How is the bidding system doing? Any comments?

[HiCCCs]

On 5/18/2023 at 8:09 AM, sns1 said:

My bid from mini-suite to vista suite was $600. 

Thanks....was that total or pp?

[HiCCCs]

20 hours ago, mamamusings said:

That’s because they close bidding two days before departure. I don’t think it means anything else. 🤞🏼

Keep us all posted....love the anticipation and excitement to hear how you came out!! But above all -- YOU'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!! Wonderful!!!

[HiCCCs]

10 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

Just a heads up.  I didn't read the fine print and I accept full responsibility.  We have successfully used bidding system to upgrade our cabin in the past and I was counting on doing so for our next cruise.  Our TA retired and I thought that I would use a big box store's travel dept which gives a good price and a store credit for booking through them.  When the date for me to bid on cabin upgrades came and went, I called and discovered that by using them, I am locked out of participating in the upgrade bid system.  We are fine and will enjoy another wonderful cruise.  Just thought some may not know (like me).

 

Cheers.

Dear BimidjiTy.....many thanks for this information. I don't believe I ever heard this or that it was previously reported/posted. That's a very interesting consideration....but I guess I don't understand why bidding for upgrade wouldn't apply when booked through a big box store. I would think Princess would want to grab our money no matter how we booked it. 🤔

 

Anybody else out there have this experience??

[HiCCCs]

10 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

Just a heads up.  I didn't read the fine print and I accept full responsibility.  We have successfully used bidding system to upgrade our cabin in the past and I was counting on doing so for our next cruise.  Our TA retired and I thought that I would use a big box store's travel dept which gives a good price and a store credit for booking through them.  When the date for me to bid on cabin upgrades came and went, I called and discovered that by using them, I am locked out of participating in the upgrade bid system.  We are fine and will enjoy another wonderful cruise.  Just thought some may not know (like me).

 

Cheers.

And I hate to tout my ignorance and do so publicly, but would you please educate me on the difference between a TA and a "big box store travel dept." I have heard these used so much....and I don't completely understand.  Many thanks!!!

[cavecreekguy]

2 hours ago, SwimCarrie said:

Can someone please confirm if they are still separating out bidding for "aft facing premium balcony" and "premium balcony"? Thanks! 

I have an upcoming Sky cruise. There's just one premium deluxe balcony category available for me to bid on. No distinction between aft-facing or not.

Edited May 19, 2023 by cavecreekguy

[SwimCarrie]

32 minutes ago, cavecreekguy said:

I have an upcoming Sky cruise. There's just one premium deluxe balcony category available for me to bid on. No distinction between aft-facing or not.

Is it the highest category they are offering you? I think they're only offering 3.

[Bemidji Ty]

59 minutes ago, HiCCCs said:

And I hate to tout my ignorance and do so publicly, but would you please educate me on the difference between a TA and a "big box store travel dept." I have heard these used so much....and I don't completely understand.  Many thanks!!!

My TA was a friend who worked with an on-line agency.  She got us good deals, occasional upgrades and OBC.  When she retired, I looked at the big box store where we go at least once a week to purchase wine, meat, clothes and hot dogs in the food court.  (Probably enough hints to figure it out.)  Their price was good and included a credit in their store.  When the dates for us to have access to the bidding came and went, I was unable to access that platform. I tried to use the Princess chat which can be helpful depending on who you get.  I was told to contact my travel agent.  So, I called the big box travel dept help desk.  The person I spoke with said they didn't participate in that program.  I should call again and see if I was given accurate info.  But since it appears the ship is going to be full on that cruise, I'll probably let it go.  Cheers.

Edited May 19, 2023 by Bemidji Ty
spelling

[jwattle]

11 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

Just a heads up.  I didn't read the fine print and I accept full responsibility.  We have successfully used bidding system to upgrade our cabin in the past and I was counting on doing so for our next cruise.  Our TA retired and I thought that I would use a big box store's travel dept which gives a good price and a store credit for booking through them.  When the date for me to bid on cabin upgrades came and went, I called and discovered that by using them, I am locked out of participating in the upgrade bid system.  We are fine and will enjoy another wonderful cruise.  Just thought some may not know (like me).

