RoyalUP? (Bid for stateroom upgrade)

[pspercy]

I read that the bidding process on NCL is handled by an outside company. Maybe Royal has chosen the same one!

[Froggy1369]

11 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not sure if this section from the terms and conditions has been posted or not but it would appear that if you were upgraded to a suite you would not receive any suite benefits.

 

The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category.

 

Below are the complete terms and conditions

 

The RoyalUp℠ upgrade program provides booked guests with an opportunity to submit an offer (an “Offer”) to Royal Caribbean International® (RCI) to upgrade from the original RCI stateroom category purchased to a higher stateroom category (the “Program”). The Program applies to cruises, sail dates, and stateroom categories selected by RCI in its sole and absolute discretion. Not all cruises, stateroom categories, or bookings will be selected for participation, regardless of availability. Eligibility Only a stateroom that has been purchased by either the guest or someone authorized to make an Offer on guest’s behalf is eligible for the Program (the “Guest”). If RCI selects a booking to participate in the Program, RCI will email an invitation to that booking to submit an Offer. RCI makes no representation to any person that an invitation to participate will be issued, an offer or upgrade will be reviewed, accepted, made available or processed, regardless of stateroom availability. Valid Guest Email Required A valid email address must be associated with the booking. RCI will send an invitation to the most recently updated email address that is associated with the booking. An email address may have been provided to RCI at the time of booking or by any guest on the booking who uses Cruise Planner, web-based, pre-cruise planning tool. Only the Guest named in the email invitation or someone over the age of 18 who is authorized to make an Offer on Guest’s behalf is eligible to submit an Offer. By submitting an Offer, Guest represents to RCI that he or she has the authority to act on behalf of and to bind the person or persons named or included on the Offer to these Terms and Conditions and those persons named in the booking. Submitting an Offer Only one Offer may be submitted per eligible stateroom category. Guest may submit Offers for more than one stateroom category. Offers may be modified in accordance with the terms below. The amount of the Offer consists of the total per person amount that the Guest is willing to pay for the opportunity to upgrade from the original booked stateroom category to a higher stateroom category (the “Offer Amount”) and is separate and in addition to the amount paid for the original booking. The Offer Amount applies to only the first and second guests in the booking (in other words, the Offer Amount will not be charged to third and higher guests if the Offer is accepted). For single occupancy guest bookings, the Guest will be charged the double occupancy Offer Amount By upgrading to a higher stateroom category, each guest in the booking may be subject to a higher gratuity amount. The Offer Amount does not include the higher gratuity. If the Offer is accepted, the difference between the original and upgraded stateroom gratuities (if applicable) will be automatically applied to all guests (the “Additional Charges”). Prior to submitting your Offer, the Offer Amount and any Additional Charges will be displayed (the “Total Amount”). If RCI accepts an Offer, the Guest who submitted the Offer will be obligated to pay the Total Amount. During the Offer submission, Guest must provide credit or debit card information (the “Credit Card”). If the Offer is accepted by RCI, the Total Amount will be charged to the Credit Card. Acceptance and Rejection of an Offer RCI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine if an Offer is accepted or not, regardless of stateroom availability. RCI may review and make a decision about an Offer at any time after the Offer is submitted, up to 24 hours before the cruise departure date. If RCI accepts the Offer, Guest will receive an email confirming the acceptance of the Offer and the details of the upgraded stateroom booking (the “Upgrade”). RCI will assign the location of the stateroom in its discretion. The Upgrade will have the same number of berths as the original stateroom. Immediately upon RCI’s acceptance of an Offer, the Total Amount will be charged to the Credit Card and becomes final and non-refundable. Refunds, credits, or changes may be issued only in the following circumstances: 1) RCI cancels the cruise, or 2) RCI cancels the cruise and re-books the guests onto another cruise in a stateroom class that is lower than the upgraded stateroom class. Any refund or credit will be limited to the Upgrade charge and credited back to the Credit Card in the same currency of the original charge; no other charges or fees of any type or nature will be refunded or credited. If RCI does not accept the Offer, the original booking will continue, and persons associated with the booking will travel in the original stateroom category. RCI will not offer and guests will not receive any compensation, consideration, or other benefit as a result of the Offer not being accepted. Modifying or Cancelling the Offer Guest may modify or cancel an Offer up to 48-hours prior to the cruise departure date, but only if the Offer has not been accepted by RCI and if the Credit Card has not been charged (the “Offer Period”). If Guest modifies or cancels the Offer during the Offer Period, the original Offer will be voided, and if applicable, replaced with Guest’s modified Offer. Voided or cancelled Offers will not be reviewed. Modifying or Cancelling the Offer or Booking by Guest After RCI Accepts the Offer If RCI has accepted the Offer, the Offer cannot be modified or cancelled, and Guest must pay the Total Amount regardless of whether Guest subsequently modifies or cancels the booking. If RCI has accepted the Offer and Guest modifies or cancels the booking, the Upgrade and the Offer will be cancelled. RCI will have no obligation to invite the Guest to submit a new Offer on the modified or new booking or to apply the Upgrade to the modified or new booking or to issue a refund or credit of any kind. Modifying the Booking by RCI If RCI for whatever reason re-books the Guest or any person associated with the booking to another cruise departing on a date that is different from the original booking date, RCI, in its sole discretion, may transfer any Offer made in relation to the original booking to the new booking, subject to availability of the upgraded stateroom category. General Terms By submitting an Offer, Guest agrees to the terms and conditions of this Program. Offer to participate in the Program is non-transferable and applies only to the Guest and booking identified in the email invitation. Any promotions associated with the original booking will remain in effect. The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category. Each offer is considered on an individual Offer basis, meaning that RCI may not invite or accept Offers of staterooms traveling together. If bookings that are traveling together are upgraded, RCI does not guarantee that the upgraded staterooms will be close together. The terms and conditions of your original cruise booking will remain in effect following the acceptance of an Offer or if an Offer is not accepted. This includes terms and conditions pertaining to cancellation, penalties, changes, the Crown & Anchor® Society.  Accepted offers will earn Crown & Anchor points at the original stateroom category purchased, and not the category of the upgraded stateroom. Upgrade does not include any additional promotions. If you purchase an Upgrade RCI cannot guarantee a specific cabin number assignment within the upgraded category. Your cabin number will depend on space availability. RCI reserves the right to modify and change these Terms and Conditions in its sole discretion at any time without notice. These Terms and Conditions apply in conjunction with RCI’s cruise ticket contract, website terms of use, privacy policy, all of which are incorporated into and form a part of these Terms and Conditions. RCI reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. ©2018 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: Bahamas.

