Should I upgrade now or bid, need advice

[RRSeeker]

So I am looking for a little advice.  I am sailing on the Escape in 129 days to New England/Canada and I am currently in a MA - Club Balcony Suite.  I book through Casinos at Sea and my cruise is now fully paid.  I also purchased the Premium Plus package.  I called about upgrading to the Haven Forward Facing Penthouse and the cost would be approximately an additional $3,900 total for both of us (which is more that I paid for the whole cruise).  If I did upgrade I would probably cancel the Premium Plus package as I would not need all the dining and from what I have been reading the premium beverage package seems to have been reduced. So I would be refunded the $413/pp I paid for Premium Plus (I paid an extra $70/pp for wifi with streaming and would still pay to upgrade the wifi either $109 or $179pp).

 

The first time I called the CAS Rep told me I may be better off bidding because all the fees have been raised substantially since I booked this in 2020 (DSC, Admin Fee, Port Taxes, Drink package Gratuities) and a bid would not have to pay the increased fees, only insurance. I thought about that for a day or two and decided to just call and book it.  The next CAS Rep told me I would be charged all of the raised fees if I won my bid so I should just book it now. I ended up not upgrading because I was just confused trying to figure out what I should do and which rep was correct. Now, obviously, the price I was given was the bottom line including the raised fees but for some reason it bothered me to pay over a $100/pp extra in fees to just upgrade a room (yes, I was being, ridiculous I know).

 

The bottom line is, not getting in the Haven would not be the end of my world.  I was just trying to make this special since it is our 40th Wedding anniversary. I know bidding there is no guarantee I would get a Haven cabin.  We can afford to pay for this upgrade but then again I could use that money and go on another vacation or probably lose it in the casino so I can get another "free" cruise.  

 

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice for me if I should just upgrade or just bid and see what happens?

 

 

[TrumpyNor]

At least wait until a few weeks past the final payment date to purchase a regular upgrade - as the rates often drop around that time. And maybe even more as you get closer to the sailing date. You could always try to keep track on how many Haven suites are available to book at any given time by trying to do "mock" bookings online. Regarding the bidding-upgrade-program, it seems like you would be able to place a "very good bid" on a Haven suite, and still probably pay significantly less than you would pay to purchase a regular upgrade today. But that would of course only be the case if there were still a certain amount of unsold Haven suites available.

 

[goldmom]

It may also depend on how much you are willing to bid for the upgrade.  If you'd be bidding close to the amount of the upgrade cost (say within a few hundred dollars) then I would just go for the paid upgrade.  It seems as if the Haven upgrades are becoming harder to get unless you're bidding pretty high amounts and that's assuming that there are even cabins available.

This is a special cruise for you so my feeling is that if you can afford it and will be disappointed not being in the Haven, then just bite the bullet and pay for the upgrade.  At least then you know it's a done deal.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

[RRSeeker]

49 minutes ago, TrumpyNor said:

At least wait until a few weeks past the final payment date to purchase a regular upgrade - as the rates often drop around that time. And maybe even more as you get closer to the sailing date. You could always try to keep track on how many Haven suites are available to book at any given time by trying to do "mock" bookings online. Regarding the bidding-upgrade-program, it seems like you would be able to place a "very good bid" on a Haven suite, and still probably pay significantly less than you would pay to purchase a regular upgrade today. But that would of course only be the case if there were still a certain amount of unsold Haven suites available.

 

Thanks for the response.  I do mock booking all the time and I was thinking the same thing to wait until after final payment.  I always bid when I cruise and I always end up losing but I may not wait if the price goes down.  The gambler in me says to bid but I can never trust that part of me because it doesn't always use common sense and I may end up paying more than the upgrade costs today.

[RRSeeker]

34 minutes ago, goldmom said:

It may also depend on how much you are willing to bid for the upgrade.  If you'd be bidding close to the amount of the upgrade cost (say within a few hundred dollars) then I would just go for the paid upgrade.  It seems as if the Haven upgrades are becoming harder to get unless you're bidding pretty high amounts and that's assuming that there are even cabins available.

This is a special cruise for you so my feeling is that if you can afford it and will be disappointed not being in the Haven, then just bite the bullet and pay for the upgrade.  At least then you know it's a done deal.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Thank you for your input.  I also agree with you on Haven upgrades are harder to get.  My last cruise I went pretty high and did not win which was kind of a relief because it was more than I was comfortable paying even if I can afford it.  I think I will wait at least until final payment in 9 days to see what inventory is still available and figure out which way to go.

[goldmom]

3 minutes ago, RRSeeker said:

Thank you for your input.  I also agree with you on Haven upgrades are harder to get.  My last cruise I went pretty high and did not win which was kind of a relief because it was more than I was comfortable paying even if I can afford it.  I think I will wait at least until final payment in 9 days to see what inventory is still available and figure out which way to go.

Yes, definitely wait until after final payment, keep checking the inventory and see where you end up.

Good luck!

[BMAgirl]

How do you do this upgrade bidding?

[RRSeeker]

25 minutes ago, BMAgirl said:

How do you do this upgrade bidding?

Depending on where you booked your cruise you may get an email from upgrade advantage giving you the option to bid on upgrades after the final payment date.  It should also show up in your NCL account online but the NCL app can be funky so always check your account on the website.

