A Thank You to CC and Upsell Inspiration

[Enavigo]

Brand new CC user here, but I'll admit I have been following many threads for a while as I start out planning my cruise; what a great resource! After booking and cancelling a few cruises over the years, I finally decided to just bite the bullet last month and schedule a cruise to Bermuda on the Breakaway in September!

 

When I booked, we decided to go with a Haven Courtyard Penthouse. I'll start by saying that we were very happy with that room and were really looking forward to some R&R while visiting one of my favorite islands. It looked a little small, but we figured we'd adjust and be fine.

 

Well, fast forward to last Friday and, lo and behold, we were at our 30 day mark! I decided to take a quick look online to see how booked our cruise was as was surprised to see how many open cabins/categories were still available. This search got me wondering about possible upsell opportunities (which I would not even have known about without CC!). Before calling the number, I looked up the current cabin prices to get a sense what we could afford and really focused in on an Owner's Suite. It was just the 2 of us going and the extra space and bigger balcony appealed to me. The difference in price, however, was $3,000 more than what I paid for the penthouse so I was not all that encouraged. Just for kicks, I ran the numbers on the DOS and it was $7,500 more! :eek:

 

So, armed with this information, I called the upsell line and after about 3 rings, a woman answered the call. I told her that this would be our first cruise with NCL (and only my 3rd ever) and we were just wondering if any upsell offers were available. She started by saying, "well, you're already in the Haven." I told her that I knew that, and that I was sure we were going to have a great time wherever we were. She then told me that there was no upsell offer in my file.

 

I thanked her for her time and again reiterated that we were happy where we were. She then asked me what I was interested in and I told her an OS. She asked if she could place on hold and go speak to her manager. I said fine and then I was put on hold for 5 minutes or so. She came back and said she could offer me the OS at $1,000/pp. I didn't really know what would be a good offer, but only saving $500/pp just didn't seem worth it to me.

 

I told her that seemed a little high for an upsell for me and I asked her "any chance NCL can make a better offer?" Her response shocked me. She told me that, there was nothing she could do for the OS, but she could offer me the DOS for $1,250/pp!:D

 

I asked her if that made any sense to her and she just said "that's what the computer spit out for offers given your unique characteristics." I jumped at it and within 10 mins I went from a great room in the Haven to a once and a lifetime opportunity in a DOS!! So thank you CC!

[Cruzncutie]

Congrats!! You will love the DOS [emoji92][emoji2][emoji92]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited August 16, 2016 by Cruzncutie

[ryjack]

What is DOS???

[bbryan5]

What is DOS???

 

 

DOS = Deluxe Owners Suite

[BirdTravels]

You will love the Havens. Congratulations for a great score!

 

We got an email upsell offer today from a balcony on the Jewel to

Havens H3 owners suite for $1500 pp

Havens H4 2 bedroom for $1250

Havens H5 courtyard for $1000 pp

Edited August 16, 2016 by BirdTravels

[ottoflash]

I am interested in trying to get an upsell from a balcony to the Haven on the BA in Nov. Is there a specific number to call or just the NCL number?

[Enavigo]

I called the upsell department directly with the number I found on this Board (800-625-4309). The woman that answered was very nice, but was kind of on autopilot (reservation number, port of departure, ship) so I got the impression that they deal with these calls on a regular basis.

 

I'm still a little surprised at the rate they offered me. In fact, I checked the email confirm like 3 times just to make sure the rate they quoted me was correct. I wonder if it is because we a cruising at the start of slow season after Labor Day when kids are back in school?

[BirdTravels]

Call the upsell number above about 2 weeks before your cruise date. Don't try and call now about a November cruise.

Edited August 16, 2016 by BirdTravels

[SeagoingMom]

OK, please remind me once again what an "upsell" is? I hear this term a lot on these boards, but unlike the OP, I guess I have never quite picked up on what it actually means... Since the OP was buying, not selling, I am even more confused!

 

I hear the term "upgrade" a lot, too, of course, so I guess I get these terms mixed up.

 

 

(Flammable, inflammable...:eek:)

[Two Wheels Only]

^^ Simply put, an upsell is when NCL has an empty stateroom that is a higher category than what you have currently. For "a few dollars per person" more, they will "sell" the higher category stateroom for less than it would have been to book the same stateroom from scratch.

