks fantastic, but, the suite perks are just not there.  Our NS was wonderful.

 

As I am typing this now, there is a poster on this board that received an upsell to the Pinnacle Suite on the Rotterdam just a few weeks ago.  He posted pictures.  I will try to find the post.

[FlorenceItaly]

 

[CruiserBruce]

You wait, they will move on. 

 

If you can afford it, take it. You won't regret it.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Medusa said:

Well that's a first for sure. Never received an upsell offer to a Pinnacle Suite before. We leave in three weeks  time (Rotterdam) so now I'm wondering should we be tempted or not? Of course it's entirely personal, but as it stands HAL is offering the upsell for 1200 euro pp for a week. There's 4 PS on the Rotterdam and they all show as available. We are currently in a NS GUAR and are already happy with that, so not sure if it's worth it or not. Has anybody ever had any upsell offers to a PS that was too good to pass on? Should we wait? Any input is much appreciated....

In March 2018, we received an upsell offer for a Pinnacle Suite on Rotterdam (seven day) Western Caribbean cruise.  IIRC the offer was for $1500 PP.  We declined.  About a week later we received a second offer for $750 PP.  We accepted this offer because we figured a Pinnacle Suite was a kind of a 'bucket list' thing and we probably wouldn't get too many chances at a PS.  

Let's clear up a misconception.   We booked this cruise through a TA.  The TA was unable to answer some questions.  Yes, you can talk to Holland about the offer even if you booked through a TA.  You just can't 'accept' the offer without going through the TA.   We learned there were multiple PS available and that a second offer might be extended if the original offer was not accepted.  There was no promise of a second offer, just a statement of a 'maybe'.  

One more thing.  

We sailed from Tampa.  Our special treatment began when we arrived at the terminal.  When we approached the suites check-in, the agent saw our booking and asked us to wait until she could fetch someone else.  We were escorted to the last station where our boarding was processed.  We were seated in the suites waiting area.  Once boarding commenced, a concierge introduced herself and told us that she would escort us to our suite.  She informed the rest of those waiting that they were welcome to follow us.  IOW, we were singled out for special handling.  DW was impressed.

We did have several meals in our suite including a "tea" which was wonderful.  There is a table seating eight and the suite has china, silverware, and glass ware for the table.

We enjoyed the PS.  Would we do it again? Well, that depends on the offer doesn't it?

Only  you can decide if the PS is worth the additional funds.

[Medusa]

Thanks for all the useful feedback so far. It sounds like we should wait a bit and watch out for a further offer. We booked with HAL direct here in The Netherlands btw, as there's really no added benefits with booking with a TA for us over here as opposed to the US (and we're "forbidden" to book with foreign TA's). Also we found we only started getting upsell offers when booking direct. Not sure if Dutch TA's know how to deal with upsell offers. I guess there's more chance of getting an (interesting) offer for a PS on the Rotterdam with 4 of them!  Although all the extra attention sure sounds nice, it's primarily the extra space that's appealing. We'll see...

[3rdGenCunarder]

24 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

In March 2018, we received an upsell offer for a Pinnacle Suite on Rotterdam (seven day) Western Caribbean cruise.  IIRC the offer was for $1500 PP.  We declined.  About a week later we received a second offer for $750 PP.  We accepted this offer because we figured a Pinnacle Suite was a kind of a 'bucket list' thing and we probably wouldn't get too many chances at a PS.  

Let's clear up a misconception.   We booked this cruise through a TA.  The TA was unable to answer some questions.  Yes, you can talk to Holland about the offer even if you booked through a TA.  You just can't 'accept' the offer without going through the TA.   We learned there were multiple PS available and that a second offer might be extended if the original offer was not accepted.  There was no promise of a second offer, just a statement of a 'maybe'.  

One more thing.  

We sailed from Tampa.  Our special treatment began when we arrived at the terminal.  When we approached the suites check-in, the agent saw our booking and asked us to wait until she could fetch someone else.  We were escorted to the last station where our boarding was processed.  We were seated in the suites waiting area.  Once boarding commenced, a concierge introduced herself and told us that she would escort us to our suite.  She informed the rest of those waiting that they were welcome to follow us.  IOW, we were singled out for special handling.  DW was impressed.

We did have several meals in our suite including a "tea" which was wonderful.  There is a table seating eight and the suite has china, silverware, and glass ware for the table.

We enjoyed the PS.  Would we do it again? Well, that depends on the offer doesn't it?

Only  you can decide if the PS is worth the additional funds.

 

Interesting that you could talk to HAL about this. Did the initial offer come from them or through your TA?

 

[cwd79]

We booked a NS guarantee for a 7 day Alaska cruise in May 2017 and a week before sailing we got an offer for Pinnacle Suite for 1000 pp. I called the number and spoke with someone and made a joke to them that if it came down to 600 pp then I'd do it. The woman on the phone told me they wouldn't go that low and I thanked her for her time. I didn't think much of it and then two days later I got another email for 750 pp for the Pinnacle. I called back and said would you do 600 pp and ended up settling on 650 pp for Pinnacle. It was worth it just to say you experienced it. I was surprised no one else booked it before we got it and even more surprised I could negotiate with them some what. 

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Interesting that you could talk to HAL about this. Did the initial offer come from them or through your TA?

 

Both offers came from HAL to the TA.  The TA forwarded those offers to us.

