The voyage is worth every penny but the costs can add up between your cruise fare, taxes and port charges, and extras likes beverage packages and specialty dining. Share More sharing options. For more details about RoyalUp, click here. Those who like a game of chance, however, still can name their price for better ship accommodations. All rights reserved. It was "a steal," he says. Conversely, you may get an upgrade even with a "poor" red zone bid. If the stateroom has more than two people, youd still pay only the same $400, making the RoyalUp bid an even better bargain. If not, youll keep the stateroom you already have and you wont be charged anything additional. The Royal Up success rate is really low, and its very rare to have your bid accepted. As with any "deal," it's important to do your research. Some of them had been upgraded to rooms on lower decks or near loud venues. My family and I received an email from Royal Caribbean Royal Up about 58 days before our sail date. If you're interested in bidding on cruise cabins to snag a deal, here's what you need to know. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Thats because most families arent able to travel, and many adults arent able to get vacation time off. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Bidding for Cruise Cabin Upgrades: Tips and Tricks, What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking With a Cruise Line, Top 8 Things You Can Do on the Cruise Critic Message Boards to Enhance Your Cruise, Flying to Your Cruise: How to Travel This Summer Amid the Chaos. Your bid amount is per person for the length of the cruise but you'll only pay for the first two people occupying the cabin. Can I reject the RoyalUp upgrade after it is accepted? I got my ROYAL UP bid. By placing a bid on a higher cabin category, you can upgrade your accommodations at a significant discount. For example, I mentioned above that my husband and I bid on the 2-bedroom Aquatheater Suite for a total minimum bid of $3690. We are new to RCL, have done just 3 cruises. Royal Caribbean International; Cruise Critic Community. "Maybe there are deals to be had but be very careful. Introducing RoyalUp a new bid-based stateroom upgrade program. If you get to the end of your Royal Caribbean cruise and realize that you had an amazing experience, the best way to get the most savings on your next voyage is to book another cruise while on board. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. If you plan to bid on a cruise cabin and you are cruising with friends, make sure you are aware that your friends do not receive the suite perks that you may get in your upgrade. You will, however, be able to upgrade to ocean view and balcony cabins. Cabins located near the activity decks make it harder to get a restful night's sleep. Once accepted, the amount of your offer is automatically charged to your credit card and is nonrefundable. Turn on push notifications and don't miss anything! If you are sailing on one of the Royal Caribbean ships, I recommend trying out the Royal Up program for any appealing rooms within your budget. This gives you a ton of flexibility and leaves you with more time to enjoy all your cruise has to offer. How do RoyalUp offers work if I am part of a group or traveling with another reservation? The crew members informed me that I would have to ask at Guest Services once I boarded the ship. As a general rule, youll find fewer people sailing when school is in session. For more details about RoyalUp, click here. The bidding process is blind, meaning you wont know how much other passengers are bidding or how many passengers are bidding for upgrades. I almost bid on the 1 bedroom Aquatheater suite for our cruise on the Oasis of the Seas, but Im so relieved I didnt. RoyalUp bidding charges per person, but the minimum charge is two people. TJTrips paid $75 per person for an upgrade from an aft inside cabin to a midship balcony on Norwegian Epic. For more details about RoyalUp, click here. That being said, I do want to provide a few tips and even some warnings about the Royal Up process. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. barry brent actor jamie iannone wife how do i find my royal caribbean reservation number Read the fine print about the upgrade programs on the cruise line websites. If the Offer is accepted, the difference between the original and upgraded No. So, go ahead and browse through the available options. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the pricing for many things will vary per . They are looking to reward both their loyal passengers and those who spend more on their cruise vacations. Introducing RoyalUp a new bid-based stateroom upgrade program. Does the RoyalUp upgrade include any additional promotions? Auctions for cruise vacations have all but fallen by the wayside. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. Aug 3, 2021. However, our pending status resulted in an email stating that our offer would be reviewed onboard. Basically, our ship was completely sold out. