Were you happy or unhappy with your bid upgrade location?

[jennmaybe]

I’m considering bidding up to a mini-suite, but I’m curious to know the chances of getting a bad location?  We are on Enchanted next month and it appears most of the mini-suites are in good locations, but I don’t want to be right below a public space.

 

Your thoughts and experiences?

[cr8tiv1]

Bidding is a risk you will have to be comfortable with.  Most minis are in good locations (between passenger decks).  I don't think the Enchanted has minis forward or aft.

 

Once you place a bid AND Princess accepts it, you can not reject.  You can only ask for a reassigned cabin....IF....there are any available in your bidding category.  You would need to contact Princess or your TA if you are working with one.  

[EDDY0827]

Las Friday, I was notified that I successfully bid on a Balcony.I went from IC L253 to BC L259; basically right across the hallway.

Perfect.

[Yowman]

Well I went from a mid-ship Reserve mini suite to a Vista suite (front of ship) on Enchanted.  Not thrilled about the location of the Vista suite but it is a suite.

[Mike45LC]

1.  On Celebrity Solstice, Aqua Class cabins are ONLY on Deck 11, which is the deck immediately below the Lido Deck.  I gritted my teeth, anticipating early morning (dawn) noise from chairs being dragged around by pool deck attendants, partying/drinking/music at night, etc.  I did not hear one peep!!  So I am no longer insisting on sandwich decks.

 

2.  You are correct that you have no control over the location of "upgrades."  And if you win the bid, you cannot refuse the upgrade.  So decide how happy you are with the original cabin and its location.  I was "forced" into a standard balcony cabin with a casino offer, and was thrilled to learn that the booking was eligible for an upgrade bid.  Because a Premium Deluxe or mini-suite anywhere on the ship where those categories can be found would be great -- I would love the larger room and the sofa.  So I made a bid and will wait, hoping for any upgrade!  But if I don't win an upgrade, I will still have an "almost free" cruise in a standard balcony cabin.  I will NOT complain!

[sewgood]

I was given a cabin across the hall and just down a few cabins from my original room so we were very happy with our new room.

Same deck and same mid ship location.

[azddave]

I'm not loving my upgrade from a Deluxe Balcony to a Premium Deluxe balcony with connected rooms.  I tried Chat on the Princess website and didn't get anywhere.  My original cabin was a Guarantee so I think I'm out of luck.  Hoping for quiet neighbors.

[sunviking90]

28 minutes ago, azddave said:

I'm not loving my upgrade from a Deluxe Balcony to a Premium Deluxe balcony with connected rooms.  I tried Chat on the Princess website and didn't get anywhere.  My original cabin was a Guarantee so I think I'm out of luck.  Hoping for quiet neighbors.

If there are cabins available in the same category that you prefer, pick a few options and call Princess. You may have to do a mock search for 3 people for the available cabins to show up these days.
I did this today and in 5 minutes they had switched my cabin. I didn’t mention anything about a “bid” or “upgrade” so as not to complicate the matter. I just said I wanted to switch my cabin to another location, same category. No problem.

Edited September 20, 2023 by sunviking90

[Steelers36]

6 hours ago, jennmaybe said:

I’m considering bidding up to a mini-suite, but I’m curious to know the chances of getting a bad location?  We are on Enchanted next month and it appears most of the mini-suites are in good locations, but I don’t want to be right below a public space.

 

Your thoughts and experiences?

One person's bad location is another's good location.  And vice versa.

[azddave]

57 minutes ago, sunviking90 said:

If there are cabins available in the same category that you prefer, pick a few options and call Princess. You may have to do a mock search for 3 people for the available cabins to show up these days.
I did this today and in 5 minutes they had switched my cabin. I didn’t mention anything about a “bid” or “upgrade” so as not to complicate the matter. I just said I wanted to switch my cabin to another location, same category. No problem.

I had already done the 3 person mock booking as you suggested.  Oh the things we learn on CC....  I will try calling.  In the chat I didn't mention anything about upgrade, though I did tell the lady that my original cabin was a Guarantee.  Tomorrow I won't volunteer anything and see where I get.  Thanks

 

 

[jennmaybe]

I am fully aware of how the bidding system works. That is not what I was asking in my post. I am just looking for input from folks who have been upgraded as to whether or not they were happy or not with the cabin location versus their originally booked cabin.

 

 

[sunviking90]

16 minutes ago, jennmaybe said:

I am fully aware of how the bidding system works. That is not what I was asking in my post. I am just looking for input from folks who have been upgraded as to whether or not they were happy or not with the cabin location versus their originally booked cabin.

 

 

Then the short answer is no.

