What was your upgrade offer and what did you bid

[WYB!]

May I ask if you booked a guaranteed cabin?

[JamieLogical]

24 minutes ago, Cwipes said:

So my new hypothesis on upgrades:

 

NCL takes in to account all your previous cruise history's spending habits while on board.

 

The more that you spent on such things as excursions, dining, at the casino or even in the gift shop, then then greater the chance of you being sent an upgrade offer because in theory you should spend at least that much or the same this time around.

 

I can see from their perspective that at least your chances are better you will spend vs someone's cruise history that shows little to no spending at all.

 

What do you think?

 

Others have posited this theory in the past. The challenge for me is that if you actually look at the code that is sent when submitting an upgrade offer via PlusGrade, this information is not transmitted anywhere. What is transmitted is your Latitudes number and what you paid for your current room. So it is possible that PlusGrade maintains data separately on onboard spending and looks it up by Latitudes number, but it does not actually get transmitted at the time of your upgrade offer. Remember, the entire upgrade process is handled by PlusGrade, not NCL. So in order for upgrades to be awards based on past onboard spending, PlusGrade would need to have that data from NCL and right now at least, we have no evidence that they do.

[WYB!]

I imagine it's like counting cards in BlackJack,

 

If you have never cruised with NCL before then you're starting at 0,

 

but if you have cruise with NCL before and bought stuff then you could be marked as a +1, +2, etc.

 

but also if you have cruise with NCL before and not bought stuff then you could be marked as a -1, -2, etc

Edited December 4, 2018 by Cwipes

[JamieLogical]

25 minutes ago, Phaedrus78 said:

So I've been continually keeping an eye on the rooms available for my 1/23 cruise on the Epic, and I saw something unusual today.  

 

For some reason, two new cabin categories came available today that have not been available since I started tracking on 11/9.  Family Balcony categories B2 (12 cabins) and B5 (47 cabins) are now available to purchase.  I'm not complaining, that seems to take the available pool of balcony rooms from 26 to 85 and gives me hope that we might get our upgrade, but I wonder where all those rooms came from all of a sudden.

 

We're exactly 50 days out... maybe that's significant somehow?  Maybe the rooms were being held for travel agents or something, and at 50 days out they're returned to general stock?

 

 

My suspicion is that they don't "hold" rooms in those categories, but do set them to GTY early and they are used as the pool of potential rooms for Sail Aways. So B2 and B5 may have been set to GTY (which often happens when categories are essentially sold out) early in order to ensure there would be plenty of rooms to fulfill Sail Away orders.

[Jcdcruise]

6 minutes ago, Cwipes said:

May I ask if you booked a guaranteed cabin?

 Yes, inside cabin and we are hoping that we will have the chance to bid on a balcony. Also, we paid in full and prepaid our gratuities and booked 3 excursions.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Jcdcruise

[JamieLogical]

4 minutes ago, Jcdcruise said:

 Yes, inside cabin and we are hoping that we will have the chance to bid on a balcony. 

 

You will almost certainly be offered a chance to bid. The vast majority of people on the vast majority of sailings are offered an opportunity to bid at 80 days out. If you booked through a travel agent, there is a chance your travel agency has opted out of the Upgrade Advantage Program.

 

Now, as to whether or not you are likely to WIN your bid, no one here has the answers. We have some educated guesses based on a history of anecdotal evidence, as well as what information we know for sure that PlusGrade (the third-party vendor that runs the upgrade process) has. But a lot of it depends on you specific sailing, the inventory on that sailing, the pricing on that sailing, etc.

Edited December 4, 2018 by JamieLogical

[WYB!]

Using the same travel agent for my 9 NCL cruise bookings over 3 years, I've only received 1 upgrade bid offer from NCL and that voyage was the only voyage where I had purchased additional Specialty dining a month before sail date.

 

Normally when I book a cruise I book the guaranteed oceanview stateroom but while onboard I do very little spending on extras such as NCL excursions.

 

I do typically purchase 2 cruisenext certificates but that's about it.