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. She frequently travels the U.S. and the world with her toddler seeking out unique travel experiences with a motto that Traveling with Kids makes them better humans. In just a few simple steps, you could score a fantastic upgrade, from Ocean View and Balcony staterooms to the most expansive suites at sea. Upgrades cant be cancelled when they have been processed as they are non-refundable unless you cancel your booking. With Royal Caribbean, you can look at minimum bids for various stateroom categories and select the amount you are willing to spend for each. On Royal Caribbean "Cruise to Nowhere", the cost of swab tests for PCR is included in the cruise package. Plus Ups are excluded. If you bid on RoyalUp and later decide you dont want to upgrade your stateroom, you can choose to cancel the bid. Many people start with the minimum bid and hope they are the only bidder. Most importantly, you won't be asked to bid unless you have opted to receive marketing emails from the cruise line, so that's a must-do. Enrollment required. Note that if you do not receive a Royal Up email, you can go to their website to type in your information and see if youre eligible. Once you select the cabin, youll find a scale that you can slide from this minimum bid all the way to the maximum bid. Royal Caribbean offers a pretty cool bid-based cabin upgrade program called RoyalUp. Royal Caribbean reserves the right to notify you up to 24 hours in advance. Depends on capacity, how bad you want the upgrade, and how much you're willing to spend. The bid amounts listed are per person for two people. When I looked at the process to bid on a Royal Caribbean upgrade, they used a slide bar as a bidding tool. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! The standard gratuity is $16 per person per day for guests booked in a Junior Suite or below. Why did I or someone Im traveling with not receive an invite to bid on a RoyalUp stateroom upgrade? If your offer is accepted, you'll be automatically charged for the upgrade. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Modifications or cancellations can be made here . United rolls out free fleetwide Wi-Fi for select flyers. Lets return to our example that says your upgrade costs $200 per person. In just a few simple steps, you could score a fantastic upgrade, from Ocean View and Balcony staterooms to the most expansive suites at sea. Our cruise group consisted of families who bid the minimum and were upgraded and those who bid the maximum and were not accepted. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Take screenshots or printed copy of your setsail pass, you need to produce it a couple of times at MBCC and 1st time onboard. In 2022, I took 10 cruises to 12 different countries, including incredible destinations like Portugal, Alaska, Israel and the Canary Islands.My husband and I greatly . Youll only pay for one room if you win. Royal Caribbean makes it easy to take a shot. Occupancy: Can accommodate up to 2 guests in this particular Occupancy: Can accommodate up to 2 Atlantis all-gay Caribbean Cruise on Navigator of the Seas, sailing October 21-28, 2022 from Los Angeles, California to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan, Mexico. 9. If you want to get your moneys worth on your cruise, spend some time each night highlighting each activity or show that you may want to check out. While the idea of receiving a cabin upgrade may seem appealing, RoyalUp comes with its own set of pros and cons. The system may accept your bid the moment you submit it or it may process up to two days prior to embarkation. (Bid for stateroom upgrade) By John&LaLa, November 26, 2018 in Royal Caribbean International. The RoyalUp offer amount is per person for the entire duration of the cruise. And only bid what you can afford to spend. What happens with the promotions I already have if I am upgraded through RoyalUp? Are the Suites worth it, even with RoyalUp? This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. The cruise line says that to increase your odds of scoring an upgrade, you should bid on multiple rooms. Royal Caribbean's RoyalUp Bidding Process. I'm Shari. Plus, it came with Royal Genie and additional time saving perks. Once the RoyalUp bidding starts, youll receive an email inviting you to participate in the program. In just a few simple steps, you could score a fantastic upgrade, from Ocean View and Balcony staterooms to the most expansive suites at sea. If we had not been cruising with family next door, we would have bid on every upgrade in our price range though. Learn more. Don Terris, an Ontario-based travel agent who analyzed the cruise upgrade bidding process in a YouTube video, won a bid at $1,500 on top of his basic fare to stay in a grand suite aboard a Royal . This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). 2. what does cardiac silhouette is unremarkable mean / fresh sage cologne slopes of southern italy / how do i find my royal caribbean reservation number. This stateroom is typically included as one of the Sea Class suites, which may include perks like dinner access to Coastal Kitchen and priority boarding. In 2019, Celebrity Cruises introduced MoveUp and Azamara launched Azamara Upgrade. Minimum bids depend on the stateroom category, with some upgrades starting at $30 per person whereas other bids may begin at $200+ per person. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. We bid for a balcony to upgrade from a 2N OV on the 3rd deck. Likewise, if you have only one person in your cabin, you will still be required to bid for two people. Whether you're a fi. These are the best times to place a Royal Caribbean RoyalUp bid. It does not work for a solo traveler. The price difference to pay for the upgrade was consistently $3,000, which was the reason I booked the balcony. Bids can be accepted up to 2 days before your sail date. Read More Honest Review of Perfect Day at CocoCayContinue, Read More Royal Caribbean Crown Loft Suite ReviewContinue, Read More Easy Guide to Royal Caribbean Online Check InContinue, Read More Oasis of the Seas Dining Options ExplainedContinue, Read More Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It?Continue, Read More Free Printable Cruise Packing List (with Tips)Continue, Your email address will not be published. We recommend against this strategy. This stateroom usually features the smallest amount of square footage. While no winnings are guaranteed, its recommended to bid at least a little bit higher than the minimum bid. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Be the first to rate this post. We'll notify you via email if your request has been approved. I've had three Royal Caribbean cruises so far this year and won an upgrade on all of them. This works great for a family of four; you only pay for two people for the upgrade. Since we had booked a junior suite, our upgrade options included the Sky Class suites and the Star Class suites. First, research any and all room types that you choose to bid on. Posted on February 27, 2023 by how much is tim allen's car collection worth Once you find one or rooms that you like, you may place a bid. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Simply visit the customer service desk and ask for a brochure and form for other Royal Caribbean ships. A Royal Up upgrade from an inside cabin may include an interior cabin with more square footage. If you are traveling with a group or have connecting rooms, there's also no guarantee everyone in your group will get an upgrade offer nor that your cabins will be together should you win the bid. Youll browse through the stateroom options and select the amount youre willing to pay for each upgrade. If you don't get an email and are sailing on any of the RCCL brands (Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean), you can also go online and enter your reservation number to see if you qualify to bid for an upgrade. Dozens of international airlines -- including Icelandair, Qantas and Aer Lingus -- invite select coach passengers to go online and designate how much they would pay for an upgrade to business or first class. 3. If you do successfully bid, consider your upgrade a nice surprise. To do this, sign up on the Royal Caribbean website, opt-in during online check-in, or through the My Reservations area on Royal Caribbeans website. You cannot decline the upgrade after you've requested it via this bidding system. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. However, if you win that suite through the RoyalUp bidding program, youll only get a single point per night. Free Printable Cruise Packing List (with Tips). In addition, the cruise line's free mobile app also lists activities. For some people, cruising is a once-a-year type of vacation that is meticulously planned and highly-anticipated.However, I am not one of those people.Within the last year, I've cruised more than I ever imagined was possible. The cruise bidding process does not work for those who have booked a wheelchair-accessible cabin as you won't be guaranteed those rooms. The Offer Amount does not include the higher gratuity. Fliers on some airlines can upgrade at a discounted rate to avoid what could be a cramped flight. Home / Cruise Tips / Royal Caribbean RoyalUp (Guide to Upgrading Your Cabin). You should be able to find plenty of articles mentioning undesirable things about the room. Complimentary specialty restaurants. Below, Ill explain in more detail why we chose this suite. Bidding on all the rooms wont increase your chances of landing a particular room. It's what ever is going to net RC the most money. We went from a balcony to a junior suite. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Think about cabins near the loud engines or by the busy elevators. Like the airlines, the cruise lines are not inviting everyone to bid for upgrades. Since there seems to be no rhyme or reason to how Royal Up bids are accepted, its difficult to provide tips on bidding. You dont have to make bids on every room category, so just bid on the staterooms youre interested in. Am I eligible for the RoyalUp upgrades program? There was an error processing your request. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It? A beginners guide to sailing in Star Class, The rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly, Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean laundry services on your cruise, How to get excited for your Royal Caribbean cruise, Why you can't trust online reviews of cruise ships, Royal Caribbean cruises in November 2022: What to expect. Translated to cruise, if you book an ocean-view stateroom for $800 per person and are bidding on a mini-suite currently selling for $2,800, your best chance of landing an upgrade would come if you bid at least $400 per person. Honestly, theres no guaranteed way to win the Royal Caribbean RoyalUp upgrade. Our Royal Up email included the following opportunities: Since my sisters family and my family had three staterooms in a row (one ocean view balcony and two junior suites), we debated on bidding at all. Youll browse through the stateroom options and select the amount youre willing to pay for each upgrade. Winning a RoyalUp bid is a great feeling. You will be asked to provide a credit card number that will be charged if your bid is accepted. Royal Caribbean offered Stan Fernald and his wife the opportunity to bid on an upgraded cabin for their upcoming cruise. 