 

In the OP's case, the cost of the Owner's Suite would have been $3000 more and the Deluxe Owner's Suite would have been $7000 more if booked in the "normal" way. The "upsell" was for $1250 more per person ($2500) to move up to the Deluxe Owner's Suite (DOS).

 

 

 

Congrats on the DOS. I've been looking at the OS/DOS but I love the H6 so much and I'm worried about the blast of wind on the front-facing balcony. We spend alot of time on the balcony but I'm worried about a constant 20 knot headwind.

 

Tell us how it was when you return.

[dexddd]

^^ Simply put, an upsell is when NCL has an empty stateroom that is a higher category than what you have currently. For "a few dollars per person" more, they will "sell" the higher category stateroom for less than it would have been to book the same stateroom from scratch.

 

In the OP's case, the cost of the Owner's Suite would have been $3000 more and the Deluxe Owner's Suite would have been $7000 more if booked in the "normal" way. The "upsell" was for $1250 more per person ($2500) to move up to the Deluxe Owner's Suite (DOS).

 

 

 

Congrats on the DOS. I've been looking at the OS/DOS but I love the H6 so much and I'm worried about the blast of wind on the front-facing balcony. We spend alot of time on the balcony but I'm worried about a constant 20 knot headwind.

 

Tell us how it was when you return.

 

To be honest, the OS is really kind of small, especially if you have more than 2. The DOS is nice on BA/GA but it has that movable wall that leaks noise if your neighbors in the OS happen to be sitting at their table talking.

 

As far as the wind blast, yes, if you are standing up you will get it but if you are on the loungers, generally not. There are times they will tie up the furniture though if they expect rough weather. They also put in a side door breaking up the balcony - so to go to one side or the other you have to open up this door on the balcony which even with a little wind takes two hands.

 

They learned from the BA/GA DOS mistakes and the Escape DOS looks pretty good and it has the extra bedroom and extra capacity.

 

The H6 is a really good choice and can't see going wrong here unless you take one up high and get noise from the late night music.

[dexddd]

Brand new CC user here, but I'll admit I have been following many threads for a while as I start out planning my cruise; what a great resource! After booking and cancelling a few cruises over the years, I finally decided to just bite the bullet last month and schedule a cruise to Bermuda on the Breakaway in September!

 

When I booked, we decided to go with a Haven Courtyard Penthouse. I'll start by saying that we were very happy with that room and were really looking forward to some R&R while visiting one of my favorite islands. It looked a little small, but we figured we'd adjust and be fine.

 

Well, fast forward to last Friday and, lo and behold, we were at our 30 day mark! I decided to take a quick look online to see how booked our cruise was as was surprised to see how many open cabins/categories were still available. This search got me wondering about possible upsell opportunities (which I would not even have known about without CC!). Before calling the number, I looked up the current cabin prices to get a sense what we could afford and really focused in on an Owner's Suite. It was just the 2 of us going and the extra space and bigger balcony appealed to me. The difference in price, however, was $3,000 more than what I paid for the penthouse so I was not all that encouraged. Just for kicks, I ran the numbers on the DOS and it was $7,500 more! :eek:

 

So, armed with this information, I called the upsell line and after about 3 rings, a woman answered the call. I told her that this would be our first cruise with NCL (and only my 3rd ever) and we were just wondering if any upsell offers were available. She started by saying, "well, you're already in the Haven." I told her that I knew that, and that I was sure we were going to have a great time wherever we were. She then told me that there was no upsell offer in my file.

 

I thanked her for her time and again reiterated that we were happy where we were. She then asked me what I was interested in and I told her an OS. She asked if she could place on hold and go speak to her manager. I said fine and then I was put on hold for 5 minutes or so. She came back and said she could offer me the OS at $1,000/pp. I didn't really know what would be a good offer, but only saving $500/pp just didn't seem worth it to me.

 

I told her that seemed a little high for an upsell for me and I asked her "any chance NCL can make a better offer?" Her response shocked me. She told me that, there was nothing she could do for the OS, but she could offer me the DOS for $1,250/pp!:D

 

I asked her if that made any sense to her and she just said "that's what the computer spit out for offers given your unique characteristics." I jumped at it and within 10 mins I went from a great room in the Haven to a once and a lifetime opportunity in a DOS!! So thank you CC!