[Treasure Hunter]

We upgraded from a mini in a great location to a Reserve Class mini a little farther from an elevator. We love club class ( reserve) dining and we’re treated like Royalty! So for us it was worth every penny

[no1racefan1]

12 hours ago, azddave said:

I had already done the 3 person mock booking as you suggested.  Oh the things we learn on CC....  I will try calling.  In the chat I didn't mention anything about upgrade, though I did tell the lady that my original cabin was a Guarantee.  Tomorrow I won't volunteer anything and see where I get.  Thanks

 

 

I have had the most success with Princess customer service (by phone and chat) by volunteering as little information as possible and just waiting to see what they will ask. This goes for any topic.

[BamaVol]

I purchased an ocean view guarantee for last week’s Sapphire to Alaska.  I bid on an upgrade to a balcony and won A420.  It is mid-ship, right across from the main elevators and staircase. It was convenient to almost everything food and drink related. I was worried about noise but it was never a problem. At worst, we heard carts rolling overhead at times.

 

It didn’t appear that that cabin class was sold out.  I did see aft cabins on the Aloha deck that didn’t appear to be occupied and right before sailing, interior cabins were heavily discounted.

 

When I had not heard from Princess with 30 days to sail, I bumped my bid by a little. I got the upgrade 24 hours later.

 

We were pleased with our cabin. But there are so many variables, it’s hard to say that it would work the same for others or even for us next cruise.

[jordan9900]

16 hours ago, azddave said:

I'm not loving my upgrade from a Deluxe Balcony to a Premium Deluxe balcony with connected rooms.  I tried Chat on the Princess website and didn't get anywhere.  My original cabin was a Guarantee so I think I'm out of luck.  Hoping for quiet neighbors.

What is the difference between a Deluxe and Premium balcony?

[Steelers36]

34 minutes ago, jordan9900 said:

What is the difference between a Deluxe and Premium balcony?

Location and Balcony size.  You can check out the deck plans on Princess.com.

[sunviking90]

43 minutes ago, jordan9900 said:

What is the difference between a Deluxe and Premium balcony?

On Royal Class ships, Deluxe has a sofa. Premium will have the sofa as well as a larger balcony. 
Grand class ships don’t have deluxe balconies ( no sofa unless you go up to a minisuites) but the premium ones will have a larger balcony.

[Samkitty1]

I booked a BC Balcony on the Royal....bid 160 each for a mini suite and 100 each for a Superior balcony

The bid for the superior balcony was accepted and we were assigned an aft cabin on deck 10... we were happy with the win.... our original cabin was near the mid ship elevator 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Samkitty1
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[ocean sounds]

Yesterday, I bid on a mini suite from balcony for next week’s Royal Princess to Hawaii.  I held off bidding until almost last day to bid.  I kept mock booking until I was sure Minis under Lido deck we’re gone.  Then I put in bid.  24 hours later upgraded - from BE to MB.  Great location.

 

Very happy with the process.   But I didn’t bid until I was content that any of the  Minis I saw left in Inventory would be good. If not, I would not have bid. 
 

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by ocean sounds
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[Cruise Raider]

I only bid if I’d be happy in any cabin within the category I bid on.  
We have never b

had a bid accepted but were really lucky to just get a complimentary upgrade from an inside to a BB balcony.  It’s probably not a location I would have chosen but am happy with the outcome, nevertheless.  
they’ve now offered us a really inexpensive offer for a bid to upgrade to a mini suite.  We are happy with what they gave us so, think we will pass.  
 

[NavyVeteran]

2 hours ago, ocean sounds said:

Yesterday, I bid on a mini suite from balcony for next week’s Royal Princess to Hawaii.  I held off bidding until almost last day to bid.  I kept mock booking until I was sure Minis under Lido deck we’re gone.  Then I put in bid.  24 hours later upgraded - from BE to MB.  Great location.

 

Very happy with the process.   But I didn’t bid until I was content that any of the  Minis I saw left in Inventory would be good. If not, I would not have bid. 

You lucked out. Just because you don't see minis under the Lido deck available doesn't mean you couldn't get one. Someone in one of those minis could have bid on a suite.

[ocean sounds]

12 hours ago, NavyVeteran said:

You lucked out. Just because you don't see minis under the Lido deck available doesn't mean you couldn't get one. Someone in one of those minis could have bid on a suite.

I didn’t even think of that! Thanks for the advice.  I’ll remember that going forward. . I was lucky!  

Edited September 21, 2023 by ocean sounds
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[ExploringTheGlobe]

I have not been happy with the locations of my bid upgrades.  Seems I always get stuck under a public area and it is loud!  Lots of chairs moving at all hours.  I have decided to no longer bid and just apply that money towards bumping up to Premier from Plus. 

[jennmaybe]

Thanks everyone!  The only thing preventing us from bidding has been the possibility of a bad location.  We’re not worried about being more forward or back, just the possibility of being right under noise.  I accidentally booked a cabin right under the Lido deck years ago.  It was like our 2nd cruise and I didn’t know about CC yet!  I’ve learned so much about cruising from my CC peeps!