Diamond Upgrade Success....or Not?

[Sand and Seas]

2 hours ago, MikeyB said:

Well I just answered my own question.  I just called NCL.

The upgrade offer is per person.  So we do get to upgrade twice by being Diamond.

I will now change TA's.

Thank you Warbird.

Glad you got through to someone helpful at NCL.  We are happy with the cabin upgrades we got with each of our Diamond upgrades.   

 

 We would have answered your question earlier, but we are busy digging out from the foot of snow overnight❄️

Edited February 22, 2023 by Sand and Seas

[complawyer]

just remember, the highest you can upgrade is to a club balcony suite. it is my understanding that even with diamond status, you cannot upgrade to either a suite or haven suite. so, my dear friends, if that's what  your'e looking for, the diamond status is of no real value (imho)

[Grandmafreddie]

Does anyone know if you can get a free upgrade from spa balcony to spa club bslcony or club balcony to dpa balcony when you r diamond. 

[Grandmafreddie]

Is a spa balcony considered a suite?

[bluesea777]

Categories B9 and M9 are excluded. These two are spa cabins. 
 

Holiday sailings are also excluded. 
 

 

[Sand and Seas]

They upgrade you to the lowest cabin available in the cabin category.  And as pointed out already, you cannot be upgraded above Club Balcony. 

 

For example, from any Balcony, to the lowest Club Balcony available.  For one of our upgrades, we were upgraded from a B4 (family balcony) to a MC.  (MC being the lowest available Club Balcony for that ship.)

 

Also remember that you do not get a choice of cabin in that next category.  I would suggest you research available cabins before requesting the upgrade to see if you would be happy with the change. 

Edited February 23, 2023 by Sand and Seas

[romalley99]

So, I'm planning on booking a cruise tomorrow with my NCL Bank of America Worldpoints. While pretty much everything is included, as well as taxes and fees, I'll probably have a zero balance on my confirmation. The person I am sailing with is Diamond and still has their upgrade available to use. 

 

My question is -- Can they use their Diamond Upgrade on this practically "free" cruise? I'm doing a balcony with points, and hoping to move up to a Club Balcony Suite so that we can stay in the same cabin that we are in the week before. 

 

If anyone knows, please shed some light for me? If not, I'll find out tomorrow hopefully and will report back! 

 

Robbie 

[The Traveling Man]

On 2/22/2023 at 4:48 PM, complawyer said:

just remember, the highest you can upgrade is to a club balcony suite. it is my understanding that even with diamond status, you cannot upgrade to either a suite or haven suite. so, my dear friends, if that's what  your'e looking for, the diamond status is of no real value (imho)

But for those of us who usually travel in a balcony, occasionally take an inside, and rarely splurge on the Haven, the Diamond benefit of upgrading a balcony to a club balcony is a nice change of pace.  You frequently have stated your lack of enthusiasm for several other benefits available to Platinum, Sapphire, Diamond, and Ambassador members, and I have just as frequently expressed my fondness for them, so why don’t we agree to say “to each his own” and quit flogging this deceased equine.

[The Traveling Man]

On 2/22/2023 at 10:51 PM, romalley99 said:

So, I'm planning on booking a cruise tomorrow with my NCL Bank of America Worldpoints. While pretty much everything is included, as well as taxes and fees, I'll probably have a zero balance on my confirmation. The person I am sailing with is Diamond and still has their upgrade available to use. 

 

My question is -- Can they use their Diamond Upgrade on this practically "free" cruise? I'm doing a balcony with points, and hoping to move up to a Club Balcony Suite so that we can stay in the same cabin that we are in the week before. 

 

If anyone knows, please shed some light for me? If not, I'll find out tomorrow hopefully and will report back! 

 

Robbie 

I don’t think that will pass muster.  When you upgrade using world points, your reservation carries the codes for both the “from “ and “to” cabin types.  You get to travel in the upgraded stateroom, but your benefits, terms, and conditions remain as those associated with the lesser category.  When you try to use your roommate’s upgrade, it likely would try to start from scratch with your lesser category,  not with your already upgraded room.  No harm trying, though. YMMV.

[complawyer]

travelingman... so agreed!

[romalley99]

4 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

I don’t think that will pass muster.  When you upgrade using world points, your reservation carries the codes for both the “from “ and “to” cabin types.  You get to travel in the upgraded stateroom, but your benefits, terms, and conditions remain as those associated with the lesser category.  When you try to use your roommate’s upgrade, it likely would try to start from scratch with your lesser category,  not with your already upgraded room.  No harm trying, though. YMMV.

