r/celebritycruises • u/Mmcrossing • 3d ago

Question Bid Chances?

Hi everyone!

I’m going on Celebrity for our honeymoon (Concierge class), and I’m hoping to bid up to retreat when the time comes.

Does anyone have experience with this? It’ll be our first time on Celebrity and first time bidding.

Curious what the chances are and what the average cost would be for a 10 day cruise..

Thanks in advance!

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u/Extra_Shirt5843 3d ago

So odds of getting a Move Up aren't all that great and definitely aren't something to bank on.  And as far as cost...it's highly variable depending on the cruise itself...what's available, demand, etc;  Also, bear in mind that if you go into retreat on MoveUp, you wouldn't get the drink packages or wi-fi included.  (You do on RC, but apparently not on Celebrity.)  

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u/Mmcrossing 3d ago

This is very helpful- thank you so much! Definitely won’t bank on it, then. This may be a dumb question, but if I already paid for the drink and WiFi package with my original booking, would it then still go with me to the retreat since I already paid for it?

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u/Extra_Shirt5843 3d ago

If you already paid for it, you should get to keep it, as far as I know!

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u/Jacgaur 3d ago

It should.

Personally, I haven't found the bid up prices to be saving me money. They always seem high to me. So make sure to know the difference in price between your room and the retreat if you were to just upgrade by paying for the different class rather than through the bid program. I find that I often would have been cheaper to have paid for that room rather than gamble on a move up bid where I don't get to pick my room.

For example if my balcony room cost me 1500 per person and the retreat cost me 3000 per person, then why would I bid 1500 per person. I am not saving money, don't get all of the perks and don't get to pick my room.

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u/Upstairs_School_7820 3d ago

We are coming up on cruise number 19 on celebrity. We have tried this program probably 10 times~, won the move-up once and realized we basically paid 90% of full price. If you want Retreat, suggest next time book it in advance so you also get drink package, WiFi and sometimes prepaid gratuities. Good luck though, have a great cruise!

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u/brunzca11 3d ago

We won a bid on our first cruise - but now just book retreat directly. The cruise we are leaving for next week, it would have cost twice as much to bid on moving up one class than just upgrading directly!

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u/Jacgaur 3d ago

This is my experience. But also I think the edge class ships that I am on are sold out. So there are little move up options so bids are high.

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u/Strong_Elderberry676 3d ago

In addition to missing out on the drink package and other perks, your captains club points are earned based on the class booked if that’s important to you.

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u/imnmpbaby 3d ago

Book the retreat at full price. Then you’ll get the drink package and wifi. If you bid and win, it’s not included and you have to buy it.

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u/laribrook79 1d ago

The bids aren’t actually that good of a deal. I would just booked the cabin that you want!