Club Orange upgrades - oh so many questions!

[Bagette]

Hi!  I'm a new(ish) cruiser and completely new to HAL.  I've just booked a December cruise (Panama Canal, Dec 2024 on Rotterdam), and my TA has added Club Orange.  She was on the phone with HAL while I was on the phone with her.  I've done enough research that I *thought* I understood the upgrades, but now, I'm not so sure!

 

Here are pertinent facts and questions about my cruise:  

1) Cruise is booked, but only the $1 deposit (special yesterday and today) has been paid.  

2) TA supposedly has added Club Orange, but I have not yet paid for it.  I do have an invoice for $300 (12 nights X $25) than the original invoice.

3)  The HAL agent my TA was speaking with said that both the cruise and Club Orange must be paid for in full before the upgrade can happen.  Is this true?  It contradicts nearly everything I read before booking.

4) The HAL agent also told my TA that the upgrade only goes up ONE level within the broader category, ie from "VF" to "VD" NOT from "VF" to, say, "V".  Again, this seems to contradict everything I've read.

 

So, I'm trying to figure out how to get the upgrade I'm hoping for -- which is to ideally to go from the "VF" I've booked to at least a "VB".  Do I need to pay the entire amount tomorrow to get the best possibility of a desirable upgrade?  There do seem to be a lot of cabins available in various verandah levels.... Also, should I expect just to be able to from "VF" to VD" or can I expect to get my dream verandah (from what is currently available)?

 

Thanks so much! 🙂

[cccole]

I'm so happy you posted this thread.  I was trying to decide which CO thread to post on.  My question to the experts who will hopefully respond to your thread is:

 

If you want to use CO to upgrade to a signature suite on the Noordam, what is the cabin you should book before adding CO?  I know that Noordam does not have a separate CO dining room but it would give them some of the benefits that we will receive in a Neptune suite, like tenders, etc.  

 

We have our coveted location but friends want to join us.    Thanks for any help.

[Crew News]

32 minutes ago, Bagette said:

Hi!  I'm a new(ish) cruiser and completely new to HAL.  I've just booked a December cruise (Panama Canal, Dec 2024 on Rotterdam), and my TA has added Club Orange.  She was on the phone with HAL while I was on the phone with her.  I've done enough research that I *thought* I understood the upgrades, but now, I'm not so sure!

 

Here are pertinent facts and questions about my cruise:  

1) Cruise is booked, but only the $1 deposit (special yesterday and today) has been paid.  

2) TA supposedly has added Club Orange, but I have not yet paid for it.  I do have an invoice for $300 (12 nights X $25) than the original invoice.

3)  The HAL agent my TA was speaking with said that both the cruise and Club Orange must be paid for in full before the upgrade can happen.  Is this true?  It contradicts nearly everything I read before booking.

4) The HAL agent also told my TA that the upgrade only goes up ONE level within the broader category, ie from "VF" to "VD" NOT from "VF" to, say, "V".  Again, this seems to contradict everything I've read.

 

So, I'm trying to figure out how to get the upgrade I'm hoping for -- which is to ideally to go from the "VF" I've booked to at least a "VB".  Do I need to pay the entire amount tomorrow to get the best possibility of a desirable upgrade?  There do seem to be a lot of cabins available in various verandah levels.... Also, should I expect just to be able to from "VF" to VD" or can I expect to get my dream verandah (from what is currently available)?

 

Thanks so much! 🙂

You can go from the lowest verandah category to the highest.  I do it all the time.

 

"Once a guest has booked their cruise, they or their travel advisor can add Club Orange by contacting Holland America Line Ship Inventory at 1-888-628-8107 or 206-626-7381."

Have your credit card ready as well as a copy of the deck plans to select your stateroom.  I would first recommend looking on the HAL website to see what is available.

 

FWIW I will be aboard the Rotterdam through the canal in November 2024 and will be posting both the daily programs and MDR menus for your cruise.

Edited July 18 by Crew News

[Crew News]

3 minutes ago, cccole said:

I'm so happy you posted this thread.  I was trying to decide which CO thread to post on.  My question to the experts who will hopefully respond to your thread is:

 

If you want to use CO to upgrade to a signature suite on the Noordam, what is the cabin you should book before adding CO?  I know that Noordam does not have a separate CO dining room but it would give them some of the benefits that we will receive in a Neptune suite, like tenders, etc.  

 

We have our coveted location but friends want to join us.    Thanks for any help.

Upgrades only in the same category as originally booked.  If already in a Signature Suite, CO will add a few benefits but not dining in the PG for breakfast with you on the Noordam.

