Just booked balcony guarantee, any chance will be upgraded to a suite?

[LetsGetWet!]

What they should say is that D+ and Pinnacle are the first to get upgrades from the C&A department. The Revenue Dept. does their upgrades before C&A, without regard to C&A level.

Ah, thanks for that clarification, Bob! Interesting that Revenue gets to do upgrades before C&A is allowed to. I'm wondering if that ends up often leaving few or no upgrades even available for C&A to hand out, by the time Revenue is finished with theirs.

[Clarea]

Ah, thanks for that clarification, Bob! Interesting that Revenue gets to do upgrades before C&A is allowed to. I'm wondering if that ends up often leaving few or no upgrades even available for C&A to hand out, by the time Revenue is finished with theirs.

Exactly. If Revenue does their job perfectly, there are no C&A upgrades.

[swmichigan cruiser]

It's "just your opinion" which is wrong, but remember everyone has one..:)

Thanks for telling me my opinion was wrong. I've only cruised 27 times on Royal so my opinion definitely couldn't be right.

[LetsGetWet!]

Exactly. If Revenue does their job perfectly, there are no C&A upgrades.

What, exactly, is Revenue's goal with their upgrades? Since (I think?) upgrades are offered free, what impact does that have on revenue? Does revenue instead call booked customers and offer upgrades for a fee of some kind?

[krisko]

What, exactly, is Revenue's goal with their upgrades? Since (I think?) upgrades are offered free, what impact does that have on revenue? Does revenue instead call booked customers and offer upgrades for a fee of some kind?

 

If I got upgraded to a JS or higher, I might fall in love with the cabin and change my stance that suites aren't worth it. I might wanna actually buy a JS in the future. It also builds brand loyalty. Right now I get a few free drinks for gift basket. If I can ocassionally get upgraded to a suite, it would definitely make me cruise Royal exclusively.

[Merion_Mom]

What, exactly, is Revenue's goal with their upgrades? Since (I think?) upgrades are offered free, what impact does that have on revenue? Does revenue instead call booked customers and offer upgrades for a fee of some kind?

 

First of all, the upgrade fairy seems to have gone on vacation. While she is away, the UPSELL fairy has been busy.

 

Most of the recent reports have been people posting that RC called and offered them "half-price balcony upgrades" and such.

 

What is Revenue's purpose? To turn newbies into loyalists. To turn oceanview-bookers into balcony-bookers. To turn balcony-bookers into suite-bookers.

 

This is Royal Caribbean's system, in a nutshell. (which is probably where it belongs. ;) ):

 

Upgrades come from two sources: Revenue Department and C&A. Revenue does all of the upgrades that IT wants, then turns whatever is left over to C&A.

 

Revenue seems most likely to upgrade newbies, or near-newbies, hoping to ensnare them into booking more expensive cabins on subsequent cruises.

 

C&A is supposed to upgrade based on the point system, but it doesn't always work that way.

 

Once I was chatting with a Pinnacle who did NOT get upgraded when I was upgraded from a balcony to a JS. Each of us was a solo cruiser. (but she had already booked a JS, and they are probably too miserly to give her a GS, even there were a couple available when *I* got my JS)

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2014 by Merion_Mom

[crusinthrough]

I truly hope that you don't receive any upgrade, as you say you cannot afford it, and I have to say, once you have tried it, it's very hard to go back to a standard balcony.

 

I'll also say that Royal Caribbean looks at demographics, and if they determine that you can afford a suite on a regular basis, you might just be lucky enough to receive one.

 

If it looks like you cannot afford suites in the future, well, you get the picture.

 

I have witnessed first and second time cruisers upgraded from a balcony to a full suite, and once they have tried it, most never go back to a balcony.

 

 

Rick

 

 

As another poster asked, what demographics is Royal looking at to determine your wealth and potential future income, which would dictate whether or not you can afford a suite on a future cruise?