 

I'm also a NCL Shareholder so I get the shareholder benefit.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Cwipes

[JamieLogical]

5 minutes ago, Cwipes said:

Using the same travel agent for my 9 NCL cruise bookings over 3 years, I've only received 1 upgrade bid offer from NCL and that voyage was only voyage where I had purchased additional Specialty dining a month before sail date.

 

Many people seem to either miss or not receive the emails. But nearly everyone sees the "Let's Get You Upgraded" banner inside of My NCL. I also see a "Let's Get You Upgraded" message inside of the Message Center inside of My NCL. So maybe check there if you are within 80 days of sailing?

Edited December 4, 2018 by JamieLogical

[WYB!]

I check my NCL account daily (if not every 5 hours) as I'm doing 4 NCL sailings within the next 6 months with the 1st of 4 voyages being within 30 days.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Cwipes

[JamieLogical]

1 minute ago, Cwipes said:

I check my NCL account daily (if not every 5 hours) as I'm doing 4 NCL sailings within the next 6 months with the 1st voyage being within 30 days.

 

A few people who hadn't received an upgrade offer have mentioned being successfully sent one after calling NCL directly. I guess that might be the next thing to try if you are only 30 days out and not seeing the offer.

[tbo]

7 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

A few people who hadn't received an upgrade offer have mentioned being successfully sent one after calling NCL directly. I guess that might be the next thing to try if you are only 30 days out and not seeing the offer.

 

Our firs NCL cruise was last December, we received an upgrade offer right at the 80 day mark. We did not bid as we weren't interested. We spent money on extra specialty dining, excursions, a little in the casino, a few purchases on board, and 2 pictures.

 

Our 2nd cruise is in January, I waited for the invite and it didn't come. At the 72 day mark I called the upgrade department from advice here and was sent a link via email and the banner then showed up  after the email.

 

So as first time cruisers with NCL we got the invite. As a latitudes member who spent money on our first cruise I had to call and ask. Honestly, I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to most of it.

[Chris_2448]

I remember talk on hear about what categories your allowed to bid on, something like 2 categories up but I can't seem to find it anymore.

My question is if I'm currently booked in a SPA mini sweet (M9), will I be able to bid up to a Haven SPA Suite (H9)?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

Edited December 4, 2018 by Chris_2448

[fbhorn]

7 minutes ago, Chris_2448 said:

I remember talk on hear about what categories your allowed to bid on, something like 2 categories up but I can't seem to find it anymore.

My question is if I'm currently booked in a SPA mini sweet (M9), will I be able to bid up to a Haven SPA Suite (H9)?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

I think so because I have a sailaway balcony and can bid on spa balcony, mini suites and havens.

[JamieLogical]

25 minutes ago, Chris_2448 said:

I remember talk on hear about what categories your allowed to bid on, something like 2 categories up but I can't seem to find it anymore.

My question is if I'm currently booked in a SPA mini sweet (M9), will I be able to bid up to a Haven SPA Suite (H9)?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

 

 

 

Yes. All Balcony types are able to bid on all Haven types. You can bid on two "metas" above your own. A "meta" is the full range of stateroom types: Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Mini-Suite, and Haven. Some of those metas are broken into categories for the purposes of bidding, such as Spa Balcony, Spa Mini-suite, and all of the various Haven categories, but the limitation for bidding is just the meta. So if you are in any Interior, you can bid on Ocean View or all Balcony categories. If you are in Ocean View, you can bid on all Balcony and Mini-suite categories. If you are in a Balcony, you can bid on all Mini-Suite and Haven categories.

 

NOTE: If you are in Haven, you can only bid on Haven categories "above" your own. So if you are in an H9, the lowest category, you can bid on all Havens. But if you are in an H5, you could not bid on an H7 or an H9 for example.

