RKSue

I would pre book. Take a look at what time the ship leaves ports and figure time to get cleaned up. You don't have to do the same time each night. Ive seen the lines.  It's something that I prefer not to be in for dinner. Anything from 6:30  to 8 will be a wait and it could be a long wait.

On 11/1/2022 at 10:12 PM, geoherb said:

 

The final payment date for my cruise was August 30. I received the offer to bid on September 17. I received the notification that my bid was successful October 31. My cruise leaves November 28. 

I booked the cruise initially August 9. Princess sent me an initial upgrade notification (from a Cat. IF to a Cat. IA) that day. But my travel agent had to rebook me to get a better deal. I lost the Cat. IA cabin and took the chance at another guarantee Cat. IF. I found out I had been assigned to a Cat. IB cabin before the final payment date. Princess did not send me a notification for that cabin assignment. 

 

When I received the notice that my bid was successful, it did not include the cabin number. I was able to see it in the Cruise Personalizer. 

Are you on the Caribbean Princess with Us? I wasn't able to do anything accept try to move into a full suite, but I was told they are sold out. I put in a bid anyway for the type of suite we would enjoy. If I could have rebooked into something I would have as this might be Moms last cruise. She will be 94 when we set sail.

On 10/30/2022 at 9:28 AM, justafem said:

Always have to pay port fees and taxes.  The cabin is free, the rest are things that cruise lines actually pay for.  

 

I'll put it in perspective.  We just got back from a 10 day Alaskan.  We paid $800 total, which was $200 in room charge that we receive back as refundable onboard credit and $600 in taxes and port charges.  I also get free drinks, (just for me) and $400 in casino credits. A friend of mine booked the cruise without the casino promotion, she paid $3600, no onboard and no drinks.  

 

I have a 16 day Panama booked next year.  Our price was $1000 (same deal as before, but higher port fees).  Different friend had the same cruise booked, same room class.  She paid $4800.  I told her to call the casino dept and have her cruise refared.  She was thrilled to have saved $3800.

 

I can travel a whole lot at casino rates. 

On 10/30/2022 at 9:28 AM, justafem said:

Always have to pay port fees and taxes.  The cabin is free, the rest are things that cruise lines actually pay for.  

 

I'll put it in perspective.  We just got back from a 10 day Alaskan.  We paid $800 total, which was $200 in room charge that we receive back as refundable onboard credit and $600 in taxes and port charges.  I also get free drinks, (just for me) and $400 in casino credits. A friend of mine booked the cruise without the casino promotion, she paid $3600, no onboard and no drinks.  

 

I have a 16 day Panama booked next year.  Our price was $1000 (same deal as before, but higher port fees).  Different friend had the same cruise booked, same room class.  She paid $4800.  I told her to call the casino dept and have her cruise refared.  She was thrilled to have saved $3800.

 

I can travel a whole lot at casino rates. 

What is the Casino number if I can ask. All of my behind the scenes phone numbers have changed. Thanks. 

10 hours ago, jc foster said:

UPGRADE UPDATE :   A week ago to day I placed a bid of 150pp on the minisuite and a bid of 350pp on the club class minisuite. Today I was notified that the bid on the regular minisuite had been accepted. We sail in four weeks. The whole bidding process only took one week.

Congratulations. It’s nice to hear that people are actually getting their bids won. I have noticed that the upgrade prices are all over the place. I’m guessing that it might be based on what you paid for your cabin. 

13 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I got it!!!!!! We are now in a Deluxe Obstructed balcony in a good location (we once were in a cabin right next door). Min bid of $210 pp.

Congratulations. I know it must be super exciting. We have a window suite and I placed bids to upgrade to a Penthouse suite. Moms turning 94 so I thought this would be a good idea. I’m finding out that our cruise is sold out. The only chance I think we will have if someone cancels at the last minute. It does happen. Not a lot so fingers crossed someone found a better cruise for them. 

Just looked and you can no longer take the November 28th cruise. It’s sold out. I guess unless there’s a miracle out upgrade bids are just a thing of the past. 

On 10/19/2022 at 7:45 AM, kywildcatfanone said:

If you don't do the plus play, but want to add wifi and a drink package and pay for it prior to boarding, is that possible? I thought I read on this thread that you could, but looking at my cruise in December and I don't see anyplace on the app to add any kind of purchased services?

