Zaandam balcony guarantee

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Lindy

Guest
I want to sail 3/15/03 on the Zaandam, I am considering a balcony guarnatee. I am
wondering it there are others who have booked the guarantee and perhaps landed a suite this way. The price is $880.00 plus port and tax $1049.13 total, seems like a good price and even better with a suite.
 
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SueClark

Guest
The upgrade fairy could be good to you! But chances are better that you will get a balcony. Never book a category less than you will be happy with... then if the fairy is nice to you so much the better.

Sue
 
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sail7seas

Guest
I think it fairly infrequent that upgrades are made to "S" suites. In all honesty, I hope that is the case. As someone who always books an "S" , usually up to a year in advance; well, gee.....I wouldn't be thrilled to hear I was a sucker for paying for my "S" when others got a "freebie". Don't think I know too many who would be thrilled with that scenario. Don't want to sound mean....but I am sure you understand.

......gotta admit I'm honest :)
 
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Kirk

Guest
I agree with sail7seas. We book our suite far in advance. That's where we get our discount. There were a couple of empty suites in South America last year, but that is how they stayed....empty.
 
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Lindy

Guest
Yeah on this cruise they are 3/4 empty, not many Bs left. I suppose its worth a shot, but don't get my hopes up. Thanks Lindy
 
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sail7seas

Guest
There were a few Suites empty on Amsterdam for the Christmas cruise and the only one that was filled was someone who paid additional dollars (to equal the going rate) to upgrade once they were on the ship.

Also...a Penthouse remained empty for New Yearsa cruise.....as it should IMO If someone is willing to pay for the upgrade, great! If not......leave it empty in fairness to those who paid!
 
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Lindy

Guest
Is that how it works on Hal, I don't know. I booked people on Norwegian 3 years ago last
minute, outside of our group and they paid half price and were upgraded to a suite.
I can't say that I was too thrilled about this. I am trying to book them on a HAL Zaandam
cruise and know they won't be happy with the cabin they will get this time at the minimum
price.
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Lindy - not all cruise lines have the same policy for upgrades. Some are known to be pretty liberal with upgrades on certain itineraries, other cruise lines are quite stringent about upgrades.

At any rate, what Sail and others have told you is correct. It is highly unlikely that you would be upgraded to a full Suite on HAL, having paid for a Balcony guarantee.
 
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paula

Guest
I just returned from a week on the Zaandam, There were suites and other cabins available. People who asked for a free upgrade were advised that upgrades are never given once the 48 hours prior to embarkation was reached. Any upgrades given prior to sailing musy meet certain criteria which was not elaborated on. People could upgrade on the first day of the cruise but they had to pay the price difference between the room they had and the room they wanted.
 
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