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Upgrade at Port

bambidrummer

By bambidrummer,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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silversneakers

silversneakers

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, bambidrummer said:

Has anyone every gotten to the port and asked for an upgrade and gotten it?  Was it a casino rate upgrade?  I really would like a balcony, but the only casino rate left was a window.

I would say the majority of the Ports are staffed by contractors that have no upgrade authority.  All upgrades are done by Carnival.  I believe the only thing you can do at the Port upon embarkation is pay for an upgrade if one is available.

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Bookbug53

Bookbug53

Posted
Posted
Just now, bambidrummer said:

I guess I did not post this correctly.  Meant at the port in Tampa when we are embarking.

If you mean 'on the ship' , then ask at guest services. Probably won't happen.

 

If you mean 'at the port', same previous answers apply

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evandbob

evandbob

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, bambidrummer said:

Has anyone every gotten to the port and asked for an upgrade and gotten it?  Was it a casino rate upgrade?  I really would like a balcony, but the only casino rate left was a window.

Choices:  accept the casino rate for the ocean view cabin for the date you picked.  No upgrades will be available unless someone who had a balcony cancelled last minute as those rates usually sell out.  Or: look for another sail date that has the balcony casino

rate you want.

Enjoy your cruise.

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wemjam

wemjam

Posted
Posted

Keep in mind, most times a ship will sail full, and the likelihood of there being an empty room - especially a more upgraded room such as a balcony is slim.

 

And yes, I believe you meant could you upgrade once their (not necessarily "at the port"), you can always ask on board the ship at guest services, but likely not going to happen

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ProgRockCruiser

ProgRockCruiser

Posted
Posted

I have to ask - when was the last time that anyone ever heard of actually getting an upgrade during check-in at the port or via Guest Services on board?

 

I mean, to me it is like asking whether I can take a ride on the unicorn.  

 

These ships aren't like airplanes that sometimes fly only 80% full with a few seats in Business Class available.  I would be shocked if Carnival or any mainstream line sailed without selling pretty well all available cabins, especially non-interiors.  The only way I can see a cabin becoming available is if the passengers don't show up!

 

Does anyone have any stats as to how many cabins are unfilled, typically?

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Doggielover68

Doggielover68

Posted
Posted

Like others have said, they offer upgrades and upsells before sailing. Many times I have been offered an upgrade (for money) which I usually do not take. However, others do and then their lower priced cabins become available for last minute bookings. For that reason, no, you will not get an upgrade.

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ARcruisin2

ARcruisin2

Posted
Posted

your best bet would be to search on here for the Upsell Fairy threads and see if one of the phone #s provided can get you to someone to see if there is an offer for a balcony available for you cruise. (note this is not a free upgrade, but sometimes the price difference is minimal)

 

i keep wanting to try this... has anyone tried calling these #s and were successful?

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ricew001

ricew001

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, bambidrummer said:

Has anyone every gotten to the port and asked for an upgrade and gotten it?  Was it a casino rate upgrade?  I really would like a balcony, but the only casino rate left was a window.

in 2004 at the Miami port, my sister and I were offered an upgrade to a balcony when we checked in. We were elated and took it! Good luck!

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paper1122

paper1122

Posted
Posted

The first cruise DW and I took together we were upgraded on the second day of the cruise to a grand suite from an ocean view room. We have no idea why, they said they needed to do maintenance on our cabin, but we weren't sure. That was on a fantasy class ship, it was really nice.

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bingomamma19

bingomamma19

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, bambidrummer said:

Has anyone every gotten to the port and asked for an upgrade and gotten it?  Was it a casino rate upgrade?  I really would like a balcony, but the only casino rate left was a window.

Why not just call and upgrade now?   If there is a balcony open, you can pay the upgrade fee.    You will not get one for free, now or at the port.  

 

I personally don't sail unless I am in a balcony, so I can understand that you want one, you just have to pay for it.

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Elaine5715

Elaine5715

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, ricew001 said:

in 2004 at the Miami port, my sister and I were offered an upgrade to a balcony when we checked in. We were elated and took it! Good luck!

That is because your originally assigned stateroom was taken out of service or given to someone else.  

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Elaine5715

Elaine5715

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, paper1122 said:

The first cruise DW and I took together we were upgraded on the second day of the cruise to a grand suite from an ocean view room. We have no idea why, they said they needed to do maintenance on our cabin, but we weren't sure. That was on a fantasy class ship, it was really nice.

That is the main reason anyone gets moved from their original stateroom.  

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Lottacruises

Lottacruises

Posted
Posted
17 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I have to ask - when was the last time that anyone ever heard of actually getting an upgrade during check-in at the port or via Guest Services on board?

 

I mean, to me it is like asking whether I can take a ride on the unicorn.  

 

These ships aren't like airplanes that sometimes fly only 80% full with a few seats in Business Class available.  I would be shocked if Carnival or any mainstream line sailed without selling pretty well all available cabins, especially non-interiors.  The only way I can see a cabin becoming available is if the passengers don't show up!

 

Does anyone have any stats as to how many cabins are unfilled, typically?

 

I know for a fact in Galveston there is rarely a cabin on any of the ships beyond the 1or 2 they leave open for emergency maintenance issues. 

 

All those people that work in the terminal can go on the cruises on standby, if space is available. More than half the time there isnt a free (literally)  cabin open for them. Do they get to go? Absolutely, from time to time. I know some though that dont even request to because the odds are so slim.

 

September and right after new years are the best time for them to have a good chance of going. Do further put it in perspective, if there are 5 cabins morning of, then there is a good chance. However, carnival will sell cabins right up until embark starts, so they may still be denied.  5 cabins is a lot to have open, and the likelihood of those being something you want to upgrade to are slim.

 

If you really want to upgrade call carnival the morning of your cruise and they will communicate with the gsm on the ship, if its a possibility to take more of your money, or upgrade your room I mean.

 

 

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

Posted
Posted
Just now, Lottacruises said:

Thats a true upgrade!

The ship was full, and they had a family of 3 in a sleep 2 room and they had rolled in a cot which they refused.  We were in a ocean view that had a drop down bunk.  We were paged and went to GS and they gave us the OPS...quite a cabin.  They had just started the loyalty program and we were one of two on the ship with Plat status.

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