The idea that HAL will not talk with you if you book through a TA is simply one of those myths that Cruise Critic gets wrong.  HAL will talk about some things and will not talk about others.  In fact, the person at HAL was more than happy to explain the initial offer including the availability of cabins.  She was not willing to enter into negotiations with me about the offer.  I had to accept the offer through the TA.  Basically, as long as it doesn't affect the TA commission, HAL will discuss things.  

Another example, you can make airline reservations direct with HAL even if you've booked direct with a travel agent.  

[Judyrem]

1 hour ago, cwd79 said:

We booked a NS guarantee for a 7 day Alaska cruise in May 2017 and a week before sailing we got an offer for Pinnacle Suite for 1000 pp. I called the number and spoke with someone and made a joke to them that if it came down to 600 pp then I'd do it. The woman on the phone told me they wouldn't go that low and I thanked her for her time. I didn't think much of it and then two days later I got another email for 750 pp for the Pinnacle. I called back and said would you do 600 pp and ended up settling on 650 pp for Pinnacle. It was worth it just to say you experienced it. I was surprised no one else booked it before we got it and even more surprised I could negotiate with them some what. 

Excellent haggling  I am impressed🙂.

[cwd79]

42 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

Excellent haggling  I am impressed🙂.

🙂 The worst they can say is No. I would have paid $750 but doesn't hurt to ask and surprisingly I got it a bit lower. 

[Judyrem]

I just may try this.  Do they offer this with only cruise loyalty members or anyone?

[DaveOKC]

8 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

I just may try this.  Do they offer this with only cruise loyalty members or anyone?

Anyone.  You or your TA will get an email on the offer.

 

[cwd79]

The first cruise we booked with HAL (never sailed with HAL before) we got an email offer to pay for a higher category cabin from a balcony to NS. We jumped on that offer. So, we were not loyal members at that point as that was our first cruise. I am not sure who, what or why determines who gets an upgrade/upsell offer email... Sometimes we have gotten upgrade/upsell offers thru email a few weeks before sailing or a week before if we've booked a guarantee room. I can't advise if people who have booked an actual stateroom get offers for upgrade/upsell, so if someone has experience on that feel free to answer that. I don't want to give any incorrect info. Usually we book a balcony/SS or NS cabin and have gotten offers. But never before have I gotten a Pinnacle Suite offer email before until our last cruise in Alaska. 

[Judyrem]

I would LOVE to upgrade for my MAJOR birthday celebration cruise, if it 😉was within reason. 750$pp sounds doable.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Judyrem said:

I would LOVE to upgrade for my MAJOR birthday celebration cruise, if it 😉was within reason. 750$pp sounds doable.

There is a special number to call.  I no longer have that but perhaps someone else can provide it???

There's nothing wrong with calling to explore your options.  Besides it might get you on an email list of potentially interested parties.

[2ndhoney]

I just received an email today for my May 4th Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska cruise.

 

We have a VB (aft) and they offered NS at $239pp and SS at $199pp.

 

I've sailed with HAL 2x and booked direct.

 

We will pass on this, my husband wants to keep the aft that we have.

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, cwd79 said:

I can't advise if people who have booked an actual stateroom get offers for upgrade/upsell, so if someone has experience on that feel free to answer that. 

 

Yes, all the offers I’ve received have been when I’ve had an actual stateroom.

[Judyrem]

Thanks Rocket for the info.

 

We have a Schubert Vista Suite aft, right in the middle and I would not give it up unless it was Neptune suite or Pinnacle.  

 

Most likely not going to happen😐

[ottahand7]

We booked a Canada 2020 trip with a big box store.   Are upsells ever an opportunity with them - anyone had any offered?  

[3rdGenCunarder]

4 hours ago, 2ndhoney said:

I just received an email today for my May 4th Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska cruise.

 

We have a VB (aft) and they offered NS at $239pp and SS at $199pp.

 

I've sailed with HAL 2x and booked direct.

 

We will pass on this, my husband wants to keep the aft that we have.

 

You might try asking what NS they're offering. Those corner afts are fabulous.

[chill6x6]

Ya'll all did a little better than me on price.  Maybe because most of you are a little higher up the "Mariner" chain than I am LOL!  

[DaveOKC]

6 minutes ago, chill6x6 said:

Ya'll all did a little better than me on price.  Maybe because most of you are a little higher up the "Mariner" chain than I am LOL!  

I do not think Mariner Status comes into play on the upsell pricing as they send out mass emails to people, obviously by cabin category they are booked in.

[chill6x6]

27 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I do not think Mariner Status comes into play on the upsell pricing as they send out mass emails to people, obviously by cabin category they are booked in.

Gotcha....

[kentuckycruiser]

I just got an upsell offer for the first time for our May 26 Alaskan cruise. I probably was on some list as I had called twice about what it would cost to upgrade.

We had a VB - and had a casino rate for that one, for four people (2 adults, 2 kids)

The offer was for $199 for a SS - then it said we didn't qualify as we were a party of 4; then $329 pp for a NS. The $329 was only for first and second persons. So I took it. I got a nice NS on the same floor as the Lounge but about 5 rooms from it, next door to the PS.

I called about 5 minutes after I got the email. There were 5 NS open for me to choose from? I definitely didn't want the ones by the elevator.

I think with 4 of us it really is more bang for the buck and we can spread out even more.