Edited December 4, 2018 by JamieLogical

[don't-use-real-name]

17 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

 

 

Yes. All Balcony types are able to bid on all Haven types. You can bid on two "metas" above your own. A "meta" is the full range of stateroom types: Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Mini-Suite, and Haven. Some of those metas are broken into categories for the purposes of bidding, such as Spa Balcony, Spa Mini-suite, and all of the various Haven categories, but the limitation for bidding is just the meta. So if you are in any Interior, you can bid on Ocean View or all Balcony categories. If you are in Ocean View, you can bid on all Balcony and Mini-suite categories. If you are in a Balcony, you can bid on all Mini-Suite and Haven categories.

 

NOTE: If you are in Haven, you can only bid on Haven categories "above" your own. So if you are in an H9, the lowest category, you can bid on all Havens. But if you are in an H5, you could not bid on an H7 or an H9 for example.

JamieLogical

 

You should author a users manual of UPGRADING 101 NCL version !

While there is still some uncertainty of how the inner workings of the system function

each post reveals and peels back a view of how you can stack the deck for your bid

and what to do if you do not receive the bid invitation and/or simply buy the upgrade.

 

Thanks for your comments and posts !

Your handle JamieLogical speaks well of you !

[3kidsncats]

3 hours ago, Cwipes said:

So my new hypothesis on upgrades:

 

NCL takes in to account all your previous cruise history's spending habits while on board.

 

The more that you spent on such things as excursions, dining, at the casino or even in the gift shop, then then greater the chance of you being sent an upgrade offer because in theory you should spend at least that much or the same this time around.

 

I can see from their perspective that at least your chances are better you will spend vs someone's cruise history that shows little to no spending at all.

 

What do you think?

I think I spend very little on board — usually less than $100 for two+  on a seven day, and I just got a significant Haven upgrade from a BF, so I think my bid amount was far more relevant than onboard spending history 

[WYB!]

Yes, but did you initially book a BF Cat or did you book a BX (Balcony Guaranteed stateroom) and then were assigned the BF Cat?

I'm guessing that you initially booked the BF Cat, which was more then the BX Cat to book.

[JamieLogical]

4 hours ago, Cwipes said:

Yes, but did you initially book a BF Cat or did you book a BX (Balcony Guaranteed stateroom) and then were assigned the BF Cat?

I'm guessing that you initially booked the BF Cat, which was more then the BX Cat to book.

 

 

While what you paid for your initial booking is transmitted to PlusGrade when you place a bid, I don't see how it would be a relevant amount for them to factor into whether or not to award you an upgrade. At the time you are bidding on upgrades, NCL already has your money for your initial fare. Logically, if they are looking to maximize total income, they would award an upgrade to whoever bids the most. If I pay $1200 per person and bid $200 for my upgrade, and someone else paid $1000 per person and bids $400 for an upgrade, we would both, conceivably be paying the same total amount. But from NCL's perspective, they should award the upgrade to the person who bids $400, because they already have my $1200 and that other person's $1000. Now all that matter is how much MORE they can get.

[GUEST71919]

23 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

Hope it helps you!  It is stressful, and it was super hard to not be included in that first group.  But, it did help me to decide my final bid adjustments successfully.  

 

 

Possibly, but I couldn't afford the full price so this was the only option -- and a few gray hairs is worth the experience we are about to have, in the Haven.  My brain cells are currently celebrating and about to feel quite rejuvenated

 

 Of course as I am sure you know my comment was a general one and about the thread vs. a specific poster 😊 I am glad you were happy, good for you! It was just a thought about the process in general. We love the Haven, I know you will have a good time.

 

@kmurph22 thankfully I am only reading, or bidding, but you are correct that if it is stressful it’s best left alone (which was really the comment I was making, this process seems too stressful to make it worthwhile for SOME... 🙂🙃

Edited December 5, 2018 by 2Beeze

[3kidsncats]

5 hours ago, Cwipes said:

Yes, but did you initially book a BF Cat or did you book a BX (Balcony Guaranteed stateroom) and then were assigned the BF Cat?

I'm guessing that you initially booked the BF Cat, which was more then the BX Cat to book.

