Royal Up bids NOT accepted...just curious

[renee1222]

I've seen a few posts or comments about Royal Up bids accepted for the minimum or barely above, maybe $5-10 above.  So now I'm curious about bids that weren't accepted.  How much did you bid above the minimum and not get it? I'm also kind of curious as to how often in general people receive the upgrade.  

 

And, has the Royal Up been established to profit on remaining cabins available instead of offering free upgrades to Pinnacle,  Diamond +, etc. Does anyone get offered free upgrades anymore or is this the only option?

 

I haven't cruised Royal since before covid, so this whole process is new to me,  and inquiring minds want to know...😂

[Anton]

18 minutes ago, renee1222 said:

 

 

And, has the Royal Up been established to profit on remaining cabins available instead of offering free upgrades to Pinnacle,  Diamond +, etc. Does anyone get offered free upgrades anymore or is this the only option?

 

Absolutely, they went to Royal Up to make more money.  Free upgrades are gone.  I don't think they are even mentioned on the Crown & Anchor benefits list anymore.  The Royal Up program is administered by a contractor, not directly by Royal Caribbean.  They take bids even if a sailing is sold out, just in case of a late cancellation or no-show.  And, this gives them valuable data on those who like to bid, and more importantly how much they are willing to bid.  I don't do it.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, renee1222 said:

I'm also kind of curious as to how often in general people receive the upgrade.  

Very rarely- the inventory is simply not there with the ships being so full. 
Also rare, though it happens, you might luck into a price drop inside final payment where a paid upgrade might be less than the min bid. 

[Tree_skier]

I'm 1/9 on my Royal up bids... I finally won my last one.  I went from a 4D balcony to a JS for about $300 per person.  If I remember correctly that bid was low but not at the bottom.

 

I've had bids from the highest level all the way down to a few dollars over the minimum and never been successful previously.  

[neverbeenhere]

I know the algorithm to calculate exactly what we one needs to bid, but darn it, I can’t get all the data from Royal to make the calculations. 

[Cruise a holic]

We have bid and if sailing on a non prime week have been successful- but we bid in the middle- Prime weeks never got an upgrade .   Now ships sailing pretty full so higher bids are necessary.

[jean87510]

I was very successful prior to and during the restart with minimum bids (6 for 8).  I don't bother bidding with RCCL anymore as I like the rooms I've picked.  I did try on Celebrity and NCL recently this year but was unsuccessful due to, I'm sure, the uniqueness of 1 itinerary (Sydney to Tahiti) and 3 day MDW on the other with a stop in PDCC.  I also read other sites like FB and Reddit and it doesn't appear people have been as successful recently as the past and this is with any range of bid.  

 

At this point, we are moving towards itinerary instead of ship and possibly back to the balconies other than suites on Royal as for us at least we see no real benefits other than getting on board earlier and off quicker plus the room size.  We do have a few JS booked just for where they are (aft balconies) but that will probably be it.  I can't see us bidding again.

 

I have seen the price drop within 90 days for certain categories which was better than the bid minimum.  Best thing to do is track the price and keep on top of it if you do your own booking.  Not saying you will get a price drop on your category.  But if you see a balcony for cheaper than the minimum bid, go for it.  Even if it's GTY, the cabin you bid on is a GTY as well.

[robmtx]

The highest bidder may not always win. Your bid is just part of the larger puzzle that needs to be considered when they are finalizing Upgrades.

 

Example:

Passenger #1 is in an Oceanview Category and bid on a JS for $400.

Passenger #2 is in a balcony and bid on a JS for $350.

Logic would say they would take the $400 offer. But they don't..

Passenger #3 is in an inside and bid $100 for an OV, and $250 for a Balcony.

 

By upgrading Pax #2 for $350, that frees up a balcony stateroom for Pax #3 at $250 = $600 revenue

If they had gone with Pax #1 offer of $400 and Pax #3 offer of $100 for the newly opened OV, the revenue drops to $500.

 

I know - very rough example but you get the idea. It's all about how the puzzle creates the MOST revenue for the entire sailing, not just a single cabin. So in this case, the higher bidder for a JS does lose out.

 

[CuseJeff44]

I've bid unsuccessfully in the past, never huge bids but usually bidding something like 1/3 of the way on the dial. This cruise we have in 10 days, I threw a very small bid (maybe 5 bucks over minimum) to get my kids out of a deck 3 interior right by the elevators and we got them successfully up unto a deck 9 park view interior (just got the email last night). Must have been a cancellation

[Engineroom Snipe]

I rarely even waste the time on Royal Up any more for the reasons stated in previous posts on this thread and multiple other threads before it.

