How to Upgrade Your Cruise on a Cabin

The experience of a beautiful vacation cruise offers many opportunities. From waking up to the striking blue water to being treated to 5 star hotel service, the cruise ship has become a popular choice of holiday for many travellers. If you want more from your stay and wish to experience some of the more sophisticated cabins available without the high price tag, we offer tips on upgrading your cabin while on a cruise ship without the high costs.

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Purchase Your Cabin Accommodation 

The best option is to book a guaranteed cabin. What this means is that you get to select the type of room you wish to stay in. If you are going to book a cabin that has a striking ocean view but it has been fully booked and the cruise cannot accommodate you, the cruise liner automatically will need to upgrade you. This means a luxury room at the price of a cabin rental.

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Invest in a Cruise Loyalty Program

The cruise ships available often have membership or loyalty award programs available. The rewards plan offers reduced prices on food, drink and so much more when you are on the incredible ship. These points may also be used when purchasing your cabin on the ship. Determine whether you qualify for the necessary point system.

Look Online

The web can provide multiple options for the avid cruise ship traveller. The first step is to do some homework into the cruise ship accommodation available. Determine which cabins are available, compare the costs and learn which options will make it possible to upgrade your cabin. With a complete online search and an investigative approach, you can find a sophisticated cabin to make your cruise ship experience a memorable one.

Book the Cruise Early

Booking a cruise early will sometimes result in an upgrade. Cruise ships usually sell out the most expensive cabins and suites first, but the cheapest cabins come next. If you are one of the first to book a cheap cabin, you might get upgraded as the cruise date gets closer if demand is high for your cabin category.

Be a Frequent Cruiser

Like with airlines and hotels, cabin upgrades often go to members of the cruise line’s frequent cruiser programs. If you are a frequent cruiser, you might also get free Internet access, free laundry, or other perks, depending on the number of days you have sailed with the cruise line.

Unfortunately, sometimes being a frequent cruiser can be a disadvantage. A cruise line might not upgrade someone who already loves sailing with them.

Be a First-Time Cruiser

Sometimes, a cruise line will upgrade either new experienced cruisers or first-time cruisers in order to get them “hooked” on cruising with their cruise line. There are two scenarios. Let’s say you have always sailed with Cruise Line A, but decided to try Cruise Line B. The new cruise line might give you an upgraded cabin in order to encourage you to sail with them again.

The second scenario applies to first-time cruisers. A cruise line might upgrade someone who has never sailed on any cruise ship in order to improve their overall cruise experience.

Ask Your Travel Agent

Check with your travel agent at the time of booking and again throughout the time before your cruise. Some travel agencies purchase blocks of cabins, and your agent might upgrade you if a higher level cabin is left unsold. The travel agent might also know from past experience which cruise lines, cruise ships, and cruise itineraries are more likely to upgrade. It never hurts to ask!

Book a Guarantee Cabin

Booking a “guarantee” cabin means you are only reserving a particular category, not a specific cabin. The “guarantee” from the cruise line is that you will get either the category you have reserved or a higher one.

The disadvantage of a guarantee cabin is that you might not get either the specific area of the ship you prefer or even the specific deck. The advantage is that you will be more likely to get an upgrade than someone who has booked a specific cabin since the cruise line will not need to ask you before the upgrade.

Monitor Price on Cabin Before and After You Book

Just because you’ve booked your cruise does not mean you should quit checking the advertised prices as the time gets closer to your sailing date. Many cruise lines and travel agencies offer “low price guarantees” to encourage cruise travelers to book early. With a low price guarantee, you will get a refund or a shipboard credit if the price falls below what you paid. These extra funds could be used to upgrade if a higher level was available.

Cruise ships can offer incredible experiences and should be researched to find the greatest deals. With the options available, it can assist in planning your future vacation with the luxury of a cruise ship cabin.