Cruises - Cruise Newbie Question About Upgrades

Been all over the world but never on a cruise ship. My 1st this fall on the Norwegian Jewel NYC to Canada and back.

I've booked a balcony cabin and wonder what the cruise lines policies are regarding buying up to a suite. Don't think this trip is heavily sold so I'm hoping to go up if reasonable.

Also, anyone who has been on this ship or trip your comments are welcome.

Thanks.

Sorry, can't help you but don't forget to check the NCL Forum on Cruise Critic, as well as the Roll Calls and the Ports of Call Forum.

Been all over the world but never on a cruise ship. My 1st this fall on the Norwegian Jewel NYC to Canada and back.

I've booked a balcony cabin and wonder what the cruise lines policies are regarding buying up to a suite. Don't think this trip is heavily sold so I'm hoping to go up if reasonable.

Also, anyone who has been on this ship or trip your comments are welcome.

Thanks.

Why did you choose Norwegian ? As your first cruise you might still very much enjoy, but to be honest Norwegian is to cruises like Spirit Airlines is to the airline industry.

Suites on NCL are overpriced big time. Further, when you buy a suite on a "mass market" cruise line like NCL, the moment you leave that "suite" you will get the same garbage treatment throghout the ship no different than the guy who bought the cheapest inside on the bottom deck. Save the money for another time when you can sail on a deluxe line like Regent or a premium line like Oceania where everyone is treated 5 star throughout the ship no matter what type accomodation purchased.

Worldspan
129 cruises strong

Been all over the world but never on a cruise ship. My 1st this fall on the Norwegian Jewel NYC to Canada and back.

I've booked a balcony cabin and wonder what the cruise lines policies are regarding buying up to a suite. Don't think this trip is heavily sold so I'm hoping to go up if reasonable.

Also, anyone who has been on this ship or trip your comments are welcome.

Thanks.

if you bought on line, call the cruise line & ask, or ask your ta....

i would also ask when you board, but know the prices......i think any cruise line policy of not orrering anything that a ta can't get would be gone after you get on & there might be a better deal if the pre cruise $ doesn't float your boat....good luck...

Really wasn't my choice but close friends had booked it and asked me along. They are veteran cruisers preferring Holland America so it's their 1st time on NCL as well. We'll see. Plus the NY/Canada route is one I've been interested in doing some Fall.

What do others on this board think of Norwegian?

Finally, if I like cruising I'll do more of it--on top lines.

I have never considered NCL or most of the others. Usually sail Seabourn, a very different product and milieu. However, I think the itinerary will be terrific, and am doing Quebec to NYC in later September. Can't wait for all the lobster!!
I think many can be naysayers. Ignore us and have fun, making up your own experience with new ideas about cruising. There are plenty of lines and itineraries from which to choose. No matter, I don't think this cruise will be your last!!

Since no one else has mentioned this yet...

NCL does have an upsell desk. Note that you can not call them, they must call/email you or your travel agent. No one knows how the upsell desk chooses who to call, but there is a chance that you may get lucky.

There seems to be no middle ground on NCL, people either love them or hate them. I do like them, but you just have to know going in that once on board you may have to pay additional for what you really want (better restaurants, etc). I'm not happy that they went to Pepsi products over Coke, but again, that's just me. ;)

They do have some very nice suites. On the Jewel class, the courtyard area is very nice and secluded (it is not secluded on the Epic). Butler service is provided, breakfast and lunch at Cagney's is available for your use; overall a positive experience.

Where did you book the cruise? If you used a travel agent, ask them how to go about increasing your chance of an upgrade.

ak333 and Cordelli, per usual, gave you excellent advice. There is an upsell desk, and if you used an agent, they may have methods of contacting them. We can't call directly, but they can be contacted ;)

Most upgrade opportunities come within 4-6 weeks in my experience with NCL, though some all the way to sailing date. Can always try a couple times.

The amenities in the Jewel Class suites are worth the upgrades in my opinion, especially with the Courtyard. Not a huge fan of NCL overall, but they have the best suites of the mainstream brands. The "ship within a ship" concept is great, and allows you to enjoy a much higher level of service while still enjoying the entertainment onboard, which is where NCL excels.

Enjoy your cruise!

Sorry, can't help you but don't forget to check the NCL Forum on Cruise Critic, as well as the Roll Calls and the Ports of Call Forum.Ditto. DEFINITELY do a search on cruisecritic.com under the NCL section ^

Really wasn't my choice but close friends had booked it and asked me along. They are veteran cruisers preferring Holland America so it's their 1st time on NCL as well. We'll see. Plus the NY/Canada route is one I've been interested in doing some Fall.

What do others on this board think of Norwegian?

Finally, if I like cruising I'll do more of it--on top lines.

I LOVE NCL, but I only sail in suites. Contrary to opinion above, I think their suites are underpriced for the value and service I receive. they really do give the ultimate in suite experience over the other mainstream cruise lines. I have always found their crew to be terrific both inside the suite and out with the "masses". I have taken over 14 cruises with NCL since 2006, and will continue to sail them as long as they continue to provide such sweet suite service.

upsells do happen on NCL, but are random and fairly rare. The best way to upsell is to keep watching pricing and upsell yourself when the price is right, particularly very close to sailing- I have seen some suites drop to less than half their original price in the last few weeks. The upsell desk usually works about two weeks out, so try to grab something before they upsell them to someone else.

Robin

Don;t know about NCL, but we just sailed Celebrity Equinox and EVERY balcony cabins inside was exactly the same, from the cheapest to the largest. Going to a suite might make sense if you want the extra in room perks, but one poster above put it well. Once you leave the cabin, you are just another passenger most times, not that that is a bad thing necessarily.