What was your upgrade offer and what did you bid

[Kikitops]

Thought I would chime in for those who like to speculate as to the bidding process and how it is calculated, since I am a bit of an outlier go the norm I would think. I have cruised before but only once, and not with NCL. I booked my "free" cruise with standard stateroom via a game/app casino program, not really through NCLs casino program. My host within that game (again, not NCL) comped me the taxes, port fees, admin fees, the drink package, the gratuities for the drink package, and the travel insurance. She also helped vet me uograde from standard inside to a midship balcony. 

 

Now at this point I booked through an am outside casino program and haven't actually spent a single cent of money on this cruise. A few days after my booking was made I did get an email offering me the chance bid on upgrades to suite and haven level rooms. I bid the absolute minimum on the penthouse suite, the family suite, the haven penthouse suite, and the haven two family villa. Minimum possible bid on all (something like $500 for the suites and $1000 for the Haven were minimums). My bid never budged from the poor range. 

 

I said this Saturday and on Monday was when my bids turned from all pending to expired with one bid showing as processing. A couple hours later I got the confirmation and my room #. I won my bid for the Haven two bedroom family villa. 

 

Despite the fact that I have no devising history with NCL, didn't actually spend any of my own, money on s thing except the bidding. I didn't have anything booked in terms of dining or excursions, and money outside of the whim of bidding. The only items besides the uograde being paid were comped o me through another program. 

 

I myself don't have any conclusions. I just wondered how my own details would tie into the bidding speculation since it largely seems like people feel it is based off of spending and past activity and spending with NCL, etc. Someone without any spending history with NCL, not even spending money to book a room or uograde to balcony. Does big but bids the minimum allowed. And wins the most expensive Haven suite she bid on. 

 

I am by NO means complaining, mind you! i booked the trip as a christmas gift for my saint of a hardworking mother who spends her life working night shift at a hospital and hasnt take a vacation for over a decade. I am doing everything I can to pamper and spoil my mama in every way I can find. Of course the surprise of winning the haven uograde bid means there went all of my money😂 I guess the specialty dining and massage we will have to manage without lol 

[boopsahoy]

1 hour ago, Kikitops said:

Thought I would chime in for those who like to speculate as to the bidding process and how it is calculated, since I am a bit of an outlier go the norm I would think. I have cruised before but only once, and not with NCL. I booked my "free" cruise with standard stateroom via a game/app casino program, not really through NCLs casino program. My host within that game (again, not NCL) comped me the taxes, port fees, admin fees, the drink package, the gratuities for the drink package, and the travel insurance. She also helped vet me uograde from standard inside to a midship balcony. 

 

Now at this point I booked through an am outside casino program and haven't actually spent a single cent of money on this cruise. A few days after my booking was made I did get an email offering me the chance bid on upgrades to suite and haven level rooms. I bid the absolute minimum on the penthouse suite, the family suite, the haven penthouse suite, and the haven two family villa. Minimum possible bid on all (something like $500 for the suites and $1000 for the Haven were minimums). My bid never budged from the poor range. 

 

I said this Saturday and on Monday was when my bids turned from all pending to expired with one bid showing as processing. A couple hours later I got the confirmation and my room #. I won my bid for the Haven two bedroom family villa. 

 

Despite the fact that I have no devising history with NCL, didn't actually spend any of my own, money on s thing except the bidding. I didn't have anything booked in terms of dining or excursions, and money outside of the whim of bidding. The only items besides the uograde being paid were comped o me through another program. 

 

I myself don't have any conclusions. I just wondered how my own details would tie into the bidding speculation since it largely seems like people feel it is based off of spending and past activity and spending with NCL, etc. Someone without any spending history with NCL, not even spending money to book a room or uograde to balcony. Does big but bids the minimum allowed. And wins the most expensive Haven suite she bid on. 

 

I am by NO means complaining, mind you! i booked the trip as a christmas gift for my saint of a hardworking mother who spends her life working night shift at a hospital and hasnt take a vacation for over a decade. I am doing everything I can to pamper and spoil my mama in every way I can find. Of course the surprise of winning the haven uograde bid means there went all of my money😂 I guess the specialty dining and massage we will have to manage without lol 

May I ask what ship? Congrats and enjoy!!

[Kikitops]

7 hours ago, boopsahoy said:

May I ask what ship? Congrats and enjoy!!

The Gem!

[boopsahoy]

20 minutes ago, Kikitops said:

The Gem!

We love the Gem!