 

1. Occupancy is running at 105+% for the last 12 months. Except for last minute cancellations and no-shows, few cabins are available.

 

2. An upgrade to a room does not mean it will meet your location parameters on the ship. Open rooms at departure tend to be the least desirable for noise, obstructed views, or mobility needs (far from elevators).

 

3. A serious risk of paying more for the upgrade than just buying the up-grade.

 

4. Providing free data to RCI about how much more you would be willing to pay in the future for a higher priced cabin.

 

5. I have read that "any balcony" cabin is superior to the best interior cabin, even if it is obstructed and noisy. I could agree with that IF it was a FREE upgrade and I was mentally prepared for the noise (and ensured I have a white noise machine if on the deck under the pool area). The more I cruise, the more important cabin location is and I do not like to gamble my vacation days on a bad experience.

 

6. NO TAKE-BACKS: Once the bid has been assigned,  you are where they put you.

 

7. Separate cabins grouped together for a family can be split and end up on different decks of the ship.

 

We all know that Royal is in business to make money and the Royal Up is no exception to the rule.

 

As always, "Bidder Beware", you just might get what you want and not want it after you get it.

 

 

[goldfish65]

I have bid twice, in 2023, only on full suites because they didn't pose a risk of getting a bad location or obstructed view. "Weak" bids but well above the minimum. Unsuccessful. 

[Jasukkie]

I won my first two bids when it first started and never again so I don't bother now. I did ask a "winner" in a social media group how much they bid to go from OV to balcony on my last royal cruise and it was way more money than I would have spent. I just book what I'm happy with and leave it at that, easier and sometimes cheaper.

[nelblu]

I had a Casino comp for myself and paid for the 2nd Pax.  The comp was for a guarantee interior and was awaiting the Royal Up process to upgrade.  This was for Utopia 3 and 4 nights in late August.  Then I thought about that the RU one is assigned a cabin.  So, I called the Casino desk and was quoted to upgrade to OV balcony for $67 and $103 respectively.  I said sign me up.  One of the cabins is Aft 12 deck and parallel to Giovanni's.

[Havin'fun]

I have bid 4 times and won 2 of them.  The last was earlier this year on Adventure.  I had a comped Jr suite and bid on a Grand and an Owners.  I won the Owners and my bid was $20 the $500 over the minimum. Since I was traveling solo total cost for the cruise was $1040.00 plus taxes and port fees for 8 nights. 

 

[fpcruiser]

I have won 4 out of 7 bids. Two of them were right after the restart. I bid minimum or a couple $ more than minimum ($5-10). I always book an inside guarantee.

Edited June 11 by fpcruiser
added more info

[teddie]

I am one for three over the past 18 months.  The successful one was the most recent, from a JS to a GS for $350 per person, where the minimum bid was $300. Funny, that on the roll call on a different forum, it turned out that a member of the group RU'd to our previously assigned JS!

 

To us, it was well-worth it, and we are now officially spoiled--likely exactly what RCI hopes for 🙂

 

Teddie

[jackiel3290]

We sailed on Wonder on a transatlantic which only had 2/3 of cabins full. We generally book interior cabins because we are rarely there except to dress, shower and .sleep. We got the email about Royal Up and bid 10% above the minimum for a Central Park view. We got it, but probably because the ship was at 4,000 of a 7,000 capacity.

we enjoyed the window. 

[Tin can]

We have had no luck and have entered a  variety of bids including a number of maximum bids on a variety of cabins.

 

I seem to be reading more and more of low bids winning so I’m guessing it’s the luck of the draw and being in that chain that releases the most inventory.

[Billy Baltic]

We’ve only bid once and succeeded with that. If was from an interior guarantee to an ocean view balcony on our upcoming Odyssey sailing. It was a minimum offer bid. We have another bid submitted on a different cruise but don’t expect to get that as we’re already in a JS and any upgrade is to a room type with relatively low inventory. 

[Airbear232]

21 hours ago, robmtx said:

The highest bidder may not always win. Your bid is just part of the larger puzzle that needs to be considered when they are finalizing Upgrades.

 

Example:

Passenger #1 is in an Oceanview Category and bid on a JS for $400.

