I don't know if this has been previously discussed, but I can't remember:

If you select a specific cabin when you book, can Regent "upgrade" you to a different cabin without your approval?

Thanks,

I would think they would contact your TA and ask them if you were interested in an upgrade, and you could accept or decline. That has been my experience previously on other lines, I get a call and then check with the client. I had some RSSC cruisers last year, and RSSC called me to ask if they wanted to pay $200 or something per person to upgrade to a Butler suite, they didn't so I declined it and that was that. Now if you are on a guarantee, thats a different story, they just assign you whatever category/cabin they want.
I'm sure Ngaire has more experience with RSSC than I do on this issue.

I was upgraded once and didn't know it until the documents arrived. Have no idea how or why it happened - but great cabin in great location. Why mention it? I assumed if they had made a mistake I would have found out when I checked in and my orginal cabin was fine by me. But no mistake. It was great.

Guarantees - are not really upgrades.

On a guarantee they just assign a cabin in the category you purchased or better. I have had cases where I dont even know the cabin when the people board the plane. It is assigned at the dock. Most of the time it is assigned somewhere between 6 - 2 weeks before departure. There is really no pattern it can happen at anytime.

An upgrade from a confirmed cabin number

On a complimentary upgrade from an actual cabin number normally they will call the TA and confirm that the client wants to accept the new cabin. This is true even if it is an obvious YES. A change for instance from an H cabin Voyager to a midship F cabin. They still call. People have attachments or reasons to be in certain cabins and dont want to move no matter what so a call should be always be done. This is normally only done when THEY NEED your cabin for a reason. For instance someone doing four back to backs and wants cabin 601. The only segment 601 is not available is the cruise you are on in and you are in 601.They need you to move out of 601 to accommodate the passenger taking a longer cruise so they offer you an upgrade. Or a family of five cabins and they want to be together and your cabin is in the middle of their cabins. Things of that nature.

A paid upgrade for less prior to boarding

For a little while they were calling and offering upgraded cabins for a fee. Particularly suites. A lot less than the normal charge. It happened for a couple of months and then stopped. Whether it was an experiment to see how many would pay just a little extra for a better cabin or whether the ships are so full now they dont have the space I really dont know. Not had a call like that for a long time. (This is what Joanna was talking about in her post above) You cannot request this it was just an action they decided to take.

Then there are things like Betty's. She was upgraded we were obviously not informed or we would have called her and let her know. Why we were not called who knows, just slipped through the cracks I guess.

Ngaire, I was afraid to call. Didn't want you to tell me they had made a mistake. :)

Editing to add: What made this extra special was that it happened 3 years ago when RSSC offerred several cruises that summer with only a $99 single supplement. I couldn't dial Ngaire to book fast enough! Happened seem this happen since.

Thank you for the clarification.

My concern is that what might be an "upgrade" to somebody ( for example a change from G midship in Voyager to a Horizon suite aft) I wouldn't consider an upgrade. So as long as they call first, I guess there should be no problem.

My question was triggered by a poster in CC that is now concerned because she was "upgraded" on Voyager to a Horizon suite aft. She is now worried about the vibration. If this were to happen to me, I would have a MAJOR problem.

Ngaire: I think that must have been how we got a suite on Mint - I wish they would offer an upgrade to suite (reasonable fee of course) more often -

I agree, Joanna. You may remember I was pondering upgrading to a Penthouse B for CROSS and couldn't really justify the extra expense given how lovely the regular cabins are. I'm still very curious, though. Oh well, maybe someday.

Thanks for the clear explanation of how the upgrading process works, Ngaire.

I remember Priscilla - yes, the regular cabins are wonderful. I will admit I loved the suite we had on the Mariner but doubt that opportunity will occur again - and I think we have two very capable and sweet butlers, John and Tony ;) ;)

Priscilla, I wouldn't pay a penny extra for a Voyager Penthouse. They are only 14 sq.ft. bigger than the standard cabins, while on the Mariner, they are super!

We too love the Penthouse C on the Mariner. We got lucky by booking South America while on the '05 WC as you got a free upgrade. This is how we lucked into C for the full 60 days on SA cruise. Like Joanna, we probably won't see the likes of a cabin this nice again unless we got lucky on an upgrade via a "guarantee category".

Why I love the Guarantee...roll of the dice BUT we have been lucky ...no suites etc but very OK cabins - roll that dice for Horizon or C cabin -

On 007 we had a H Guarantee and were upgraded to a Horizon suite, the cabin seemed to be the same size, but the Balcony was much bigger, we really enjoyed it.

FV

We can always hope for an upgrade, right? Makes it fun to dream. Until then, as you point out Joanna, we will use our very capable butlers who travel with us. :D

Olivia, the 14 square foot difference was one of the reasons we didn't spring for a Voyager Penthouse, although the cabin arrangement looks very appealing. As I say, we can dream!