the upgrade fairy has made a visit
BikeRider50
directly with the cruise line about 6 months ago though a really cheap
e-mail offer she received from HAL. Booked a cat VF guarantee. Over the
past 3 months she's watched as the cabin they are assigning keeps going
higher and higher in the stateroom category. Yesterday, the upgrade
fairy came though big time.
I preface this by saying we have just slightly over 100 days on HAL and
have sailed in everything from a inside once to our regular balcony to
booking a SB suite a couple of times just to see how the other half lives.
This time, they upgraded us to a full SA suite. It has to be because of
the amount of time we have with them, as friends of our also sailing on
the same ship and booked into the same cat guarantee only got upgraded
to a better V cat. The friends BTW booked though their cruise only
travel agent who told them that he'd get them a killer upgrade. So much
for travel agents having any power over the cruise line or getting
better deals than booking direct.
I'm looking forward to spending time in the Neptune lounge again.
Carol Eskra
(from outside to mini suite) was when I booked directly with Princess.
Joseph Coulter
No one can guarantee the upgrade fairy's graces. she is one fickle
lady. Booking direct didn't help. Almost any of us in the biz can come
up with a "one of my client's got" stories. While your past passenger
status may have helped, consider that discussions with elite cruisers
on Princess will give rise to the sentiment that only the first timers
get the good upgrades! and my best upgrade to a suite was a balcony
for a first timer (his broken leg helped him get the last upgrade for
accesibility I believe.)
Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations
www.josephcoulter.com
John Sisker
news:B7jLm.216787$Jp1.1...@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
Your past time with Holland American Line certainly helped, as would the
true status of the cruise-only agency in reference to volume and contract
agreements with the cruise line. There are a lot of factors in deciding any
upgrades from a guarantee booking. Some of this is perspective, or even some
agencies claiming they can get a killer upgrade. But beyond the "upgrade
fairy's graces," I remember back when cruises were booked through agents
only, the cruise lines themselves were not trying to cut out the middle man.
This is no longer the case. Are agents to be pushed out altogether, as they
have pretty much been with the airlines? If so, I feel it is still a long
time off. Good agents, will be around in the business for a long time to
come, but only those with the volume, backing and connections to really
compete. After all, now they are competing against the cruise lines
themselves, not just other agencies.
Smooth sailing to all...
John Sisker - SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY�
(714) 536-3850 or toll-free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com
ray
One cruise I booked 13 cabins for a family reunion and the cruise line
only had me as a contact. However, one of our people got an upgrade ...
not me. And nobody but me had been on this line before. On another
cruise where we got an airline discount price of $229 for a $1200
European cruise and we got a HUGE upgrade! This was our first time on
THIS cruise line so go figger!
--
Ray
=======================
www.compressorstuff.com
BikeRider50
We're onboard the Eurodam. Suite is a bit smaller than on Veendam, but
nicely laid out. Ship is completely full, but with priority boarding, we
were in the cabin within 15 minutes of getting off the hotel shuttle. No
line at all for suite passengers, but the regular line was out the door.
Neptune lounge girls took care of booking us a private cabana at the
Retreat for the week, along with the hydrotherapy spa upgrade. Good
thing we had them do it, as the cabanas were sold out 15 minutes later
when the people in a cabin next to us tried to book one. They were also
able to help with a small glitch getting the laptop connected to the
wi-fi, but have great coverage in the suite. Probably going to eat
dinner most nights in the suite, but we've already booked the Pinnacle
for 2 nights and Canneleto for 1. The Neptune girls said that the dining
room is really crowded until after 8. I like being able to eat breakfast
in the Pinnacle too.
I'm not sure I'm going to like the ship overall, as it's too dam big,
but so far, things are going smoothly.