Passenger #2 is in a balcony and bid on a JS for $350.

Logic would say they would take the $400 offer. But they don't..

Passenger #3 is in an inside and bid $100 for an OV, and $250 for a Balcony.

 

By upgrading Pax #2 for $350, that frees up a balcony stateroom for Pax #3 at $250 = $600 revenue

If they had gone with Pax #1 offer of $400 and Pax #3 offer of $100 for the newly opened OV, the revenue drops to $500.

 

I know - very rough example but you get the idea. It's all about how the puzzle creates the MOST revenue for the entire sailing, not just a single cabin. So in this case, the higher bidder for a JS does lose out.

 

Really interesting, what you post.  How do they describe the process - does the highest bidder win?  And how do they define bid, is it what you bid or your fare + what you bid?  How about tie breakers?  Do factors like average spend onboard or casino activity come into play?

[robmtx]

2 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Really interesting, what you post.  How do they describe the process - does the highest bidder win?  And how do they define bid, is it what you bid or your fare + what you bid?  How about tie breakers?  Do factors like average spend onboard or casino activity come into play?

 

According to my source, no other factors are in play here. The Royal Up program is run by an outside firm. Their goal is to generate as much revenue from the program as possible as they earn a commission on that revenue. They use software algorithms to examine all of the bids on a sailing, and sort them into maximizing revenue solutions, not maximizing passenger satisfaction. With that said, very high bids will often win because it's the best way to max the revenue, and low bids will almost always be left out.. It's those middle-of-the-road bids that are hit or miss.

 

I will preface, that my source was someone from the industry speaking casually (over drinks) about the program. I unfortunately cannot verify the reliability of the source but what he told me did make total sense when you think in terms of revenue streams.

[MaddyandMax]

Interesting story - I did a Royal up bid for $50 over the minimum and didn't get it.  Then the cruise go rerouted to Canada and around 40% of the ship cancelled. People at the pier were asking about upgrading to these empty rooms with their Royal Up bids.  Everyone was denied.

[Airbear232]

28 minutes ago, robmtx said:

 

According to my source, no other factors are in play here. The Royal Up program is run by an outside firm. Their goal is to generate as much revenue from the program as possible as they earn a commission on that revenue. They use software algorithms to examine all of the bids on a sailing, and sort them into maximizing revenue solutions, not maximizing passenger satisfaction. With that said, very high bids will often win because it's the best way to max the revenue, and low bids will almost always be left out.. It's those middle-of-the-road bids that are hit or miss.

 

I will preface, that my source was someone from the industry speaking casually (over drinks) about the program. I unfortunately cannot verify the reliability of the source but what he told me did make total sense when you think in terms of revenue streams.

I agree, it makes sense in terms of Royal maximizing revenue.  However, it all seems very disingenuous.  For example, take two cabins same category that are side by side.  Hypothetically, if PAX in cabin A booked well in advance of sailing and had a cheaper rate than PAX in cabin B who booked much later.  Then, the company (algorithm) would potentially award an upgrade to PAX in cabin A even if it is substantially lower than the bid from PAX in cabin B because it would take into account being able to realize a much greater gain on selling Cabin A to someone else than it would in awarding the cabin to PAX in cabin B who bid more.  It would be interesting to know what percentage of “winners” comes from cabins that were sold at lower overall fees.  

Edited June 12 by Airbear232

[Airbear232]

7 minutes ago, MaddyandMax said:

Interesting story - I did a Royal up bid for $50 over the minimum and didn't get it.  Then the cruise go rerouted to Canada and around 40% of the ship cancelled. People at the pier were asking about upgrading to these empty rooms with their Royal Up bids.  Everyone was denied.

Begs the question on what all of the rules are and whether in situations like yours they can be compelled to honour a defined process. 

Edited June 12 by Airbear232

[Engineroom Snipe]

12 minutes ago, MaddyandMax said:

Interesting story - I did a Royal up bid for $50 over the minimum and didn't get it.  Then the cruise go rerouted to Canada and around 40% of the ship cancelled. People at the pier were asking about upgrading to these empty rooms with their Royal Up bids.  Everyone was denied.

After the Baltimore bridge collapse, all Royal Up bids on the first cruise that was rerouted to Norfolk were cancelled too.

 

I guess the computer program was not set up for reroutes so they cancel the Royal Ups.

 

GUESS is the key word. If anyone else has had a reroute and seen Royal cancel the bids, they can chime in.