 

If they are going to charge me the upgraded gratuities, they’d better give me the upgraded amenities. 

[dreadpirate3]

I have an oceanview for my Adventure sailing and there are currently three balcony cabins available. I will report back if I get the email that I can bid for one, but I doubt DH would go for that cost difference.

 

Anyone currently booked who receives the email, please report back!

[Scoobydobe7]

Does anyone know how far out the bidding will start... (i.e. 3 months, 6 months, 60 days)??

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

 

Nice.  Where did these come from?

 

If true, they've got to be kidding with those $ bids and no double points.

[smplybcause]

29 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category.

 

I would hope what they refer to as promotions or benefits had it been originally booked is determined along the lines that NCL does. Otherwise who would bid a significant amount not to get any suite benefits at all just a bigger room?

[Clarea]

10 minutes ago, Scoobydobe7 said:

Does anyone know how far out the bidding will start... (i.e. 3 months, 6 months, 60 days)??

 

Everything we know is in this doc:  http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Misc/18065215_RoyalUp_Consumer_Flyer.pdf

 

We won't really know many details until the program starts and we get reports back.

[Ourusualbeach]

13 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Everything we know is in this doc:  http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Misc/18065215_RoyalUp_Consumer_Flyer.pdf

 

We won't really know many details until the program starts and we get reports back.

