osgowen

Is it possible to check in for a cruise and request an upgrade? We know the ship is no where close to full. What is the usual policy? How much ( what % of the published cost) would one expect to pay for the next higher category? Or maybe this isn't possible. Anyone have any experience with this?

YVR Cockroach

Call your TA! Got an UG from the lowest of the low inside (booked as a guaranty) to a half decent outside cabin for free, just by asking my deep-discount OTA.

The lines do offer what some call upsells or paid upgrades via your TA. Pricing varies from not much at all to fairly significant.

osgowen

Problem solved. Called cruise company this morning and now have a complimentary upgrade. Never hurts to ask!

wrxmom

Check the deck plan to make sure the upgrade was worth it. Sometimes an upgrade isn't ideal (rooms under the dining rooms, nightclubs, etc.).

DanJ

For sure. I don't really consider like-category upgrades to really be upgrades. Inside down low to inside up high is technically an upgrade, but maybe the people would have preferred to be closer to the shows and casino rather than the pools and buffet.

dbo21

Is it worth booking through united to travel cruise lines......??

DanJ

Can't hurt to include them in comparison shopping anyway.

747FC

Just got suite upgrade for a paltry extra sum per night.

kyden

From my experience, upgrades at check in are rare. It is not as easy to upgrade a cabin on a cruise as it is on a plane.

FlyerEC

We decided to take the suite upgrade offer to the next level of suite for a fairly reasonable fare . Very glad we did . The larger living area & extra guest restroom was nice as we were cruising with friends .

Jay71

I applaud your initiative for simply asking. ^

I've never tried that before. We've tried to upgrade at the pier but I've read conflicting info that this is not possible or very successful nowadays. Also, at least on the big mainstream lines, I've read that after the ship leaves port (or thereabouts) the ship falls under the onboard crew's responsibility/revenue stream vs head office and so the crew makes determination of upgrade pricing. On a couple of cruises, we've gone to guest relations pretty much after boarding to check if there were any upgrades. They confirmed guest relations was the right place to go to ask. One time the upgrade was more than we wanted to pay (I forget how much). Another time, they said the ship was at capacity.

DanJ

I've been told that on the ship, they usually put the sign up at the guest services desk to say the ship is at capacity, even if it isn't, because the staff there are busy enough on boarding day without having every third person trying to get a free upgrade. However if someone expresses an interest in paying for that upgrade, they are more attentive to those people lol.

Barcky

Two years ago on a Holland America Alaska cruise we booked a rock bottom price at the HA web site for an ocean view cabin on the next to lowest deck that had two portholes rather than a big window. On the Wednesday evening before the Sunday cruise I got an email advertising a limited time upgrade price of $800 each to upgrade to a suite. Didn't think it was worth it. Next morning there was another email offering the same upgrade for $400 each. Took the offer and really enjoyed the vastly better room and veranda.

Rahway742

currently booked in an inside gty on the splendor from san juan. my roommate however wants a balcony. what are the chances theyll upgrade us at low cost not sticker price.

DanJ

When is the cruise? If it's a less busy time of year, then the chances increase that they might make an upsell call. They aren't always huge discounts over what you can book for, but sometimes they are good deals. Also follow along what the fares are doing. If prices fall before your final payment date, you can likely work a deal to upgrade. If you booked an early saver fare, you are eligible for price drops right up to 2 days before the cruise (which from final payment to the 2 day mark would be in the form of on board credit, prior to final payment would be less balance owing).