TillieAgnes

I believe the goal of the RoyalUp program is to make sure that there are no empty rooms especially on the upper levels of the ship.  We received the opportunity to bid on a GS ,OS and RS 30 days out and the booking website showed that none of these rooms were available.  We examined  the deck plans and were happy with the location of all of the rooms.  Because we were in a Junior Suite which did not include access to the concierge lounge and free adult beverages during happy hour.  We determined that the extra room and perks were worth a total bid of $500 for a week cruise.  That turned out to be the strongest bid allowed for the room.  We bid the strongest.  We waited and expected not to have our bid accepted. Forty-eight hours before embarking we learned that we received the upgrade.  It was clear someone had canceled since there was a minute or two of confusion when checking in.  The room was beyond wonderful and because of our upgrade we had a minimal bar bill.  Win win.

We bid 30 days out for an upgrade from a Junior Suite  to a grand suite. We submitted a strong bed of $500 total. Yesterday, two days out from the cruise, we learned that our bid was accepted  and we will be in a grand suite. I guess someone canceled; I hope they have travel insurance.  Sailing tomorrow on the Rhapsody of the Seas.

2 minutes ago, tennislvr8 said:

When people are saying the ship is sold out, how do you know? If checking Royals website, thst isn't accurate. I read before if you check royals UK website they will show all rooms available. TAs can also check for sold out. So I am just curious about thosw claiming sold out, how do you know. 

I checked the RC website for our Cruise earlier in the week and there were no rooms available other than guaranteed inside suite.  I call that almost sold out. 

We bid 30 days out for an upgrade from a Junior Suite  to a grand suite. We submitted a strong bed of $500 total. Yesterday, two days out from the cruise, we learned that our bid was accepted  and we will be in a grand suite. I guess someone canceled; I hope they have travel insurance.  Sailing tomorrow on the Rhapsody of the Seas.

TI called RCL about whether the upgrade includes the perks that come with the room, for example, visits to the concierge room and the cocktails served during the cocktail hour.  I was assured that those perks were included in the upgrade.  I thing the rules you correctly quoted refer to “promotional offers” as opposed to room perks.     We received the offer on an almost full ship 30 days out .  We bid on an upgrade and yesterday, 2 days out learned that we were awarded an upgrade.  We bid the strongest bid 500 dollars total, for an upgrade from Jr Suite to a Grand Suite.  I guess someone canceled at last minute.  I hope they had travel insurance!

I understand that rooms will often open up during the week before the cruise.  A bidder is like a person on standby.  If the room opens up, there is someone standing by to take it.  I imagine there is then a ripple effect as balcony moves to jr suite an inside might move to a balcony.  

My nephew's family had three children.  They booked an Owners Suite for 4 and the ship brought in a cot for the third child.  This was a regular retail purchase and not a Royal Up.  

On 11/26/2018 at 1:02 PM, Pratique said:

I agree it can be senseless bidding. Who knows what the upgrade fairy was going to do before seeing your bid and laughing maniacally? Maybe if you have the winning bid then they give you a casino credit and get you to fall for it again lol.

There is a minimum and maximum bid.  It is my guess the the opportunity is extended to those who have been assigned a room in a category  of rooms that has a “room guarantee,” and they have over booked that category.  If you are going from a junior suite to a grand suite the extra perks, include access to the concierge room, and the extra space in the room may well worth the $200 to $500 bid.  Unlike the casino, if you don’t win you keep your money.