 

It goes live tomorrow, I expect we will start seeing reports back soon, at least about the bidding process.  Acceptance of the offers may take a while.

Edited November 27, 2018 by Ourusualbeach

[molly361]

23 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

 

It goes live tomorrow, I expect we will start seeing reports back soon, at least about the bidding process.  Acceptance of the offers may take a while.

My mailbox will be full of offers tomorrow      😎

[Ourusualbeach]

17 minutes ago, molly361 said:

My mailbox will be full of offers tomorrow      😎

Exvellent

  Offers for placeholder cruises. 😇😇

[Clarea]

57 minutes ago, molly361 said:

My mailbox will be full of offers tomorrow      😎

 

Our mailboxes will be full of it all right.

[jspqld]

I certainly could be interested in this program in future cruises if offered to me. However, as it's an Upsell and not an upgrade, if I am going to pay extra $$ and extra grats  to say go from a balcony to a suite, I would like all the regular suite perks that go with it. Concierge lounge, double points, priority lines, etc, etc. If all I'm getting is the larger room, well then my offer is zero and I'll just stay in my already booked balcony.

[HBE4]

8 minutes ago, jspqld said:

I certainly could be interested in this program in future cruises if offered to me. However, as it's an Upsell and not an upgrade, if I am going to pay extra $$ and extra grats  to say go from a balcony to a suite, I would like all the regular suite perks that go with it. Concierge lounge, double points, priority lines, etc, etc. If all I'm getting is the larger room, well then my offer is zero and I'll just stay in my already booked balcony.

 

Agreed.

 

I'm actually okay with not getting double points as long as my original price + upsell price does not put the total price into suite territory.  But I want the suite perks, otherwise what is the point of bidding? Other than a bigger room and bath tub.

[jspqld]

6 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Agreed.

 

I'm actually okay with not getting double points as long as my original price + upsell price does not put the total price into suite territory.  But I want the suite perks, otherwise what is the point of bidding? Other than a bigger room and bath tub.

Yep, the perks are worth more to me than the double points also. As you said it all comes down to the final total price as to whether it's worth it or not. And for me I would pay a tiny amount if any at all just for the larger suite room, but I would offer a certain amount more for the perks and a bit more again if it was to include double points.

[twangster]

No doubt subject to an 18% "service fee".  It is Royal after all.  

 

Ironically I cant get promotional emails.  I've tried.   Had C&A try several times.  Yet every time I log into my account that check box is unchecked.   I've never received a promotional email so I'm out.  Royal IT.  FUBAR.   

[John&LaLa]

5 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not sure if this section from the terms and conditions has been posted or not but it would appear that if you were upgraded to a suite you would not receive any suite benefits.

 

The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category.

 

Below are the complete terms and conditions

 

