SpeedNoodles

It's a way to bid on a stateroom upgrade. The most important things to know are that
1) it's based on double occupancy, so if you bid $50 and win, you will pay $100.
2) Just because the program may allow you to bid on a certain room category, it does not mean that there is an actual room available.  They are often betting against last-minute cancelations.  
3) If you are eligible you will usually get an email invitation to bid (usually about 70-ish days ahead of sailing).  If your sailing is within 30 days you can check the link below and see if it allows you to bid. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Not all passengers will be able to bid on an upgrade.
Some people have gotten very nice room upgrades, especially lately!
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

A TA will take care of any problems or issues that come up without you having to waste time trying to get things worked out with Royal.  They can take care of price drops (and often find them for you and just reprice them and let you know that you saved money!).  They get to know what you like, don't like, and can make suggestions if they know you are looking for something but don't have an exact plan.    If your cruise in May was booked in the last 30 days, you can transfer it to a TA.   Otherwise you cannot.
The way I feel about it is when I have a TA take care of my sailing, a small-business person gets paid.  I like supporting M.E.I. (and, in particular, my agent @michelle) because I always feel like they treat me like I'm the only person they're taking care of, even though I know they are very busy.  M.E.I. is a supporter of Royal Caribbean Blog, and that goes a long way with me as well.  I feel like they are friends that I just haven't met in person .... yet!

Solo cabins exist, but they are still pretty rare on Royal Caribbean.  They get booked fast when itineraries are released.  Your best bet is having the assistance of a good travel agent.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/12/top-10-tips-going-royal-caribbean-cruise-solo

It's a way to bid on a stateroom upgrade. The most important things to know are that
1) it's based on double occupancy, so if you bid $50 and win, you will pay $100.
2) Just because the program may allow you to bid on a certain room category, it does not mean that there is an actual room available.  They are often betting against last-minute cancelations.  
3) If you are eligible you will usually get an email invitation to bid (usually about 70-ish days ahead of sailing).  If your sailing is within 30 days you can check the link below and see if it allows you to bid. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Not all passengers will be able to bid on an upgrade.
Some people have gotten very nice room upgrades, especially lately!
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

we just booked our first ever cruise for September 19th.  I'm looking forward to trying it out

If you're nice to a moderator we'll delete it for you 🙂

I typically put the seapass card in a plastic pouch on a lanyard, or in one of the "credit card" slots on my  phone.
The cup....if it's in my stateroom it sits there forever and is still there when I leave - if I have to pick it up I never pick it up.  They are a colossal pain in the butt.

I've never been on a Radiance-class ship, but agree wholeheartedly with the NCL criticism. Some of the new 4-5 day itineraries fit into our long weekend schedule, so might try to score one for a weekend away without the kids and give it a go. NOLA is our can-go-on-a whim port after our recent move, so I have a feeling it won't be long!

Yes, that's what we're booked on.  It may be a tough sell.  Personally, I'd prefer a Radiance-class Royal ship. The rooms and balconies on NCL are ridiculously small and it annoys me.

I booked an NCL sailing out of NO in Jan 2023 solely because we wanted to cruise out of NO.  I'm super tempted to move it to Radiance, now!  I just have to convince the other couple that's joining us.

If you're nice to a moderator we'll delete it for you 🙂

Follow this thread for photo updates 
 

Yes.  Yes, they will.
LOL

Love it. I can visit family and relieve my stress on a cruise.

I booked an NCL sailing out of NO in Jan 2023 solely because we wanted to cruise out of NO.  I'm super tempted to move it to Radiance, now!  I just have to convince the other couple that's joining us.

Yes.  Yes, they will.
LOL

Yes, that's what we're booked on.  It may be a tough sell.  Personally, I'd prefer a Radiance-class Royal ship. The rooms and balconies on NCL are ridiculously small and it annoys me.

I booked an NCL sailing out of NO in Jan 2023 solely because we wanted to cruise out of NO.  I'm super tempted to move it to Radiance, now!  I just have to convince the other couple that's joining us.

If you're nice to a moderator we'll delete it for you 🙂

Yes.  Yes, they will.
LOL

I just got off Odyssey, Mar 6th.    We watched more shows in the Royal Theatre than on any other cruise.  No reservations were required for any show.  And no show was at capacity.  Folks that arrived at showtime were easily seated, as were folks who came late.
 
And The Book?  Folks were very polarized, but more folks hated it than liked it.   I knew I wouldn't care for it... so I didn't attend.🥤

I typically put the seapass card in a plastic pouch on a lanyard, or in one of the "credit card" slots on my  phone.
The cup....if it's in my stateroom it sits there forever and is still there when I leave - if I have to pick it up I never pick it up.  They are a colossal pain in the butt.

You can always ask at Guest Services how many people are on the ship once it's underway.  Then you just compare it to how many passengers the ship can hold.

You can always ask at Guest Services how many people are on the ship once it's underway.  Then you just compare it to how many passengers the ship can hold.

Welcome to the forums!
I believe capacity is above 50% these days - that doesn't mean you won't get your Royal Up, but there's never any way to know for sure.  If you really want to ensure an upgrade, it's better to just go ahead and call Royal or your TA and just do that.