Royal Caribbean's RoyalUp bidding program — long known as a way to snag a better stateroom at a discount — has quietly grown into something much bigger. Select passengers on upcoming sailings are now receiving emails inviting them to place bids on pool deck casitas, adults-only daybeds, and cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line's private island destination.
On ships like Icon of the Seas, casitas are private covered day beds on the pool deck that come with towels, a cooler, storage, and a charging outlet. Bid ranges for a casita start at $440–$650 on embarkation day and climb to $990–$1,400 on sea days. In the adults-only Hideaway area, two daybed options are also up for grabs: the Hideaway Oceanview Daybed (minimum bid $225, maximum $400) and the coveted in-pool Hideaway Daybed (minimum $280, maximum $500). Both accommodate up to four guests and include a bottle of champagne, branded glasses, and four water bottles. All bid prices are per experience, not per person, and tend to dip slightly on embarkation and port days.
Over at Perfect Day at CocoCay, cruisers can bid on beach beds and cabanas at South Beach, Breezy Bay, and Chill Island. Beach beds fit up to four guests with bids ranging from $200 to $500, while larger cabanas — holding up to eight guests — can be bid on in the $400–$1,500 range. As with the shipboard options, each bid covers the entire experience regardless of group size.
The mechanics work the same way as the existing cabin-upgrade program: bids are blind offers submitted below standard retail pricing, guests can withdraw at any time before acceptance, and no charge hits until a bid is confirmed. Royal Caribbean notes that submitting a bid doesn't guarantee availability — the cruise line holds the offer and applies it if the experience opens up. The expansion aligns with the company's broader strategy of growing pre-cruise revenue through personalized digital offers, a priority that CEO Jason Liberty highlighted during Royal Caribbean Group's second-quarter 2026 earnings call.
This story was first reported by Royal Caribbean Blog.
