Holy Carp! I got upgraded to a GS!

[D Alt]

I got notified of a charge on my Amex card today and I was wondering what the hell was this because I paid off everything Royal Caribbean…. and then find an email that my royal up bid was accepted for my move from a balcony to a grand suite... a grand suite! How awesome is that?!! A grand suite for a solo person.

 OK so what do I need to know?

[PG Cruiser]

8 minutes ago, D Alt said:

I got notified of a charge on my Amex card today and I was wondering what the hell was this because I paid off everything Royal Caribbean…. and then find an email that my royal up bid was accepted for my move from a balcony to a grand suite... a grand suite! How awesome is that?!! A grand suite for a solo person.

 OK so what do I need to know?

Do you mind sharing how much you bid?

[D Alt]

I bid 160. Which doubled upon acceptance. 

[SPS]

Holy Carp, indeed.  Congrats!

[teddy]

5 minutes ago, D Alt said:

I bid 160. Which doubled upon acceptance. 

Very nice!!

[smokeybandit]

$320 for that upgrade is a hell of a deal.

[kadmgs]

22 minutes ago, D Alt said:

 OK so what do I need to know?

What ship are you on because that will determine what all your "suite perks" entail? Oasis and Quantum class ships have more perks than the other classes. However, there are still some good perks for suite guests. 

[D Alt]

Freedom 

[smokeybandit]

5 minutes ago, D Alt said:

Freedom 

[AshleyDillo]

27 minutes ago, D Alt said:

OK so what do I need to know?

Since you are on Freedom, you can board in Miami using the suites entrance. You have access to the Suite Lounge onboard where they should have a happy hour with free drinks in the evenings, typically 5-8pm. You can take advantage of the suite concierge for anything you would typically need to use Guest Services for and to make reservations for anything that requires reservations (shows, dining). There should be a suites only breakfast area. I'm not sure if they're serving a special suites breakfast or if it's just a spot where you can take your Windjammer food and eat.

[kadmgs]

4 minutes ago, D Alt said:

Freedom 

Ok, you will have a huge room for one person for sure. There is a ton of storage, i.e.. cabinets and drawers galore in that room. The bathroom alone is almost bigger than some interior cabins. 

You will have access to a suites only sun deck by the pool and the suite lounge. The suite lounge has happy hour every evening with complementary drinks and appetizers. You also have access to it during the day for coffee and juices. It's a nice, quiet stop to chill if you want to be indoors, but not in your room. You will also have a dedicated location for suite guests complementary breakfast, usually Chops on non-Oasis or Quantum class ships. 

[smokeybandit]

You have a suite.  Take...full...advantage.

Milk that happy hour.  Use that lounge outside the happy hour window for some peace and quiet. Also the suite lounge outdoor deck, too.  Use the concierge to book your shows if the one you want is "sold out"

Get that early morning cup of coffee in the lounge (even if it's crappy Americano style).

Pre-covid you'd get a quick escort off the ship, but with the new disembarkation procedures, that's not offered (nor is it really necessary).

[D Alt]

Unfortunately this is only a 3 night cruise. This will spoil me for sure though with the extra roominess.

I will definitely take advantage of the perks.  

[D Alt]

Also I'm at the 30 day mark prior to cruise so that seems early for a Royal up decision. Maybe my cruise will not be so packed? 

[smokeybandit]

10 minutes ago, D Alt said:

Also I'm at the 30 day mark prior to cruise so that seems early for a Royal up decision. Maybe my cruise will not be so packed? 

This close to the cruise, it might be easier for them to sell that balcony room you just freed up than a suite.

[D Alt]

5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

This close to the cruise, it might be easier for them to sell that balcony room you just freed up than a suite.

Ah true

[barjpoe]

That's why on Mariner sailing Friday, I'm getting half off prices for GS and above for my JS. I'd take it except we're doing a B2B and of course they can't let me stay in the new cabin for the 2md cruise.

[Zacharius]

 

 

[Blulady]

Congrats!!! 

[CrimsonCruiser]

Just run around in circles in all that open space! I swear it's HUGE when you're in it by yourself!

Definitely partake of the free room service - breakfast on the balcony is a major win.

And if you are likely to get up before 10  take advantage of free breakfast in chops. Much quieter and nicer than Windjammer.

And of course - enjoy it! GS is such a great category and you're gonna get SOOOOO many c&A points

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

1 hour ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Just run around in circles in all that open space! I swear it's HUGE when you're in it by yourself!

Definitely partake of the free room service - breakfast on the balcony is a major win.