So I went onto Princess.com cruise personalizer. Then went to my cruise. It gave me the option to upgrade there. Not on the app. Go to the first page and scroll down  it’s not to far from the top  

48 minutes ago, pompeii said:

My husband and I are both elite, that is not in question.  Our personalizers on the website reflect that.  I was asking if there was a place on the app (not on the personalizer) where it indicates a passenger's loyalty level so you can check that the app reflects it correctly.  Many people are reporting that the app does not have their correct level.  

Yes. On your profile picture and on your ocean ready. See pictures below. I’m thinking a lot of people have more than one email account. I do. That could be the difference. 
 

also about 8-10 weeks ago IT did a basic upgrade and merge. Also added the new bidding process. I’m guessing since I worked with IT for 30 years it’s got something to do with the software upgrades. It’s common to get glitches. I could not check to add or see any suites. It kept telling me sorry for the “inconvenience “. It took me almost 3 weeks to book a cruise. The site crashed constantly. 

2 minutes ago, toofewcruises said:

It appears that my bids have been lost. I just checked and all I have is the option to upgrade! Nothing else unfortunately 

So now you can ignore or try again. Make sure at the very bottom of the page you confirm and save it. 

4 hours ago, pompeii said:

I thought that, but when I just put in an order for my medallion on a different cruise, it shows black for elite.  And on that 27-day cruise as well, the app shows $269.73 for a 1 device package.  So I don't think that's the issue.  Is there a place on the app where it actually says your loyalty level?  I see a little circle next to my profile pic, but it's so small I can't tell if it's dark blue or black.   I also checked for updates for the app, and I believe I have the most current version 4.5.1

Go into your captains club profile. You don’t move up a tear until you have actually completed the cruises. Future do not count. 

2 hours ago, toofewcruises said:

No. None. I tried the chat but the agent I spoke with didn't seem to understand what I was talking about wanting to cancel the upgrade bids... I assume I will hear something soon as I sail on November 26.

Go on line and go into your cruise personalizer. That’s were you cancel your bids or go to the bid confirmation letter and follow the link. That’s where you can cancel. 

2 hours ago, jc foster said:

Give it a few more days. We sail November 23rd and we got an email this morning.

You go back to your letter or go onto Princess.com. That’s were you cancel your upgrade bid. 

7 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Pretty clear if you read the bidding rules that you agree to pay (like ANY auction where you place a bid).  Where on the Princess website did you read you can refuse the cabin and not pay?

Let me find it. They may have changed since they started. I’ll post when I find it. 

On 10/16/2022 at 1:01 PM, jagoffee said:

Thanks.
 I think it is important for people to understand the process. Some people are under the mistaken believe that it is optional to accept the winning bid.  Princess had enhanced their process (compared to some of their competitors) to allow one to use FCC or some other forms of payment instead of the CC used.  I believe people are assuming that this means they have a choice of accepting the bid after they win.  When Princess states that you will cruise in your original cabin, it is in referencing if you do not win a bid.  Otherwise it would a logistical nightmare.  At least that it what Princess terms say.

 

It will be interesting to see if anyone successfully cancels their winning bid by not paying.

 

Enjoy your win.

Interesting. When I read the information I understood that if I did not pay within 2 days of winning my bid I would loose the bid and no money would exchange hands. 

2 hours ago, jc foster said:

Received the following offers for bidding on our 10 day Emerald cruise in November. We are currently in a premium balcony.   Sorry , I have never figured out how to post photos on this forum.    The following are lowest bids.   Penthouse  AFT $1205pp      Penthouse $1155 pp     Premium  Suite   $955 pp  Vista Suite $ 905 pp   Club Class Mini  $190 pp  Mini Suite $75 pp . I will probably bid on both minis. 

I would most definitely bid on Club class mini. It’s a great starting bid. Plus all the club class benefits 

11 hours ago, Tesanrick said:

Thank you - that worked - it says pending on the mini suite!

Also check your booking on line. See if you still have the same cabin number. Some had cabin numbers changed before acceptance letter. 

On 10/15/2022 at 3:12 PM, Shippy said:

   Sorry to say there appear to have NO penthouse suites available.

The top category I found was an MB mini suite of which 11 are available.

Thanks for checking. Since I already have a casino suite I’ll just be happy. 