The RoyalUp℠ upgrade program provides booked guests with an opportunity to submit an offer (an “Offer”) to Royal Caribbean International® (RCI) to upgrade from the original RCI stateroom category purchased to a higher stateroom category (the “Program”). The Program applies to cruises, sail dates, and stateroom categories selected by RCI in its sole and absolute discretion. Not all cruises, stateroom categories, or bookings will be selected for participation, regardless of availability. Eligibility Only a stateroom that has been purchased by either the guest or someone authorized to make an Offer on guest’s behalf is eligible for the Program (the “Guest”). If RCI selects a booking to participate in the Program, RCI will email an invitation to that booking to submit an Offer. RCI makes no representation to any person that an invitation to participate will be issued, an offer or upgrade will be reviewed, accepted, made available or processed, regardless of stateroom availability. Valid Guest Email Required A valid email address must be associated with the booking. RCI will send an invitation to the most recently updated email address that is associated with the booking. An email address may have been provided to RCI at the time of booking or by any guest on the booking who uses Cruise Planner, web-based, pre-cruise planning tool. Only the Guest named in the email invitation or someone over the age of 18 who is authorized to make an Offer on Guest’s behalf is eligible to submit an Offer. By submitting an Offer, Guest represents to RCI that he or she has the authority to act on behalf of and to bind the person or persons named or included on the Offer to these Terms and Conditions and those persons named in the booking. Submitting an Offer Only one Offer may be submitted per eligible stateroom category. Guest may submit Offers for more than one stateroom category. Offers may be modified in accordance with the terms below. The amount of the Offer consists of the total per person amount that the Guest is willing to pay for the opportunity to upgrade from the original booked stateroom category to a higher stateroom category (the “Offer Amount”) and is separate and in addition to the amount paid for the original booking. The Offer Amount applies to only the first and second guests in the booking (in other words, the Offer Amount will not be charged to third and higher guests if the Offer is accepted). For single occupancy guest bookings, the Guest will be charged the double occupancy Offer Amount By upgrading to a higher stateroom category, each guest in the booking may be subject to a higher gratuity amount. The Offer Amount does not include the higher gratuity. If the Offer is accepted, the difference between the original and upgraded stateroom gratuities (if applicable) will be automatically applied to all guests (the “Additional Charges”). Prior to submitting your Offer, the Offer Amount and any Additional Charges will be displayed (the “Total Amount”). If RCI accepts an Offer, the Guest who submitted the Offer will be obligated to pay the Total Amount. During the Offer submission, Guest must provide credit or debit card information (the “Credit Card”). If the Offer is accepted by RCI, the Total Amount will be charged to the Credit Card. Acceptance and Rejection of an Offer RCI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine if an Offer is accepted or not, regardless of stateroom availability. RCI may review and make a decision about an Offer at any time after the Offer is submitted, up to 24 hours before the cruise departure date. If RCI accepts the Offer, Guest will receive an email confirming the acceptance of the Offer and the details of the upgraded stateroom booking (the “Upgrade”). RCI will assign the location of the stateroom in its discretion. The Upgrade will have the same number of berths as the original stateroom. Immediately upon RCI’s acceptance of an Offer, the Total Amount will be charged to the Credit Card and becomes final and non-refundable. Refunds, credits, or changes may be issued only in the following circumstances: 1) RCI cancels the cruise, or 2) RCI cancels the cruise and re-books the guests onto another cruise in a stateroom class that is lower than the upgraded stateroom class. Any refund or credit will be limited to the Upgrade charge and credited back to the Credit Card in the same currency of the original charge; no other charges or fees of any type or nature will be refunded or credited. If RCI does not accept the Offer, the original booking will continue, and persons associated with the booking will travel in the original stateroom category. RCI will not offer and guests will not receive any compensation, consideration, or other benefit as a result of the Offer not being accepted. Modifying or Cancelling the Offer Guest may modify or cancel an Offer up to 48-hours prior to the cruise departure date, but only if the Offer has not been accepted by RCI and if the Credit Card has not been charged (the “Offer Period”). If Guest modifies or cancels the Offer during the Offer Period, the original Offer will be voided, and if applicable, replaced with Guest’s modified Offer. Voided or cancelled Offers will not be reviewed. Modifying or Cancelling the Offer or Booking by Guest After RCI Accepts the Offer If RCI has accepted the Offer, the Offer cannot be modified or cancelled, and Guest must pay the Total Amount regardless of whether Guest subsequently modifies or cancels the booking. If RCI has accepted the Offer and Guest modifies or cancels the booking, the Upgrade and the Offer will be cancelled. RCI will have no obligation to invite the Guest to submit a new Offer on the modified or new booking or to apply the Upgrade to the modified or new booking or to issue a refund or credit of any kind. Modifying the Booking by RCI If RCI for whatever reason re-books the Guest or any person associated with the booking to another cruise departing on a date that is different from the original booking date, RCI, in its sole discretion, may transfer any Offer made in relation to the original booking to the new booking, subject to availability of the upgraded stateroom category. General Terms By submitting an Offer, Guest agrees to the terms and conditions of this Program. Offer to participate in the Program is non-transferable and applies only to the Guest and booking identified in the email invitation. Any promotions associated with the original booking will remain in effect. The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category. Each offer is considered on an individual Offer basis, meaning that RCI may not invite or accept Offers of staterooms traveling together. If bookings that are traveling together are upgraded, RCI does not guarantee that the upgraded staterooms will be close together. The terms and conditions of your original cruise booking will remain in effect following the acceptance of an Offer or if an Offer is not accepted. This includes terms and conditions pertaining to cancellation, penalties, changes, the Crown & Anchor® Society.  Accepted offers will earn Crown & Anchor points at the original stateroom category purchased, and not the category of the upgraded stateroom. Upgrade does not include any additional promotions. If you purchase an Upgrade RCI cannot guarantee a specific cabin number assignment within the upgraded category. Your cabin number will depend on space availability. RCI reserves the right to modify and change these Terms and Conditions in its sole discretion at any time without notice. These Terms and Conditions apply in conjunction with RCI’s cruise ticket contract, website terms of use, privacy policy, all of which are incorporated into and form a part of these Terms and Conditions. RCI reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. ©2018 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: Bahamas.