 

Congrats. Which one did you get?

 

Here is a review by socrdad with pics:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2010343

[Naomigruis]

HI

 

Can anyone tell me if you can call the upsell department yourself if you are booked with a TA?

 

We are from Australia, is there a international number that anyone knows of?

 

thanks

[luckyinpa]

what is the reason for the movable wall mentioned above?

[zteamtwo]

HI

 

Can anyone tell me if you can call the upsell department yourself if you are booked with a TA?

 

We are from Australia, is there a international number that anyone knows of?

 

thanks

 

Do not know of an international number, but, yes you can call that 800 number for upsell department even if you booked thru a TA. Upsell is only open 9 am- 5 pm Monday -Friday. You are probably sleeping then. Most people have luck between 2-4 weeks prior to cruise, but some people start calling a month out and call every day.

Edited August 16, 2016 by zteamtwo
typo

[ThePhoenix]

I would love to upgrade from an H7 to a DOS. Our cruise has shown the Haven as sold out for a long time though. Maybe I'll call anyway and ask whether the DOS is available. No harm in calling!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[mabones]

Does the E-mail come in your regular e-mail box or in MyNCL?

[dexddd]

what is the reason for the movable wall mentioned above?

 

It is so if you and family/friends book the OS and DOS on GA/BA you could open up the wall to make it one big suite. I've only seen one mention of someone doing it here and someone else asked onboard how often it happens it is not very often. On the BA/GA you could also book the suite behind the DOS and have 3 connecting rooms although that door is like the traditional door used for connecting rooms. The one person who mentioned it here actually had all 3 rooms on their trip for their family.

 

The GVs on Star/Dawn can also open up the wall between them to make one big room - not sure about the Jewel class ships.

[luckyinpa]

It is so if you and family/friends book the OS and DOS on GA/BA you could open up the wall to make it one big suite. I've only seen one mention of someone doing it here and someone else asked onboard how often it happens it is not very often. On the BA/GA you could also book the suite behind the DOS and have 3 connecting rooms although that door is like the traditional door used for connecting rooms. The one person who mentioned it here actually had all 3 rooms on their trip for their family.

 

The GVs on Star/Dawn can also open up the wall between them to make one big room - not sure about the Jewel class ships.

 

ah ok. very cool! anything movable like that is gonna be trouble for sure regarding sound. i hope there's a lock on the wall so no one can sneak into your room ;)

 

i've fantasized about the garden villa on the dawn etc and the floor plans and videos there look amazing for 4000 sq feet! maybe someday me and a bunch of my closest friends can do it.

[takeadip]

Brand new CC user here, but I'll admit I have been following many threads for a while as I start out planning my cruise; what a great resource! After booking and cancelling a few cruises over the years, I finally decided to just bite the bullet last month and schedule a cruise to Bermuda on the Breakaway in September!

 

When I booked, we decided to go with a Haven Courtyard Penthouse. I'll start by saying that we were very happy with that room and were really looking forward to some R&R while visiting one of my favorite islands. It looked a little small, but we figured we'd adjust and be fine.

 

Well, fast forward to last Friday and, lo and behold, we were at our 30 day mark! I decided to take a quick look online to see how booked our cruise was as was surprised to see how many open cabins/categories were still available. This search got me wondering about possible upsell opportunities (which I would not even have known about without CC!). Before calling the number, I looked up the current cabin prices to get a sense what we could afford and really focused in on an Owner's Suite. It was just the 2 of us going and the extra space and bigger balcony appealed to me. The difference in price, however, was $3,000 more than what I paid for the penthouse so I was not all that encouraged. Just for kicks, I ran the numbers on the DOS and it was $7,500 more! :eek:

 

So, armed with this information, I called the upsell line and after about 3 rings, a woman answered the call. I told her that this would be our first cruise with NCL (and only my 3rd ever) and we were just wondering if any upsell offers were available. She started by saying, "well, you're already in the Haven." I told her that I knew that, and that I was sure we were going to have a great time wherever we were. She then told me that there was no upsell offer in my file.

 

I thanked her for her time and again reiterated that we were happy where we were. She then asked me what I was interested in and I told her an OS. She asked if she could place on hold and go speak to her manager. I said fine and then I was put on hold for 5 minutes or so. She came back and said she could offer me the OS at $1,000/pp. I didn't really know what would be a good offer, but only saving $500/pp just didn't seem worth it to me.

