For me, it's very important not to get upgraded. I get sea sick, and want to be in the cabin of my choice.

Can it happen that I arrive at embarkation port only to learn I've been moved somewhere that I don't like? What can I do to avoid it?

I made reservations with NCL directly, and didn't see buttons "do you want an upgrade" unlike it was on Princess.

Can you email or call NCL and so advise them, Dayenu?

NCL usually doesn't offer complimentary upgrade if you book assigned cabin, unlike Princess. But it sure wouldn't hurt to call them and ask to make a no upgrade note. And be aware that you're wasting your money by booking directly with cruise line. If you don't want to deal with agent, you can just book the same way on the web site of one of the discount cruise travel agencies.

If you have booked a specific cabin (and not a category guarantee), it's very unlikely that you'd be upgraded. You could be offered an upgrade for payment, but then you'd have the chance to decline.

And it's not always more expensive to book direct with the cruise line. It's even cheaper sometimes with NCL, which offers special deals. Depends on the line, of course.

Doug,
When cruise lines have special deals, they don't conceal them from travel agencies. Any special deal offered by cruise line can be booked through travel agents, often with agency discount or onboard credit added. But I do know of one exception. NCL sometimes offers extra low rates for high rollers and that can be only booked with NCL directly. Well, it doesn't seem to help the OP who is not very fond of slut machines!

Thank you, Doug and Spurs!

We have a great cabin on the Gem for it's t/a, but at this point I would ike an upgrade for several reasons.. and was told to wait until a few weeks before our cruies and ask for the rep for that particular cruise.. and they may be able to upgrade us. The morale of your story is not to wait and get a "guarantee". but to book the area and deck you want..I too get sea sick, but take ginger tablets and Sturgeron and bring mint tea.

I always check first which cabins are available, and only if I can book the one I want, I go on the cruise. Heard too many "guarantee" horror stories.

Funny, when I was making this reservation, the website acted funny, so I called the cruise line. They have an unlisted cabin available which was ideal for me. This made my day. Heck, this made my month

Talk to Norwegian today about the price change, and asked by the way what to do not to get upgraded. She said, they never change the cabin before talking to passengers. I love that