Not eligible for bidding an upgrade

[AZjohn]

5 hours ago, toofewcruises said:

Why isn't it a good start? You booked the cabin you wanted at the price you wanted. Now, you just want to upgrade for less... there may not be cabins available to bid on. Princess has to keep cabins for guarantee assignments and emergencies. There are never any guarantees with the bidding process. 

Though I agree with your reply to OP, keep in mine that this upgrade bidding is “gaming the system” that Princess created and not OP. OP is just trying to figure out why he can’t currently play the game.

 

But again, I agree with you regarding his/her last sentence.

 

Cheers

[iamaqt2]

1 hour ago, AZjohn said:

Though I agree with your reply to OP, keep in mine that this upgrade bidding is “gaming the system” that Princess created and not OP. OP is just trying to figure out why he can’t currently play the game.

 

But again, I agree with you regarding his/her last sentence.

 

Cheers

That reply was not to the OP, but to a commenter on the post.  
I'd also like to point out to anyone else who comes along, that the Princess Upgrade Bid Program is NOT handled by Princess.  They outsourced it to a third party to handle, so calling in to complain to Princess that you can't participate is wasted time.  Bottom line.  Book a room you'll be happy with.  Participate if you want in the upgrade lottery, and if you don't win, at least you'll still be on the ship.  

[richstowe]

22 hours ago, toofewcruises said:

Why isn't it a good start? You booked the cabin you wanted at the price you wanted. Now, you just want to upgrade for less... there may not be cabins available to bid on. Princess has to keep cabins for guarantee assignments and emergencies. There are never any guarantees with the bidding process. 

Exactly. As a big CCL investor (100 shares) I also wonder about the wisdom of this program. Do they want us to book down and then bid for the cabin we actually want? Then you have those who are annoyed at not being allowed to bid or much worse those who won their bid and are furious because of its poor location. Seems like a foolish idea looking long-term but I'm sure some VP is getting a bonus.

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by richstowe

[john watson]

On 12/21/2023 at 6:39 PM, Musky Ike said:

Same here. Just checked again 79 days out and eligibility supposed to start at 85 days out. 

 

I am thinking they may have completely sold all cabin just above your booked one.  It may be that only cancellations of suites will cause a knock on effect right down the rankings.

 

Regards John

[2MellowCruisers]

I have three upcoming cruises.  For the cruise next week, I won my bid (first time winning).  For the cruise in March, I get the message that says "This reservation is not eligible for Princess Upgrade at this time."  For the May cruise, I get the message "This reservation is not eligible for Princess Upgrade." but also shows the table showing the info about the time frames.

 

It sounds like not all guests or even entire cruises may be eligible for bidding.  It is up to the discretion of Princess.  The terms state "Select booked guests" so who knows how they determine who is eligible.

 

These Terms govern the Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. ("PCL") stateroom bidding upgrade program (the "Program"). The Program provides select booked guests with an opportunity to submit an offer to PCL to upgrade from their originally purchased stateroom category to a higher stateroom category for select PCL cruises. Program is not open to general public and is only open to guests that PCL has selected to participate.

Eligibility: The Program is only available to PCL guests ("Eligible Program Guest" or "Guest"), which guests will be determined by PCL in its sole discretion. Guests who are determined by PCL to be eligible for the Program can confirm their eligibility by visiting the Site as set out in the paragraph below. Some Guests will also receive a Program email invitation from PCL. Invitation and eligibility as a Guest may not be transferred or shared. Selection of Guests will be in PCL's sole discretion, but all Guests must be at least 21 years of age or older (18 years of age or older in Australia), must have booked a PCL Cruise (as defined below), and provided final payment on such Cruise. Individuals deemed Eligible Program Guests for one cruise does not guarantee that such guests will also be Eligible Program Guests for future PCL cruises, if any.

In addition to the official Program email, guests can check to see if they are Eligible Program Guests by accessing the Program landing page website (the "site") via links on princess.com or via the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com to see if they are able to submit a bid. If the Program does not show as available on such page or the guest is not able to submit a Bid (as defined below), then such guest is not eligible for this Program.

Eligible Cruises: PCL will select the exact cruises, dates, and stateroom categories that will be available for the Program, all in its sole discretion (each eligible cruise, an "Eligible Cruise" or "Cruise"). Not all cruises, stateroom categories, or bookings will be selected for participation, regardless of availability.

[vge]

I couldn’t bid until cruise paid in full. Still waiting to hear.🤞🤞🤞🤞

[CynCyn]

On 12/24/2023 at 6:35 AM, cruisemom67 said:

I booked through Princess, am within time frame, and paid off. I can't bid either. I think the time-frame is their general rule, but they open it when they want. Good luck and happy bidding (when you finally can).

Do you have a casino fare? I had to wait until they paid to be able to book.

[richstowe]

9 hours ago, CynCyn said:

Do you have a casino fare? I had to wait until they paid to be able to book.

Interesting . I'm booked on a Prestige Cruise and we got the "This reservation is not eligible for Princess Upgrade at this time." message . Others got the same and nobody has mentioned getting an eligible to bid message. So on a casino cruise there may be less available ?

 

[CynCyn]

1 hour ago, richstowe said:

Interesting . I'm booked on a Prestige Cruise and we got the "This reservation is not eligible for Princess Upgrade at this time." message . Others got the same and nobody has mentioned getting an eligible to bid message. So on a casino cruise there may be less available ?

 

It just took longer because they don’t pay on the same schedule.

[509eagle]

I booked the only choice of a reservation I could get at the time.   Ocean View Guaranteed, This was certainly not a matter of booking to save a buck,,,       It was this of nothing at the time.

 

So not is always as certain people tend to see things.

[Curtzilla]

On 12/21/2023 at 5:28 PM, startedwithamouse said:

Because it's much cheaper to bid for the upgrade.

Which is probably why Princess holds that class back from upgrade bidding for awhile.  They're hoping to still sell it full price.

[richstowe]

Just got an email informing me that I can bid to upgrade. Multiple options from penthouse suite with a minimum $810 PP to a premium deluxe balcony for $30 which is odd because that's what I booked. Cruise is March 2.

[linz3435]

If you book through Costco, you cannot bid for an upgrade.  True in 2023.