[cccole]

7 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Upgrades only in the same category as originally booked.  If already in a Signature Suite, CO will add a few benefits but not dining in the PG for breakfast with you on the Noordam.

Thank you I understand the PG breakfast, but I was asking if their is a category that could be booked and then add CO to upgrade to a signature suite.  They are not booked yet.  I don't know if there is a category that can be upgraded to a signature suite on the Noordam with CO.  THank you, Cherie 

[Crew News]

2 minutes ago, cccole said:

Thank you I understand the PG breakfast, but I was asking if their is a category that could be booked and then add CO to upgrade to a signature suite.  They are not booked yet.  I don't know if there is a category that can be upgraded to a signature suite on the Noordam with CO.  THank you, Cherie 

Upgrades are only in the same category as originally booked.

[cccole]

1 minute ago, Crew News said:

Upgrades are only in the same category as originally booked.

Thank you, I understand this.  So, basically a signature suite on Noordam can only be booked as a signature suite, it cannot be upgraded to from another cabin with CO. The Noordam may be one of the few HAL ships where this is not possible.  I've just been reading so much about it.  And, the cabin has not yet been booked.  Thank you, Cherie

[hummingbird_206]

12 minutes ago, cccole said:

Thank you I understand the PG breakfast, but I was asking if their is a category that could be booked and then add CO to upgrade to a signature suite.  They are not booked yet.  I don't know if there is a category that can be upgraded to a signature suite on the Noordam with CO.  THank you, Cherie 

It is confusing, but as @Crew Newssays you can only upgrade within the category you book.  You can book an SZ Signature Suite and use CO to upgrade to an SY or SS Signature Suite.  If you book a Verandah of any category you cannot upgrade to Signature using CO.

[cccole]

8 minutes ago, hummingbird_206 said:

It is confusing, but as @Crew Newssays you can only upgrade within the category you book.  You can book an SZ Signature Suite and use CO to upgrade to an SY or SS Signature Suite.  If you book a Verandah of any category you cannot upgrade to Signature using CO.

Thank you, I understand the "category" situation.  It does not appear that there are SZ  or SY suites on the Noordam.  That is why I was asking if there was another cabin category on the Noordam that could be upgraded with CO to a signature suite.  Thank you, I don't think it's confusing, I just wanted to know if there was cabin on the Noordam that could be upgraded to a signature suite with CO.  From the responses I think the simple answer for the Noordam is "No".  Other ships yes, but not on the Noordam. Cherie

Edited July 18 by cccole

[wdw1972]

7 minutes ago, cccole said:

Thank you, I understand the "category" situation.  It does not appear that there are SZ  or SY suites on the Noordam.  That is why I was asking if there was another cabin category on the Noordam that could be upgraded with CO to a signature suite.  Thank you, I don't think it's confusing, I just wanted to know if there was cabin on the Noordam that could be upgraded to a signature suite with CO. Cherie

The answer would be No. The category is signature suite - you'd have to book a signature suite in order to "upgrade" to a different signature suite. You cannot use CO to move from a non-signature suite to a signature suite.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[hummingbird_206]

6 minutes ago, cccole said:

Thank you, I understand the "category" situation.  It does not appear that there are SZ  or SY suites on the Noordam.  That is why I was asking if there was another cabin category on the Noordam that could be upgraded with CO to a signature suite.  Thank you, I don't think it's confusing, I just wanted to know if there was cabin on the Noordam that could be upgraded to a signature suite with CO. Cherie

According to deck plans for Noordam on the HAL website, there are SY and SZ on deck 8.  SS are on deck 6

https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/ships/at-a-glance/hal-all-deck-plans.pdf

[cbr663]

6 minutes ago, cccole said:

Thank you, I understand the "category" situation.  It does not appear that there are SZ  or SY suites on the Noordam.  That is why I was asking if there was another cabin category on the Noordam that could be upgraded with CO to a signature suite.  Thank you, I don't think it's confusing, I just wanted to know if there was cabin on the Noordam that could be upgraded to a signature suite with CO. Cherie

 

I suggest that you go back and review the deck plans again as there are indeed SZ and SY category suites on the Noordam.  8097 is a SZ and and there are lots of SY cabins on the 8th deck.  

[cbr663]

1 hour ago, Bagette said:

Hi!  I'm a new(ish) cruiser and completely new to HAL.  I've just booked a December cruise (Panama Canal, Dec 2024 on Rotterdam), and my TA has added Club Orange.  She was on the phone with HAL while I was on the phone with her.  I've done enough research that I *thought* I understood the upgrades, but now, I'm not so sure!

