AAD

We are booked for 12/31 Eastern Caribbean out of Miami.  Any word or rumor of RC unilaterally cancelling sailings?   Trying to plan a backup vacation….   We are not afraid of this surge.  Just worried about a cancellation by RC altogether.  

2 hours ago, not easy being green said:

One thing we have done is when trying to get into a Star Class, we look at the price of what we paid for the drink package, internet and any specialty dinning that we had planned then that makes the bidding a bit easier on some of the longer cruises the totals can really add up.  

On the flip side since were are willing (sort of willing) to part with the funds for the upgrade and if we do not get the Star Suite, we take that money and we started a "RC Cruise Fund".  I really don't want the Star Class to be a YOLO.  If we get it this time yippee and if not then we are getting very close to purchasing a Star Class outright and technically it is not costing us much money that we don't really have.  I did not think this would work, it is amazing though we are getting so close...

 

Yes, totally doing that. Agree. Yet the likelihood of Star Class at my $5k total cap is not so likely. I don’t even need Star.  So I’m bidding for the. GS1,  OS, GS2, AQS1.  

So, finally got our WS GTY assignment... a JS on Deck 6.  Meh.  The balcony is as big as they come for JS so that's a plus.  I've done the max bids on the GS1 and GS2, and a strong bid on OS and AQS1 so we'll see.... There's definitely inventory there for GS1 and OS.  I will report back... Wish me luck!!! 

Okay, so good to know that at least upfront I am just looking at the total bid price being charged to card. I just don’t want to risk a decline/rejection on my card! 

Hi-  How much additional are the taxes and grats within the suite category Royal up? I’m just trying to anticipate the final charge.  Say going from a JS to GS or OS at a bid of $3000 total, for example?  Is it just a couple-few hundred?  TYI ! 

Neesa— lol, I love it!  Sounds like exactly what I would do and did for this cruise!! 

So, just 17 days out from sailing.... Still no suite GTY assignment.... And no RoyalUp decision.  I know this is the norm.  But it's maddening!  There are lotso suites remaining and certainly hardly anyone is going to book a last minute cruise right now for 12/31 - 1/8!  I refuse to buy certainty and a decision though by paying $12k+ for the three of us for a suite.   

So, why did I name this thread like I did?!  Every time I get a reply notification, I think it’s my upgrade coming thru!!

8 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I just got my first Royal Up offer for 2/3 of my Jan cruises. I have a Jr. Suite on Indy and I am offered to go up in suites starting at $80pp for a GS. I am traveling solo and wonder if this a good idea considering its 1. no real suite perks and 2. a 4-day cruise.

 

Don’t you go from Sea to Sky class which gives you Zoom perks?  I’ve only looked at Symphony so not sure of Indy. I think the GS looks much more luxe and like a real suite than a JS - on Symphony.  Also you get better Coastal Kitchen access with Sky Class. 

It is crazy "fun".... I've not been checking my Amex, as I'm scared to from all of the holiday shopping!  Worried that by the time of any RoyalUp, Amex is going to say "hell no".  Lol   I'm also waiting on the suite assignment for my GTY.   Does anyone know-  are certain JS for 2 people only?   When I do a "mock booking" for us 3, it only shows 4 JS available but if I do one for 2 people, there are TONS.  

2 hours ago, not easy being green said:

One time pre pandemic we were booked in a balcony  and decided to see if we could pay the difference to "upgrade" to a suite, RC at that time said yes (no fuss, or stress just dollars lots of them).  Not sure about nowadays, however since that point we now try the bidding game, and we are running about 50%/50%.  It is fun, checking the room online and checking the CC to see if I have been charged or not.

Congratulations, Sweety!  I have $1000 total on the GS...  When is your cruise? 

7 minutes ago, GaryAA said:

I’m currently on the Symphony for the December 4th sailing. According to the cruise director, we are around 3800 passengers and expects the December 18th sailing to be around 5,000.

Thanks, Gary.  What's this ship's capacity?  Did you try to RoyalUp?  

How funny!  This is our first ever cruise so this is all new/news!  I think that I am going to lower my bids, after reading some threads about RoyalUp luck on low capacity sailings in Fall 2021.   It certainly appears that this 12/31 sailing is at 50-60% capacity is my guess.  

Thanks, guys. Very interesting.  Yea- my preferred budget is $3k. I only bid $5k for Star to get the beverage/dining/Zoom, etc.  I will let you know what happens!  For some reason, the CLS doesn’t look all that great, as compared to a more traditional OS or AQS.  Could anyone compare or offer their experiences?  We live in a contemporary home with 10 ft. ceilings. So maybe I am not wanting the same on a ship…. 

Hi All -  

For those experienced with this bidding/auction for the suite category, I wanted to get your input on this scenario... 

We are on Symphony for 12/31.   I'm booked for a WS GTY.  I'm just assuming that it's going to be a JS - there are TONS in the inventory.   I've bid on GS1 (19 inventory) at $1000pp;  GS2 (0) at $1600 Max pp;  OS (9) at $1750 pp;  CLS (15 - Lots) at $1500 pp;  AS1 (1) $1700 pp;  and AS2 (1) $2500 pp.   Overall, the ship is not at all booked for the staterooms either; there are many in each category.  

I really want the GS2 for a separate bedroom for our daughter but not likely given the inventory... Next choice is AS2 - not likely with the low bid and inventory.   So, I'm shooting for OS and hope not to just get GS1.  Any tips on whether I should up or lower these bids to accomplish this?  I'm at 20-40% on the bidometer for most. 

This is fun... but nervewracking.... lol   Thanks!