 

I'm not upgrading a cruise using World Points.... I've booked a Balcony outright with my points (227,900 points), 7-Day Caribbean. So my confirmation only states "BA" and not "xx - BA". So I have an email out to the Latitudes Dept in request of using my cabin mate's Diamond Upgrade, and we'll see how it goes. As always, expecting the worst, and hoping for the best. I can't see why they wouldn't do it. 

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, romalley99 said:

 

I'm not upgrading a cruise using World Points.... I've booked a Balcony outright with my points (227,900 points), 7-Day Caribbean. So my confirmation only states "BA" and not "xx - BA". So I have an email out to the Latitudes Dept in request of using my cabin mate's Diamond Upgrade, and we'll see how it goes. As always, expecting the worst, and hoping for the best. I can't see why they wouldn't do it. 

Since your confirmation just states 'BA', sounds like you are in good shape.

 

Have you checked your sailing to see what the lowest category of Club Balcony cabins are available?   If you are happy with that, it should be fine.   Hope it works out well for you😊

 

On my Joy cruise, I was starting with a casino comped balcony.   I checked available cabins and was happy to see the lowest category Club Balcony available was a MC on deck 8 that has a good sized balcony.

Edited February 26, 2023 by Sand and Seas

[romalley99]

2 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Since your confirmation just states 'BA', sounds like you are in good shape.

 

Have you checked your sailing to see what the lowest category of Club Balcony cabins are available?   If you are happy with that, it should be fine.   Hope it works out well for you😊

 

On my Joy cruise, I was starting with a casino comped balcony.   I checked available cabins and was happy to see the lowest category Club Balcony available was a MC on deck 8 that has a good sized balcony.

 

My sailing is (somewhat) close in so there are slim pickings... There are two MC left (but only hold 2 guests), MB is Sold out, and there are about 10 MA's open. Since MA is the only category open that can hold 3, I'm assuming that is what will be assigned, and I cheekily requested my same cabin from the week prior (which still remains open), in hopes that I will not need to change cabins. 

 

Here's to hoping! 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by romalley99

[Sand and Seas]

15 minutes ago, romalley99 said:

 

My sailing is (somewhat) close in so there are slim pickings... There are two MC left (but only hold 2 guests), MB is Sold out, and there are about 10 MA's open. Since MA is the only category open that can hold 3, I'm assuming that is what will be assigned, and I cheekily requested my same cabin from the week prior (which still remains open), in hopes that I will not need to change cabins. 

 

Here's to hoping! 

 

That sounds logical.....Hope it works out for you!

[The Traveling Man]

20 hours ago, romalley99 said:

 

I'm not upgrading a cruise using World Points.... I've booked a Balcony outright with my points (227,900 points), 7-Day Caribbean. So my confirmation only states "BA" and not "xx - BA". So I have an email out to the Latitudes Dept in request of using my cabin mate's Diamond Upgrade, and we'll see how it goes. As always, expecting the worst, and hoping for the best. I can't see why they wouldn't do it. 

Sorry, I misunderstood.  I did not realize that you could use World Points as full payment for your cruise fare.  My understanding was that they could be used for OBC and upgrades, but not the full fare.

[spanishguy1970]

On 2/22/2023 at 8:23 PM, Grandmafreddie said:

Is a spa balcony considered a suite?

Spa Balcony and Club Spa Balcony suite are excluded from the Diamond free upgrade perk. We asked. We have used our perk going from Ocean view to BA balconies, one on the Epic this coming April and one on the Spirit this Coming August.

Edited February 27, 2023 by spanishguy1970

[romalley99]

2 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Sorry, I misunderstood.  I did not realize that you could use World Points as full payment for your cruise fare.  My understanding was that they could be used for OBC and upgrades, but not the full fare.

Yes, you can use it on 3/4 Day Bahamas Cruises or 7-Day Caribbean or Mexican Riviera plus additional points for guests 3-8. See below: 

 

Offer:

Cruise	Points Value
7-Day Caribbean Or 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise For Two
Inside Stateroom	137,900
Oceanview Stateroom	157,900
Balcony Stateroom	227,900
3rd To 8th Additional Guests	40,000
3- Or 4-Day Bahamas Cruise For Two
Inside Stateroom	80,000
Oceanview Stateroom	90,000
Balcony Stateroom	110,000
3rd To 8th Additional Guests	35,500

