RoyalUP? (Bid for stateroom upgrade)

[bilyclub]

This time my wife got the email and we are 2 weeks out.   Started with Panoramic at $400. JS  $600, GS  $800, OS $1000,

RS $1800.

 

 

[ZoeyVictoria]

I just received the email for my Symphony 3/9/19 sailing.  Neighborhood balcony $200 pp, oceanview balcony $300 pp, junior suite $600 pp.  This was a casino comped cruise and I am very happy with the location of the cabin.  I have been very far forward on this class twice and don't want to do that again, so I am staying where I am. 

[Paula B]

Never cruised Royal before and this is a little confusing to me. I tried to do a search but, didn't help much. We received a email to participate in the royal up program. We are toward the  back of the ship inside cabin 2 adults and 2 teenagers and have thought about bidding for a ocean view or ocean view balcony. They say your bid is priced per person and based on two guests per storeroom and Only the first & second guest will be charged. It shows ocean view from $50 USD pp & the ocean view balcony $100 pp. when i click on details I have a picture of the cabins with a bar for what you bid OV - $300? & OVB - $500. So I guess my questions are when 1. If I bid they will know that we do have 4 people in our room. 2. I gather for example OV there is a bar to make a offer to bid $0-$300 and then there is a meter. So what is your suggestion on what I should bid on this bar and is the meter a bid for one person or a total  for two people when I bid. I hope I don't sound to confusing. Thank you 

[Sailing_Canuck]

46 minutes ago, Paula B said:

Never cruised Royal before and this is a little confusing to me. I tried to do a search but, didn't help much. We received a email to participate in the royal up program. We are toward the  back of the ship inside cabin 2 adults and 2 teenagers and have thought about bidding for a ocean view or ocean view balcony. They say your bid is priced per person and based on two guests per storeroom and Only the first & second guest will be charged. It shows ocean view from $50 USD pp & the ocean view balcony $100 pp. when i click on details I have a picture of the cabins with a bar for what you bid OV - $300? & OVB - $500. So I guess my questions are when 1. If I bid they will know that we do have 4 people in our room. 2. I gather for example OV there is a bar to make a offer to bid $0-$300 and then there is a meter. So what is your suggestion on what I should bid on this bar and is the meter a bid for one person or a total  for two people when I bid. I hope I don't sound to confusing. Thank you 

Right - so if you have 4 people in your room, and you bid $100, then if you win, you would pay $200 total for all 4 people.

For bidding on the bar - it will show the amount $xx pp (per person).  So double the number and that's what you'll pay if you win.

 

The amount you bid is personal choice.  Some people have reported winning with a minimum bid - though it's unknown how successful that is compared to higher bids.  I would say bid what you are comfortable bidding and would feel comfortable paying if you are upgraded.  Also remember, if you get into a suite, you'll need to pay the higher gratuities.

 

Good luck 🙂

 

[njkingston]

I am a bit confused and would appreciate anyone's help who knows the answer.  I bid on upgrades to three different rooms.  I know that it says that I'll be charged for one, presuming I win.  But who decides which one I get if I win more than one?  Does RCCL come back to me and say "You won two upgrade offers...which one to you want?"  Or do they just choose the one that nets them the most difference money from my current room?  

[tinkr2]

12 minutes ago, njkingston said:

I am a bit confused and would appreciate anyone's help who knows the answer.  I bid on upgrades to three different rooms.  I know that it says that I'll be charged for one, presuming I win.  But who decides which one I get if I win more than one?  Does RCCL come back to me and say "You won two upgrade offers...which one to you want?"  Or do they just choose the one that nets them the most difference money from my current room?  

They will choose for you.

[Holmie]

1 hour ago, njkingston said:

I am a bit confused and would appreciate anyone's help who knows the answer.  I bid on upgrades to three different rooms.  I know that it says that I'll be charged for one, presuming I win.  But who decides which one I get if I win more than one?  Does RCCL come back to me and say "You won two upgrade offers...which one to you want?"  Or do they just choose the one that nets them the most difference money from my current room?  

 I’m sure they’ll choose for you—whichever gets them more money.

 

My husband and I just put in bids for junior suite, ocean view suite, ocean view balcony, and ocean view room (in regular interior now) for our cruise leaving 3/23. I only bid what I would be comfortable paying which is not a ton extra. I went to the website and priced out a cruise with those rooms and compared it to what we paid. I bid less than 1/2 the difference. I’m perfectly happy in interiors, but wouldn’t be upset to win our bid. What’s gonna kill me is not knowing until the last minute. 😂 my personality and waiting til the last minute do not match.

[njkingston]

15 minutes ago, Holmie said:

 I’m sure they’ll choose for you—whichever gets them more money.

 

My husband and I just put in bids for junior suite, ocean view suite, ocean view balcony, and ocean view room (in regular interior now) for our cruise leaving 3/23. I only bid what I would be comfortable paying which is not a ton extra. I went to the website and priced out a cruise with those rooms and compared it to what we paid. I bid less than 1/2 the difference. I’m perfectly happy in interiors, but wouldn’t be upset to win our bid. What’s gonna kill me is not knowing until the last minute. 😂 my personality and waiting til the last minute do not match.

Bidding less than half the difference is a great strategy!  Thanks for your reply and good luck on you bids!

[Dixie1337]

11 hours ago, 3bzmom said:

I generally don't tell companies how they should or should not do their accounting. I am an accountant for a living and understand there are many different ways to account for things- I'm sure RCC has it all figured out, and we don't have to worry about how they run their business.
 

 

I obviously don't care how they do things on the back end, but from a user perspective it's a confusing way of presenting it on the front end. 

 

From a computing perspective, it makes no difference, they can do the math before they store the numbers so you'd think that they would try and simplify things and just say per stateroom instead per person unless there is less or more than 2.

