I consider myself a veteran cruiser too with 10 cruises under my belt. But I have a two part question for you guys.

I have found it pretty common for cruise lines to either upgrade you to a higher category cabin or give you an on-board credit when the cost for the cabin that you booked is reduced.

1st question: Is this as common as I think?

2nd question: Has this been common with NCL?

I am booked for a cruise in October on NCL. When I checked recently I found that the cost for a cabin that is 9 categories higher than the cabin I booked is now about $140 cheaper. When NCL was asked about an upgrade or a on-board credit they refused.

If anyone has had much experience on upgrades I'd like to hear from you.

My understanding is that once you are past the final payment date, or as they say, "into the penalty phase", no adjustments are made. They may have dropped the price of the catagory to which you refer, but If your cruise is in October, you should be well past the final payment date and not elgible for an upgrade or onboard credit.

That may be the case. If it is, I don't think they should have a promo on their site saying "Pity the procastinator" and talking about the value of booking early. Where's the value? Had I procrastinated rather than booking in June I could have been in a 9 category higher cabin for less money. It looks like it PAYS to procrastinate.

I know on my last cruise with Carnival it was close to time to sail when we received a $250 per cabin on-board credit. If this kind of "service" is common with NCL I imagine this will be my first and last cruise with them.

Unfortunately its like that with a lot of travel now. I always get "E saver" promotions from airlines for dratically reduced airfare if I can travel in the next week or so. They certainly don't offer people that are already booked those cheaper fares. They are trying to fill the plane, just like NCL is trying to fill the ship. If you really want the cheapest fare you will have to take your chances and wait and see what is available closer to your sailing date. You run the risk of not getting what you want though. I know someone that ONLY buys those last minute deals. She may not get the ships or itineraries she wants, but she always gets a GREAT fare!

It just depends on what your priorities are.

That may be the case with NCL. But I know I've received some kind of credit at least 3 different times on other cruise lines. I do appreciate your input though.

quote:

My understanding is that once you are past the final payment date, or as they say, "into the penalty phase", no adjustments are made.

Depends on the timing and the cruise line. I've often gotten refunds for my clients, when the price of their category has dropped even after final payment time.

If the cruise line has lowered the price of your category "for new bookings only," they're less likely to make any changes.

Sandy

Our final payment is due with NCL on Monday .I saw that the price had dropped,I asked my TA to cancel & rebook us at the new price , (they have done this on previous bookings) she told me that N'CL said the reduction was for new bookings only & if they caught someones name later who had rebooked. they would charge their credit card at the full price . is this legal ?

Don't know if it's legal or not. I do know the history we've had with Carnival though. They've given us at least 3 upgrades over the last 12 years. In Feb. of this year we had 3 cabins an all 3 received a $250 on-board cridit. There is still time for something this time but they've told our TA that they would make no adjustments and they've not even acknowledged my e-mail of Wednesday. I think I know who I'll cruise with next time.

Yes I agree with you about who you will cruise with , I see on NCl that they have a special deal about procrastinators etc, & when you start looking at the prices etc it says you cannot cacel & rebook to get the special or you will lose previous discounts!!! I guess this is the new management company who have invested a few million in NCL !! until one of the other lines decides not to penalize customers who book early & give them interest free money (via deposits )they will continue to get away with it.

I just had the opposite situation...I booked my Pearl Cruise for January in June....and now the price has risen $150....but they didn't charge me extra....when you book early some of the value is in the knowledge that you will be on the ship.....we've waited until the last minute on some cruises and didn't go because they were full....But have a great cruise anyway and I'm sure the funtime and the ship will ease your concern....Happy Sailing...

Bob E

Thanks Bob I needed that!! I really would be upset if we could not go on the cruise, & would probably pay an extra $200 to get on it. any way we will see what happens tomorrow. i.ll let you know.

Bob makes an excellent point. I've seen this happen with many of my cruises, on various lines. Had I waited, the cost would have increased -- substantially, in some cases.

There are often so many restrictions with a last minute promotion that it often doesn't pay. Also, those that need to fly to the port will likely have to shell out a great deal more in air fare than if they had booked further in advance. (Of course, I don't know if this applies to tncruzin.)

My reading of the NCL promo is that upgrades -- if available -- are from inside to inside, outside to outside, balcony to balcony, etc. (Someone please step in if I'm wrong -- it's been a long day.) So, a 9-category upgrade isn't like going from an inside to a balcony.

Sorry to hear this is happening to you, tncruzin. Yet, to answer the questions you posted above, I don't believe that an upgrade or cabin credit is common (not after final payment, anyway). Sure, it might happen, yet based on the many posts I've seen on this subject, such occasions would be rare.

Taking Pearl repositioning cruise on Sept 24th, 2007 from VanCouver, B.C. to Los Angeles. We paid for the trip several months ago, then bang NCL lowered the price after the final payment was made.......

Our fantasic travel agent contaced us and NCL gave us the lower price. Now are on the cruise from Sept 24 to 28th for $169.99 person, double occupancy Deck 8 ..Full Oceanview......add in port charges and taxes and we are at $249.99.

I guess a lot has to due with the travel agent that you work with. In fact a credit has aleady showed up on my credit card billing statement just last week.

Our travel agent is great and she works for us...she is travel agent that specilizes in the cruise industry. We have never had a problem with Janet...to us, she's the BEST.

I think "tncruzin" needs a new agent.

Mary and I have NEVER had a problem with NCL reservations or pricing discounts. It been a fantastic experience for us. We love NCL.....

Richard & Mary
Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

I think two things may be in play here.

First, when I book a cruise, I always go through a travel agent who I know places a lot of business (large groups, charters, etc.) with the that respective line. Generally speaking, if problems arise with my trip, my agent has already established some clout, due to the volume of bookings, with the cruise line and is able to "express" their (or my) perspective with a little more authority.

Secondly, it's been my experience that cruise lines that are on financial firm ground are more likely to give concessions than those that aren't. Ergo, Carnival, who is financially healthy, may be more in a position to grant a concession than NCL, who is struggling somewhat.

Garnett

Our TA has always been able to get us the lower price .prior to final payment, in June on the Jewel we got the reduced price which was $500 per cabin ,From what I have been told the way this has been done the tA cancels your old booking & re-books at the new price. but since the "Quote' the New management Coy came in they have added this to any new offers on their website. Quote 'This offer is for new bookings only canceling & re-bookiwillresult in the client losing any previous discounts" I have not seen this condition on any other line . but correct me if I am wrong.

"The Procrastinator "site says Quote "get an 11 category upgrade" How is this possible when they also state that you will only be upgraded inside to inside & the like? is this a case of False Advertising ? or did I miss something. They also sent me upgrade certificate , they asked my agent to send it to them, after 4 days & many calls by me & my agent they upgraded me from CAT EE to DD ,I now find that both these Cat are selling for the same price.!!! this was all befor my finalpayment ,

Actually, the quote is, "get up to an 11 category upgrade," as indicated on the Web site. That's possible, in theory, as several ships have many categories within each of the inside, outside, or balcony types (although few have as many as 12). For example, Norwegian Dream has 12 types of cabins classified as Oceanview (including one called Superior Oceanview); although in reality, most ships have 8 or 9 inside cabin categories and even fewer in the outside and balcony types.