How to Choose a Cruise Stateroom Upgrade

Cruise guests should book early for the best chance of receiving higher category staterooms. This is never guaranteed. Also, anyone who has traveled on the cruise line (past guest) will usually have the advantage over someone who has never sailed with them before. You either pay more for the upgrade or pay for a select category without an assigned stateroom and hope for an upgrade.

Steps

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    There are usually two types of Cruise Stateroom upgrades.
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    Paid Upgrade - An upgrade can be obtain by paying an additional fee for the upgrade. Cruise lines may offer this from time to time.
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    Guaranteed Cruise Fare - Cruise Lines may offer a guarantee room rate. This means you pay for a certain room at that room rate. You will be guaranteed to receive that room category or higher. The disadvantage is you will not receive a room assignment at the time of booking. You may not receive a stateroom assignment until the day you board the ship. The upside is that you may be assigned a higher stateroom at the lower rate.
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    Cabin upgrades are rare especially on ships that are sailing at or near capacity.
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    A Stateroom upgrade is less likely to occur on popular ships.
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    Seldom do you see upgrades from an inside to an ocean view stateroom.
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    Upgrades are usually given to those who booked early and/or to past passengers who have sailed on the same cruise line. Upgrades can occur on the same deck just in a different category. An upgrade can be from a higher deck to a lower deck but the stateroom would be classified a higher category. You could receive an upgrade to a higher category to a higher deck. This may be good but there are times where the room can actually be smaller even though you were upgraded to a higher deck.
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    Guaranteed reservation may not be for everyone. Especially those who prefer a specific staterooms type with a preferred location.
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    With a guaranteed stateroom you never know what or where you will end up. You could have cabin in the center of the ship, by the stairway or in the front or rear of the ship. Any location can greatly affect you cruise experience.
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    Remember, when you booking a cruise stateroom upgrade on a guaranteed basis,you are only "guaranteed" to receive the category you paid for.

Tips

  • Guaranteed staterooms cost less but you have no control over your stateroom location you will be assigned.
  • Book early if you have a preference as to the type of stateroom and location you would prefer.

Warnings

  • Please be aware of this warning. There are travel agents that will indicate you are receiving an assigned or guaranteed ocean view stateroom. These rooms will cost less than a regular ocean view stateroom.
  • They are telling the truth except you are receiving an ocean view stateroom with a partially or fully obstructed view.

Article Info

Categories: Travel Cruises