[Ourusualbeach]

8 hours ago, njkingston said:

I am a bit confused and would appreciate anyone's help who knows the answer.  I bid on upgrades to three different rooms.  I know that it says that I'll be charged for one, presuming I win.  But who decides which one I get if I win more than one?  Does RCCL come back to me and say "You won two upgrade offers...which one to you want?"  Or do they just choose the one that nets them the most difference money from my current room?  

You will only get the offer for one upgrade.

[The_Big_M]

1 hour ago, Dixie1337 said:

 

I obviously don't care how they do things on the back end, but from a user perspective it's a confusing way of presenting it on the front end. 

 

From a computing perspective, it makes no difference, they can do the math before they store the numbers so you'd think that they would try and simplify things and just say per stateroom instead per person unless there is less or more than 2.

 

I would agree if it was custom made for RCL.

 

However, they're using the standard upgrade facilities from plusgrade, which were originally built and mostly used by airlines. As you can appreciate that market only uses things on a per person basis.

 

If there was enough demand, they may enhance in future to customise for twin share pricing, but I'd expect it's not part of the current feature set.

[BEENSAILING]

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

[The_Big_M]

5 hours ago, BEENSAILING said:

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

 

As said in their terms, you making an offer is not a guarantee of success i.e. none may be available, as is the case now.

 

It's just a way of monetising upgrades left over that they used to give away free. Not sure why you see any conspiracy in that.

 

[Clarea]

5 hours ago, BEENSAILING said:

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

 

I'll bet they will give some corporate doublespeak about and advanced computer algorithm, etc.

[Ourusualbeach]

5 hours ago, BEENSAILING said:

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

 

The intent was to never “hold back” suites for upgrades.

 

If they think they can sell suites on the website  at full price, they will.  

 

This just replaces and automates the upgrade and upsell fairies.  Sending out invitations to hundreds of passengers to see what they would pay IF a higher cabin category comes along at the last minute through a cancellation or unsold inventory would certainly save time and maximize the return. 

[bobmacliberty]

And gives them valuable data about how much people are willing to pay to move between cabin types.

[A&L_Ont]

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

And gives them valuable data about how much people are willing to pay to move between cabin types.

 

100% in agreement.

[cruisegirl1]

I just received  a third email  to bid for an upgrade  from a balcony to a JS for $150 per person for a TWO night, yes TWO night Mariner.  At that price I can  almost get a second Balcony!  

 

I also agree with those who mention that  RCCL is data gathering.    The price folks are willing to pay to upgrade may well increase the mostly inflated  cost of cabins

M

[boscobeans]

7 hours ago, BEENSAILING said:

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

 

Their system is more current than any online or travel agent as far as availability.

 

There are cancellations day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute.  When one pops up the Royal Up will use that to bounce around bids vs people willing to pay full price if there are any

 

Like a Chinese Checker board that is filled with marbles. When one spot become vacant they will start moving others to take its place..

[Sunnyside up]

To date DH or I have not received any such emails for upgrade cabin bidding, the Genie program, or any of the upsale offers by RCCL.  Being a Diamond Plus C&A member  that it is disheartening..  I have to find out about all this stuff, on cruise critic.  RCCL are you listening.  And yes, I have that box checked in my profile that allows them to send me emails, on promotions.  I do check their official site about twice a month to see if they are offering any price specials.  About 2 years ago we stopped getting promotional emails.    

[Cruiselover0426]

On 11/26/2018 at 1:05 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

I think this program means the upgrade fairy is dead for good.

Not necessarily.  If they don't get bids and they want to sell cheaper cabins to sell out the ship they will still offer comp upgrades to free up lower categories.

[Clarea]

11 minutes ago, Cruiselover0426 said:

Not necessarily.  If they don't get bids and they want to sell cheaper cabins to sell out the ship they will still offer comp upgrades to free up lower categories.

 

Possibly.  Or, they can just keep lowering the minimum bids until they sell the staterooms. 

[molly361]

14 minutes ago, Cruiselover0426 said:

Not necessarily.  If they don't get bids and they want to sell cheaper cabins to sell out the ship they will still offer comp upgrades to free up lower categories.

They seem to be sending out so many offers that I find it hard to believe that there will be any that get no bids

[wwcruisers]

11 hours ago, BEENSAILING said:

I recieved a notice to bid JS and above for an Oasis cruise. Shows no available suites on line and when I have called been told by agents there are no suites left. No one will officially say they are holding suites for the bidding program. That would be a question which should be asked on the next President’s Cruise.

 

When it comes to the inherent silliness of this program, I can even top this. We booked a truly last-minute 'family cruise' on Indy, for next month. We snagged one of the last JS's, and got a nearby inside cabin for our son and his family. He called me yesterday, saying that he had received an e-mail from RC, encouraging him to put in a bid for a higher grade cabin. That same morning, I had pulled up our cruise and it showed 'sold-out' in EVERY category, except for 'inside guarantee'. I told my DS not to waste his time or energy, because (from what I could see at least) there was nothing on the ship to upgrade TO.

[frank808]

1 hour ago, Sunnyside up said:

To date DH or I have not received any such emails for upgrade cabin bidding, the Genie program, or any of the upsale offers by RCCL.  Being a Diamond Plus C&A member  that it is disheartening..  I have to find out about all this stuff, on cruise critic.  RCCL are you listening.  And yes, I have that box checked in my profile that allows them to send me emails, on promotions.  I do check their official site about twice a month to see if they are offering any price specials.  About 2 years ago we stopped getting promotional emails.    

Dont feel lonely as we are in the same boat as you.  No upsell, upgrade or current Royal up bid received in the past 30+ cruises on royal.  I also have the box checked for upgrades in c&a profile.