I have taken about 50 cruises (stopped counting so am not sure) and have gotten lots of upgraded cabins.
But that has changed a lot since the paid upgrade programs were instituted. Why
1. I typically take a guaranteed cabin in the cabin category I am willing to live with during the cruise. I prefer an ocean view or balcony and am not bothered if either are obstructed. If picking an obstructed cabin number I check on cruisedeckplans.com.
to see if they have pictures or videos of the view. If I take a guaranteed obstructed ocean view I have found that Princess, NCL and HAL have given me a "within cabin category" upgrade. This means I will get a better location on the ship or often an unobstructed ocean view. I only once got upgraded on HAL to a balcony from an ocean view guaranteed cabin. But I will never do an ocean view guaranteed on HAL's newer ships as I got burned with an ocean cabin below the rock music last time.
Why am I recently getting the worst cabins? Because all of the major lines have a PAID upgrade program that starts about 85 days before the cruise. You will pay double what the price offered is for solos. It's a per person rate. With this program if the ship is full its unlikely you will get an upgrade even when its paid unless you offer the max and even then its doubtful.
I have learned that the guaranteed cabins are assigned last and you will get the left over cabin that no one has selected orignally or via the paid upgrade. Your loyalty status or how much you paid DOES NOT play into the decision. Its random.
2. When I have taken an inside guaranteed cabin I have also gotten a "within category" upgrade but never an ocean view or balcony as I have paid a low price. I have a guaranteed inside on an upcoming Enchanted Princess cruise and don't expect an upgrade. With the IF guaranteed cabin (there is no such thing as this category I will likely get the IE or maybe better within the category but not an ocean view or balcony. I will be getting the left over cabin. Note on this ship none of them are bad locations as I like the front of the ship and these cabins are always last to be chosen
3. As I get to higher levels in the loyalty programs of the cruise lines I was hoping the they have taken into account my level as recently I have gotten upgraded from ocean view to balcony but I also think this is due to the two other things... the ship being older and the sailings have not been full. This is key as you will not get an upgrade if the sailing is popular.
4. Cruise lines definitely take into account how much you paid for your cabin. The more you paid the more likely you will get an upgrade as long as the ship isn't full. As I typically use the cruise lines' air, buy an internet package and do the transfers and one or two shore excursions, this also adds up to the total spend.
5. I own the cruise line stock (100 shares), and this gives me onboard credit but it doesn't favour me an upgrade.
6. I use a travel agent and the cruise lines like to keep them happy. I have not gotten an upgrade when I booked directly with the cruise lines. I wonder why as then they keep all the money?
7. Don't try asking for one, just have your travel agent tick the box that your open to an upgrade. I have never gotten an upgrade by asking for one unless I was willing to pay.
Hope this helps
Marcia
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