Pima1988

I think that's stated in the wording when you bid.  That's why I only bid on rooms I know would definitely be an upgrade with the understanding I may get a worse location.

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

I know someone that is going on Symphony OV and has placed 9 bids, thus, I do agree it probably has more to do with what's available compared to where you start via cabin level.
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

That gratuity is shared among many levels.  Do you leave your dishes in the WJ at your table? No, well that person cleaning up after you is part of the gratuity you refuse to pay. 
  Are you washing them?  No.
Taking out the trash you make and leave at the WJ? No
At the pool  do you always bring your drink and never go to the bars even to get a glass of water? The bar staff is responsible for filling the water container at the bar.  Do you say no to the wait staff when they walk around picking up empty glasses, but instead do it yourself? Again, do you empty the trash on the pool deck where you tossed your trash?
Are you making your bed daily, and replenishing your towels, toilet paper, etc?  No.  
Do you eat at the MDR for lunch or dinner?  Would you not tip your waiter at Applebees? So why not them?  Your tip at Applebees is like on the ship...a waiter/waitress in the food business shares it with the person clearing your dishes.
People do not understand that the gratuity you pay includes not only food but cabin attendants.
You may say RCCL should pay their staff more. Sure, but the fact and reality is this is a common practice among their industry.  
My husband and I worked through college in the food and beverage industry.  I get not tipping for poor service, but anyone that has worked in the industry knows they live by tips since they are not paid min wage.
I am totally opposite than you.  I respect your opinion, but disagree with it.  We are like many and tip personally certain staff on top of our tips added via RCCL.  For example, we tip about 100 to our cabin attendants for  7 nights. Day 1 we ask for pillow toppers if we are below a suite.  They have made the bed and now have to remake it again . I request due to a knee issue that I need 2 more pillows.  They have to get them.  They went out of their way to make me happy, impo they deserve a reward. 
We tip our MDR staff at the last night we eat in there , we do specialty so we're not in there every night.  However, when we show up they immediately remember our bevs. and ask if we would like that again.  
Finally, look at the hours the wait staff works.  If you only eat in the WJ for all of your meals you probably don't know that the wait staff picking up your dishes also work in the MDR on sea days for lunch and dinner.  When you hit Coco Cay or Labadee  before you get to debark you'll see staff leaving.  They will be your bartenders, wait staff at their private island.  They will than return to the ship and start their shift that night.   
These are people that live on the ship for 9 months in cramped quarters and long hrs.  Yes, they chose this life, but many do it to support their family. They work probably 12 hrs a day.  In essence for your tip, it equals to a dollar or 2 per hour. I don't know how  anyone
Done with my rant and only hope you see 
 

I think it also has something to do with the cabin you were in originally. If by upgrading you they can then sell that cabin to someone else for more money then overall it might work out higher than a single bid? 

Which ship?
If its Anthem 10 will get me 20 you will be in the parking garage.  Other ships may be kin the open lot.  If you are in the open lot, pay for a porter when you debark.  When we do the covered we don't pay for porters ....hubby and I get the luggage and than I wait by the garage as he runs to get the car and brings it down to loading level.  Open air out door you will want to pay for a porter bc you can't drive the car closer and it's more of a haul....2 min walk in the sun, but when you are talking multiple luggage bags, carry ons and a stroller its a pain.  The covered garage less than  a min. and they can stand in the shade.

Which ship?
If its Anthem 10 will get me 20 you will be in the parking garage.  Other ships may be kin the open lot.  If you are in the open lot, pay for a porter when you debark.  When we do the covered we don't pay for porters ....hubby and I get the luggage and than I wait by the garage as he runs to get the car and brings it down to loading level.  Open air out door you will want to pay for a porter bc you can't drive the car closer and it's more of a haul....2 min walk in the sun, but when you are talking multiple luggage bags, carry ons and a stroller its a pain.  The covered garage less than  a min. and they can stand in the shade.