 

Here are pertinent facts and questions about my cruise:  

1) Cruise is booked, but only the $1 deposit (special yesterday and today) has been paid.  

2) TA supposedly has added Club Orange, but I have not yet paid for it.  I do have an invoice for $300 (12 nights X $25) than the original invoice.

3)  The HAL agent my TA was speaking with said that both the cruise and Club Orange must be paid for in full before the upgrade can happen.  Is this true?  It contradicts nearly everything I read before booking.

4) The HAL agent also told my TA that the upgrade only goes up ONE level within the broader category, ie from "VF" to "VD" NOT from "VF" to, say, "V".  Again, this seems to contradict everything I've read.

 

So, I'm trying to figure out how to get the upgrade I'm hoping for -- which is to ideally to go from the "VF" I've booked to at least a "VB".  Do I need to pay the entire amount tomorrow to get the best possibility of a desirable upgrade?  There do seem to be a lot of cabins available in various verandah levels.... Also, should I expect just to be able to from "VF" to VD" or can I expect to get my dream verandah (from what is currently available)?

 

Thanks so much! 🙂

 

Looks like you are getting a lot of misinformation.  Given the extent of the misinformation I went to HAL's site just to make sure that there hadn't been any new changes to CO.  There doesn't appear that there have been any changes.

 

3.  No, the cruise and CO do not need to paid in full before the upgrade can happen.  CO must be paid in full though before the upgrade happens.  This is because CO increases your fare and the CO cost will therefore be part of your deposit.  CO isn't an add-on like a drink package or speciality dining.  When you purchase CO you don't see it as an additional charge you just see a higher fare price.  So for instance if your fare was $4000 without CO and the charge for CO is $350 you will simply see a fare of $4350.  You won't see a fare of $4000 and CO cost of $350.  I typically do it all at the same time as I am making the initial booking and CO is paid in full before my upgraded cabin is assigned.

 

4.  No, the complimentary upgrade is not just one level within the same category.  It is clear on the CO website, "When you join Club Orange, you will be upgraded to the best available stateroom within that category*.

 

If your TA continues to receive the same poor information, ask your TA to speak with a Pricing Specialist.  Here is HAL's link that describes CO and you can share with your TA:

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

 

Best of luck.

[Bagette]

58 minutes ago, Crew News said:

You can go from the lowest verandah category to the highest.  I do it all the time.

 

"Once a guest has booked their cruise, they or their travel advisor can add Club Orange by contacting Holland America Line Ship Inventory at 1-888-628-8107 or 206-626-7381."

Have your credit card ready as well as a copy of the deck plans to select your stateroom.  I would first recommend looking on the HAL website to see what is available.

 

FWIW I will be aboard the Rotterdam through the canal in November 2024 and will be posting both the daily programs and MDR menus for your cruise.

Thanks!  That is what I thought!

 

I'll definitely look forward to reading your posts in November!  I love having a preview! 🙂

[cccole]

Thank you.  These are exactly the info needed.  When pricing out suites the differences were not noted.  They were all priced the same, signature suites, the only difference was $300 more on deck 6.  Possibly it is just this cruise.   Again, thank you.  Not sure why they do not indicate SZ, SY, only SS.  Thank you again.  Cherie  

[Bagette]

7 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

 

Looks like you are getting a lot of misinformation.  Given the extent of the misinformation I went to HAL's site just to make sure that there hadn't been any new changes to CO.  There doesn't appear that there have been any changes.

 

3.  No, the cruise and CO do not need to paid in full before the upgrade can happen.  CO must be paid in full though before the upgrade happens.  This is because CO increases your fare and the CO cost will therefore be part of your deposit.  CO isn't an add-on like a drink package or speciality dining.  When you purchase CO you don't see it as an additional charge you just see a higher fare price.  So for instance if your fare was $4000 without CO and the charge for CO is $350 you will simply see a fare of $4350.  You won't see a fare of $4000 and CO cost of $350.  I typically do it all at the same time as I am making the initial booking and CO is paid in full before my upgraded cabin is assigned.

 

4.  No, the complimentary upgrade is not just one level within the same category.  It is clear on the CO website, "When you join Club Orange, you will be upgraded to the best available stateroom within that category*.

 

If your TA continues to receive the same poor information, ask your TA to speak with a Pricing Specialist.  Here is HAL's link that describes CO and you can share with your TA:

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

 

Best of luck.

This is very helpful!  Thank you so much!

