Getting an upgrade

[PH8]

:eek::eek:

 

Figures! Suddenly we have been getting OUT OF AREA calls coming across the caller ID. My kids said "Who is OUT OF AREA"? I said "Oh its probably the upgrade fairy"

 

You mean when RCI calls it doesn't say Royal Caribbean?????? :eek:

 

Are you kidding me?????????????? :eek::eek:

 

I think I need to go pour myself a stiff drink.

Thats true,...it doesnt say RCCL.........last time they called me with an upgrade(May),it said something like that(Out of Area or UNknown).....I almost didnt answer............but Im sure glad I did!:D

[crusinmama06]

Thats true,...it doesnt say RCCL.........last time they called me with an upgrade(May),it said something like that(Out of Area or UNknown).....I almost didnt answer............but Im sure glad I did!:D

 

ACK!!!! :eek::eek::eek: Well no wonder some of us never answer the call of the upgade fairy -- some of us have caller ID. I never ever ever answer calls that say OUT OF AREA -- EVER.

 

Oh no!

 

Well now that explains it. My upgrade fairy isn't dead. It's just has an unlisted phone number. HA! Oh geesh. :rolleyes:

[wrp96]

Thats true,...it doesnt say RCCL.........last time they called me with an upgrade(May),it said something like that(Out of Area or UNknown).....I almost didnt answer............but Im sure glad I did!:D

 

 

Last time they called me (not about an upgrade) it had a 303 area code I believe. But I will make sure to answer any unknown caller or out of area calls for the next few weeks.:D

[PH8]

Last time they called me (not about an upgrade) it had a 303 area code I believe. But I will make sure to answer any unknown caller or out of area calls for the next few weeks.:D

 

Sure it wasn't 305(that's Miami)?

[Schooner Bar Girl]

I LOVE the new upgrade policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

 

Just got a call from unknown area and clicked ignore BEFORE it registered that it may be RCI. Waited to see if a message left but NO MESSAGE.:( Called D+ desk and said that I just got a call from RCI but hung up by accident. I gave her my reservation number and she looked it up and said OH that was me that called but I got an answering machine so hung up and moved to the next on the list. She said she was calling to offer me an upgrade but from the revenue dept and not the C&A dept.

 

WHEW..........thank got I called!:D She said she was offering me a JS if I wanted it.........of course I said YES!!!!!!!!!:cool::D I was booked in a promenade cabin so now I'm in a JS!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I asked why I got the upgrade from revenue and she said that they are given a list of all available cabins and want to recognize their highest members. She said there was only one person that had more credits than I this cruise and that they were already in a suite so that they called me! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So........it appears that the new system is working and is NOW better than ever! Now when revenue gets the upgrades and if they continue to start with the higher upgrade you can get better upgrades rather than the standard C&A upgrades from inside to outside, outside to balcony, and balcony to suite! I for ONE am very HAPPY to see that the new system appears to be working at least for now......lol.

 

PS........YES I am just a bit excited! lol

 

[jaxfl]

Schooner Bar Girl,

 

Which cruise did you get the upgrade on???

[bartelbee]

Congratulations Schooner Bar Girl--great upgrade.

 

I'm somewhat less of a fan of the new system. I got the call, too, also out of area, but mine was from C&A and they left a message on my home phone (despite repeated requests that they call my cell.) In the past, they'd hold the upgrade for you for a few hours but by the time I called back, mine was gone. I was told that they no longer hold upgrade offers--if they can't reach you, they move to the next name on the list. If they indeed stick to this new system, I wish they could settle on a definite day and time for when the calls go out. Few of us can sit by the phone for a week or two on the chance that they'll call.

 

I was sorry to lose the suite but I was really looking forward to having access to Barefoot Beach on Labadee.

 

Still, I understand that no system is going to be perfect for everyone. Best of luck to all of you who are cruising in the next few months. Clearly, the fairy is alive and well.

[Sequim88]

Way back inthe thread the question was asked:

I have always wondered if the upgrade is based on the price paid for the original cabin. That could explain why some first time cruisers get upgraded.

 

In several posts of the policy it includes this text that sort of answers it:

Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest.

