1st time cruiser coming up in Oct07...
Who knows the in's and out's of getting a Value Booklet, Free Spa or any upgrade / freebie worth writing home about... Do they exist?

As far as I know the free perks such as free internet, free laundry and dry cleaning etc. built up as you accumulate more nights with a cruise line. If this is your first time on a cruise line I seriously doubt you'll get freebies. After 50 nights, 100 nights, 200 nights etc. you'll get more and more. Sometimes a "newbie" gets an upgrade if someone wants a particular cabin and you've got it. I've seen that happen.

We have been on 5 cruises and haven't had any sort of upgrade though we do have sapphire membership (with P&O) now and this means we get 7.5% discount on all on board purchases.It all helps!

Hi house2die4,

As a newbie you will probably not be eligible for any of the perks received by frequent cruisers. However, that being said make sure you sign up either with your agent or while onboard the ship for the cruise line's loyalty program (It's free). This will give you a start on accruing days at sea with that particular cruise line.

If you are looking for a discounted rate at the spa...on days in port they reduce rates and have specials. So if your not planning a particular excursion in the morning or are coming back early in the day you might be able to take advantage of the rates. Happy Sailing!

Stay Savvy!
Hugs,
The Savvy Old lady(c)
www.thesavvyoldlady.com

I have to disagree about newbies not getting upgrades. In March 2006 we took our first cruise, which we booked only 6 weeks prior to sail date. The best we could reserve was an outside cabin on the 2nd level, which wasn't ideal, but the price was right. We were ecstatic to find out upon departure that we had been upgraded to a 6th floor balcony cabin that was spacious. Not really sure how or why, only that we took full advantage of the balcony, and loved it. Bon voyage and good luck!

I have a client who says that the first thing he asks for when he checks in is whether he can get an upgrade. I have only been on two cruises and didn't have the nerve to ask. You don't ask, you don't get.

We didn't ask for upgrades on our second and third cruises but got them anyway. On the first, the line offered a healthy discount if we would change dates on a trip through the Panama Canal and we countered with a smaller discount and an upgrade to a mini-suite, which they accepted.

We had no chance for an upgrade on our last cruise (Zaandam to Hawaii) since it was nearly full when we booked but the travel agency provided shipboard credits, bottles of wine and a free dinner for both of us at the Pinnacle restaurant.

We were offered an upgrade once on Regent Voyager and turned it down, we didn't want to be up 2 decks higher and further aft. On that ship they all have balconies so it wasn't a case of an inside vs. outside cabin.

I think it's more common on mass marketed lines to give passengers outside cabins if they're available at sailing. Good PR for the cruise line.