The one thing to realize there are actually 2 lots, one covered garage and 1 out in the open.  They do not let you choose which one you park in, or at least they didn't pre covid.  Both are a short walk and gated  The point is if you are sailing in the summer, you should take a window shade for your car just in case.  When we sailed Anthem we had the covered garage.  When we sailed Adventure we were in the open lot.   
We were told that this is how it typically goes, which makes sense.  Anthem sails on a different day than Adventure, it is a bigger ship.  That means they fill up the garage leaving Adventure in the open garage.  
I do disagree about it not being super busy.  There will be a bottle neck when you get close to the terminal.  It can be a long line of bumper to bumper bc they funnel you down. Nothing insane, but frustrating.  We always joke that it takes longer from the time we hit the FUNNEL for dropping off the luggage than it takes once we park the car and are on the ship ordering our 1st drink.
One piece of advice keep your carry on with you in the car and not in the trunk.  Learned that the hard way.  We were traveling with another couple and drove our car.  We placed our carry on in the trunk (SUV) and they threw their luggage on top of it.  The porters just grab and pull.  The next thing we knew after we parked the carryon was unloaded with the porter.

I completely agree with @FionaMG.  I have read far too many posts of folks who were already booked in a balcony, then bid and won a RU to a “higher” category of balcony just to be disappointed and feel as if their “upgrade” was no upgrade at all.  My advice is….if you are already in a balcony, do not bid on another balcony category.  Just bid on JS or higher.
I’m sure there are people who have upgraded their balcony room to another balcony category and been delighted with the results…but personally, I would not take that chance.

Yes, it is a mock booking.  Your ship, the number of member's.
The thing you need to understand with ROYAL UP you DO NOT get to choose the cabin, such as, deck level, aft, mid, port ,etc..  You only get to choose the cabin type. IE Balcony, JS, GS ,CLS, etc.  Its akin to doing a guaranteed booking.  
If you are unwilling to pay the up bid and be placed on a deck you don't want than don,t bid IMPO.  

I did not pick a cabin just looked at which ones were available on what decks.   Thus, in the 5 mins I was on all suites were sold out.

Omg as I went to close out my RCCL fake booking page ...I had opened for my last post...what 5 minutes?  It now says Royal suite class sold out.  5 minutes and both JSs gine.

I tried to do a fake booking for Symphony 4/30 the highest category to purchase now is JS.  Its interesting to watch how it changes so quickly. 
A few days ago you could even get an Aqua, plus, OS, CLS, and GS.  However, the only JS you could get was a guaranteed, no cabin choice.   Today, no JS gty , but 2 cabins deck 11 and 12 OV, one even on the hump.  The price drop was pretty significant too.  Still much more than I paid, but than again I have had to lift and shift for Symphony since May 2020....covid  plus family/work 

If it was me, if you want the JS bid on it now.  
I have multiple bids currently for my 4/30 cruise on Symphony. If I don't win one I am okay and happy, because....I am in a JS on the hump mid sh  and the deck I chose. If I win a GS on another deck great, if not fine.  
Royal up you have to accept wherever they give you.  Don't like being AFT than its better to rebook now for the cabin and deck level you want. 
As far as bidding, only you know how far you're willing to go.  

Congrats.  We are JS and still waiting.  Bummed right now, but will be happy either way

We are the week before you and Did a bid of 950 for 2 ...we too are a JS.  We did it because we bought the UDP and will drop that and eat in the CK.  Plus we did the Key, which we will drop. Thus, financially it is a trade off for not much more money.  
Have you also checked how many GSs are left?  For our cruise there are several GSs still available less than 3 weeks out.

I  have 3 answers.
Chops: Goat Cheese salad....@Waytoo will say the red velvet cake
MDR sea day. Tutti Salad for lunch.  
I think its called the world....chocolate dessert at Wonderland.  
Caveat, if you're on a ship that offers the Chefs table than hands down anything you are served  at that meal.