 

I can not say for certain but I would think booking any category is not purely based on income but a personal choice. I am sure many people who sail in an inside cabin can easily afford a higher category. Of course, some can not. Either way how would Royal know this?

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Merion_Mom]

I booked 3 people in a balcony guarantee, knowing there are only 2 cabins left that will fit a triple. Is there a chance I'll get an upgrade out of this? I just got Diamond status and the upgrade fairy has never visited me.

 

Did we establish which cruise you are taking?

 

Although many people assume that they do, NOT ALL JUNIOR SUITES ACCOMMODATE 3.

[LetsGetWet!]

If I got upgraded to a JS or higher, I might fall in love with the cabin and change my stance that suites aren't worth it. I might wanna actually buy a JS in the future. It also builds brand loyalty. Right now I get a few free drinks for gift basket. If I can ocassionally get upgraded to a suite, it would definitely make me cruise Royal exclusively.

The problem with that argument is - once you DO end up cruising Royal exclusively, then the upgrades disappear! If all the cruise lines operate that way, then the best strategy for informed customers is to spread their cruises around among all lines and NEVER exhibit any loyalty to any line - exactly the opposite of your argument that "it builds brand loyalty."

 

So, you may be right, but if so its yet another irrational behavior on RCI's part.

[Clarea]

What, exactly, is Revenue's goal with their upgrades? Since (I think?) upgrades are offered free, what impact does that have on revenue? Does revenue instead call booked customers and offer upgrades for a fee of some kind?

Revenue's goal is to maximize revenue.

 

While the upgrade is free, you have to keep in mind that Revenue expects to sell the vacated stateroom. At some point, and possibly with help from some computer modeling program, they decide to cut their losses, give away the higher cost staterooms with upgrades, and hope to sell the vacated staterooms.

Edited September 25, 2014 by clarea

[Cindy]

I have to say, once you have tried it, it's very hard to go back to a standard balcony.

 

 

Rick

 

Very true!:D:o:D

[Esmerelda]

@Krisko...what's wrong with so many people is attitude. If you believe you can't, then you probably won't. :p

 

I say have faith and a positive attitude. You never know what might happen!

 

I have known people on their first cruise that were upgraded. I've also known other cruisers on their 40th that have never received an upgrade. Just remain positive and I will keep good vibes coming your way.

 

Best of luck!

:D

[OCruisers]

The odds of getting upgraded from a Balcony Guarantee to a Full Suite aren't good. :o

LuLu

[filmstar40]

The upgrade fairy is alive in Scotland today.

 

We (3 of us) have went from a Balcony to a JS on our Adventure Transatlantic.

Minimal fee involved, this was not C&A but the Revenue dept.

 

Sure their logic is we are loyal cruises who may be turned from balcony bookings to JS bookings in the future. But hey I am not complaining.

[Clarea]

The upgrade fairy is alive in Scotland today.

 

We (3 of us) have went from a Balcony to a JS on our Adventure Transatlantic.

Minimal fee involved, this was not C&A but the Revenue dept.

 

Sure their logic is we are loyal cruises who may be turned from balcony bookings to JS bookings in the future. But hey I am not complaining.

Plus, it's much easier for them to sell your old stateroom.

[Oh2Travel]

Have cruised 25+ times and have never gotten a free upgrade. Not sure who they are upgrading.....

[fishtaco]

I truly hope that you don't receive any upgrade, as you say you cannot afford it, and I have to say, once you have tried it, it's very hard to go back to a standard balcony.

 

I'll also say that Royal Caribbean looks at demographics, and if they determine that you can afford a suite on a regular basis, you might just be lucky enough to receive one.

 

If it looks like you cannot afford suites in the future, well, you get the picture.

 

I have witnessed first and second time cruisers upgraded from a balcony to a full suite, and once they have tried it, most never go back to a balcony.

 

Ever wondered why, on most cruises, the suites are the first to be booked?

 

Even as prices of the full suites continue to soar, people are willing to pay.

