How is the bidding system doing? Any comments?

[cruisequeen4ever]

44 minutes ago, caribill said:

I received an invitation to bid for upgrades to 5 types of full suites. Only 2 of the 5 currently have availability on the Princess web site, so I could only make pricing comparisons to those two.

 

What I did was compare the "savings" if the bid accepted was the lowest possible and if the bids accepted was the highest possible. The comparison was made comparing the difference between what the list price was for my cabin at the time I booked it and what the current Princess web site pricing is for these 2 full suite types if I wanted to pay full price for an upgrade. Prices are per person.

 

a) Penthouse suite

    o savings over current pricing if lowest possible bid accepted $2765

    o savings over current pricing if highest possible bid accepted $825

 

b) Owner's suite

    o savings over current pricing if lowest possible bid accepted $3415

    o savings over current pricing if highest possible bid accepted $760

 

That’s helpful info to see; so some people will experience a savings this way. 

[cruiser113]

2 hours ago, PRINCESS Sweet Pea said:

Okay, I was thinking that the bid was for that category, and wasn't specific as to the location.   Like a Mini would be just a Mini,  (anywhere on the ship) and not like MA mid-ship mid-deck,  versus a lower category Mini.

How is that working?  I might bid for a MA, or deluxe balcony in the higher mid-ship mid-deck category.   But. def. not forward or aft.

These were my  mini suite  upgrade  options.

 

UPGRADE OPTIONS

Club Class Mini Suite A premium stateroom category featuring our best located Mini-Suite staterooms and Club Class benefits From $315 USD pp Get Upgraded     Club Class Mini Suite - Forward Facing A premium stateroom category featuring our forward facing Mini-Suite staterooms and Club Class benefits From $290 USD pp

[Guest ldtr]

22 hours ago, 1cruiselvr said:

Actually not true. Per Princess, highest bid does not ensure winning. 
 

Bid Acceptance Process: Throughout and after the conclusion of the Bidding Period, PCL will compile all then-existing Bids for the various stateroom categories for the Cruise and may accept a Bid from a Guest for each available upgrade room (the "successful Bidder"), taking into consideration multiple factors and items. PCL will review Bids based on highest positive revenue impact, but reserve the right to consider and review other and different factors. All Bids will be converted to USD at the time they are considered. All determinations as to which Bid (if any) is accepted, who the Successful Bidder is (if any), and what is considered in accepting a Bid shall all be determined by PCL in its sole and absolute discretion. Successful Bidders are subject to verification. The highest Bid may not be accepted and Guest that places the highest Bid for a stateroom category is not guaranteed to be the Successful Bidder.

Pretty much legal boiler plate that they would use even if price was the only determining factor, to prevent potential legal cases is someone lost out but then found out that the winner submitted a lower bid.  Basically the language is to prevent such law suit.  

[1cruiselvr]

6 hours ago, Matco said:

Not necessarily, I would think letting others that are in mini suites bid for higher suites would open up lower suites for those booked in say balcony's to then bid on mini suites. That would then potentially open up more balcony's for insides and ocean views to bid on that they might not normally book therefore getting people into a cabin that might stay unsold rather than leaving them open at full price. I for one know I would never book a penthouse or owners suite unless I had a great casino offer or a chance to bid on an upgrade. Heck that's the only reason I booked a mini suite in the first place was because of my casino promo. Again this is just my opinion and I could be completely wrong 

I meant they wouldn’t block a category just for upgrades, like full suites for example. They can get more money from people that book them at going rate. If they are still open around final payment time, then I think they might become available for bidding. 
I don’t think they block any category for bidding. It doesn’t make sense. There could be people on wait list for a particular category too. My 2 cents. We are all guessing anyway. 

[CruisinCouple2010]

Received email today that upgrade bid was not accepted however have no idea on which bid as I did multiple bids guess I just have to wait for more emails to come.

[mina]

21 minutes ago, CruisinCouple2010 said:

Received email today that upgrade bid was not accepted however have no idea on which bid as I did multiple bids guess I just have to wait for more emails to come.

What cruise and what date?  Thank you.

[Shippy]

   My cruise leaves on Nov. 6th....have not heard anything yet    :O(

[CruisinCouple2010]

3 minutes ago, mina said:

What cruise and what date?  Thank you.

Enchanted Princess November 05

[PRINCESS Sweet Pea]

Those Club Class would actually be two different categories.   Kind of like Balcony and Balcony obstructed.  I would be afraid that I would bid on a larger cabin, but it would be far forward.  That would be  the same balcony category, but just a bad location (to me).   Then I couldn't move to a better location, because it would be BD and I couldn't move to a BA.  Or even a mid-forward or mid-aft cabin.