[Dawnya00]

9 hours ago, Kikitops said:

Thought I would chime in for those who like to speculate as to the bidding process and how it is calculated, since I am a bit of an outlier go the norm I would think. I have cruised before but only once, and not with NCL. I booked my "free" cruise with standard stateroom via a game/app casino program, not really through NCLs casino program. My host within that game (again, not NCL) comped me the taxes, port fees, admin fees, the drink package, the gratuities for the drink package, and the travel insurance. She also helped vet me uograde from standard inside to a midship balcony. 

 

Now at this point I booked through an am outside casino program and haven't actually spent a single cent of money on this cruise. A few days after my booking was made I did get an email offering me the chance bid on upgrades to suite and haven level rooms. I bid the absolute minimum on the penthouse suite, the family suite, the haven penthouse suite, and the haven two family villa. Minimum possible bid on all (something like $500 for the suites and $1000 for the Haven were minimums). My bid never budged from the poor range. 

 

I said this Saturday and on Monday was when my bids turned from all pending to expired with one bid showing as processing. A couple hours later I got the confirmation and my room #. I won my bid for the Haven two bedroom family villa. 

 

Despite the fact that I have no devising history with NCL, didn't actually spend any of my own, money on s thing except the bidding. I didn't have anything booked in terms of dining or excursions, and money outside of the whim of bidding. The only items besides the uograde being paid were comped o me through another program. 

 

I myself don't have any conclusions. I just wondered how my own details would tie into the bidding speculation since it largely seems like people feel it is based off of spending and past activity and spending with NCL, etc. Someone without any spending history with NCL, not even spending money to book a room or uograde to balcony. Does big but bids the minimum allowed. And wins the most expensive Haven suite she bid on. 

 

I am by NO means complaining, mind you! i booked the trip as a christmas gift for my saint of a hardworking mother who spends her life working night shift at a hospital and hasnt take a vacation for over a decade. I am doing everything I can to pamper and spoil my mama in every way I can find. Of course the surprise of winning the haven uograde bid means there went all of my money😂 I guess the specialty dining and massage we will have to manage without lol 

If Karma carried any weight in winning a bid, you def got it. What a terrific gift you are giving you mom. Have a blast!

[Henryshowbiz]

On the LOW end of the spectrum 😀..
I have cruised before, but never on NCL. 

Booked an inside cabin cheapest on the ship for the SKY during Thanksgiving week.  Due to the "two categories above" policy, that left us only bidding on ocean view, and balcony.   
Bid $30pp for an upgrade.

Was awarded a view cabin 3 days before sailing.  Makes sense that those would be the last upgrades to get awarded, since it all flows downhill, with the high classes being granted first, creating an opening in the next level down, etc.    

Edited December 7, 2018 by Henryshowbiz

[xcell]

No New upgrade bids?

 

Anyone on the Escape Dec 21 get theirs -- rooms seem to be disappearing, so I am assuming some reassignments.

[megaphone84]

1 hour ago, xcell said:

No New upgrade bids?

 

Anyone on the Escape Dec 21 get theirs -- rooms seem to be disappearing, so I am assuming some reassignments.

I'm on the 12/21 Escape sailing and all of my bids still say pending. I haven't seen any mentions of the bids being awarded on the various roll calls, but I did notice a decline in H5's and M9's today so hopefully someone got lucky! :)

[Ronin23]

On the Dec 20 cruise on the Jewel and no upgrades yet, mine still pending. Still Haven rooms available.

[xcell]

It's weird -- when I put in 3 persons for Escape 12/21 -- H4 rooms are "not available" -- not sold out, just not available.

 

Then when I put in 2- persons, there's 11 rooms up for grabs.  I think they are assigning and moving things around and if I could guess, people should start hearing by Tuesday or Wednesdays -- those who are on Dec 21, looking for Havens, could you let me know if my theory is right.

[Ella2]

I did a Haven upgrade last year on the Escape for the NYE sailing...we did not find out if the bid was accepted until December 27 or 28 (can't remember exactly).  I wouldn't expect you to hear for a Christmas sailing until 48-72 hours in advance; maybe you will be lucky and hear earlier, but for holiday sailings they seem to wait until the last minute.  We DID get the Haven and it was worth every penny.  Bidding on the Getaway for the NYE sailing this year and keeping my fingers crossed for an after-Christmas gift again!

[oracer]

Let's say you put in a bid of $200 for a Spa (Breakaway) and it just says pending, do you have the chance to increase it?  If they decline it, can you rebid?

