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Upgrading your Cabin

It is possible to upgrade to a better cabin or even a Rockstar Suite prior to boarding. This guide looks at the upgrade system (including last-minute bidding) plus some caveats you should be aware of.

© Photo by Virgin Voyages®

There are many different types of cabins available on board Virgin Voyages ships to suit a range of budgets. It is possible to enhance your journey with a cabin upgrade to allow yourself extra space, a balcony or extra amenities. Here’s a guide on how to upgrade your cabin with Virgin Voyages, offering two distinct methods.

Ways to Upgrade Your Cabin

There are two ways to upgrade your cabin with varied pricing depending on your type of voyage.

1. Pay the Difference

If you wish to secure a better cabin without the uncertainty of an auction, you can choose to pay the difference between the current on-sale price and your initial booking.

  1. Check the current on-sale price for your desired cabin.
  2. Pay the additional amount to upgrade keeping existing promotions
  3. Enjoy your new cabin

2. Bid for an Upgrade

Virgin Voyages offers a bidding system against fellow sailors for a chance to secure an upgrade. Not all booking are eligible you can check if you can upgrade currently on the Virgin Voyages website, this system typically opens at approximately 65 days before sail.

Note: Make sure you have pop-up blockers turned off in your browser.

  1. Make an offer to add to your original booking price.
  2. You’ll receive an email with your offer details (including the ability to cancel).
  3. Around 48 hours prior to your cruise monitor both your credit card and email inbox for details
  4. If accepted, you’ll be billed for your Level Upgrade immediately. If not accepted you’ll be told Bia email and your original booking will remain unchanged.

Note: You can make multiple bids which are considered on their own. Bidding is limited upwards, so you can only go for a higher category for example a Seriously Suite up to a Cheeky Corner suite.

Types of Cabins

Every type of cabin is eligible for an upgrade excluding the Massive Suite, this is a great way for those in The Insider or Solo Insider cabins to bid up the system with significantly lower prices than purchasing directly.

An inside cruise ship cabin
Solo Sea View Cabin© Photo by Virgin Voyages®


Keep in mind that there is a limited number of cabins in some categories for example a Solo Insider to Solo Sea View would only have 6 available cabins if they’re all on sale. The highest chance of success will be a bid from a lower cabin up to a standard Sea Terrace cabin as these have the most availability.

Cabin Assignment: Once you win a bid, cabin changes are not allowed. If you are happy with your current cabin placement keep this in mind. Check your cabin number for any issues.

Bidding System and Tips

Check Eligibility:

  • Enter your information on the Virgin Voyages website to determine eligibility
  • This option typically opens up a few months ahead of time, you may receive an email but it is worth checking regularly.
  • Note: If you booked a lock-it-in rate, you won’t be eligible to bid until your cabin number has been released.
  • Note: Make sure you have pop up blockers turned off for this step.

Bidding System:

  • Utilizes a 5-step bidding system from poor to excellent. Prices will vary depending on time of year, length of cruise and business of the cruise.
  • Check available cabin availability to see how popular your sailing is.

Cancellation:

  • Offers can be canceled up to 48 hours before sailing.

Accepted/Unaccepted Bids:

  • Successful bids are typically confirmed 48 hours prior to sailing.
  • Accepted bids are automatically charged to the provided payment method, make sure you have funds available.
  • The new cabin room number will be available in the app within a few hours.

Overview

The cabin upgrade system can be a great way to get a bargain on a significantly better room, consider what your price is before bidding and it is worth directly comparing the cabins on the website before bidding, it can sometimes be cheaper to upgrade directly than the bidding system. Remember, once you upgrade your cabin, you can’t change it back, and you might end up with a cabin in a less desirable position. Whether you choose to pay the difference or engage in the bidding process, these steps ensure a seamless transition to a more luxurious cruise.

About the author

Co-Founder and Editor. An iOS developer with a passion for cruises and theme parks. Blending technical know how with a love for Virgin Voyages with over 15 sailings around the world.

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11 Comments

  1. Eyegina says:

    Quick question…if online says there are no suites available nor XL terraces available, should one bid? I placed a bid last night but checked availability this morning and its none. I’m thinking I should just cancel the bid. Thoughts??

    1. Hi Eyegina, whilst the chances are slim they aren’t impossible. For example anyone can bid up and also cancel. If a Rockstar suite bids upwards to Mega then they would free up a Rockstar space.

  2. Laora says:

    Hi, I never was succesfull with an upgrade request. For the first time I now booked an insider Locked in rate. A solo insider has been appointed. Any change that they will upgrade/ change it by themselves? Maybe to a regular inside or above? I find it a bit dissapointing that lines, including VV, put you as a solo in the smallest room eventough I pay the same or more than two people in the room. Can it work at check in to enquire about a change of rooms if they are available?

    1. Hi Laora, typically once they have selected a cabin they won’t change it any further. But you should be able to go via the upgrade system listed here.

  3. Vinny Cirillo says:

    Hi. I just got the email offering us the chance to bid for an upgrade on pretty much every suite option.
    When I click on the specific suite to bid, it has a bid price there already.
    My question is, is that the minimum they will accept as a bid or can you change it to something lower? How does that work?
    Thanks!

    1. That is the minimum they are willing to accept for that cabin upgrade, so you can only bid up from there not down. Remember you’re in an auction against other people too so they may bid higher than you.

  4. dick longdin says:

    If you are successful in getting a Rock Star suite after you have bought bar tabs, can you change the number of/ get a refund for your bar tabs?

    1. It’ll depend when the upgrade comes in, within 48 hours it might not be possible to cancel the Bar Tab, if you’re standard Rockstar then there’s no reason to cancel but if you’re Mega they may offer to convert it into sailor loot

  5. Dani says:

    Hi! I just placed a bid to upgrade to an XL Sea Terrace from a Central Sea Terrace. If my bid is accepted, they wouldn’t put us in an XL Sea Terrace without a glass railing…would they?? That doesn’t seem like it would actually be an upgrade.
    Thanks!!

    1. Hi Dani, yes as mentioned it can be any cabin in the category so potentially those without hammocks as listed on our cabin tool.

    2. Peter says:

      They might – I just got my upgrade bid accepted and my balcony is “half & half” metal and glass. The location is now forward compared to mid-ships, so it will feel motion more. If either of these things are negatives for you (I’m fine with both) and outweigh the extra space, stick with what you’ve got.

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