 

I dont read it that way at all. 

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

My mailbox will be full of offers tomorrow      😎

 

We have an Oasis JS in February,  love to go to a loft.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

No doubt subject to an 18% "service fee".  It is Royal after all.  

 

Ironically I cant get promotional emails.  I've tried.   Had C&A try several times.  Yet every time I log into my account that check box is unchecked.   I've never received a promotional email so I'm out.  Royal IT.  FUBAR.   

 

Call Casino Royale

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, jspqld said:

I certainly could be interested in this program in future cruises if offered to me. However, as it's an Upsell and not an upgrade, if I am going to pay extra $$ and extra grats  to say go from a balcony to a suite, I would like all the regular suite perks that go with it. Concierge lounge, double points, priority lines, etc, etc. If all I'm getting is the larger room, well then my offer is zero and I'll just stay in my already booked balcony.

 

I believe you'll get everything but the dbl points

[lazydayz]

11 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I believe you'll get everything but the dbl points

 

That is how I read it as well.

[John&LaLa]

3 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

 

That is how I read it as well.

 

Brilliant minds. 😉

[jspqld]

6 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The Upgrade will not be eligible to receive any promotions or benefits that are applicable to the stateroom had it been originally booked at that stateroom category.

As much as I would love for the suite perks to be included, as mentioned above I'm finding this sentence in the bottom half of the terms and conditions to basically say you don't get any perks at all with the paid upgrade. The terms and conditions are typically written in a format and wording that makes it a little hard to fully comprehend.

[John&LaLa]

8 minutes ago, jspqld said:

As much as I would love for the suite perks to be included, as mentioned above I'm finding this sentence in the bottom half of the terms and conditions to basically say you don't get any perks at all with the paid upgrade. The terms and conditions are typically written in a format and wording that makes it a little hard to fully comprehend.

 

I truly think those are booking benefits, such as larger OBC, etc..

 

You really think they are going to take the Genie away?  At the least, it would piss them off to lose the revenue for a voyage.

[John&LaLa]

6 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Everything we know is in this doc:  http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Misc/18065215_RoyalUp_Consumer_Flyer.pdf

 

We won't really know many details until the program starts and we get reports back.

 

More info here. 

 

https://loyaltoyoualways.com/service/royalup/

 

Check out the Demo tab.  That is where Biker's screen shots came from

Edited November 28, 2018 by John&LaLa

[jspqld]

30 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

I truly think those are booking benefits, such as larger OBC, etc

 

I hope you're right. I tend to read the sentence as promotions being OBC etc, and benefits being the standard room benefits. Time will tell, & I think common sense will prevail and see the standard benefits included regardless and if Royal wants people to bid high they should do their best to clearly advertise this.

As for the genie, I've seen how hard some of them work night and day and I think their services would be wasted on me as I actually like organising a lot of things myself. They do seem perfectly suited to cruise newbies though as I have witnessed before.