[Ella2]

2 minutes ago, oracer said:

Let's say you put in a bid of $200 for a Spa (Breakaway) and it just says pending, do you have the chance to increase it?  If they decline it, can you rebid?

 Yes, you can adjust your bids any time while they are still pending.  But once it's declined I think the party is over, as they have already accepted other bids.  If anyone has had a different experience with that, I'm sure they will chime in.

[Erinolearyjd]

58 minutes ago, xcell said:

It's weird -- when I put in 3 persons for Escape 12/21 -- H4 rooms are "not available" -- not sold out, just not available.

 

Then when I put in 2- persons, there's 11 rooms up for grabs.  I think they are assigning and moving things around and if I could guess, people should start hearing by Tuesday or Wednesdays -- those who are on Dec 21, looking for Havens, could you let me know if my theory is right.

I think that category doesn’t hold more than 2 people so it shows not available for 3 or 4

[StormiB]

12 minutes ago, Erinolearyjd said:

I think that category doesn’t hold more than 2 people so it shows not available for 3 or 4

H4 are 2 bedroom and can hold 6 people per NCL website. 

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

36 minutes ago, oracer said:

Let's say you put in a bid of $200 for a Spa (Breakaway) and it just says pending, do you have the chance to increase it?  If they decline it, can you rebid?

No you can't rebid because the don't decline until the 48 hour mark then it's to late, you can increase and/or decrease your bid while it's pending whenever you want.

[xcell]

48 hour would make it difficult to resell the rooms that open up from people being upgraded.   

 

I'm not heading out till the 28th, but watching my friend's cruise on the 21st. I hope they get their Haven.

 

Do Xmas and New Year's cruises sell out much? Or will they sail with some empties.

 

 

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

My two cents on upgrading, I've been successful all three times since the program has been in place. Bid what you are comfortable with, watch prices to make sure you are still getting a deal, and book off season, the odds are much better than a packed holiday sailing for getting a awesome deal.

[Erinolearyjd]

8 minutes ago, StormiB said:

H4 are 2 bedroom and can hold 6 people per NCL website. 

Drat. Got my H’s mixed up! Thanks. 

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

2 minutes ago, xcell said:

48 hour would make it difficult to resell the rooms that open up from people being upgraded.   

 

I'm not heading out till the 28th, but watching my friend's cruise on the 21st. I hope they get their Haven.

 

Do Xmas and New Year's cruises sell out much? Or will they sail with some empties.

 

 

Packed to capacity always for holiday premium sailings, also all three of my bids were upgraded between 3 and 5 days prior to sailing patience helps with bidding

[clover18]

14 minutes ago, xcell said:

48 hour would make it difficult to resell the rooms that open up from people being upgraded.   

 

I'm not heading out till the 28th, but watching my friend's cruise on the 21st. I hope they get their Haven.

 

Do Xmas and New Year's cruises sell out much? Or will they sail with some empties.

 

 

We are on the 12/29 POA with suites showing totally sold out. But going to hope there is some shuffling in the last couple days prior. We have bids in 4 suite categories and currently are in aft facing balcony. Fingers crossed for you!

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, clover18 said:

We are on the 12/29 POA with suites showing totally sold out. But going to hope there is some shuffling in the last couple days prior. We have bids in 4 suite categories and currently are in aft facing balcony. Fingers crossed for you!

 

We are in a similar situation. Sailing the Star over Christmas. It’s been sold out for weeks! I highly doubt our bids will be accepted, but I originally booked a cabin that we will be happy with. Good luck to everyone!

[kmurph22]

23 hours ago, xcell said:

No New upgrade bids?

 

Anyone on the Escape Dec 21 get theirs -- rooms seem to be disappearing, so I am assuming some reassignments.

My bids are all still pending.  Courtyard rooms are going,  but the others (2BR, Aft, Fwd) have been static.  Crossing fingers,  I agree I think they will go tomorrow & Tuesday.  

[Erinolearyjd]

On 12/4/2018 at 10:06 AM, kmurph22 said:

Driving to work in the morning is stressful.  This? This is fun, at least for me, and part of the anticipation. See the Obsessive Cruise Planning thread. 

 

I do agree that if it’s really giving someone gray hair, maybe they should skip it.  

Omg. Me too. I just search for your recommended thred. 😂😂

[lovetotraveltx]

My cruise has been saying sold out for about 1 week, except for inside. However, my poor bid for a balcony upgrade is still pending? We are on the Breakaway NYE cruise on December 30 out of NOLA. Any insight on this? Thank you!