One thing it does not say is what order they apply the rules. Sort of left to assume left to right but perhaps not always so. I suspect they have a formula that weights all the factors so that there will be times when a Gold member that paid full price gets priority over a Diamond that got a super deal.

Another thought (from the sort of paranoid side of my brain...) is there any chance the formula may also consider RCI credit card holder status and perhaps even do a quick credit status check? Sort of "be nice to the highly credit worthy people who may be able to cruise more often." People with recent upgrades who have the card and have a credit monitoring service might check for recent inquiries. Might be a smoking gun there.

The whole topic reminds me of a parallel situation that frequently came up for discussion at LasVegasAdvisor.com . About the casino loyalty programs and the very complext formulas they use for upgrades. Some of the personal info and demographics they use is scary. :eek: Would not surprise me at all if RCI was taking a page from their book.

[PH8]

Congrats Sandie..........so thats why the revenue dept gave me the upgrade in May........I knew it wasnt C and A....that was my OV to RS upgrade......they too,asked if I wanted it.........duhhhhhhhhh.thing is it was on a 4 night cruise......:confused:

[crazy 4 cruising]

I LOVE the new upgrade policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Just got a call from unknown area and clicked ignore BEFORE it registered that it may be RCI. Waited to see if a message left but NO MESSAGE.:( Called D+ desk and said that I just got a call from RCI but hung up by accident. I gave her my reservation number and she looked it up and said OH that was me that called but I got an answering machine so hung up and moved to the next on the list. She said she was calling to offer me an upgrade but from the revenue dept and not the C&A dept.

 

WHEW..........thank got I called!:D She said she was offering me a JS if I wanted it.........of course I said YES!!!!!!!!!:cool::D I was booked in a promenade cabin so now I'm in a JS!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I asked why I got the upgrade from revenue and she said that they are given a list of all available cabins and want to recognize their highest members. She said there was only one person that had more credits than I this cruise and that they were already in a suite so that they called me! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So........it appears that the new system is working and is NOW better than ever! Now when revenue gets the upgrades and if they continue to start with the higher upgrade you can get better upgrades rather than the standard C&A upgrades from inside to outside, outside to balcony, and balcony to suite! I for ONE am very HAPPY to see that the new system appears to be working at least for now......lol.

 

PS........YES I am just a bit excited! lol

 

 

CONGRATS. I am so glad I posted about my sister and the out of area. that is awesome

 

 

 

I was sorry to lose the suite but I was really looking forward to having access to Barefoot Beach on Labadee.

 

.

 

good to know. I think they have my sister's cell number

 

WHAT IS the BAREFOOT BEACH? we just got upgraded to a GS on Liberty and will be going to Labadee.

 

Congrats Sandie..........so thats why the revenue dept gave me the upgrade in May........I knew it wasnt C and A....that was my OV to RS upgrade......they too,asked if I wanted it.........duhhhhhhhhh.thing is it was on a 4 night cruise......:confused:

Kathy--you went to the RS? WOW I guess I missed that one. we stayed next door to it once & partied with the RS folks. It was the first sailing of Monarch when she came back to Pt C, the RS folks were locals & when they walked by us from muster we asked if we could see the cabin. 5 hours later & ALOT of champagne, because they brought I don't know how mnay magnums on, we left. we partied hard with them. nice cabin.

[PH8]

 

 

Kathy--you went to the RS?

Yup,first and no doubt the only time I'll have that cabin!! We had lots of parties in it...........ate all our meals there too......:):)

[crazy 4 cruising]

Yup,first and no doubt the only time I'll have that cabin!! We had lots of parties in it...........ate all our meals there too......:):)

only cabin on "regular" ships (non Oasis) that we have not stayed in & I also kind of doubt we will get there. unless RCCL is VERY kind to us. our problem is we like the longer cruises and so we are never the high one on the food chain!!! Alaska, yes, but then the ships is sold out. we are on the jewel in Feb and that roll call is small. our luck will be we will get some fantastic upgrade offer and we have JS 1100---corner AFT wrap around balcony :eek:. on the Liberty we gave up an AFT JS BIG balc for a GS, little balc, BUT we get soooooo much more... we are looking forward to getting to have the full menu for room service. anymore we don't do the DR much--just escargot & lobster & BBB nights. we probably won't do lobster room service unless we find out that it will be HOT or if we get invited to eat with the captain.

