Cabin Upgrades: Bids, Upsells and Free Bumps Explained
A few weeks before sailing, an email arrives inviting you to bid for a better cabin. That is now the main way cruise lines sell their leftover balconies and suites. It can be a bargain, but only if you bid with a clear limit and accept that you lose control of where your new cabin is.
How cruise upgrade bidding works
Royal Caribbean's RoyalUp, Celebrity's MoveUp and Norwegian's Upgrade Advantage are well-known examples, and other lines run similar schemes. The details vary, but the pattern is the same:
- You receive an invitation if your booking and fare are eligible, usually by email or in the line's app.
- You choose categories and set an offer. Some programs ask for a per-person amount for the whole cruise, others per person, per night. Read which before typing a number.
- The line decides close to departure, often in the final days, based on what is unsold and what others offered.
- If accepted, your card is charged and your booking moves to a cabin the line assigns.
- If not accepted, nothing is charged and you keep your original cabin.
Accepted bids are generally non-refundable, and you may be able to change or withdraw an offer only until the line processes it. Confirm the rules for your program.
Bidding with a clear limit
The only sensible yardstick is what the higher category costs to book outright today. Check the price on the line's site or ask your agent before you bid.
Bids tend to succeed where supply is soft: shoulder-season sailings, older ships, longer itineraries and categories with lots of empty cabins. Peak July sailings and holiday weeks rarely leave much to auction.
The other ways up
| Route | What you pay | Do you choose the cabin? | How likely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade bid | Your offer, if accepted | No | Depends on unsold cabins |
| Paid upsell offer | A fixed price per person | Sometimes; ask | Occasional before sailing |
| Pier or onboard offer | A fixed fee on the day | Rarely | Hit and miss; see last-minute upgrades at the pier |
| Guarantee cabin bump | Nothing extra | No | Luck; see should you book a guarantee cabin |
| Loyalty or goodwill | Nothing extra | No | Rare, mostly top-tier members |
| Repricing before final payment | The fare difference | Yes | Best when the next category drops in price |
The last row is the one people overlook. If the price of a better category falls before final payment, you may be able to switch and pay only the difference, choosing your exact cabin. Price drops after booking explains how.
Canadian points to watch
Bids and upsells are almost always charged in US dollars. A card with no foreign transaction fee saves about 2.5% on the charge, which on a US$1,000 upgrade is about C$35. If you booked a promotion such as included drinks or onboard credit, ask whether it carries over to the new cabin before you bid.
When not to bid
- You chose your cabin carefully for location, motion or noise.
- You are prone to seasickness and booked low and midship. See the quietest cabins and where to book.
- The minimum bid is close to the outright price.
- You are travelling with connecting cabins and a winning bid would split them.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Getting the upgrade without the gamble
Upgrade value often starts at booking: pick a category priced close to the one above it, keep watching prices before final payment, and switch if the gap narrows. That way, any bid or bump that follows is a bonus, not a gamble.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
How do cruise upgrade bids work?
Eligible bookings are invited to offer an amount, usually per person, for one or more higher categories. If the line accepts close to sailing, your card is charged and you are moved to a cabin of its choosing; accepted bids are normally final.
What should you bid for a cruise upgrade?
No more than the upgrade is worth to you, and clearly less than the current price difference to book that category outright. Bids close to the outright price give you less certainty for nearly the same money.
Will I lose my good cabin location if my bid wins?
You might. The line chooses the new cabin, so a well-placed midship balcony could become a suite at the far end of the ship. If location matters, bid only on categories where every cabin would suit you, or skip bidding.
More questions you might have
- Booking Multiple Cabins Under One Name: Pros and ConsShould one person book all the cabins for a family cruise? The upside, the cancellation catch, and when separate bookings work better.
- What Is Cruise Price Protection and How to Ask For ItThe informal practice that lets you capture a later price drop — what to actually say, and the window in which it works.
- Best Cruise Line Military Discounts: 8 Lines Compared (2026)Celebrity takes up to $100 off, Princess adds up to $250 onboard credit, and only a few lines include Canadian forces. All 8 programs compared side by side.
- Why Is My Cruise More Than the Advertised Price? Taxes and Port FeesWhat taxes, fees and port expenses actually pay for, how much they add to a 7-night fare, and why no discount ever touches them.
- How Much Spending Money to Bring on a CruiseA realistic per-day budget for a couple, what's already covered by your fare, and the one cost first-timers never plan for. Numbers, not guesses.
- Best Cruise Lines for a Quiet Dining ExperienceFor couples who want conversation over commotion at dinner — which lines and venues genuinely deliver a calmer table.
Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)