UPGRADE PROGRAM - Last Bid - Why We/You Gave Up.

[garycarla]

For example, in the picture made in post #1 - the bid for H9 went from:

$720

$740

$770

$550

$770

 

What purpose does all these changes make?

 

I would guess the only one that NCL looks at is $770 (assuming that is the LAST one made). And, with all other factors being equal, if somebody else bid $775 - they win.

[Formula280SS]

For example, in the picture made in post #1 - the bid for H9 went from:

$720

$740

$770

$550

$770

 

What purpose does all these changes make?

 

I would guess the only one that NCL looks at is $770 (assuming that is the LAST one made). And, with all other factors being equal, if somebody else bid $775 - they win.

 

Basically, they are incremental; I recall we dropped the $550 when we were more focused on another H class. Then we repriced at $770 again.

 

So, it would appear, the purpose of incrementally increasing was "to try to see if the next level would get the acceptance?"

 

Agreed, they'll take the higher bid; no problem with that at all (actually, no real problem with the process; just started a thread about the program, what we bid and that we gave up).

 

Plan on having a blast anyway. Been in the Haven and Spa Balcony/Vibe before (not looking to arrive that early for the Vibe "challenge" :o this time).

 

We've never been to H2O for the couple of hours we lounge per day to 'break our skin into the sun; looking forward to it. Will do the ropes daily and the slides. We also love the Spa every early morning; fantastic jetted hydro pool, sauna's, heated loungers and comfortable loungers. Pretty much all specialty dining for dinners; not really big eaters at all (like new tastes); bites for breakfast and lunch generally.

 

Also chartered our own 36' Intrepid in Grand Cayman for 4-hours; hoping a couple of meet & greets want to join us as well as an wounded warriors or military families (on us).

 

:D

[KansasBeachLover]

I booked my cruise over a year ago when prices were higher than they are right now, 2 1/2 weeks until sailing. 80 days ago I put in bids for a balcony and a mini suite. Balcony $60/pp and mini suite $150/pp. I know several on my cruise have booked in the last few weeks that bid less that have been awarded upgrades. So I don't believe they go to the highest bidder.

[garycarla]

...So, it would appear, the purpose of incrementally increasing was "to try to see if the next level would get the acceptance?"...

 

Exactly - except they were not looking at your bids yet. It just sat there, not matter what you bid. Even if you bid was way higher, it still would not have been "accepted". It was not time.

 

Okay - maybe it you bid somewhere near what a full price cabin would cost, they might go ahead and take that.

[Formula280SS]

Exactly - except they were not looking at your bids yet. It just sat there, not matter what you bid. Even if you bid was way higher, it still would not have been "accepted". It was not time.

 

Okay - maybe it you bid somewhere near what a full price cabin would cost, they might go ahead and take that.

 

Yikes.

Not getting into it 20,000. :rolleyes:

[SimplySherman]

. That's the look on my grandsons faces. They were in the smallest inner corridor cabin. $25 upgrade bid. They now have oceanview, upfront view, bigger cabin. Happy happy. Notified today, cruising Sunday on the Getaway, even with the dropped prices, I came out a few $ ahead. Good luck everyone!

[FLcruisergrl]

It's true, your bid typically won't get an answer until they are ready to review and process them all. Unless you are going to bid near market value your bid is not likely to get accepted further than a couple weeks out. I know this because I did the same thing you did, raised my bid for Haven Courtyard and Spa in $50 increments several times. In the end I ended up being awarded a Haven Spa cabin for $810pp the week of my sailing. My recommendation to others is to keep an eye on inventory. If there are several cabins available then just be patient and don't overbid.

 

My bid was $1500 pp below Market and was accepted at 70 days out...

[Formula280SS]

My bid was $1500 pp below Market and was accepted at 70 days out...

 

Thank you for that factual information. That is what we were trying with our bids. Again, thanks.

[garycarla]

My bid was $1500 pp below Market and was accepted at 70 days out...

 

Can you provide the cabins types and what cruise that was for?

 

And, the time frame from when you submitted the bid, and when NCL actually changed your cabin.

 

Thanks

[FLcruisergrl]

Can you provide the cabins types and what cruise that was for?

 

And, the time frame from when you submitted the bid, and when NCL actually changed your cabin.

 

Thanks

 

Yes, we are going from a B1 to an H6 on the Epic 12/30 Cruise. Email sent at 80 days, bid the minimum the day we received the email, upped it by $100 approx. 7 days later when I saw a bunch of H6 disappear, bid accepted at 70 days (so around another 3 days later).

