Level Upgrade - bidding for a room upgrade.

[AdoraBelle]

On 6/19/2023 at 12:54 PM, _tacocat_ said:

The problem is TAs grab them in their “circles,” but don’t end up booking them, so they get released, then scooped up quickly by another circle.

 

That explains why I was able to grab a cheeky corner suite that suddenly appeared about two weeks before sailing on my last cruise (about a month ago now). 

[newsmike48]

Hi 

We are doing French days and Ibiza nights boarding this coming Sunday.

Originally in a sea terrace

bid £1515 to upgrade to Brilliant suite and bid accepted (min bid was £1410) and the bid has been accepted

So some suites are available at least some of the time

[carpeperdiem]

1 hour ago, newsmike48 said:

Originally in a sea terrace

bid £1515 to upgrade to Brilliant suite and bid accepted

That's a great deal!
I am on the same sailing, had a sea terrace (via virgin red points),
They accepted my bid to Gorgeous (mega RS) bidding substantially more (it was still in the "poor" range of the bidding). I am satisfied with the process and final costs.

[newsmike48]

Also originally booked on virgin points

Maybe see you in Richard's rooftop

Cheers

[Jetdriver787]

Just got back from a week on Valiant lady. Originally had a Sea Terrace cabin (regular) booked through the Virgin points offer, and was really looking forward to the "bargain of the decade!" Put in a cheeky upgrade bid on the available Rockstar suites at minimum bid plus £50 or so. Absolutely delighted at V-3 days to receive confirmation of an upgrade to a Brilliant suite! whole deal worked out at around $1850 (plus base points) for a $10,500 (at retail) suite! The whole thing was indeed brilliant. They also gave us a status match to our Royal Caribbean "Diamond plus" level, which only enhanced the otherwise excellent offerings. Very impressed with the food, drink, service, quality and friendliness. Would do it again in a heartbeat although that deal is unlikely to be on the table again!

[docboss1]

Just got notified we got upgraded from ltd view terrace to central sea terrace! Our bid was for $35 /cabin for a regular sea terrace! Surprised we got a central sea terrace for that price!  

[Janthere]

On 7/11/2023 at 10:00 AM, Jetdriver787 said:

Just got back from a week on Valiant lady. Originally had a Sea Terrace cabin (regular) booked through the Virgin points offer, and was really looking forward to the "bargain of the decade!" Put in a cheeky upgrade bid on the available Rockstar suites at minimum bid plus £50 or so. Absolutely delighted at V-3 days to receive confirmation of an upgrade to a Brilliant suite! whole deal worked out at around $1850 (plus base points) for a $10,500 (at retail) suite! The whole thing was indeed brilliant. They also gave us a status match to our Royal Caribbean "Diamond plus" level, which only enhanced the otherwise excellent offerings. Very impressed with the food, drink, service, quality and friendliness. Would do it again in a heartbeat although that deal is unlikely to be on the table again!

Curious as to how you liked the Brilliant Suite - am contemplating bidding on one but concerned about the noise from above pool deck.

[Jetdriver787]

Absolutely loved it. Size wise, think Grand suite. Big bathroom (no tub) but huge shower. It was quirky (in that Virgin way,) but comfortable. We enjoyed being in it! The balcony set up was weak. The ubiquitous hammock was great, but the additional furniture amounted to a tiny table and a metal chair. That was our only real criticism of it, but our “Rockstar agent” said we should have spoken to her and she would have arranged for a lounger for us. We can’t help feeling that aspect of the layout needs a bit of a re-think. 
 

As for noise? When there was a party on the pool deck there was some overspill of sound and you could hear it on the balcony. I didn’t think it was overtly intrusive. Couldn’t hear anything in the room, nor did we hear any deck activity (chairs scraping, etc.) 

[Watchmen]

I’m interested in bidding up by Virgin says my booking isn’t eligible. Is that because I used a TA?

[Janthere]

3 hours ago, Jetdriver787 said:

Absolutely loved it. Size wise, think Grand suite. Big bathroom (no tub) but huge shower. It was quirky (in that Virgin way,) but comfortable. We enjoyed being in it! The balcony set up was weak. The ubiquitous hammock was great, but the additional furniture amounted to a tiny table and a metal chair. That was our only real criticism of it, but our “Rockstar agent” said we should have spoken to her and she would have arranged for a lounger for us. We can’t help feeling that aspect of the layout needs a bit of a re-think. 
 

As for noise? When there was a party on the pool deck there was some overspill of sound and you could hear it on the balcony. I didn’t think it was overtly intrusive. Couldn’t hear anything in the room, nor did we hear any deck activity (chairs scraping, etc.) 

