How to Get a Room Upgrade on Costa Cruise?
To get a room upgrade on a Costa cruise, join the Costa Club loyalty program 1-888-653-0010(OTA) and watch for upgrade or bidding offers sent before departure. You can also pay to upgrade when booking or contact your travel agent. Asking at check-in or once onboard may work if cabins are available. Booking early or cruising in off-season increases your chances. Free upgrades are uncommon and usually depend on availability. Here are the cleverest methods of getting that desired upgrade on your next cruise on Costa.
It would be a good idea to learn how Costa actually manages upgrades before getting down to tactics. The Costa Cruises Upgrade Policy is not a one-hit-wonder rulebook; it is a stratification with numerous access points, including the rewarding of loyalty and bidding at the last minute. The strategy of Costa is mostly based on their C|Club loyalty program, which is a reward to repeat cruisers to give them more and more benefits as they get to higher levels of membership. Non-loyalty members, however, do have a way to an improved cabin. The trick is to know what door to knock on and when.
The C|Club program is the surest way of getting a free upgrade or a discount upgrade in case you are a regular cruiser with Costa. The levels start with Classic and continue to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum - and the higher you go, the more you can upgrade.
Bronze and Silver members who cruise more frequently in the current year than the prior year can receive free upgrade of cabins. Gold and Platinum members gain access to The “SuperUpgrade” - a significant cabin category, like the upgrade of a sea view room to a balcony or suite. The perk can be offered when reserving certain types of fares, which are mostly All-Inclusive fares. Unless you are already a member of C|Club, you should join before you next make a reservation since all cruises can be included in your eligibility.
A few weeks prior to the departure, you might get an email notification of Costa asking you to bid a higher cabin category. You place a financial bid, and when Costa takes it on the condition of availability, you get upgraded to the superior cabin, which is typically much cheaper than acquiring the cabin directly.
This is not a sure thing, but it will provide you with a legitimate opportunity of a high quality experience at a fraction of the cost. Fair bidding is the most appropriate way to go instead of bidding the lowest possible price, particularly when you have a preferred type of cabin in mind. Make your inbox work during the weeks preceding the sailing and do not be casual about such emails.
Most passengers believe that upgrades are either totally free, or prohibitively priced. The actuality of the Costa cruise upgrade cost 1-888-653-0010(OTA) lies snugly between, depending on the approach you take.
With the C|Club loyalty program, members who are qualified get free qualifying upgrades. Bidding program costs are per route and season, and are almost always more affordable than starting with the higher cabin, an upgrade to a balcony could cost an extra $50 to $150. You may also call Costa directly or go through a travel agent to enquire on the availability of paid upgrades especially during the last weeks before the actual departure of the cruise when unsold premium cabins are negotiable. Such offers are not frequent on the Internet, so it is worth calling the phone.
One point to remember: your loyalty points are calculated on the type of cabin you originally booked, not the upgraded cabin. So as you will have the better room, your balance of points will not be adjusted.
This low-profile trick is to reserve a guaranteed cabin type, in which you leave Costa to select your room instead of you. You pay a reduced rate in return. Should this cabin category be sold prior to your sailing date, Costa can upgrade you to a higher category at no additional fee.
Not all the time, but it does happen often on the busy routes to think about. The compromise is to lose control over your specific location in the cabin - you could be close to elevators or crowded places. When you are flexible, and it does not matter where you are, then this is a low-risk method of possibly getting a better room at a lower cost.
Among all upgrades, the Costa cruise balcony upgrade stands out as the upgrade most travelers would wish to have. Outdoor space, natural light and the fact that you can watch the sunrises in your own cabin- it literally changes the experience.
Gold and Platinum Club members, who purchase All-Inclusive fares, have the opportunity of having a SuperUpgrade that transports them out of a sea view cabin and into a balcony. Balcony upgrades are also quite a common feature in the bidding program. And when you call the Costa customer care call center, about two to four weeks prior to the sailing date, a balcony will usually be available at a sensible-paid price.
Be sure that under most upgrade procedures, you will not have the chance to select your specific cabin number, so make sure that you discuss your preferences with Costa prior to confirmation.
The following are some of the points to consider before you upgrade to anything:
Fare restrictions are in place: The vast majority of C|Club upgrades are only valid on certain types of fares such as Comfort Plus or All-Inclusive.
Not every sailing counts: The loyalty program does not apply to world tours or special event sailings.
Location of the cabin is not assured: In most upgrade techniques, you are not going to be able to choose the exact room, so it is always good to be flexible.
Request on the day of check-in: When all other options have been tried and failed, always give it a try by inquiring at the port upon embarkation day. The staff at times have the space when a ship is not sailing at full capacity.
Getting a room upgrade on a Costa cruise is all about planning, timing and understanding what is available to you, whether it is loyalty benefits, bidding and last minute. Nothing is a sure thing but the appropriate approach can transform an average cabin into a luxury one.