[milamber]

For our upcoming cruise we had to pay the full Club Orange cost upfront as part of the deposit, booked the lowest grade obstructed outside and were able to upgrade that to the highest category of unobstructed outside. In itself worth more than the cost of Club Orange. We were advised to check cabin availability first and go armed with a couple of options to upgrade to.

Edited July 18 by milamber

[boooomer]

Clarification for booking strategy:

If one books a Signature Suite on deck 8. Would CO then get you the upgrade to deck 6 - assuming cabins are available.

 

I’m looking at a 17 day cruise on the Zuiderdam. My goals are an SS on 6 and CO.

 

Should I proceed with booking an SS on 8 (which is $300 pp less than a SS on deck 6); then pay for CO and get the upgrade via CO to Deck 8? 

 

Bernie

Edited July 18 by boooomer
Typo

[POA1]

Disclaimer: I only read the original post. However, I just did this Tuesday.

 

You have to pay the $1 deposit and the $99 "top up" deposit that would be due 240 days out. You also have to pay the Club Orange cost. At that point, you can upgrade to any available room in the meta category.

 

So... For a week long cruise for 2 people, you'd pay $200 deposit and $350 CO (7 * $25 *

2) and be able to upgrade.

[cbr663]

7 minutes ago, boooomer said:

Clarification for booking strategy:

If one books a Signature Suite on deck 8. Would CO then get you the upgrade to deck 6 - assuming cabins are available.

 

I’m looking at a 17 day cruise on the Zuiderdam. My goals are an SS on 6 and CO.

 

Should I proceed with booking an SS on 8 (which is $300 pp less than a SS on deck 6); then pay for CO and get the upgrade via CO to Deck 8? 

 

Bernie

 

Yes, this is possible assuming that the cabins are available and that CO is available.

 

Deck 8 Signature Suites are SY and SZ.  Deck 6 Signature Suites are SS.  My strategy in this case is to first verify that CO is available for purchase, and once confirmed, try and book the SZ guarantee, and if not available, then the SY guarantee and then using CO request the upgrade to your desired SS cabin.  I always have a list of about 6 - 8 desired upgrade cabins that I want so as I can complete the booking in one call.

[boooomer]

1 minute ago, cbr663 said:

 

Yes, this is possible assuming that the cabins are available and that CO is available.

 

Deck 8 Signature Suites are SY and SZ.  Deck 6 Signature Suites are SS.  My strategy in this case is to first verify that CO is available for purchase, and once confirmed, try and book the SZ guarantee, and if not available, then the SY guarantee and then using CO request the upgrade to your desired SS cabin.  I always have a list of about 6 - 8 desired upgrade cabins that I want so as I can complete the booking in one call.

Thank You. I will check that. I’m late to the dance on this cruise and I haven’t booked yet.

 

The math on this is interesting: Suite upgrade from 8 to 6 costs $600. CO cost $510($15*17*2). It’s a no brainer. CO saves me $90 and I have the benefits.

 

Booking through a TA affords me a nice discount or OBCs - but I don’t think a TA could finesse this.

 

OTOH if CO isn’t available or the TA can’t do this, it’s not a big deal. We’re 4 star mariners, We get the early boarding. Concierge and a reserved area in the MDR are nice -  but I think the added $510 would better be used in the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto. And maybe a pop up. Dunno. 

 

Bernie

[Bagette]

Thanks everyone for your advice and for confirming what I thought I knew was accurate.  I called my TA today, paid just the CO fee, and now somehow managed to snag myself an aft verandah!  I am so excited!  I want my cruise to leave tomorrow!  ...  I have a ton of other questions too but will make every effort to find if they've already been asked before I start any new threads.  🙂

[Crew News]

5 minutes ago, Bagette said:

Thanks everyone for your advice and for confirming what I thought I knew was accurate.  I called my TA today, paid just the CO fee, and now somehow managed to snag myself an aft verandah!  I am so excited!  I want my cruise to leave tomorrow!  ...  I have a ton of other questions too but will make every effort to find if they've already been asked before I start any new threads.  🙂

Great News!!! 

 

While other passengers are in the blazing sun on open decks, you can relax on your shaded balcony with your own bathroom, minibar cold drinks, and air conditioning just a few steps away. 

 

Looking up at the bottom of a huge following cargo ship is an awesome sight.

[Bagette]

5 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Looking up at the bottom of a huge following cargo ship is an awesome sight.

THAT is going to be AMAZING!! 🙂

[VermeulT]

12 hours ago, boooomer said:

The math on this is interesting: Suite upgrade from 8 to 6 costs $600. CO cost $510($15*17*2). It’s a no brainer. CO saves me $90 and I have the benefits.

 

Bingo!