Terms & Conditions:
Offer may be used by individuals, participants in qualified group bookings, by single guests and for use with 3rd or 4th guest bookings. This is a cruise only offer. Offer applies to individual bookings and based on double occupancy. Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to assign the stateroom at their discretion. The Haven, Suites and Mini-Suites/Club Balcony Suites are excluded. Government taxes and fees are inclusive. Please note WorldPoints® value can be redeemed in set points value based on length of cruise and category. As such, the difference in between points redeemed and cruise cost required may result in forfeiture of WorldPoints® points. Complimentary stateroom can only be redeemed by contacting Norwegian Cruise Line directly. Complimentary stateroom can be redeemed only on one of the 7-Day Caribbean, 7-Day Mexican Riviera, or the 3- or 4-Day Bahamas Cruise based on the qualified points value received. Complimentary stateroom offer is not applicable to any sailings with Cuba as a port of call. Complimentary stateroom offer is not applicable to holiday sailings (Christmas and New Years). Employee and Sixthman charters are not applicable. Offer is not applicable to chartered sail dates. Cancellation may result in the forfeit of WorldPoints® points and is not covered by Travel Protection. Points cannot be redeemed for Travel Protection. The below cancellation policy applies when redeeming the complimentary cruise.

[cruiseny4life]

On 2/22/2023 at 4:48 PM, complawyer said:

just remember, the highest you can upgrade is to a club balcony suite. it is my understanding that even with diamond status, you cannot upgrade to either a suite or haven suite. so, my dear friends, if that's what  your'e looking for, the diamond status is of no real value (imho)

First of all, I book the room I want. I refuse to chance it to luck of the upgrade bid. If someone did want to chance it, could they use the Diamond upgrade to a Club Balcony Suite, then potentially bid on a Haven room? Maybe a cheap way to get the Haven if their is any availability/cancellations? Just wondering if this would work. 

[The Traveling Man]

25 minutes ago, romalley99 said:

Yes, you can use it on 3/4 Day Bahamas Cruises or 7-Day Caribbean or Mexican Riviera plus additional points for guests 3-8. See below: 

 

Offer:

Cruise	Points Value
7-Day Caribbean Or 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise For Two
Inside Stateroom	137,900
Oceanview Stateroom	157,900
Balcony Stateroom	227,900
3rd To 8th Additional Guests	40,000
3- Or 4-Day Bahamas Cruise For Two
Inside Stateroom	80,000
Oceanview Stateroom	90,000
Balcony Stateroom	110,000
3rd To 8th Additional Guests	35,500

Terms & Conditions:
Offer may be used by individuals, participants in qualified group bookings, by single guests and for use with 3rd or 4th guest bookings. This is a cruise only offer. Offer applies to individual bookings and based on double occupancy. Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to assign the stateroom at their discretion. The Haven, Suites and Mini-Suites/Club Balcony Suites are excluded. Government taxes and fees are inclusive. Please note WorldPoints® value can be redeemed in set points value based on length of cruise and category. As such, the difference in between points redeemed and cruise cost required may result in forfeiture of WorldPoints® points. Complimentary stateroom can only be redeemed by contacting Norwegian Cruise Line directly. Complimentary stateroom can be redeemed only on one of the 7-Day Caribbean, 7-Day Mexican Riviera, or the 3- or 4-Day Bahamas Cruise based on the qualified points value received. Complimentary stateroom offer is not applicable to any sailings with Cuba as a port of call. Complimentary stateroom offer is not applicable to holiday sailings (Christmas and New Years). Employee and Sixthman charters are not applicable. Offer is not applicable to chartered sail dates. Cancellation may result in the forfeit of WorldPoints® points and is not covered by Travel Protection. Points cannot be redeemed for Travel Protection. The below cancellation policy applies when redeeming the complimentary cruise.

Thanks for the info.  It seems that the cruise itineraries available under these terms are a bit limited, whereas using the points for upgrades can be done on just about any NCL cruise.  As a ballpark estimate, paying outright for a balcony room for two passengers on a seven day cruise might run a bit more than $4000.  Using almost 228,000 points works out to a value of about two cents per point.  Redeeming for OBC gets you just one cent per point.  We have redeemed 30,000 points on an upgrade from OV to Balcony on a three week cruise where the cost differential was almost $2000 per person, or nearly $4000 per room.  That comes to 13 cents per point.  I think I'll stick with redeeming my points for upgrades.

