What Happens When A Ship Is Over Sold?

I was just in Roll Call reading the various posts and, one of them, I don't recall which one at the moment said the ship was over-sold. What happens in a case like that? Who gets bumped and what type of compensation, if any, do you receive?

I was on the Star Princess back in February and the ocean view categories were over sold.

If I could've fit it into my calendar they would've rescheduled us to a later sailing, upgraded us to a balcony at no extra cost, and given us some OBC.

I couldn't reschedule, so they asked if I'd down grade to an interior room, and they gave me a handicap accessible room (HUGE) and OBC.

Of course every cruise line is a bit differrent.

If you are referring to a truely over sold ship, it happens rarely but does. Normally when the cruise line realizes the ship is over sold they will ask people to re-schedule if possible and offer an OBC, a discount, an upgrade, etc. That usually solves the problems. If they can't get volunteers then they just advise passengers they can not accommodate them. Who do they notify first? All those on special rates, like TAs, interline people, union discounted reservations and so on. Does this answer your question? If not I will try to explain a little better. Sometimes I talk forever and still don't make myself clear. Ask my DH about that.

Nita