[garycarla]

Yes, we are going from a B1 to an H6 on the Epic 12/30 Cruise. Email sent at 80 days, bid the minimum the day we received the email, upped it by $100 approx. 7 days later when I saw a bunch of H6 disappear, bid accepted at 70 days (so around another 3 days later).

 

Wow. Thanks for posting. Your experience seems quite different than what so many others have experienced. Two things in particular - getting a Haven and two months before cruise date.

 

Even crazier and against any logic I can see is that the Haven is sold out today (40+ days). Meaning, they have passed on chances of selling Haven for full price. Amazing.

 

I assume you came from a standard B1 - nothing unique about it, right?

[FLcruisergrl]

Wow. Thanks for posting. Your experience seems quite different than what so many others have experienced. Two things in particular - getting a Haven and two months before cruise date.

 

Even crazier and against any logic I can see is that the Haven is sold out today (40+ days). Meaning, they have passed on chances of selling Haven for full price. Amazing.

 

I assume you came from a standard B1 - nothing unique about it, right?

 

Well, it was a corner...but my mom and daughter were in the b1 next door and they got upgraded as well, same bid, same time frame, to the same category. My thought is that this itinerary was changed from the eastern and maybe NCL felt they had a better chance of selling the cheaper categories than they did Haven suites.

[garycarla]

Well, it was a corner...but my mom and daughter were in the b1 next door and they got upgraded as well, same bid, same time frame, to the same category. My thought is that this itinerary was changed from the eastern and maybe NCL felt they had a better chance of selling the cheaper categories than they did Haven suites.

 

Wow - you are beyond lucky. Most people with two cabins would not even try this bidding thing. Having half the group in a Haven and half in the... lower steerage-LOL... does not work out well. (if only one bid went through)

 

You are a very lucky person. Only POSSIBLE scenario here is that NCL was in panic mode with the massive amounts of itinerary changes and upset customers from the storms. Still, it makes no sense. Maybe somebody REALLY wanted that corner cabin, or NCL double booked it? Would be interesting to see if anyone else on your roll call got early upgrades.

 

Congrats to you and your family. Want to meet me in the casino?? (double LOL!)

[FLcruisergrl]

Wow - you are beyond lucky. Most people with two cabins would not even try this bidding thing. Having half the group in a Haven and half in the... lower steerage-LOL... does not work out well. (if only one bid went through)

 

You are a very lucky person. Only POSSIBLE scenario here is that NCL was in panic mode with the massive amounts of itinerary changes and upset customers from the storms. Still, it makes no sense. Maybe somebody REALLY wanted that corner cabin, or NCL double booked it? Would be interesting to see if anyone else on your roll call got early upgrades.

 

Congrats to you and your family. Want to meet me in the casino?? (double LOL!)

 

:'):') I’m usually not that lucky! We knew we were taking a huge chance, but figured we’d risk it. I do think NCL was panicking a little. The only thing that wasn’t “best case scenario” is that our new rooms aren’t right next to each other. But, they are on 11 and we’re almost directly below on 10, so I can’t really complain!

[Formula280SS]

Had fun; started in Spa Balcony. We've been in Haven and also Spa Balcony before. Tried all kinds of offers. No luck. So we decided to just go with Plan A which was a quick POST-Thanksgiving and PRE-Disney-Christmas Holiday cruise to relax and re-energize.

We found ourselves checking "all the time."

 

Time to pack, so we 'punted.

 

We do believe, however, that if the staterooms were market priced in the first place this entire program would not be necessary. However, for those who like it and were satisfied, GREAT.

Here's our list of offers; the various dates are "not" identified.

">

 

Checking in to see if there are others frustrated with the 'bidding NCL model.

 

We're on Escape again in September, will not be participating.

[Skipper305]

Checking in to see if there are others frustrated with the 'bidding NCL model.

 

We're on Escape again in September, will not be participating.

 

You cancelled all of your bids 12 days out.

 

 

Is pulling out too soon something you’ve been dealing with for a long time?

[DMH15]

Very well noted. Your 'numbers make $en$e. ;p

 

Thanks.

 

I guess, going forward, we'll see other CL's join in or not (to see if NCL is alone in this approach).

 

Personally, we'd likely book NCL Haven @ 'net prices (market) more; but just don't know the $.