Thank you for the response. Good to know that the RS agent was open to arranging a lounger for the balcony.  May I ask what your room number was so that I may request that room if possible? 

 

[jon81uk]

3 hours ago, Watchmen said:

I’m interested in bidding up by Virgin says my booking isn’t eligible. Is that because I used a TA?

Did you book lock it in GTY rate? If so you can’t bid until you get your first cabin assigned. 

[Gretchendz]

6 hours ago, Watchmen said:

I’m interested in bidding up by Virgin says my booking isn’t eligible. Is that because I used a TA?

 

No. That would definitely not be a factor.  Your sailing may be so full they are not accepting requests.

[cantgetin]

7 hours ago, Watchmen said:

I’m interested in bidding up by Virgin says my booking isn’t eligible. Is that because I used a TA?

Definitely NO(T because you used a TA.  It most likely had to do with your type of booking/booking code used.  If all the categories avove you are full, they may not be accepting upgrade bids...or if you booked a "lock it in" and have not been assigned a cabin, if they haven't opened upgrade bidding for your cruise yet, f if you havre something like a casino rate that was specifically not available for upgrade.

[scottie99]

On 7/11/2023 at 6:00 PM, Jetdriver787 said:

Just got back from a week on Valiant lady. Originally had a Sea Terrace cabin (regular) booked through the Virgin points offer, and was really looking forward to the "bargain of the decade!" Put in a cheeky upgrade bid on the available Rockstar suites at minimum bid plus £50 or so. Absolutely delighted at V-3 days to receive confirmation of an upgrade to a Brilliant suite! whole deal worked out at around $1850 (plus base points) for a $10,500 (at retail) suite! The whole thing was indeed brilliant. They also gave us a status match to our Royal Caribbean "Diamond plus" level, which only enhanced the otherwise excellent offerings. Very impressed with the food, drink, service, quality and friendliness. Would do it again in a heartbeat although that deal is unlikely to be on the table again!

Interesting,

 

we bid considerably more than the minimum for several suites but we’re unsuccessful.

 

We also got reciprocal benefits by being RCCL Diamond Plus, but paid in full via TA.

 

As it turned out, we were more than happy with our XL Asda Terrace, 14326A, very quiet and a super attendant 

[DorothysFriend]

On 10/4/2023 at 1:26 AM, Janthere said:

Thank you for the response. Good to know that the RS agent was open to arranging a lounger for the balcony.  May I ask what your room number was so that I may request that room if possible? 

 

Brilliant suite 14 229 Z was quiet. Upgrade in the « good » range for our sailing, which was not cheap but since I’d won the cruise, it was well worth it to travel with a friend and have 2 large beds. Wish I’d taken more pics of the room now and also wish I’d known I could have asked our fantastic RS Agent Igor for a sun lounger for the double balcony.

[Janthere]

4 hours ago, DorothysFriend said:

Brilliant suite 14 229 Z was quiet. Upgrade in the « good » range for our sailing, which was not cheap but since I’d won the cruise, it was well worth it to travel with a friend and have 2 large beds. Wish I’d taken more pics of the room now and also wish I’d known I could have asked our fantastic RS Agent Igor for a sun lounger for the double balcony.

Its funny I did a double take when i saw this photo as I too am a Diet Coke drinker and I almost thought that was my Brilliant suite haha. I ended up winning my bid also (mine was the minimum "poor" bid and I was in a Brilliant 14237A. I did hear some scraping of chairs from above in the morning but that didn't bother me too much. What did bother me was the huge overhang on the above on the balcony. I wouldn't bid on anything on the 14th floor again for that reason. 

[DorothysFriend]

1 hour ago, Janthere said:

Its funny I did a double take when i saw this photo as I too am a Diet Coke drinker and I almost thought that was my Brilliant suite haha. I ended up winning my bid also (mine was the minimum "poor" bid and I was in a Brilliant 14237A. I did hear some scraping of chairs from above in the morning but that didn't bother me too much. What did bother me was the huge overhang on the above on the balcony. I wouldn't bid on anything on the 14th floor again for that reason. 

I apparently overbid for the suite but that’s OK because I had my original room for free (I won a contest). I was initially surprised by the overhang but I would book it again because I would prefer to sunbathe on Richard’s Rooftop and have shade to eat and read on the balcony. But I could see how they would be a dealbreaker for others. And I loved being able to order all the Diet Cokes I needed to my room for free at any time 👍🏽