sail2day

I am still waiting for my bids for an August 4th sailing on the Millie northbound to Alaska.

I am getting this info from data posted on the CC website on the Move-Up tracker and my own personal experience. The statement concerning the possibility of winning is just a statement. I am sure that there are cases of people who bid lower and based on availability are awarded an upgrade. If you cruise in the slow season the possibility of winning with a low bid is much greater. I have bid several times (all at 20%- 30%) of the bid amount, and all have been declined. I always cruise during the summer peak season. Both Alaska and the Caribbean have been the cruises I have bid on.

I am writing this post after utilizing the Move-Up tracker app on numerous cruises. I have bid on at least 4 cruises in the past 2 years. All of the bids have failed. I have analyzed the successful bidders. There is no consistent protocol to the bids that have been successful. The only factor that all the bids have in common is that the initial bid for each was approximately 75-80% of the maximum amount permitted on the app. All of these bids were successful and notified weeks before the sailing (not days). The bids that were successful and notified days before the sailing were in what I call the mid-range category. That category comprises 50-70% of the maximum fee permitted per passenger. All of the other bids were declined 2 days before the cruise. The algorithm that is used does take into account the Celebrity repeaters status of each cruiser. How much weight is given to that status is up for discussion. It is at least comforting to know that this factor does come into play. Obviously, the success of the bids is based on cabin availability for each category. If you are going to be successful in a bid on the tracker you need to bid at least 70% of the maximum amount. This is true unless the category is undersold.

Revised (3rd increase) Move Up Tracker Ship: Millenium Length of Cruise: 7 days Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023 Date email offer received: May 2023 Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA Current Cabin: Outside 3035 Bid? Yes/No: YES If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments) Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $380 pp Balcony $250 pp Ultra Deluxe Veranda $300 pp Concierge Veranda $320 pp Notification Date: Pending for all categories.

Revised Move Up Tracker Ship: Millenium Length of Cruise: 7 days Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023 Date email offer received: May 2023 Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA Current Cabin: Outside 3035 Bid? Yes/No: YES If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments) Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $375 pp Balcony $250 pp Ultra Deluxe Veranda $300 pp Notification Date: Pending for Aqua

The Move Up algorithm is a mystery. I believe that if the bid is very high and there are cabins available, they confirm right away. If the bid is in the low to moderate range, then the waiting begins.

Yes, it is a mysterious process. There is no rhyme or reason why some bids get accepted months out and other get rejected two days before the cruise.

What if the status of a bid if it is "locked-- pending"?

Move Up Tracker Ship: Millenium Length of Cruise: 7 days Cruise Sail Date: August 4, 2023 Date email offer received: May 2023 Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA Current Cabin: Outside 3035 Bid? Yes/No: YES If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: place winning category, if accepted (all category offers, can be mentioned in comments) Bid Offer: Aqua stateroom $375 pp Balcony $250 pp Notification Date: Pending for Aqua

It is hard to believe that they can keep their itinerary with the 10 hour delay in departure.

Any news on itinerary changes?

Carnival has shown today that they are above other cruise lines in responding to unforeseen circumstances. None of this was expected, but they took the "high road" and were proactive in their response.

I agree that the wreckage of the boat that sank might be creating a depth clearance issue in the channel.

Yes, I agree. There must be an issue with the wreckage of the accident and the main channel.

Here is a screenshot of the app showing the container ship entering Government Cut.

On the Marine Traffic app it looks like the 1st ship is entering the channel. It is a freighter the "Seaboard Blue". Let's hope that the remaining cruise ships at anchor will slowly begin moving into the channel.

They will probably reopen the port at noon so that the ships can dock. From what I can tell the investigation into the accident is still ongoing. I see the ships are all still at their anchorage spot just off the coast. Embarkation for new passengers probably will not begin until at least 3 pm today.

I agree with your post. Celebrity is now joining the other lines in the same cost cutting measures. Very soon all lines will offer the same product. I'm not sure what their end game is here.

I agree! Nothing special with the Pearl

I agree! Nothing new or surprising

Thanks for the post. I want to do that for my dad. We are traveling on Celebrity. I imagine the process is similar.

Was the upgrade cost reasonable?

Yes, I received the 2nd e-mail and booked a 4 night cruise on the Silhouette in November in addition to my MR cruise in February.

I have a 4 night cruise on the Silhouette in November booked, as well as a Mexican Riviera cruise on the Solstice in February under the same promotion.

I also received the offer and booked a cruise in February. I was assigned a "hump balcony" so I am very happy. Almost a "free" cruise if you use miles for your airfare.