Cruise Auctions Online and at Charity Events
How to bid on a cruise as a prize, and know what you are winning.
Ask Before You BidCruise auctions online and at fundraising galas can be fun, generous and occasionally a bargain. They can also come with conditions that only appear after you win. The key is to treat the auction item like any other cruise: know exactly what it is, and know what the same trip would cost if you booked it normally.
Where Cruises Are Auctioned
Charity and school auctions
Donated cruises or cruise certificates offered at galas and online fundraisers.
Online auction platforms
Marketplaces and auction sites that list travel packages or cruise certificates from sellers.
Travel auction sites
Sites that auction travel packages; always check who supplies the trip and how it is booked.
Upgrade bidding
Not a cruise for sale but a bid for a better cabin on a cruise you already booked; see upgrade bids by line.
The Questions to Ask Before You Bid
- Which cruise line, ship and cabin category, exactly? “A Caribbean cruise for two” is not enough.
- Which dates? Are there blackout periods, an expiry date, or a booking deadline?
- Are taxes, port fees and gratuities included, or added later?
- Are flights, transfers or hotel nights included?
- Is the certificate transferable if you cannot travel?
- How will it be booked, and in whose name? Can you confirm the booking with the line afterwards?
Then do the comparison. Ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise for a quote on the same ship, dates and cabin. If the auction price would be higher, you may still want to bid to support the cause, and that is a fine reason, but it should be a choice rather than a surprise.
Charity Auctions and Taxes
Buying a cruise at a charity auction is not the same as making a donation. The IRS guidance on charity auctions says a buyer may claim a charitable deduction only for the amount paid above the item’s fair market value, and must be able to show they knew the item was worth less than they paid. Charities often publish a good-faith estimate of value in the auction catalog; keep it with your receipt. Before you give, you can look up a charity on Charity Navigator.
Donating a cruise to an auction? Make sure the certificate is clear about dates, inclusions and transfer rules, so the winner has a good experience, and keep in mind that the IRS limits a donor’s deduction for property sold at auction. Collectors bidding on ocean liner memorabilia, a different kind of cruise auction, will find that world covered by Cruise Flea Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cruise auctions online legitimate?
Some are run by reputable charities and auction platforms; others are scams. Before bidding, confirm who is selling, what exactly is included, and how the cruise will be booked in your name.
Is a cruise I win at a charity auction tax deductible?
According to the IRS, you may deduct only the amount you paid above the item’s fair market value, and only if you knew the value was less than you paid. Ask the charity for its good-faith estimate of value and talk to your tax adviser.
Won a Cruise at Auction?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can help you understand what your certificate includes and plan the rest of the trip.
Ask Before You Bid