And if you are likely to get up before 10  take advantage of free breakfast in chops. Much quieter and nicer than Windjammer.

And of course - enjoy it! GS is such a great category and you're gonna get SOOOOO many c&A points

Royal Up doesn’t include the extra points, isn’t that correct?  But even still what a great upgrade for paying peanuts!!  

[AshleyDillo]

13 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Royal Up doesn’t include the extra points, isn’t that correct?  But even still what a great upgrade for paying peanuts!!  

Correct. You will only be awarded C&A points based on your original room.

[Patchy]

Congratulations!    FYI, I was in a GS on Freedom last week and they did not have the designated suite sun deck because the ship capacity was too low to warrant it (we were less than 40% capacity on my B2B 3 night and 4 night).   But I agree with all the other comments; enjoy the perks!   MJ is a terrific concierge.  

[Cruisin and Boozin]

Congratulations  

[twangster]

Seems more like a Holy Mackerel.

Congrats!

[Hvoletsky]

When are Royal ups typically confirmed? I’m 52 days out and have 3 bids in for symphony!

[SpeedNoodles]

35 minutes ago, Hvoletsky said:

When are Royal ups typically confirmed? I’m 52 days out and have 3 bids in for symphony!

There's no set time. I'm 3 days out from my sailing and my bids are pending.   I've been notified as late as after I've gotten on the ship (for losing bids).

[Va4fam]

17 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

There's no set time. I'm 3 days out from my sailing and my bids are pending.   I've been notified as late as after I've gotten on the ship (for losing bids).

In the past month, it seems like the upgrade decisions are being made further in advance.  Yay! 

But that also might mean that if bids are still "pending" a few days before sailing, the odds are not in your favor for the upgrade.........maybe?

Has anyone received a confirmed upgrade recently (January 2022) when their sailing was less than 3-4 days away?

 

[D Alt]

So my balance is paid for this trip.  That said, will there be any other additional fees owed now that I have a suite other than what I've paid for the bid?

ie. extra gratuities? 

[smokeybandit]

9 minutes ago, D Alt said:

So my balance is paid for this trip.  That said, will there be any other additional fees owed now that I have a suite other than what I've paid for the bid?

ie. extra gratuities? 

your daily gratuities will be $3 per day more. But other than that, no.

[LCWind]

1 hour ago, Va4fam said:

In the past month, it seems like the upgrade decisions are being made further in advance.  Yay! 

But that also might mean that if bids are still "pending" a few days before sailing, the odds are not in your favor for the upgrade.........maybe?

Has anyone received a confirmed upgrade recently (January 2022) when their sailing was less than 3-4 days away?

 

I got my upgrade 2 days before my January 9 sailing

[D Alt]

so $9. LOL

I'm going to love this GS size. SPOILED! I can't wait. 

 

[Va4fam]

@D Alt...Wow!  I'm excited for you.  What a great room.

[SimGuy]

You’ll never be the same after the suite life. 

[CrimsonCruiser]

19 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Correct. You will only be awarded C&A points based on your original room.

Oh wow - didn't know that. I guess it makes sense since you're getting the room at such a discount.

[smokeybandit]

12 hours ago, SimGuy said:

You’ll never be the same after the suite life. 

[Sactown Cruiser]

Dreams do come true.  Upgraded from a spacious ocean view with spacious balcony to 1-Bedroom Aquatheater Suite for the minimum bid.  RC price today for that category is $6,000 per person for the same date.  Incidentally I made minimum bids on many categories.  All of the other bids went to expired about a week ago and this one stayed pending and I got the notification today.  Good luck to all!

Summary of your upgrade

Your Cruise Information Your Upgraded Stateroom Ship  Harmony of the Seas® Sail Date  Jan 30, 2022   Upgrade Type  Aquatheater - 1 Bedroom Your Offer  $1,500 USD per guest Total Bid  $3,000 USD

[Qeyton Dude]

Congrats, Happy for you, Take it all in & Enjoy it to its fullest 

[barjpoe]

I got an opportunity to bid on GS on Mariner what perks are available?

Free beverages?; UDP?; WiFi?

thanks

Barb 

[AshleyDillo]

4 minutes ago, barjpoe said:

I got an opportunity to bid on GS on Mariner what perks are available?

Free beverages?; UDP?; WiFi?

GS on Mariner gets access to the Suites lounge with free drinks from 5-8pm and light snacks and access to the Concierge. You get to board 1 hour before your scheduled arrival time. You get free room service including ordering from the MDR when it is open. There is a suites only breakfast.  Wifi and UDP are NOT included with a GS on Mariner.