Yes, I booked a BF category.  That has nothing to do with my onboard spending history, which is what I was responding to.  My friends booked a BX, later upgraded to a higher level balcony (higher than mine, same sailing), and were awarded a Haven upgrade for about $150 less pp than my bid, and several days earlier than my acceptance.  My impression from others on my sailing, is that they processed Haven to higher Haven, mini suite to Haven, then upper category balcony, and then lower level balcony to Haven.  I'm sure over all bid amount was also a part of the hierarchy in determining who was awarded.  

[3kidsncats]

28 minutes ago, 2Beeze said:

 

 Of course as I am sure you know my comment was a general one and about the thread vs. a specific poster 😊 I am glad you were happy, good for you! It was just a thought about the process in general. We love the Haven, I know you will have a good time.

 

@kmurph22 thankfully I am only reading, or bidding, but you are correct that if it is stressful it’s best left alone (which was really the comment I was making, this process seems too stressful to make it worthwhile for SOME... 🙂🙃

Yes, I assumed it was general, but having experienced the low (so many others in my sailing getting awarded an upgrade when I didn't) and the high (when my acceptance arrived a few days later) I felt I had a valid perspective from which to respond.  

 

We were able to cruise in the Haven once before, so I've no doubt we will have an amazing time, Thank you 😁

[chars]

I just looked at 12/21 Escape sailing, and it looks like everything is sold out except for the Haven rooms.  I thought they would award Haven bids first.  

[don't-use-real-name]

49 minutes ago, chars said:

I just looked at 12/21 Escape sailing, and it looks like everything is sold out except for the Haven rooms.  I thought they would award Haven bids first.  

NCL will no doubt keep the window open as long as possible to get the full fare for those Haven cabins.

There is no sense in early selling short the high end cabins.

Also wait for as many last minute bids amended up or down.

After all NCL has as stated up to 48 hours before sailing to do all this.

I would presume that PlusGrade has access to the data base of NCL guests to determine who and what are most likely

to bid for what type of cabin upgrades and the past history of this.

 

Hang in there for the results to be awarded and in the mean time make the most of what you have.

[xcell]

7 hours ago, chars said:

I just looked at 12/21 Escape sailing, and it looks like everything is sold out except for the Haven rooms.  I thought they would award Haven bids first.  

 

6 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

NCL will no doubt keep the window open as long as possible to get the full fare for those Haven cabins.

There is no sense in early selling short the high end cabins.

Also wait for as many last minute bids amended up or down.

After all NCL has as stated up to 48 hours before sailing to do all this.

I would presume that PlusGrade has access to the data base of NCL guests to determine who and what are most likely

to bid for what type of cabin upgrades and the past history of this.

 

Hang in there for the results to be awarded and in the mean time make the most of what you have.

 

I think the Havens would at least go a week or two before sailing, opening up the lower cost rooms, which would probably go faster than a $15K room.

 

Or like what happen to 3kidsncats, release a bunch of Haven rooms, bidders become nervous that they didn't get the acceptance and then they bid higher.

 

This seems more logical, especially on a sold out/high demand cruise. If they release (all) the Havens last minute, the people/cabins they upgrade will be empty and how can they fill those up last minute (like a 2 days before sailing).

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2018 by xcell

[texastennis]

There was a time when I would by-pass this thread because I just didn't understand what all the fuss was about.  But now I'm in the game and have submitted bids for a B2B I have booked in January.  I have no idea what I'm really doing, but it has become somewhat fun watching inventory on my two cruises, the price fluctuations, and updating my Excel spreadsheet to track the information.

 

It has also been fun to read what everyone has been posting about their bids and speculations.  Now I have a few questions of my own, (and forgive me for my ignorance).

 

My cruise at the first leg of the B2B is currently at day 47, and for the first time since the banner to upgrade appeared on the MY NCL page at day 80, the banner no longer appears.  If I want to modify my bid, does this mean I no longer can?  If I can, then where and how?  Also, if the banner disappears, what does this mean?  There's re-calibration going on and the banner will come back?  Bidding has closed?  Nothing?

 

Interested in your thoughts.