Cruise Upgrade Bids, Line by Line
Who pays, when you can change a bid, and how solo guests are charged.
Ask Before You BidHow to bid on a cruise upgrade depends on which line you are sailing. The programs look alike, but the published rules differ on who pays, when bids can change and how solo travelers are charged. This table summarizes each line’s own terms as published in October 2026. Terms change, so always read the version attached to your invitation.
| Line and program | How the bid is priced | Changing your bid | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean — RoyalUp | Per person, charged for the first and second guests; a solo guest pays the two-guest amount | Modify or cancel up to 12 hours before departure, if not yet accepted | Higher gratuities for the new category are added; no specific cabin number is promised |
| Celebrity Cruises — MoveUp | Per person, first and second guests | Offers can be accepted, changed or cancelled up to 2 days before departure | Eligible bookings within 90 days of sailing; loyalty points stay at the original category |
| Norwegian Cruise Line — Upgrade Advantage | Per person for the whole cruise, first and second guests | See the invitation for the deadline | Card charged immediately on acceptance; companions on separate reservations may not be upgraded together |
| Princess Cruises — Princess Upgrade | Per person based on two guests; third and fourth guests free; solo guests pay 200% | Change or cancel until one day before departure, if not accepted | Full Princess rules |
| MSC Cruises — MSC UpGrade | Per person or per cabin, depending on the MSC country site | See your invitation | Full MSC rules |
| Carnival Cruise Line | No bidding program found; upgrades are offered at set prices when available | — | Ask about a paid upgrade before final payment |
One thing all the bidding programs share: accepted bids are final. If your bid wins, you are charged and the money is generally non-refundable, even if you later wish you had stayed put.
How the Process Usually Runs
- Opt in. Most lines send invitations only to guests who accept marketing emails. Check your preferences in your cruise account.
- Invitation. An email or a banner in your online booking shows the categories you may bid on and a range for each.
- Bid. You enter an amount per category. Several lines let you bid on more than one category but charge only one win.
- Wait. Bids are reviewed against unsold cabins. Many winners hear only days before sailing.
- Result. Accepted: you are charged and given a new cabin the line chooses. Not accepted: your original booking stays as it was.
The cabin is the line’s choice. You may land at the far end of a deck or with a partly blocked view, and connecting cabins are not kept together. Before bidding, look at where the category’s cabins sit on Cruise Ship Deck Plans and ask yourself whether every one of them would be fine.
Compare a Bid With Booking Outright
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check what the higher category costs on your sailing so you can decide what to bid, if anything.
Ask Before You Bid