The Truth About Cruise Cabin Bids

If you’ve ever poked around your cruise reservation and spotted one of those “Make a Bid to Upgrade” emails, you’ve probably wondered if it’s worth it. The short answer: sometimes. The longer answer? Let’s walk through it so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Most cruise lines use a third-party company to run their bid programs. Their whole goal is to squeeze a little more revenue out of unsold cabins, and the way they do it is… creative. Think of it like a staircase. You’ll see upgrade categories listed even when those rooms aren’t technically available yet, because they’re expecting guests to shuffle around. That part confuses a lot of people.

Before you slide that little bar and hit “submit,” here are a few things to keep in mind:

The starting bid is rarely the “real” price.

You’ll see a minimum bid and a slider to choose your amount. The bid is usually per person and applies only to the first two guests in the cabin.

You don’t get to choose the location.

If you win the bid, you get any cabin in that category. It might be a fantastic mid-ship room… or it might be an obstructed view, or something directly over the nightclub. Placement isn’t guaranteed.

Expect modest upgrades, not miracles.

Most approved bids move you up one or two categories. An inside stateroom isn’t magically turning into The Retreat.

Traveling with multiple cabins? They’re not linked.

One family member might get a bump, and the others won’t. The system doesn’t upgrade groups together.

If your bid is accepted, it’s final.

Your credit card is charged immediately, and the charge is nonrefundable.

Now, here’s the thing: I’ve used these programs myself and had great luck. The key is flexibility. If you go in with a “would be nice, but not necessary” mindset, it can absolutely be worth it.

But sometimes? It’s simply cheaper and safer to skip the gamble and pay for the upgrade outright. If you’re curious what the upgrade would cost versus bidding, reach out and I’ll run the comparison for you. It’s always better to know your real options before taking a spin on the cabin-upgrade roulette wheel.

Ready to dream about your next sailing? I’d love to help you plan it.  Click here to start the conversation: https://bit.ly/m/ShellyBishopMTP