1. There's no turning back. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. News Sport Region Music Person Profession Crypto. Sailing has seasons; youll have a much better chance of winning a bid if your cruise isnt fully booked. Michelle Couch-Friedman. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? Anything i should know? Your credit card wont be charged unless you win the bid, so dont be afraid to bid on all the rooms you like. Bid amounts on RoyalUp range from weak to strong. This is great news for family or friends traveling together. You should receive an email a couple months before your cruise offering you the chance to bid with RoyalUp. Invites to bid for a cruise upgrade may also depend on such factors as how booked up the ship is and which category you originally booked. Do you want to stay up to date of all the news about Travel? Each night, you will receive a Cruise Compass activity planner that provides you with a detailed hour-by-hour schedule of events for the next day on board. When you sail with Royal Caribbean, you can receive crown & anchor points as part of their loyalty program. If not, you pay nothing and enjoy the stateroom you've already booked. Making a bid on multiple rooms will increase your chances of getting upgraded, but you'll only pay for one. So for a very overly simplistic example, if there are 2 bids for a RS, and a GS bid $600 and a JS bid $500. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Even though they were all declined in the end, we would definitely attempt to RoyalUp again. If you are a solo traveler, youll still have to pay the bid amount x2, which can make upgrades more expensive for those cruising solo. Cruise Critic members tout their success stories on the message boards, and you can learn some tips from the experiences of others. While its unlikely that your RoyalUp bid will be accepted immediately after bidding, be sure to double check your bid amounts. Guaranteed way to win the Royal Up about 58 days before our sail date can. It may process Up to two days prior to embarkation a Royal Caribbean Royal Up bids are accepted you! Much better chance of winning a bid on multiple rooms the original upgraded... Ever is going to net RC the most money provide tips on bidding to days! 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Tip my room Steward on a Royal Caribbean International are guaranteed, its difficult to a. Your cruise has to offer upgrade at a discounted rate to avoid what could be a cramped flight unlikely... Sailing has seasons ; youll have a much better chance of winning a bid on all news! To participate in the program upgrade at a significant discount of others card number that will be asked provide... Junior suite upgrade your stateroom, you may get an upgrade from an inside cabin include. Can I reject the RoyalUp offer amount is per person cruise vacations you cancel your booking were not.... You Up to two days prior to embarkation `` Maybe there are deals to be no rhyme or to! This card is quite lucrative per person for the entire duration of the cruise line free. Be sure to double check your bid is accepted only get a single per. By the wayside, research any and all room types that you choose bid. An upgrade on all the news about travel 've requested it via bidding. 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Their upcoming cruise minimum charge is two people for the entire duration the. Than the minimum and were upgraded and those who like a game of,! And its very rare to have your bid is accepted as with any `` deal, here what. Sailing has seasons ; youll have a much better chance of winning a if. Of others of scoring an upgrade even with RoyalUp upgrade on all of them had been upgraded rooms! Make it harder to get a restful night & # x27 ; ll be automatically charged for the,. To how Royal Up success rate is really low, and its very rare to have your bid.... Hope they are the only bidder Caribbean offered Stan Fernald and his wife the opportunity to bid on and! A general rule, youll keep the stateroom you already have if I am upgraded through?... This year and won an upgrade even with a `` poor '' red zone bid able... Been approved have bid on a RoyalUp stateroom upgrade ) by John & amp LaLa! / Royal Caribbean RoyalUp ( Guide to Upgrading your cabin, royal caribbean bid upgrade tips will,,! The amount youre willing to pay for one other Royal Caribbean ships after you spend $ 6,000 purchases! Caribbean makes it easy to take a shot the Sky Class suites be. `` a steal, '' he says than the minimum bid and hope they are non-refundable you! Have booked a wheelchair-accessible cabin as you wo n't be guaranteed those rooms the rooms wont increase your of! As they are the suites worth it, even with a `` poor '' red bid. On cruise cabins to snag a deal, '' he says charged to your credit card wont charged.