 

Cheers.

Look in your cruise personaliser. You're still eligible to bid, you just don't get the emails from your Big Box store I believe.

[cr8tiv1]

Arrived in my mail overnight. A day before departure.  Disappointed, but not surprised.  Low bid, Full ship.  Was anticipating a move over offer….haha.
 

[HiCCCs]

12 minutes ago, Bemidji Ty said:

My TA was a friend who worked with an on-line agency.  She got us good deals, occasional upgrades and OBC.  When she retired, I looked at the big box store where we go at least once a week to purchase wine, meat, clothes and hot dogs in the food court.  (Probably enough hints to figure it out.)  Their price was good and included a credit in their store.  When the dates for us to have access to the bidding came and went, I was unable to access that platform. I tried to use the Princess chat which can be helpful depending on who you get.  I was told to contact my travel agent.  So, I called the big box travel dept help desk.  The person I spoke with said they didn't participate in that program.  I should call again and see if I was given accurate info.  But since it appears the ship is going to be full on that cruise, I'll probably let it go.  Cheers.

Thanks, Bemidgi Ty!!!  Much appreciated. It certainly warrants further investigation before I would look to use a "big box store travel department. I was thinking to use the company I use for roadside help...the same company where, when we were kids, my Dad would take me along to get maps and their helpful tripguide before our family vacations. I wonder if they would have restrictions, too. It's worth asking before using them...and I will.

[cavecreekguy]

34 minutes ago, SwimCarrie said:

Is it the highest category they are offering you? I think they're only offering 3.

I'm currently in a deluxe balcony. The categories available for me to bid on are:

• Premium Deluxe Balcony
• Mini Suite
• Club Class Mini Suite - Forward Facing
• Club Class Mini Suite
• Vista Suite
• Premium Suite
• Penthouse Suite

[Bemidji Ty]

I just now tried again and got this message.

 

Your reservation is not eligible to place a bid at this time. To be eligible to submit a bid the following requirements must be met:

• Must be 21 years or older.
• The booking must be paid in full.
• Travel Agency must be a participating agency in the Princess Upgrade program.
• The voyage must be at least five days within final payment.

Voyage Length	Final payment due before sailing date	Bidding opens before sailing
5 days or less	75 days prior	70 days prior
6-24 days	90 days prior	85 days prior
25+ days	120 days prior	115 days prior

 

 

I believe all the other conditions have been met.  My DW says we are fine.  But I'll still call and confirm my info.

Edited May 19, 2023 by Bemidji Ty

[SwimCarrie]

1 minute ago, cavecreekguy said:

I'm currently in a deluxe balcony. The categories available for me to bid on are:

• Premium Deluxe Balcony
• Mini Suite
• Club Class Mini Suite - Forward Facing
• Club Class Mini Suite
• Vista Suite
• Premium Suite
• Penthouse Suite

Wow. That's a lot of choices. I'm only being offered 3. Maybe since I'm on a casino offer? I saw something about aft facing. Guess I'm going to have to scroll through all the pages. Ugh. Lol. 

[HiCCCs]

32 minutes ago, Bemidji Ty said:

I just now tried again and got this message.

 

Your reservation is not eligible to place a bid at this time. To be eligible to submit a bid the following requirements must be met:

• Must be 21 years or older.
• The booking must be paid in full.
• Travel Agency must be a participating agency in the Princess Upgrade program.
• The voyage must be at least five days within final payment.

Voyage Length	Final payment due before sailing date	Bidding opens before sailing
5 days or less	75 days prior	70 days prior
6-24 days	90 days prior	85 days prior
25+ days	120 days prior	115 days prior

 

 

I believe all the other conditions have been met.  My DW says we are fine.  But I'll still call and confirm my info.

There you have it!!!  I have not seen that response when I've tested out whether my bookings are eligible. Sounds like the "fine print" is always something to be aware of. But your DW is right, you're fine...because YOU'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!!!  

[Bemidji Ty]

53 minutes ago, HiCCCs said:

There you have it!!!  I have not seen that response when I've tested out whether my bookings are eligible. Sounds like the "fine print" is always something to be aware of. But your DW is right, you're fine...because YOU'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!!!  

My thoughts exactly. 

 

I did take the time to read the fine print in the "Big Box Store's" contract.  It states,  "Big Box Travel does not participate in cruise line bid-based stateroom upgrade programs."

[HiCCCs]

7 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

My thoughts exactly. 

 

I did take the time to read the fine print in the "Big Box Store's" contract.  It states,  "Big Box Travel does not participate in cruise line bid-based stateroom upgrade programs."

Lesson learned. I've also done a little sleuthing into another travel-travel-travel service that books cruises. From the few sailings I compared, their prices aren't big savings over Princess' website. They seem to build their perks back into the cost of booking through them over booking directly with Princess. In most cases, a couple hundred $$$ or even more!

[mamamusings]

Like @cr8tiv1, we got our rejection email the night before we sailed. We had bid $250/pp for a mini suite and $300/pp for a club level mini suite, so I’m not surprised we didn’t get it. 🤷‍♀️

[HiCCCs]

15 hours ago, mamamusings said:

Like @cr8tiv1, we got our rejection email the night before we sailed. We had bid $250/pp for a mini suite and $300/pp for a club level mini suite, so I’m not surprised we didn’t get it. 🤷‍♀️

Well.....I'll just say, "Better luck next time." It's really a gamble. I hope you hit it big in the casino while enjoying your cruise!!  Happy sailing!!!

[C & C Love to Cruise]

I tried to find the answer going through the posts, but no luck or maybe I missed it.   My question is if I have on my original booking  "no upgrade"  will I have to call Princess and get it removed before I place a bid for a better upgrade?

[Cruise Raider]

5 minutes ago, C & C Love to Cruise said:

I tried to find the answer going through the posts, but no luck or maybe I missed it.   My question is if I have on my original booking  "no upgrade"  will I have to call Princess and get it removed before I place a bid for a better upgrade?

Bidding up has nothing to do with having that box checked or not.  
 

[KatRangoon]

We're cruising the Crown in June and put in just a bit over the min bid for mini suite and club mini about 30 or so days ago. Since I was seeing a lot of people saying they got their confirmation around the 30-35 day till cruise timeframe and we're passed that now, I went ahead and bumped up my bid a bit for both (right about the weak/fair line). We'll see if that gets more notice, but it's just not worth more to me than that as I mostly want the mini suite for the bigger bathroom. I'll update on if it gets accepted or not.

 

Has anyone tried asking for the room upgrade when checking in at the port? Or has that option gone away since this bidding system took over? 

[mustgo]

I always request no upgrade.  I did place a bid for a mini from a balcony for $200 each on a 2 week cruise.  It was just accepted at about 30 days before the cruise

[startedwithamouse]

2 hours ago, KatRangoon said:

We're cruising the Crown in June and put in just a bit over the min bid for mini suite and club mini about 30 or so days ago. Since I was seeing a lot of people saying they got their confirmation around the 30-35 day till cruise timeframe and we're passed that now, I went ahead and bumped up my bid a bit for both (right about the weak/fair line). We'll see if that gets more notice, but it's just not worth more to me than that as I mostly want the mini suite for the bigger bathroom. I'll update on if it gets accepted or not.

 

Has anyone tried asking for the room upgrade when checking in at the port? Or has that option gone away since this bidding system took over? 

 

Yes, and they charge A LOT more onboard, bidding is the better deal in most cases.  Guest services is there to upsell, upsell and upsell more. 

[KatRangoon]

14 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

 

Yes, and they charge A LOT more onboard, bidding is the better deal in most cases.  Guest services is there to upsell, upsell and upsell more. 

Well, hopefully they'll like my new bids better lol

[Buckeye10640]

On 5/16/2023 at 4:04 PM, DCThunder said:

Are those of you who are "winning" bids, submitting them at the maximum amount or something lower?  The little bid "slider" shows bidding the minimum as a "weak" bid, but weak can still be winning.  What's the winning strategy?

I think it has to depend on supply and demand.I sailed on Royal last week, and had a low upgrade bid accepted to go from balcony to mini. I checked at the time I bid and there were lots of minis available. Pretty sure we sailed sold out or close to it.