 

I'm booking more and more full suites on Princess......as they are about 30 to 35% less than the same thing on Royal Caribbean, and the amenities are better.

 

Rick

 

I would agree with this:)

 

My second ever cruise was an inside Guarantee and I was upgraded to an o/v, my third cruise was a balcony guarantee and I was upgraded to a Suite.

 

My forth cruise was an OV booking and I stayed in the cabin I chose.

 

As I have cruised more my overall costs and onboard spend has reduced through experience so no more upgrades since the suite.

 

I believe they would upgrade (free) more on demographic and previous onboard spend than Loyalty points and the reason so many Diamond and above have never been upgraded for free is partly because of discounts and perks they have already received and perhaps lower onboard spend than newer cruisers.

[fishtaco]

As another poster asked, what demographics is Royal looking at to determine your wealth and potential future income, which would dictate whether or not you can afford a suite on a future cruise?

 

I can not say for certain but I would think booking any category is not purely based on income but a personal choice. I am sure many people who sail in an inside cabin can easily afford a higher category. Of course, some can not. Either way how would Royal know this?

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Onbaord spend and onboard shopping habits coupled with Casino spend and cruiesline booked Shore Ex can determine a persons wealth or true "expendable wealth" within a few short cruises.

 

I suppose actual wealth is irrelevant to RCCL when the person with that wealth does not spend it.:)

Edited September 26, 2014 by fishtaco

[Merion_Mom]

The upgrade fairy is alive in Scotland today.

 

We (3 of us) have went from a Balcony to a JS on our Adventure Transatlantic.

Minimal fee involved, this was not C&A but the Revenue dept.

 

Sure their logic is we are loyal cruises who may be turned from balcony bookings to JS bookings in the future. But hey I am not complaining.

 

Again, UPSELL fairy not UPGRADE fairy.

 

:)

 

(or PRICE DROP fairy. ;) )

Edited September 26, 2014 by Merion_Mom

[fishtaco]

The problem with that argument is - once you DO end up cruising Royal exclusively, then the upgrades disappear! If all the cruise lines operate that way, then the best strategy for informed customers is to spread their cruises around among all lines and NEVER exhibit any loyalty to any line - exactly the opposite of your argument that "it builds brand loyalty."

 

So, you may be right, but if so its yet another irrational behavior on RCI's part.

 

I am not loyal to any cruise line and my free upgrades stopped as soon as I learned how to minimise my future cruise costs. which also involves choosing the cheapest cruiseline that suits me at the time of booking.

 

Information sharing is rife in todays world and its not hard for one curies line to gather information on a persons spending habit history from another.

[fishtaco]

Have cruised 25+ times and have never gotten a free upgrade. Not sure who they are upgrading.....

 

Those that spend the most "Real " money onboard other than the initial cabin cost which has very minimal to zero profit for the company:)

[celly]

Have cruised 25+ times and have never gotten a free upgrade. Not sure who they are upgrading.....

 

Same thing here. Our only upgrades have been PAID upgrades and ithis was not offered by the upsell fairy but we had to go after it ourselves.

[Merion_Mom]

Have cruised 25+ times and have never gotten a free upgrade. Not sure who they are upgrading.....

 

Song of America, Enchantment OTS, Grandeur OTS, Carnival Paradise, Celebrity Galaxy, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Destiny, Grand Princess , Golden Princess (x2), Carnival Pride, Carnival Victory, Caribbean Princess (x2), Voyager OTS, Carnival Valor, Liberty OTS, Star Princess, Crown Princess, Adventure OTS, Celebrity Constellation, Ruby Princess, Allure Of The Seas, Celebrity Summit, Splendour OTS, Celebrity Silhouette, NCL Epic, Counting down to Liberty of the Seas in the Med.......

 

Not to burst your bubble, but.............

 

Those 25+ times have been on five different cruise lines. If you consider that most free upgrades go to "high status" or "loyalty" customers, there is your answer.