14 hours ago, Shippy said:

what ship ?

Caribbean Princess out of Ft Lauderdale. November 28th. 10 days to the Panama Canal. 

On 10/13/2022 at 9:42 PM, azbirdmom said:

 

I just noticed your comment about Ian and saw that you live in Babcock Ranch.  There was a segment on 60 Minutes last Sunday that included footage of Babcock Ranch with an interview indicating that the way it was built meant very little damage there.  Sad to hear that is not the case.  Wishing you and everyone in the area affected by Ian well.

We had shingles, my screened in cage due to my neighbors shingles becoming missals, most of my landscaping and my favorite tree. However I have been standing in long gas lines and delivering food to friends and others in need. I have a Tesla so waiting in line was no big deal. I did have several people ask me why I was in line. Hmm. I guess they don’t think past the car. Anyway

3 minutes ago, mina said:

I bid the minimum amount plus 25 dollars.   There were and are a ton of suites open on our cruise and after the bidding it looks like there were only two bids -- the rest of the suites are still showing open.  Ours is not a popular cruise.  Which is good.  

So it sounds like you are a TA?  I can’t find anything out about suites on our cruise. It just keeps crashing. We are on November 28th. Caribbean. If you have the ability to look it would be so helpful. Right now we are in a window suite. I’m trying to get a Penthouse suite since it will be mid ship for mom. 

On 10/11/2022 at 4:07 PM, mina said:

Just got notice our bid for a. Aft penthouse on nov 6 royal was accepted.  Even got assigned the suite we would have selected ourselves.  

So can I ask how high up you had to go. We are on the Caribbean Nov 28th and I keep checking. I bid up and then lowered my bid. Ian kind of took a bunch of cash. Don’t want to use my insurance. Too easy to get canceled in Florida. I would love to get a penthouse suite. Mom will be turning 94 just before our cruise. 

On 9/24/2022 at 3:27 PM, cruisequeen4ever said:

It’s nice to see some results here! Thank you to all who are sharing.

 

All of this has made me think of a question. How does it work if you need an accessible stateroom? Does the system detect that you are in one and that you should only be offered one in a higher category if you bid? I hope that someone knows the answer to this or that it’s clear when you go to bid.  It would be awful if someone who is in an accessible stateroom were to bid assuming Princess knows they need one and end up in a non-accessible stateroom, losing their accessible one in the process.

 

To the person in the window suite, we had one one time and loved the suite perks of breakfast in Sabatini‘s or Crown Grill, whatever it is on your cruise, the free dinner at either of those the first night, and the extra space. Years ago, window suites were commonly talked about on here as being really enjoyed.

Due to HIPPA laws Princess cannot access to see if you’re handicapped. Only if you book an accessible cabin and you’re not in need they can actually move you. 
 

if you have an accessible cabin be aware when you bid you will have no gaurentee to get a better one. Actually you most likely will loose your accessible room. However suites to my understanding are not given accessible tags. They will get you what you need. 

On 9/23/2022 at 6:42 PM, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Actually looks great (aside from no balcony).  Nice and big--can't beat that.  $ 605 pp to upgrade from the lowest mini-suite to the Window suite seems like a great deal.

 

Also like how it's so close to the Retreat Pool.

So I’ve been in window suites before. You don’t have a balcony but you have huge bank of windows. You get club class dining which is awesome. You don’t schedule a time. You can just show up. Also the dining room is on the same floor. Same side of ship. Private walkway from atrium to theatre. That’s a huge plus. I don’t mind if I don’t have a balcony. 

On 9/23/2022 at 12:43 PM, CalTexCruiser said:

So we submitted bids on 7 upgrades on our Oct 8 cruise:  club class mini all the way up to owner's suite.

 

We just received 6 separate messages indicating we did not win our bid.  None of the 6 messages indicate which bids were rejected, so I don't know which of the 7 has not yet been rejected.

 

 

So they actually said your bid was not accepted?  Ive got 2 bids in and no rejection letter on either one. 

On 9/22/2022 at 8:39 PM, lodinayr said:

I bid for an upgrade on my Enchanted Princess October 1 sailing.  I got upgraded!  Bid $210/pp for upgrade from balcony to mini-suite.  Paid for upgrade as directed.  Was pretty seamless.

Finally we have a winner. Thanks for posting. Did you bid the min allowed or go higher?