Free cruise stateroom upgrades used to be more common, but these days they are harder to come by, although not impossible. Many cruisers have found ways to take advantage of cabin upgrade promotions and a bidding process to snag a more desirable stateroom at a lower cost.
However, there are some things cruise travelers should be aware of, which include some unexpected downsides.
The Reality of Cruise Cabin Upgrades in 2025
Gone are the days when a friendly chat with the check-in staff might land you a free upgrade. The cruise industry has become much savvier in terms of inventory management, and most ships sail at near capacity.
Travel experts and industry professionals consistently note that there’s no secret formula or special trick to guarantee a free upgraded stateroom. Complimentary upgrades have become increasingly rare in today’s cruise market.
When upgrades occur, it’s usually to solve a problem rather than reward a passenger’s charm or loyalty.
Understanding the Cabin Upgrade Bidding Process
In recent years, most major cruise lines have introduced bidding systems for cabin upgrades. These include Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp program, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Upgrade Advantage program, Celebrity Cruises’ MoveUp, and MSC Cruises’ MSC Upgrade.
The bidding process works like a silent auction. You can name your price for better ship accommodations, and there are deals to be had. For example, one blogger snagged an upgrade from a mini-suite to a two-bedroom suite in Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven for his family of four, bidding $3,500 and saving about $5,000 off the regular price.
Here’s how the process typically works:
- You’ll receive an email invitation to bid (typically 30-60 days before sailing)
- You can bid on multiple categories of cabins
- Each bid is per person, based on double occupancy
- If your bid is accepted, your credit card is charged immediately
- You cannot choose your specific cabin location – only the category
The Pros of Cabin Upgrade Bidding
Upgraded cruise cabins may come with other added perks. For instance, if you book into the Retreat on Celebrity ships, the suites include access to a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck. These extra amenities can significantly enhance your cruise experience.
Bidding also allows you to potentially enjoy a higher cabin category without paying the full price that booking it directly would have cost.
The Downsides of Cabin Upgrades
Before you jump at an upgrade opportunity, consider these potential drawbacks:
If you’re traveling with a group or have connecting rooms, there’s no guarantee everyone in your group will get an upgrade offer, nor will your cabins be together should you win the bid. The bidding process doesn’t work for those who have booked a wheelchair-accessible cabin.
An upgrade is essentially the same as booking a guarantee cabin – you give up the right to control where your cabin is located on the ship. If you’re prone to seasickness and prefer a midship cabin on a lower deck, you might not want an upgrade that could land you at the very front or back of the ship, where it’s rockier.
The upgrade cost is charged per person, specifically for the first two passengers in the cabin. This amount exceeds the price you’ve already paid for your original cabin. For example, if you bid $1000 per person and your bid is accepted, an additional $2000 (for two passengers) will be added to your total cruise fare.
Moving to a higher category might also mean higher daily gratuities, as these are typically based on your cabin category.
Smart Strategies for Cruise Cabin Upgrades
If you’re interested in upgrading your cruise cabin in 2025, consider these approaches:
1. Look for Free Upgrade Promotions
Instead of waiting for a cruise line to give you an upgrade, seek one out from the start. Cruise lines are constantly running sales, and sometimes these offers include a free upgrade promotion where they offer inside and ocean view or ocean view and balcony cabins for the same price.
2. Book a Guarantee Cabin
With guaranteed rooms, you pay a lower rate that guarantees you a room in the category you booked at a minimum, and the cruise line gets to place you in whichever room they want in that category or higher. For example, if you book an outside guarantee, you might discover you’ve been assigned a balcony cabin.
Just be prepared – you could also end up in that category’s smallest, noisiest cabin.
3. Use a Travel Agent
Travel agents can be your key to a free or discounted cruise cabin upgrade. They sometimes have access to offers and group rates you may not when booking directly, so the price you would pay by calling the cruise line for an ocean view may get you a balcony or other benefits for the same price.
4. Be Strategic With Your Bids
If you decide to participate in a bidding program:
- Research current cabin prices before placing your bid
- Don’t bid more than the difference between your cabin and the upgrade
- Consider bidding on multiple categories to increase your chances, but remember that you’ll only win one
- Be realistic about the value – sometimes your carefully chosen original cabin is your best option
5. Leverage Loyalty Programs
Cruise lines naturally give upgrade preferences to frequent cruisers who are members of their loyalty programs. As a loyalty program member, look out for promotional deals you’ll receive. Targeted emails and newsletters will alert you to members-only discounts or offers, or inform you about upgrades before nonmembers get word.
When to Say No to an Upgrade
There are times when turning down an upgrade offer makes sense:
- If you specifically chose your cabin location for a reason (mid-ship for stability, quiet area, near/far from elevators)
- If you need an accessible cabin or connecting rooms
- If money is tight, don’t take a paid upgrade. Save your vacation budget for tours and shoreside fun or onboard treats like date-night restaurants and fun cocktails.
- If the upgrade comes with hidden costs (higher gratuities, loss of promotional perks)
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Final Thoughts
Cabin upgrades can enhance your cruise experience by aligning with your preferences and offering genuine value. The key is being informed about what you’re getting and the costs involved.
Sometimes, sticking with your original, well-researched cabin choice is the smartest move. After all, you’ll probably spend more time enjoying the ship’s amenities, beautiful ports, and ocean views than you will in your cabin anyway!