Edited February 27, 2023 by The Traveling Man

[romalley99]

1 hour ago, The Traveling Man said:

Thanks for the info.  It seems that the cruise itineraries available under these terms are a bit limited, whereas using the points for upgrades can be done on just about any NCL cruise.  As a ballpark estimate, paying outright for a balcony room for two passengers on a seven day cruise might run a bit more than $4000.  Using almost 228,000 points works out to a value of about two cents per point.  Redeeming for OBC gets you just one cent per point.  We have redeemed 30,000 points on an upgrade from OV to Balcony on a three week cruise where the cost differential was almost $2000 per person, or nearly $4000 per room.  That comes to 13 cents per point.  I think I'll stick with redeeming my points for upgrades.

 

It really all depends on the specific sailing that you're looking to upgrade. I've upgraded to a balcony on some sailings for less than $100 pp and I've seen balcony upgrades way up to the 2k range as you mentioned -- what is wroth it is really depending on the cost tied to your specific sailing. If you can redeem points for one of those higher value upgrades, more power to you. The specific cruise that I booked ran about 4k for 3 in a balcony (with 3rd and 4th free). For a zero balance (inclusive of taxes and fees) and a small charge of $35 to cover the dining package service charge, I was happy. I had over 500,000 points built up, with many expiring soon... so it was the best bang for my buck at this moment in time. 

 

Also wanted to add, I didn't mean to hijack this thread with this Mastercard stuff... I know theres a thread for that too! But I still will be reporting back here when I finally hear back from the Latitudes Dept. regarding Diamond Upgrading to the Club Balcony Suite after using points to redeem a cruise! Hopefully will know soon. 

[gmbhardy]

Bumping this thread to hear about recent experiences.

[The P]

I booked a 15 day cruise a few weeks ago and refused the upgrade because I couldn't pick the cabin I wanted. Would have been Balcony to Club Balcony.

[gmbhardy]

7 minutes ago, The P said:

I booked a 15 day cruise a few weeks ago and refused the upgrade because I couldn't pick the cabin I wanted. Would have been Balcony to Club Balcony.

Yes, there’s been mixed reports about that. When we enquired at the Latitudes Desk on the Joy a few weeks ago, they told us that someone did the diamond upgrade onboard the ship and were given a choice of 5 rooms. Go figure.

[Norway97]

Certainly seems hit or miss with different interpretations of what can be done. I called a few weeks ago in anticipation of hitting Diamond yesterday. The person I spoke with was well informed, advised how to work with my PCC to best book OV’s on a BTB to be upgraded today. She confirmed that we could identify open cabins and/or preferred location and that she’d have no trouble executing that, and probable that we could get same cabin for both legs. I called today 3 times, 3 different people, the first 2 with literally NO knowledge of what I was talking about. #1 transferred me to our PCC…who was understandably annoyed. #2 was absolutely obnoxious, said that the published number was wrong, that it wasn't handled by the Latitudes “Pre-Cruise Consultant” as that line is answered, and tried to transfer me to the unanswered “Resolution Desk”. I simply dialed the 3rd time and reached a very knowledgeable and helpful person who equaled the person from a few weeks ago in knowledge, creativity, and service. Lesson learned and worth sharing: do your research ahead. Identify open cabins in your preferred location. If the person who answers the dedicated line has no idea or gives you less than satisfactory answers, MOVE ON! Hang up, keep calling until you get a good one. No confirmation yet, but he was confident that with the information I gave him and he included in request, that we will get what we requested. OA to BA, single cabin for both legs, on either of 2 floors in the general area desired. 🤞

[Sand and Seas]

2 hours ago, Norway97 said:

...... If the person who answers the dedicated line has no idea or gives you less than satisfactory answers, MOVE ON! Hang up, keep calling until you get a good one. No confirmation yet, but he was confident that with the information I gave him and he included in request, that we will get what we requested. OA to BA, single cabin for both legs, on either of 2 floors in the general area desired. 🤞

We have also learned to call back sometimes to get a more knowledgeable agent!  It does sound like the good agent you talked with was much open to reviewing your preferences for your upgrade.

 

When we got our first & second Diamond upgrades starting fourteen months ago, we weren't able to get a  MA  (from balcony) cabin.  At that time we were told they could only upgrade us to the lowest available category.  I sincerely hope they are now allowing a top category upgrade!   

 

We had researched vacant cabins and were satisfied with the possible locations of the MC cabin we were upgraded to.   Our last upgrade was processed a few months ago on the Prima.  (We had to book the 2nd within one year of becoming diamond and the deadline was closing in on us.)   We went from a B4 to a MB as Prima does not have anything lower than 'B'.  We were very happy with getting an upgrade for another 11 day cruise on Prima!

 

Please report back when your upgrade processes. I hope you get a great cabin🤞