[NYC cruiser lady]

I LOVE the new upgrade policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

 

Just got a call from unknown area and clicked ignore BEFORE it registered that it may be RCI. Waited to see if a message left but NO MESSAGE.:( Called D+ desk and said that I just got a call from RCI but hung up by accident. I gave her my reservation number and she looked it up and said OH that was me that called but I got an answering machine so hung up and moved to the next on the list. She said she was calling to offer me an upgrade but from the revenue dept and not the C&A dept.

 

WHEW..........thank got I called!:D She said she was offering me a JS if I wanted it.........of course I said YES!!!!!!!!!:cool::D I was booked in a promenade cabin so now I'm in a JS!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I asked why I got the upgrade from revenue and she said that they are given a list of all available cabins and want to recognize their highest members. She said there was only one person that had more credits than I this cruise and that they were already in a suite so that they called me! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So........it appears that the new system is working and is NOW better than ever! Now when revenue gets the upgrades and if they continue to start with the higher upgrade you can get better upgrades rather than the standard C&A upgrades from inside to outside, outside to balcony, and balcony to suite! I for ONE am very HAPPY to see that the new system appears to be working at least for now......lol.

 

PS........YES I am just a bit excited! lol

 

 

Dear Schooner Bar Girl,

I think I met you awhile ago, in a Schooner Bar! I was with the piano player (Will). I am now traveling solo again and will be on the Explorer next January. I haven't gotten an upgrade, but can't complain since I spent so much time on cruises with a crew member! I'll be platinum soon but I probably have to work my way up to D or D+ before I get an upgrade. Oh well.

 

BTW, Which ship's Schooner Bar(s) is (are) your favorite(s)???

[Schooner Bar Girl]

Congratulations Schooner Bar Girl--great upgrade.

 

I'm somewhat less of a fan of the new system. I got the call, too, also out of area, but mine was from C&A and they left a message on my home phone (despite repeated requests that they call my cell.) In the past, they'd hold the upgrade for you for a few hours but by the time I called back, mine was gone. I was told that they no longer hold upgrade offers--if they can't reach you, they move to the next name on the list. If they indeed stick to this new system, I wish they could settle on a definite day and time for when the calls go out. Few of us can sit by the phone for a week or two on the chance that they'll call.

 

I was sorry to lose the suite but I was really looking forward to having access to Barefoot Beach on Labadee.

 

Still, I understand that no system is going to be perfect for everyone. Best of luck to all of you who are cruising in the next few months. Clearly, the fairy is alive and well.

 

Hi.:) Yes it seems that C&A leave messages but the revenue dept does not. Funny just yesterday while on the phone I happened to ask what number they had down on my C&A profile and they had the wrong number.:eek: Fixed it and then she checked to be sure that all of my upcoming reservations had the correct number attached. Only my cell phone is attached to my profile now as that is the best number to call for me.

 

I'm guessing that it makes it easier for them and gets the job done faster but it can cause one to miss the "wanted" call. Now we will all have to change our voice mail messages to say at the end "If this call is from RCI the answer to the upgrade is YES I want the upgrade.":p

 

Congrats Sandie..........so thats why the revenue dept gave me the upgrade in May........I knew it wasnt C and A....that was my OV to RS upgrade......they too,asked if I wanted it.........duhhhhhhhhh.thing is it was on a 4 night cruise......

 

YES....I'm liking the revenue dept upgrades better.:D Too bad that is was a 4 night cruise only but still great all the same!:cool:

 

CONGRATS. I am so glad I posted about my sister and the out of area. that is awesome

 

 

 

good to know. I think they have my sister's cell number

 

WHAT IS the BAREFOOT BEACH? we just got upgraded to a GS on Liberty and will be going to Labadee.

 

 

YES.....thank you for your post!:D I always noticed that the upgrade calls came from "unknown" numbers on my call display but just wasn't thinking today when the call rang. Problem was.......I was still sleeping......so when the phone rang all I could think was STOP! lol.......Good thing I came to my senses quickly! :-))

 

Barefoot beach is where they have the PRIVATE area for suite guests. Each suite gets a private cabana assigned to them and there is a also food and a bar in this private area for you to enjoy.