Edited October 10, 2022 by PRINCESS Sweet Pea

[mina]

12 minutes ago, PRINCESS Sweet Pea said:

Those Club Class would actually be two different categories.   Kind of like Balcony and Balcony obstructed.  I would be afraid that I would bid on a larger cabin, but it would be far forward.  That would be  the same balcony category, but just a bad location (to me).   Then I couldn't move to a better location, because it would be BD and I couldn't move to a BA.  Or even a mid-forward or mid-aft cabin.

The bids are by location for club class.  You bid on club class forward facing  or on club class, which are the midship rooms.  Totally agree on bidding on the balconies, not sure where you would be. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by mina

[suzyed]

1 hour ago, CruisinCouple2010 said:

Received email today that upgrade bid was not accepted however have no idea on which bid as I did multiple bids guess I just have to wait for more emails to come.

Go to your bid emails.  If it says "expired" that is the one that was not accepted.  The others should still say "pending".  Good luck!

[CruisinCouple2010]

19 minutes ago, suzyed said:

Go to your bid emails.  If it says "expired" that is the one that was not accepted.  The others should still say "pending".  Good luck!

I found it. Thank you for that helpful information.

[1cruiselvr]

We got our cabin assignment today. No free upgrade, just the exact category of our GTY booking.  So I added a mini suite bid to our other bid categories but only offered the minimum  we are happy with our D4 but thought we’d try for a mini at minimal bid cost. There are mini suites open per their website. I will let you know how it goes. 

[suzyed]

4 hours ago, CruisinCouple2010 said:

I found it. Thank you for that helpful information.

You're welcome!

[Itchy&Scratchy]

well, our Thanksgiving Enchanted cruise doesn't have any non-deluxe balconies left for 3 people, so I don't think my bid (inside to balcony) will be accepted... And it only has literally a handful of deluxe balcony cabins left. Everything else is sold out (inside, mini, suites).

Edited October 11, 2022 by Itchy&Scratchy

[1cruiselvr]

16 hours ago, 1cruiselvr said:

We got our cabin assignment today. No free upgrade, just the exact category of our GTY booking.  So I added a mini suite bid to our other bid categories but only offered the minimum  we are happy with our D4 but thought we’d try for a mini at minimal bid cost. There are mini suites open per their website. I will let you know how it goes. 

Cancelled the mini suite bid. Got concerned it might not be a location we would enjoy. Happy with our D4 cabin. Just wish the bathroom was a little bigger. 

[mina]

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.  

[wrongwaywatson]

51 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

well, our Thanksgiving Enchanted cruise doesn't have any non-deluxe balconies left for 3 people, so I don't think my bid (inside to balcony) will be accepted... And it only has literally a handful of deluxe balcony cabins left. Everything else is sold out (inside, mini, suites).

We're on the same cruise.  We booked a balcony guarantee, but haven't received our assignment yet.

[Matco]

44 minutes ago, 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.  

Do you mind sharing what you were booked in and how much your bid to upgrade was?

[mina]

5 minutes ago, Matco said:

Do you mind sharing what you were booked in and how much your bid to upgrade was?

We were in a regular mini suite and the minimum bid was around 1000 each.  Special trip for us, so worth the added expense.  

[1cruiselvr]

51 minutes ago, 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.  

We’re there aft penthouse suites open on their website? Curious bc I bid on a penthouse suite for our 11/26 cruise but they were sold out at the time I bid on it and it’s still in pending status. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

31 minutes ago, wrongwaywatson said:

We're on the same cruise.  We booked a balcony guarantee, but haven't received our assignment yet.

are you in a cabin for 2 or more? Looks like there are some balconies left for 2, but not for 3...

[mina]

1 minute ago, 1cruiselvr said:

We’re there aft penthouse suites open on their website? Curious bc I bid on a penthouse suite for our 11/26 cruise but they were sold out at the time I bid on it and it’s still in pending status. 

There were about seven aft penthouses and six midship ones open prior to bidding start.  

[PRINCESS Sweet Pea]

I am glad to hear that some are having success with the bidding!

 

I know It can be confusing, but about those two different Minisuites.

They actually are two different categories.  Not just a different location.

The name doesn't really show it, but they are.

It would be like bidding on a Balcony cabin or bidding on an obstructed balcony cabin.

 

Here is the description of those Forward Facing mini's.

Special Notes:
Club Class Mini Ste Balc Access Limited While Ship Is At Sea -  Part Obstruct View

[wrongwaywatson]

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

are you in a cabin for 2 or more? Looks like there are some balconies left for 2, but not for 3...

 

Yes, for 2