 

I only book with Norwegian so I have received the emails but if you book with a travel agent you may not receive one, just depends on if they participate.  I am also not sure if everyone who books directly receives an offer.
 

I am not familiar with which travel agents or travel sites participate but I am sure other members may know that information.

[wolft927]

1 hour ago, RRSeeker said:

Thank you for your input.  I also agree with you on Haven upgrades are harder to get.  My last cruise I went pretty high and did not win which was kind of a relief because it was more than I was comfortable paying even if I can afford it.  I think I will wait at least until final payment in 9 days to see what inventory is still available and figure out which way to go.

Haven upgrades have turned out to be much much harder than say a year ago. Watch the rates. Check the inventory for the Haven every day, if the cabin count is not going down you will see reductions in the rate so they can fill it. That’s how we upgraded from balcony to haven last 2 cruises. But make sure you check every day, one day there where 35 haven the next day when prices reduced there were only 7 available by the time I booked 

[eileeshb]

1 hour ago, goldmom said:

Yes, definitely wait until after final payment, keep checking the inventory and see where you end up.

Good luck!

Bear in mind final payment is a lot later for customers in Europe so pricing can keep changing long after North American customers make their final payments. 

[goldmom]

10 minutes ago, eileeshb said:

Bear in mind final payment is a lot later for customers in Europe so pricing can keep changing long after North American customers make their final payments. 

Good information.  Thanks!

[RRSeeker]

I appreciate everyone’s input. I didn’t know about Europes final payment date. 

[Seminole1975]

How do you check the inventory for the Haven everyday? When I try to do a mock booking it won’t let me see what staterooms are available. A NCL rep said that info wasn’t available on the website. 

[TrumpyNor]

3 hours ago, Seminole1975 said:

How do you check the inventory for the Haven everyday? When I try to do a mock booking it won’t let me see what staterooms are available. A NCL rep said that info wasn’t available on the website. 

When I try to do a mock booking on ncl.com (the European version) it gives me several specific Haven cabins (incl cabin numbers and location on deckplan) to choose from. As I am located in Europe, I can't access the ncl.com American version - but If I try to do a mock booking on one of the larger American cruise websites, then that place also gives me several numbers of Haven suites to choose from.

Edited May 5, 2023 by TrumpyNor

[wolft927]

6 hours ago, Seminole1975 said:

How do you check the inventory for the Haven everyday? When I try to do a mock booking it won’t let me see what staterooms are available. A NCL rep said that info wasn’t available on the website. 

Can only speak for US site, so do a mock booking and choose a haven suite, then when it gives you the room number, there will be a tan that says choose another cabin, this will then bring you to a choice of forward or aft, then deck number. It will bring up a deck plan showing alll haven suites in that deck, 

[lakelivin2]

The only other advantage to upgrading is that you can choose the location of your stateroom from those available if that is important to you.  Sounds like you have good options and will have a great time no matter what you choose to do. 😉

[Shidah]

As others have said, watch the website to see how fast Haven suites are filling up and upgrade after final payment, but soon after like a week or two.  The Haven has been been selling out almost every cruise.  Your chances at winning a bid are slim to none.  Pay for the upgrade just try to get it at the lowest price.

[wolft927]

1 hour ago, Shidah said:

As others have said, watch the website to see how fast Haven suites are filling up and upgrade after final payment, but soon after like a week or two.  The Haven has been been selling out almost every cruise.  Your chances at winning a bid are slim to none.  Pay for the upgrade just try to get it at the lowest price.

Exactly, my last cruise we upgraded to the Haven about 100 days out, got the lowest price available, within 2 weeks all Haven Suites were sold out. If you want the Haven, and its within your means dont take a chance thinking you will win a bid on one, slim to none now a days.

[cruiseny4life]

My advice, and what I do, is purchase the room that I want. My husband and I insist on only sailing Haven, so we don't worry about other rooms. Having said that, just for the heck of it, we did bid on the deluxe owner's suite and an aft-facing Haven suite on our last cruise. Didn't get it, but did know exactly where we would be. If you bid on a courtyard room (or a lesser Haven room), then you won't be able to control where your room is. 

 

So, we just book what we want. That's what I would do. I think you're in the USA, so you are eligible for a one-time future cruise credit if the fare goes down after final payment. Have a really special 40th anniversary! 

[BirdTravels]

19 hours ago, RRSeeker said:

So I am looking for a little advice.  I am sailing on the Escape in 129 days to New England/Canada and I am currently in a MA - Club Balcony Suite.  I book through Casinos at Sea and my cruise is now fully paid.  I also purchased the Premium Plus package.  I called about upgrading to the Haven Forward Facing Penthouse and the cost would be approximately an additional $3,900 total for both of us (which is more that I paid for the whole cruise). 

There are over 1500 staterooms that could potentially bid on a Haven upgrade. There will likely be a very small number Haven rooms available for upgrade. The probability of winning a bid is very very very very small (close to 0%). So, if you want that Haven experience,,, and it is a wonderful experience, buy your way up to the Haven. 

[RRSeeker]

Thank you everyone for your input. Today I decided to just call and upgrade.

 

I ended up choosing a Haven Courtyard Penthouse Suite and I had a wonderful CAS rep who talked me through the whole thing, explained my options and my upgrade only cost $2,700.

 

I am very happy I did this and cannot wait for my cruise.