First time cruise with P&O - what are the chances of an upgrade?

w211

I'm considering going on a cruise with P&O, and looking at the "Select Price" option on their cabins.

One of the benefits is "priority for free cabin upgrades". Does this mean, there is a chance of getting a free cabin upgrade?

I would like a balcony cabin, therefore, should I take a chance and get an outside cabin, in the hope of an upgrade?

If I don't get a free upgrade, is there a possibility of paying for the upgrade at a later date?

This is the first time I'll be going on a cruise, and don't mind spending a bit to ensure that it'll be a good experience. It will be 7 nights, and don't wish to be cooped up in a small cabin.

Any experiences with P&O Cruises? Good or bad? It will be the Norwegian Fjords cruise on Ventura.

PeacefulWaters

The chances of an upgrade are slim, although we once got moved from a "family cabin" with balcony to two adjoining cabins (linked by balcony) which worked well space wise. I assume this was to accommodate another family booking and our status as regulars was prioritised. As a first time cruiser I'd expect there to be a repeat customer prioritised ahead of you.

Cabins are, on the whole, relatively small unless you pay a small fortune. While a balcony can add a little to space it often adds excessively to bill. My approach to cruising is to spend as much time out of the cabin as possible so I'm not sure you should get too hung up on it.

Although I did rather enjoy waking up at 6am and shivering on a balcony for my first sight of the fjords while the family slept.

travellerboy

P&O is a four star cruise line, not the best and definitely not the worst. Upgrades will depend on how the cruise cabins sell, there is a lot of competition out there, too early to tell. Upgrade from Oceanview to Balcony is unlikely, upgrades are generally to a better location on the ship.
I would recommend you choose the lowest priced balcony cabin, July in the Fiords is great, and hope for an upgrade.
Prices vary a lot between Travel Agents, do your research for the best price. (viva voyage are generally the cheapest in the UK)

burnoutbabe

in general any upgrades are within same class - ie you book the cheapest Outside view and thats at the bottom of the ship and you get bumped up a few floors to a higher one.

We got upgraded on 2nd cruise, we picked an obscured window and got an unobscured one, so that was nice.

daveyjp

Cabin upgrade does not necessarily mean different cabin type.

All cabins have a type grade and a location grade. Cabins nearer the centre are generally more expensive than those near the bow or stern. Those lower down may be more expensive than those higher up. If you look in the brochure there are lots of colours, each showing the cabin grade.

If you choose to be considered for an upgrade the upgrade will more than likely result in a location upgrade, not a cabin type (although they do happen occasionally).

We prefer cabins at bow or stern as you get fewer passengers passing, so we never chose to upgrade.

The downside with Ventura for a fjords cruise is it has no crows nest bar - a bar at the front of the ship giving a wide view. It has a bar at the rear with a half decent view, but if you want to take in the stunning views you need to be on deck. Fine when it is sunny, a problem if it is raining (and it rains a lot in the fjords!).

joaniemerc

We have been lucky twice with P&O by accepting free cabin upgrade both cruises to the Fjords.

The first time we booked an inside and got upgraded to an obstructed view (which was hardly obstructed at all) and second time we booked an obstructed view and were upgraded to a balcony.

Might be worth mentioning when you book that it's your 10th, 20th, silver etc. wedding anniversary or special birthday cruise.;)

InsideInsurance

We got a downgrade on ours as there was a problem with the ocean view room we booked so they moved us to a room with twin single beds (and certainly were single) which we didnt want. The only spare rooms they had that were double was an inside cabin. They did say that the boat was one of the last awaiting to be refitted and once done all would have twin beds that join to form a double.

Book the grade you want to have and if you get an upgrade to something higher its a bonus. Dont book a lower grade and expect to get an upgrade. We have status with a few hotels where we are eligible for a free upgrade if available and get it 90% of the time but not always. Once the upgrade was from a corner suite to a two bed suite and to be honest, having no need for a second bedroom we'd have preferred to have had the corner with the better views but they'd none left having bumped up our reservation shortly after receiving it. Sometimes the best grade of one type of room is better than the lowest grade of the next tier of rooms

w211

Excellent, thanks for replies. Looks like everyone has had the experience!

Balcony cabin it is, then (which is what I'd like).

Can't imagine being cooped up in a cabin with a porthole (which could be obstructed), or nothing at all.

InsideInsurance

w211 wrote: »

Can't imagine being cooped up in a cabin with a porthole (which could be obstructed), or nothing at all.

It depends what sort of person you are and where your trip is etc. Have been on a couple of cruises and to be honest outside of sleeping we spent almost no time at all in the cabin as we were either on excursions, eating in a restaurant, drinking in a bar, sunning on the deck etc.

Its the same as hotel rooms, even when we got the free upgrade to a 2 bed suite, that also had 2 lounges, 2 dining rooms, an office, 3 bathrooms and was over 3 times the size of our house, we arent the types to just sit in the room and so other than one night when we had friends over for drinks we didnt use anything other that 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and the walk in wardrobe/ dressing room (thats bigger than our 2nd bedroom at home). If we hadnt had the big entertaining space we'd have been just as happy in the bar/ lounge of the hotel.

Evidently there are some who do like spending more time in the room and then the lack of windows/ access to private outside space could be an issue but it isnt for us.

travellerboy

Those who choose an inside cabin do it for one reason only, too save money.
The argument that you only sleep there, is just kidding yourselves - cave living was an experience endured centuries ago.
Your overall cruise experience will definitely benefit from at least a window view but even better a balcony if you can afford the cost.

InsideInsurance

travellerboy wrote: »

Those who choose an inside cabin do it for one reason only, too save money.
The argument that you only sleep there, is just kidding yourselves - cave living was an experience endured centuries ago.
Your overall cruise experience will definitely benefit from at least a window view but even better a balcony if you can afford the cost.

What else do you do there?

The only time we had an inside cabin was when they'd messed up and we'd rather a inside cabin with a double bed than an outside cabin with a pair of single beds. There was no money saving at all as we had paid for the outside cabin but really it made almost no difference at all.