 

I told her that seemed a little high for an upsell for me and I asked her "any chance NCL can make a better offer?" Her response shocked me. She told me that, there was nothing she could do for the OS, but she could offer me the DOS for $1,250/pp!:D

 

I asked her if that made any sense to her and she just said "that's what the computer spit out for offers given your unique characteristics." I jumped at it and within 10 mins I went from a great room in the Haven to a once and a lifetime opportunity in a DOS!! So thank you CC!

 

Congratulations !!!!! it will be worth every penny spent...

i see you are from Boston area...the DOS is like staying at the LIBERTY HOTEL in Boston... its just grand and completely over the top..

 

Get to port early and enjoy the Haven special resting area upon arrival to the port...when you get escorted on the ship and directly right up to your room your jaw will drop....also bring about $250- $300 to divide up with the Butler...concierge..room steward and those who literally bend over backwards for you the entire week.

 

safe travels...and write a review upon return!!!

 

Best,

Mark

[Enavigo]

Congratulations !!!!! it will be worth every penny spent...

i see you are from Boston area...the DOS is like staying at the LIBERTY HOTEL in Boston... its just grand and completely over the top..

 

Get to port early and enjoy the Haven special resting area upon arrival to the port...when you get escorted on the ship and directly right up to your room your jaw will drop....also bring about $250- $300 to divide up with the Butler...concierge..room steward and those who literally bend over backwards for you the entire week.

 

safe travels...and write a review upon return!!!

 

Best,

Mark

Thanks, we're pretty excited to see what NCL is all about. Yes, I live and work in the Financial District here in Boston. Actually, the DOS will be bigger than my condo in the city so it will seem even that much more spacious!

 

Thank you for the advice. Never had a butler before so I'm sure there will be a good deal of adjusting for us. As for the Liberty Hotel, one of the most interesting hotels in the city. I'll admit, every time I look up and see all those old guard catwalks I instantly think Shawshank Redemption.

[cml4958]

It is so if you and family/friends book the OS and DOS on GA/BA you could open up the wall to make it one big suite. I've only seen one mention of someone doing it here and someone else asked onboard how often it happens it is not very often. On the BA/GA you could also book the suite behind the DOS and have 3 connecting rooms although that door is like the traditional door used for connecting rooms. The one person who mentioned it here actually had all 3 rooms on their trip for their family.

 

The GVs on Star/Dawn can also open up the wall between them to make one big room - not sure about the Jewel class ships.

 

We had the movable wall in the Garden Villa on the Star. It sucked. We didn't have it on the Garden Villa on the Pearl. Can't speak to the other Jewel class ships.

 

@Enavigo Congrat's on the upsell. :)

[Enavigo]

We had the movable wall in the Garden Villa on the Star. It sucked. We didn't have it on the Garden Villa on the Pearl. Can't speak to the other Jewel class ships.

 

@Enavigo Congrat's on the upsell. :)

I'll keep this in the back of my mind and report back post cruise. Of course, if I can hear them in OS I'll just invite them over for a drink :)

[Stace894]

I had the same motivation from reading the CC boards. Read all the stories of the "Upsell Fairy" and wondered how people got so lucky. Now its my turn! I started calling the Upsell line 2 wks ago for a sailing this Friday. Today was the day! Was offered a Mini-Suite for only $100pp more from an inside. Grabbed it in a heartbeat! Whenever I called everyone was always nice and polite. Was a great experience.Now I will surprise my DH and DS with the upgrade when we board on Friday. Good Luck future cruisers!

[SeagoingMom]

^^ Simply put, an upsell is when NCL has an empty stateroom that is a higher category than what you have currently. For "a few dollars per person" more, they will "sell" the higher category stateroom for less than it would have been to book the same stateroom from scratch.

 

In the OP's case, the cost of the Owner's Suite would have been $3000 more and the Deluxe Owner's Suite would have been $7000 more if booked in the "normal" way. The "upsell" was for $1250 more per person ($2500) to move up to the Deluxe Owner's Suite (DOS).

Thanks for the "blow-by-blow." Makes things quite a bit clearer! Still seems strange that it is the passenger who tries to "sell" the upsell to the cruise line, instead of the reverse!