Jane

I must live with a dark cloud over my head! I have been on 9 cruises and never been upgraded. My TA tells me now that I should not reserve a particular stateroom, just a catagory and that may improve my chances. Is this true? It seems I always hear about fantastic upgrades from others and it makes me wonder!

Joe

Jane: <BR>Stop worrying about upgrades. The last one I got was for a cabin two decks higher in the ship and DIRECTLY UNDER THE MAIN SHOWROOM! We could never go to sleep until after the late show. The dancers were literally dancing on our ceiling. <BR>I always try to get the best price possible by searching the web and most people I talk to envy the price I pay much more than an upgrade. <BR>If you really want an upgrade have your TA keep an eye out for something like an upgrade from an inside to an outside, or, and upgrade from an outside to a balcony. Sometimes lines have promotions like this if you're flexable and will go when they have reason to give you a deal. But be FLEXable! Think of it this way...if you tell the line what ship you want to go on, what date you want to go on it, etc....what is their insentive to give you an upgrade...or, for that matter, a good price? <BR>I always pick a time of year and a line that I like and then say to my TA "where are the deals". <BR>Best wishes!

Charlie

Hi Jane,the cheapest and most expensive cabins are the ones that book first(usually).With this in mind,I always book the cheapest cabin and request no cabin assignment until my arrival the day of sailing in hopes that all of the cheapies are gone by my arrival.This known as TBA(to be assigned)and not all cruise lines will allow it but it doesn't hurt to try.I've used it on at least a half a dozen trips and it's worked all but once.Give it a try,the worse that can happen is that you get what you've paid for.

Tom

Most of the cruises we have taken we have opted for "run of ship" cabin assignment with no cabin less than our selected level. We have generally had good luck and usually end up with, on average, a two level upgrade. One time our cabin was next to the "cigar" room. That was horrible. One time they put us in a 4 level upgrade suite. Check out details of the ship before you agree to any option.

nellie

Dear Jane, <BR> <BR>I used to be like you desperate for an upgrade. Here's the good and bad about upgrades. First of all to increase your chance of an upgrade there must only be max of 2 pax inside the cabin. Once there's 3 of you you'll never get an upgrade. <BR> <BR>Book early and say pay for the highest inside cabin but do not take a cabin assignment just say you want a cat. I guarantee. <BR> <BR>I learned my lesson on my last cruise. I booked only the friday before the Monday sailing. Guess what not only did I get stuck with the worst possible inside cabin the first one at the very front of the ship. Its beside the morgue as well. Morgues are inside the infirmary. <BR> <BR>I have also been assigned a cabin below the stage just like Joe with the same experiences. Thats cuz I got upgraded from an inside to an outside. <BR> <BR>Come to think of it all of these bad experiences with upgrades is on Holland America! I've gotten good location upgrades on Princess ie outside midship or near midship.