[Schooner Bar Girl]

Dear Schooner Bar Girl,

I think I met you awhile ago, in a Schooner Bar! I was with the piano player (Will). I am now traveling solo again and will be on the Explorer next January. I haven't gotten an upgrade, but can't complain since I spent so much time on cruises with a crew member! I'll be platinum soon but I probably have to work my way up to D or D+ before I get an upgrade. Oh well.

 

BTW, Which ship's Schooner Bar(s) is (are) your favorite(s)???

 

Hey WOW........small world.:) Yes it is me and Yes we did meet in the Schooner Bar. If I remember correctly I was doing a b2b that week and you were on the first week with him and then his family joined him the 2nd week.

 

I enjoy the Schooner Bar on all the ships.;):D I love the view from the Schooner Bar on the Vision and Radiance class ships and more people tend to pass through on the way to other venues so the bartenders tend to be good. The Monarch Schooner Bar is huge and the views are fantastic and the right bartenders make it pretty much perfect. However on the Voyager and Freedom class ships the Schooner bar is smaller and cozier, usually have the best bartenders and can be a lot of fun with the location. LOL..............I don't know.........I love them all!!!!!:p:D;)

[Latvish]

Hi.:) Yes it seems that C&A leave messages but the revenue dept does not. Funny just yesterday while on the phone I happened to ask what number they had down on my C&A profile and they had the wrong number.:eek: Fixed it and then she checked to be sure that all of my upcoming reservations had the correct number attached. Only my cell phone is attached to my profile now as that is the best number to call for me.

 

I'm guessing that it makes it easier for them and gets the job done faster but it can cause one to miss the "wanted" call. Now we will all have to change our voice mail messages to say at the end "If this call is from RCI the answer to the upgrade is YES I want the upgrade.":p

 

 

 

YES....I'm liking the revenue dept upgrades better.:D Too bad that is was a 4 night cruise only but still great all the same!:cool:

 

 

 

YES.....thank you for your post!:D I always noticed that the upgrade calls came from "unknown" numbers on my call display but just wasn't thinking today when the call rang. Problem was.......I was still sleeping......so when the phone rang all I could think was STOP! lol.......Good thing I came to my senses quickly! :-))

 

Barefoot beach is where they have the PRIVATE area for suite guests. Each suite gets a private cabana assigned to them and there is a also food and a bar in this private area for you to enjoy.

 

 

With my luck on your next cruise they will switch you to my JS and put me in your OV.

 

But it will be OK cause you have to share with Laura and I will get a cabin to myself

[rubrrick]

CONGRATS. I am so glad I posted about my sister and the out of area. that is awesome

 

 

 

good to know. I think they have my sister's cell number

 

WHAT IS the BAREFOOT BEACH? we just got upgraded to a GS on Liberty and will be going to Labadee.

 

 

Kathy--you went to the RS? WOW I guess I missed that one. we stayed next door to it once & partied with the RS folks. It was the first sailing of Monarch when she came back to Pt C, the RS folks were locals & when they walked by us from muster we asked if we could see the cabin. 5 hours later & ALOT of champagne, because they brought I don't know how mnay magnums on, we left. we partied hard with them. nice cabin.

 

Sandie.....I think that we left the RS in pretty good condition. We had it for the last voyage out of Los Angeles, and the Panama Canal transit. The night we left the Canal, we were hit by lightning, and we wound up with an electrical fire. Being right next to the bridge, when I dialed 911, we had officers and crew in our cabin within 20 seconds.

 

It took the crew 3 days to do the repairs necessary, but in the end, the lighting was better than when we boarded. Most of the dimmers were shot, so they replaced all but the one in the entry way, which was a style that they had to wait for in Florida.

 

I also know that you know many of the crew, and we may be about the same in cruise credits, as we will be picking up our 100th next month.

 

I do believe that revenue still keeps some to themselves, to be given out for bingo, or new comers that meet a certain criteria. I have no complaints, as we have enjoyed our fair share of upgrades.

 

I do know that only two women, that work in the D+ desk area, give out upgrades. There used to be 3, but it's down to 2 now.

 

Congratulations on your most recent upgrade. Like kewlguy, I'll believe the new system when I see it.:rolleyes:

 

Rick

 

PS Hi Bonnie! Did not recognize your new screen name. Hope you are doing well!

[gmacruiser418]

just curious about the phone number, I updated mine on my boarding docs to put my husband's cell. is that not the best place to have it? should I call?

[rubrrick]

just curious about the phone number, I updated mine on my boarding docs to put my husband's cell. is that not the best place to have it? should I call?

 

 

The answer is a definite YES! Make sure that they have the correct number. And if you are D+, make sure that you are getting to their desk.;)

 

Rick

[NYC cruiser lady]

Hey WOW........small world.:) Yes it is me and Yes we did meet in the Schooner Bar. I enjoy the Schooner Bar on all the ships.;):D However on the Voyager and Freedom class ships the Schooner bar is smaller and cozier, usually have the best bartenders and can be a lot of fun with the location. LOL..............I don't know.........I love them all!!!!!:p:D;)

 

Dear Schooner Bar Girl: Thanks for remembering me. I love the Schooner Bar, but will not steal your screen name! I am going to try new venues since I no longer travel with Will. I will be on the Explorer next January. I have not heard good reviews regarding the piano player in the Schooner Bar so I may have to check out some other bars on the Explorer. I have my concerns, but will keep a positive attitude!

 

PS Hi Bonnie! Did not recognize your new screen name. Hope you are doing well!

 

Rick,

Hi. Cruise Critic was very kind and allowed me to change my screen name. The Explorer OTS sails from a port very close to my home. Saving $$ on the airfare makes it very tempting. I will check it out in Jan. 2011. Please send my love to your wife.

[wrp96]

Sure it wasn't 305(that's Miami)?

 

 

Yep, you're right. I realized it this morning that I'd posted the wrong number.

[PH8]

Can someone explain the difference in these 2 paragraphs from RCCL's website?? One says 2 weeks out......one says 3 weeks.......one goes by price,date booked,etc.....the other doesnt...........when does one get applied as opposed to the other?? It really confuses me..:confused::confused: I do know the first paragraph is for D/DP and the second is just for DP..my question is,as a DP,do I get called 3 weeks out or 2?????

 

 

 

Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fares.

 

Complimentary stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 21 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on cruise credits and category booked. Upgrade will be given only from standard inside stateroom to a standard outside stateroom, standard outside stateroom to a balcony stateroom or a balcony stateroom to a Junior Suite or Grand suite. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fares.

[ARCruisinNana]

Can someone explain the difference in these 2 paragraphs from RCCL's website?? One says 2 weeks out......one says 3 weeks.......one goes by price,date booked,etc.....the other doesnt...........when does one get applied as opposed to the other?? It really confuses me..:confused::confused: I do know the first paragraph is for D/DP and the second is just for DP..my question is,as a DP,do I get called 3 weeks out or 2?????

 

 

 

Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fares.

 

Complimentary stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 21 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on cruise credits and category booked. Upgrade will be given only from standard inside stateroom to a standard outside stateroom, standard outside stateroom to a balcony stateroom or a balcony stateroom to a Junior Suite or Grand suite. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fares.

 

As I understand it, the 21 days paragraph applies to D+ and the 14 days paragraph to D. I think the price, date booked, etc. might be used to determine who to call first if there were one or more with the same number of cruise credits. Still waiting for the phone to ring for my Sept. cruise!

[PH8]

I'd like to know if they have figured all this out yet.......say I book Jan 1st for $1000 and you book June 1st for $2000,who gets the call if we both have say 30 credits?:confused:

[rubrrick]

I'd like to know if they have figured all this out yet.......say I book Jan 1st for $1000 and you book June 1st for $2000,who gets the call if we both have say 30 credits?:confused:

 

The one that calls the D+ desk to remind them they want the upgrade!:D

 

I know a few that have more than 30 CC's, but will start calling 3 weeks out to "check" on their status. I know that some D+'s with over 100 cruise credits will not get a call till the cruise is about 2 weeks out, and that happened just 3 weeks ago.

 

So, I don't see consistency in place as of yet.

 

Rick