Speculation surrounds the issue of getting upgraded when taking a cruise. Is it possible to get a free travel upgrade? Is preference given to those who cruise more? Or, are there cruise deals available that offer free stateroom upgrades for anyone who takes advantage of the promotion? Here’s how to get a cruise upgrade.
How to Get a Free Travel Upgrade
Use a Cruise Line Credit Card – Loyal cruisers can accumulate points or miles when using their cruise line credit card. These points can be cashed in for rewards such as a free stateroom upgrade. For example, with the Royal Caribbean cruise line credit card when 50,000 Royal Points are accumulated, the card holder can upgrade from an ocean view cabin to a balcony.
Cruise Line Loyalty Program Upgrades – Crystal Cruises offers a two category cruise-only upgrade for loyalty members that have achieved Milestone Level 10. Royal Caribbean also considers travel upgrades for past passengers based on Crown & Anchor tier level and cruise credit totals.
Book a Guaranteed Cabin – The rationale is that there is a chance of being upgraded for free based on the fact that the category booked has been oversold. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a guaranteed cabin will equate to an upgrade. According to CruiseCritic, a leading cruise info website, "No matter what a travel agent or anyone tells you, the cruise line is not obligated to give you a cabin in a higher category than you booked," says the website.
Cruise Travel Deals and Cruise Discounts
Princess Cruises Travel Upgrades – The Princess Cruises promotion, Europe Balcony Plus, is currently being offered for summer 2011 cruises. Unobstructed ocean view staterooms can be upgraded to balcony staterooms starting at $99 per person.
Holland America Line Travel Upgrades – On select 2011 Caribbean cruises, HAL is offering free stateroom upgrades. Book an ocean view stateroom and receive a free verandah upgrade on select cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Alternatively, book an interior stateroom and receive a free ocean view upgrade on select cruises from Tampa, Florida.
Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Upgrades – NCL has extended their Hello Balcony promotion into 2011. On select sailings in the Caribbean and Europe, a balcony stateroom can be booked for the price of an ocean view stateroom. Alternatively, an ocean view stateroom can be booked for the price of an inside stateroom.
Paying for a Travel Upgrade
One other way to get a stateroom upgrade on a cruise is to pay for it. Most often, the cruise line will call the booked passenger and offer an upgrade at a "discounted" price. Sometimes it's worth it, other times it's not. Another option is to upgrade at the port. Veteran Disney cruiser, kcashner posted on Disney's community forum, disboards, "In my experience, the cost of upgrading at the port is about half of the cost of upgrading in advance."
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
