If you’ve ever spent a crowded sea day circling the pool deck like a hawk hoping to spot two empty lounge chairs together, you know the quiet envy of walking past those shaded, private poolside casitas.
Renting one gives you a reserved, guaranteed oasis right in the middle of the action—complete with dedicated towel service, a cooler, private storage, and charging outlets—but the standard pre-cruise price tag can easily make you hesitate.
Now, Royal Caribbean is giving passengers a second chance to snag one for significantly less, reports Royal Caribbean Blog.
The cruise line has quietly expanded its popular RoyalUp program—which previously focused primarily on cabin upgrades and select cabanas at its private island, Perfect Day CocoCay—to include onboard experiences. Booked guests are now receiving email invitations to submit blind bids on pool-deck casitas, adults-only Hideaway daybeds, and private island cabanas before they set sail.
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The way it works is simple: you place a blind dollar offer on an available experience based on an approved price range. You can adjust or cancel your bid anytime before it is accepted, and you are only charged if Royal Caribbean confirms the reservation.
For high-demand sea days on mega-ships like Icon of the Seas, bids cover the entire experience rather than a per-person charge. While standard casita bids can range anywhere from $440 on embarkation day up to $1,400 for peak sea days, tossing in a smart, lower-end bid gives you a shot at securing unused inventory at a comfortable discount.
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The feature also extends to the adults-only Hideaway pool area—where you can bid on in-pool or ocean-view daybeds that come with Champagne service—as well as South Beach and Chill Island cabanas at CocoCay.
The biggest key to playing the bidding game is treating these upgrades as an exciting bonus rather than a guaranteed plan. Because invitations go out to hold bids in case of cancellations or unsold spots, you will not know if you have won until closer to your departure date.
The best strategy is to set a price you would genuinely be thrilled to pay, keep an eye on your pre-cruise inbox, and see if the deck-chair gods tilt in your favor before you step on board.
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