 

We've alternately booked on MSC Seaside Yacht Club in the meantime.

 

Loved both (MSC Divina YC).

 

Cost is not even close. Don't know why.

 

 

 

Yep. I am platinum on NCL and MSC gave me a status match to black.

 

I usually cruise with family members and my annual vacation budget is about $7,000 - $8,000. I cruise in suites and like Red Rock in Vegas for a quick getaway.

 

I usually have a cruise booked and enjoy the anticipation and planning. But alas, no cruised booked right now.

 

I just retured from LV and am booked again in May. Great spa, great food. Casino so large I can get away from smoke which is not always the case on NCL.

 

I probably would have a cruise booked right now on MSC but I can't stand their website as I like to do my own research and booking.

 

Last March I was in the DOS on the Epic and it was great. But I cannot stand what NCL wants to charge me for it and upsell the guy next door at half of what I paid. That just leaves a bad bad bad taste in my mouth.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Formula280SS]

Yep. I am platinum on NCL and MSC gave me a status match to black.

 

I usually cruise with family members and my annual vacation budget is about $7,000 - $8,000. I cruise in suites and like Red Rock in Vegas for a quick getaway.

 

I usually have a cruise booked and enjoy the anticipation and planning. But alas, no cruised booked right now.

 

I just retured from LV and am booked again in May. Great spa, great food. Casino so large I can get away from smoke which is not always the case on NCL.

 

I probably would have a cruise booked right now on MSC but I can't stand their website as I like to do my own research and booking.

 

Last March I was in the DOS on the Epic and it was great. But I cannot stand what NCL wants to charge me for it and upsell the guy next door at half of what I paid. That just leaves a bad bad bad taste in my mouth.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

That's a reasonable amount. We spent less than that on our recent B2B Seaside Yacht Club (they gave us a really, really good price when we booked 2018 and 2019 (I believe on board). The prices are going up we've noticed. However, NOT EVEN CLO$E to NCL HAVEN.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2614395

 

Oh yeah on that website. Check my PROFILE and POSTS re: that. Had some real frustrations. HOWEVER, when I called re: a booking we already had to try to get a different YC stateroom, MSC was able to chop $1,400 combined off what we had already booked via 3rd party TA. It was based on booking each week of the B2B separately, versus a 14N.

 

Also, :confused::confused:, help me out. What is the "DOS" in your post?

 

Don't forget, with the Status Match, 5% discount, a specialty dining and some other bene's (however, as noted by long time MSC cruisers; Black status benefits a fraction of what they used to be).

[Elainemh]

If you have 3 people in a room, 1 sailing as free guest. How would you bid for upgrade. If

I say 750 each will that be for 2 or 3 people.

[Two Wheels Only]

If I say 750 each will that be for 2 or 3 people.

2 people are charged. All 3 would move up if the bid wins.

[Zeno]

MSC has a program where they will match the level of one of your existing loyalty programs. It could be a cruise line or hotel program. The level MSC will give you in their program depends on the level and company of the program you submit. For example, if you are platinum on NCL, MSC will award you their highest level, Black. Platinum on Carnival however is matched one level below Black.

 

You can only apply for a match one time, and you must sail with MSC within a certain amount of time to maintain it.

 

Great info - Thx!

[Elainemh]

2 people are charged. All 3 would move up if the bid wins.

Thank you. I have never been offered a bid request before but am hoping to receive one for our

cruise in August.

[Two Wheels Only]

Also, :confused::confused:, help me out. What is the "DOS" in your post?

Deluxe Owner's Suite

[ray98]

Checking in to see if there are others frustrated with the 'bidding NCL model.

 

We're on Escape again in September, will not be participating.

 

 

No...worked fine for me. Successful 3 out of the 4 times I have used it. Each time I ended up in a higher category for much less than what the initial spread was at booking.

[Moby0215]

It could certainly be that we pulled the bids too early; as noted, we found ourselves 'really into it until we got close and simply had had enough. We monitored the open Haven staterooms on the NCL, Expedia, and other cruise websites and noted they were "out of anything we wanted."

 

 

 

I do understand something could change, not a problem and not really even upset at all with the process.

 

 

 

Also, we added our Spa Balcony cost PP to the upgrade staterooms PP bid and were close on some of the staterooms currently available booking PP.

 

 

 

Again, NP, and thanks for the very polite response.

 

 

 

I agree with the other poster. You only need to make one bid and let its stay. Pulling a bid and making another does nothing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk