Cabin upgrades?

[jimphil]

Hi, is it usual for Costa to give cabin upgrades and do they allow you to pay to upgrade if there is availability once onboard? thanks.

[KatetheWanderer]

I've not sailed Costa before but I did just upgrade to a balcony on the Atlantica for December 1st from an inside for just $100 more because of a massive price drop this weekend on balconies just a few days after I booked the inside last week and made a final deposit. Granted it is a B1 restricted view but it is guaranteed and it looks like they have plenty of balconies left. I might get lucky and upgraded to a vacant non-restricted view. In any event, I will at least have a veranda. Wise to keep checking the cruiseline website for prices and sales even after you've booked. I generally check on the prices of upgrades to higher categories right up to the day of departure. Also, if it is before final payment, usually most cruiselines will honor any price drop in your booked category during the unpenalized cancellation period. At least that has been my experience. I check the cruiseline website frequently and saved a grand once on Carnival years ago. Didn't upgrade, just got a new bill for a $1000 less than I booked for. An agent doesn't generally have the time to do that for you. It only takes a couple of mouse clicks a day for you to do it for yourself. On my Carnival post-booking sale, I called my fellow travelers but they couldn't get through to their agent in time to take advantage of what turned out to be a one day special. I have friends who think that once they book, that is the price they will have to pay no matter what and their upgrade opportunities depend solely on fate or forking over significant money for any upgrades. Not always true. I've not upgraded on a ship because they've never offered me a great deal..at least not yet.