Upgrading to suite at port

[AJ coast]

Hello all,
In my other thread I sort of touched on this topic, and one user gratefully responded with although rare, upgrades at the port are much cheaper than what list prices would deem. How much less expensive are we talking about? 10%? 50%? Feedback from anyone who has had upgrading experience on RCL would be appreciated.

I'm beginning to feel a bit bummed (I only travel in the peak season, and even Diamond + members report rare upgrades (and usually one category).

However there is a thread here somewhere that claims that one user got a free upgrade from a D1 balcony to an Owners Suite!!!

 

[suer182]

I PAID for an pierside upgrade a few years ago. It was cheaper doing it then, then before I sailed. I dont recall the percentage savings. Also, keep in mind that category cabin has to be available. The dollar amount you pay will vary based on the cabin you booked and the cabin you are want to upgrade to.

Meaning, if you booked an inside and you want one of the suites, that will be more money MIGHT be lets say 800.00, but if you booked a balcony cabin and want a suite, it might be 400.00. These dollar amounts are hypothetical.

Please dont be bummed. Free upgrades on most lines are few and far between. Still possible but if a ship is selling out why would the cruise line give anyone a 5 category upgrade for free.

Book a cabin cat that you are happy with.

IMO not all upgrades are good ones either.

Enjoy your cruise.

 

[littlebit]

We had friends 2 years ago that did purchased an upgrade at the pier. They asked if there were any suites available and got it for $600. You need to check how much more the suite is BEFORE you leave for your cruise - then ask at the pier about purchasing an upgrade. They will quote you a price and you can decide at that time if it is worth the cost and if you are saving money doing it that way. You can also always ask if they have an upgrade available and DON'T mention purchasing it. Some times they will give you an upgrade at no cost. SOME TIMES!
We were upgraded by the cruise line once prior to a cruise. But that was about 3 weeks after 911 and they ship was nearly empty. We went from the lowest balcony cabin to a mini suite at no cost to us! It was great!

 

[PH8]

These are prices for a 7 day cruise......

From:
Inside to Royal Suite (RS) $1,500
Inside to Suite $1,000
Inside to Balcony $600
Inside to Outside $300
Inside to Inside $100

Outside to RS $1,200
Outside to Suite $700
Outside to Balcony $300
Outside to Outside $100

Balcony to RS $1,000
Balcony to Suite $400
Balcony to Balcony $100

Suite to RS $800
Suite to Suite $400.

 

[littlebit]

Per person or each AJ?

 

[PH8]

Not sure what you mean by AJ..but it is for the cabin..........not per person.......

 

[AJ coast]

Thanks, could I ask your source for these prices? FOr some reasons I don't really buy these upgrade prices per cabin. The inside cabin to RS supplement seems too miniscule (I mean $1500, that's like 10% of the list price of a Royal Suite.) If these prices are accurate, this means a serious dilution of the premium cabins!!!

[quote PH8]These are prices for a 7 day cruise......

From:
Inside to Royal Suite (RS) $1,500
Inside to Suite $1,000
Inside to Balcony $600
Inside to Outside $300
Inside to Inside $100

Outside to RS $1,200
Outside to Suite $700
Outside to Balcony $300
Outside to Outside $100

Balcony to RS $1,000
Balcony to Suite $400
Balcony to Balcony $100

Suite to RS $800
Suite to Suite $400.[/quote]

 

[piercetc2]

take into consideration the 1500 is in addition to the price you are already paying........so from inside to royal suite is 1500 plus what you paid for the inside....= more than just 1500

 

[PH8]

Besides they wont upgrade you to a RS .............IF(and very slight chance) it was still available,they would use it as a Bingo prize.......

Got the list from others who got it from the pier........and I have upgraded and yes, those are the prices............

 

[AJ coast]

Yes, I understand this, but considering that RSs run about $15,000+ for peak season and insides only about $3500, 3500+1500 is only about 5000, which is $10K less than list price. However I do understand your point that the RS will RARELY be available, and they will probably offer that (or an Owner's suite if the RS is booked) as prizes.

[quote piercetc2]take into consideration the 1500 is in addition to the price you are already paying........so from inside to royal suite is 1500 plus what you paid for the inside....= more than just 1500[/quote]

 

[Lady Jag]

It's even very rare that an OS or GS will be available if you travel during peak season. Even during off-peak season, it's rare. The least expensive inside cabins and the suites are always the first to sell out.

We paid for an upgrade on our very first cruise in 1999 from an inside to a jr. suite. At that time, it was $600 on an older ship. Good luck with it though.

 

[PH8]

[quote AJ coast]Yes, I understand this, but considering that RSs run about $15,000+ for peak season and insides only about $3500, 3500+1500 is only about 5000, which is $10K less than list price. [/quote]

You talking about a 7 day cruise??? On what ship is it that much??????? $3500 for an inside????Thats crazy!

 

[rcicruisers1]

AJcoast - Whether you buy into it or not, PH is correct on the price list. We have also upgraded at the pier and the price has been consistant. It is per cabin.

We just sailed on a 4 night Sovereign and upgraded from a SO to a JS at the pier for $200 total. The senior rate for the SO was $284PP and for the JS $649PP before then. A savings of $530.

PH is also correct that you will probably never be able to upgrade to the RS if available as they use it for a Bingp raffle prize.

 

[AJ coast]

[quote PH8][quote AJ coast]Yes, I understand this, but considering that RSs run about $15,000+ for peak season and insides only about $3500, 3500+1500 is only about 5000, which is $10K less than list price. [/quote]

You talking about a 7 day cruise??? On what ship is it that much??????? $3500 for an inside????Thats crazy![/quote]

Peak season inside cabins usually run a little less than $2K per person for a 7 nighter.

 

[PH8]

I wouldnt pay that much for an inside...........

 

[piercetc2]

i looked last summer for a cruise- 7 nights- the most i saw for an inside was like 1000 pp- did you mean 2000 for the cabin? i looked at all voyager class ships sailing the caribbean from july 20 on thru spring break 07-
i would not pay 2000 pp for an inside either- but we have the luxury of going on off season so don't have to worry about that anyway....

 

[AJ coast]

Offering such low prices for upgrades in comparison to the list prices truly dilutes the suite clientele.

 

[AJ coast]

Futhermore, the above list of upgraded prices is either false or RCCL has recently changed its pierside upgrade policy (probably after receiving complaints from full-fare customers upset over other passengers receiving same level accomodations at drastically reduced prices. All upgrades at the pier with RCCL are full fare:

"Ms. Young, thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate this opportunity to respond.

Regarding your inquiry, if space is available on the day of sailing all staterooms are full fare at the pier. We suggest guests upgrade prior to sailing to avoid paying higher fares.

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

Corey Richburg
Customer Service Representative:

 

[rcl2007]

I am going on The Freedom Of the seas on the 3rd of march...I am paying 3,200 (us) for 4 people 1 cabin inside one caben minie suite..the deals are out ther people it well not cost you 1500 pp in an inside...

 

[AJ coast]

[quote rcl2007]I am going on The Freedom Of the seas on the 3rd of march...I am paying 3,200 (us) for 4 people 1 cabin inside one caben minie suite..the deals are out ther people it well not cost you 1500 pp in an inside...[/quote]

That is a fantastic deal. I probably exaggerated on the $1500 inside (its more like 700-800 for 1st and 2nd persons), but I do think RCL is taking steps to eliminate discounted pier-side upgrades to general members. It defeats the purpose of reserving a suite beforehand, and furthermore, one could view the former policy as unfair to those passengers paying expensive full-fare prices for their suite.