Upgrades

[truckguy]

After my next cruise on Nov 4, I will be Platinum level and I am wondering how Princess handles upgrades. I am sailing again on Nov 30 on Ruby in a mini suite and have noticed almost all the full suites are available as of today. I have sailed in a mini suite on all my Princess sailings and have never been offered an upgrade. I also gamble a little in the casino each night and have never received any casino offers. I'm not complaining, I'm just curious as to others experiences.

 

Bryan(truckguy)

[Mibele]

I got an upgrade from a balcony to a mini-suite on my second cruise with Princess. Since then I have been offered an upsell on each of my cruises with them as well. Also, got a casino rate for a cruise I am going on in a few weeks for the first time. Always hoping for the upgrade fairy to visit, but I'll take a good priced upsell anytime.

[Working 2 Cruise]

No more free upgrades or very slim to none! You may, however, be offered an upsell, which is an upgrade for a fee. The only free upgrades now are within category (balcony to balcony). Princess has recently changed its policy to offer upsells rather than upgrades.

[PenguinLife]

Nina, when did this policy go into effect, we had a free upgrade last Nov from obstructed ocean view to balcony

[Nancyquilts]

Free upgrades for those on their first or second Princess cruises. Occasional upsells for those of us who are already hooked.;)

[Working 2 Cruise]

Nina, when did this policy go into effect, we had a free upgrade last Nov from obstructed ocean view to balcony

 

Sometime in March or April. It's been that way longer for "upgrades" to full suites from mini-suites, which was what the OP was asking. And yes, now Princess is willing to let cabins go unsold.

 

If the OP wants a free upgrade to a full suite, there's a 1% chance. An upsell typically for a 7 day cruise would be around $299 per person.

[rpcv77]

There have been many threads that have dealt with trying to find out the how's and whys of upgrades. No has been successful in figuring out the secret. I sailed to Alaska this past June. Book an obstructed OV. Got to the pier, and lo and behold had been upgraded to a Caribe balcony. It was my 3rd cruise on Princess. How or why did this happen? No idea but we were very happy!

Edited October 24, 2015 by rpcv77
Grammar

[B&J1]

No more free upgrades or very slim to none! You may, however, be offered an upsell, which is an upgrade for a fee. The only free upgrades now are within category (balcony to balcony). Princess has recently changed its policy to offer upsells rather than upgrades.

 

 

It still happens....Just received a free upgrade from inside to oceanview (UNobstructed) this week.

[Working 2 Cruise]

It still happens....Just received a free upgrade from inside to oceanview (UNobstructed) this week.

 

Yes, it can still happen, but it's not anywhere what it used to be.... It's now become a rarity!

 

As far as the OP is concerned, however, if he really wants that full suite, he's going to have to pay for it. He may be lucky and be offered an upsell. Either way, it won't be free.

 

Whether Princess returns to the old way of upgrades, it would be great, but I wouldn't count on it.

[1965]

Not sure if this counts. About a month ago I saw that OVs were being offered for $20 pp less than we paid for our inside. I called and asked if we could be upgraded to the OV. We were given the free upgrade, but I did have to make the call.

[truckguy]

I am quite happy with my mini suite. I was just curious. I dont expect anything and would be grateful for any offer. I have just heard stories and like here they all vary. So, I guess the best for me is to be content with the cabin I paid for and continue to wait my turn for the upgrade fairy bless me with her presence and gifts.

 

Bryan (truckguy)

[JF - retired RRT]

I got an upgrade from a balcony to a mini-suite on my second cruise with Princess. Since then I have been offered an upsell on each of my cruises with them as well. Also, got a casino rate for a cruise I am going on in a few weeks for the first time. Always hoping for the upgrade fairy to visit, but I'll take a good priced upsell anytime.

If I give you 10 bucks, will you buy me a couple of Lotto tickets?:D:eek:

[cattolica]

Been cruising Princess since 1998. Received a complimentary upgrade in 1999. Presently on my 21st cruise and have never received an upsell. Always happy with the cabin category I chose.

Edited October 24, 2015 by cattolica

[Thrak]

We received an upgrade from an inside to a handicapped accessible Caribe Balcony on Crown last February. We were amazed...

[Mommypig]

I have only tried this on NCL, but....last January I was had pneumonia and asthma exacerbation from a bad cold a couple of weeks prior to a Caribbean cruise. My dd and I were to be in an ocean view room. Dr approved me to go the week before. I thought fresh air would do me good so I called TA and asked if possible to get a balcony room. He called back with an upsell offer of $50 each to a midship balcony.

 

So maybe having TA call...

[Cruise Raider]

Been cruising Princess since 1998. Received a complimentary upgrade in 1999. Presently on my 21st cruise and have never received an upsell. Always happy with the cabin category I chose.

 

I hear you...never, ever, ever been offered an upsell and am sailing on my 47th cruise in a few days.

I was, however, given an upgrade from an inside to a very non-obstructed obstructed oceanview cabin the day before a cruise I was on last year. Best upgrade we've ever gotten but I am not complaining....it was a very nice room.

Sure wish they would offer me an upsell though! Won't happen on this next one as it is just about sold out but maybe the one after that....lots of minis and full suites still available.

[caribill]

 

Whether Princess returns to the old way of upgrades, it would be great, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

No way unless people stop wanting and paying for upsells.

 

Why give away the milk if someone is willing to pay for the cow?

[Gwendy]

I am Elite, so quite a number of sailing days. I have only ever been upgraded once from an interior to an obstructed view outside. Oh well, I keep hoping. If the upgrade fairy visited once, she may do so again. Any cruise, any cabin is a bonus.

[melb1988]

when is the upsell call usually made if they make one? i leave in 3 days and am thinking about upgrading to a mini suite from a balcony on golden... wondering if i should pay the extra or take my chances waiting for an upsell?

 

Cheers

[ftlaudcruiser]

3 cruises ago I was offered an upsell from a mini suite to Penthouse Suite for $199 per person additional. It is via an email that requires you to call back on a first come, first serve basis. This was about an $800 savings per person over the posted rates. The "deal" is usually gone in a day. I took the upsell, loved the cabin and amenities and have been offered the same upsell on every cruise since (2 times). However, the charge is now $249 pp. I am traveling on the Emerald Princess in 4 weeks in a Penthouse Suite under this promo.

[melb1988]

3 cruises ago I was offered an upsell from a mini suite to Penthouse Suite for $199 per person additional. It is via an email that requires you to call back on a first come, first serve basis. This was about an $800 savings per person over the posted rates. The "deal" is usually gone in a day. I took the upsell, loved the cabin and amenities and have been offered the same upsell on every cruise since (2 times). However, the charge is now $249 pp. I am traveling on the Emerald Princess in 4 weeks in a Penthouse Suite under this promo.

 

 

 

Fantastic!! You're quite the lucky one :)

 

Thanks for the reply

[geoherb]

We've received free upgrades as well as upsell offers (which we did not take). Our best upgrade was from an obstructed view to a deluxe ocean view with balcony on the Sapphire. We've also gone from obstructed view to unobstructed view cabins through free upgrades. Most of the time, however, we've been assigned a cabin within the type of cabin we booked, even though we've been lucky enough to get a higher category within the type (such as from a BF to a BA).

 

All of our upgrades have been when we booked guarantee cabins. We've never been upgraded or offered an upsell from a cabin that we booked.