How to get a free or cheap cruise ship cabin upgrade

A real score for cruise passengers is a free or cheap cabin upgrade. Just like with airline seats, you can’t count on an upgrade — but it sure feels great when it happens. Several methods will help improve your chances of landing in better cruise ship accommodations.

Before I get into details, let’s start with some facts: On a typical ship, the basic categories of cruise rooms are inside (no view), outside (with window or porthole), balcony, minisuite and suite. It’s rare to get more than a one-category upgrade, so don’t think you can book an inside cabin and wind up in a fancy suite. More common is that you might find an upgrade to a better inside cabin. Make sure you have realistic expectations.

Your best course is always to book the nicest cabin you can afford. Here are some tricks to scoring a free or discounted cruise ship cabin upgrade and landing better cruise rooms without breaking the bank.

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Look for an upgrade sale

Cruise line sales are the easiest way to score cheap or free upgraded accommodations. Various mass-market brands will run periodic promotions, especially during the fall and winter “wave season” sale periods. You might also see discounted upgrades offered on cruises during shoulder seasons, such as immediately after children return to school in the fall.

A cruise ship cabin with a balcony. CUNARD CRUISES

Free or discounted promotions encourage upgrades from inside cabins to ocean views and from ocean views to balconies. One tactic during these sales is to list outside and balcony cabins at the same price. If you can’t find a deal on moving up a category, you might see a free upgrade to a bigger or better-located cabin within the category you originally planned to book. (Even within categories, the sizes and prices of cabins vary.)

Book a ‘guarantee’ cabin

When you book a cruise, you typically choose a cabin in your desired location. With a “guarantee” cabin, you leave it up to the cruise line to assign you accommodations either in the category you booked or a better one. The bet is that your category will sell out, and the cruise line will have to move you up for free — say, from an outside to a balcony cabin.

In the worst-case scenario, you end up in the category you booked; in the best case, you get your dream cabin. There is a catch, though. Since you still can’t choose your specific cabin, you could end up in a noisy or otherwise undesirable area of the ship — even if the room is technically an upgrade from what you booked. For example, that great view you think you snagged may end up being blocked by lifeboats.

Join a loyalty program

Cruise lines naturally give upgrade preferences to frequent cruisers who are members of their loyalty programs. It’s easy to join. In fact, you might be a member without even knowing it if your name was added to a cruise line’s email and mailing list after your first cruise with the brand.

As a loyalty program member, look out for promotional deals you’ll receive. Targeted emails and newsletters will alert you to members-only discounts or offers or inform you about upgrades before nonmembers get word. The cruise line might also send you invitations to bid for upgrades or offer discounted upgrades on cruises you’ve already booked.

Additionally, you can rack up points for perks that might eventually include free or discounted upgrades. For instance, if you reach the top Diamond status with Carnival Cruise Line’s Very Important Fun Person loyalty program, you get a one-time free cabin upgrade.

Work with an experienced cruise travel agent

Travel agents, especially those who do a lot of business with a particular cruise line, have a certain amount of pull. Your agent might be able to snag you an upgrade by contacting the cruise line and asking for a favor. You might not know you have been upgraded until you get to the ship, as it will be based on whether or not cabins are available at the last minute.

Your travel adviser can also steer you toward specific cruise lines or sailings where you stand a better chance of an upgrade. Also, your agency could have access to special group rates, meaning you’ll pay a discounted price for that upgraded cabin you desire.

Bid for an upgrade

A few years ago, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and MSC Cruises were among the cruise lines that took a page from international airlines (such as Qantas and Aer Lingus) and began offering bidding programs for upgrades. Luxury river cruise line Uniworld also offers bidding.

An Infinite Veranda cabin on Celebrity Edge. CELEBRITY CRUISES

These online programs are basically silent auctions that only select cruisers (preference is given to loyalty club members) are invited to join. The cruise line sets a minimum bid, and you can go up in price from there.

Your chance of an upgrade might be based on luck, skill or both. The advice from successful bidders is to go up from the minimum, but how much is a personal choice. Some people snag better accommodations for less than $20, some for $100 or more. You don’t pay anything unless your bid is accepted.

Ask once on board

The hotel director on any cruise ship has a certain amount of discretion in moving guests to different cabins. Being bold enough to ask for an upgrade once you are on the ship could pay off.

To try your luck, you’ll want to ask about an upgrade at guest services. Since the crew there will spend embarkation day fielding many questions and complaints from grumpy, travel-weary cruisers, your best bet may be to head to your assigned cabin. Then, wait until the second day of your cruise to ask for an upgrade.

Put on a big smile, be super friendly and ask if there is any chance a better cabin is available. If they don’t offer you an upgrade for free, you might suggest you are willing to pay a small fee.

Mention your special occasion

If you’re celebrating a special occasion — such as a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon — on board, the cruise line or your travel agent can find ways to fete you, including by upgrading your cabin.

When you book your cruise, note in your reservation (or remind your travel agent to note) that you’re celebrating a special event in your life. Whether you are a loyal customer or a first-timer that the cruise line hopes will become a repeat cruiser, you might be rewarded with an upgrade.

This sort of upgrade would typically be a “surprise” that occurs when you check in at the pier, so you can’t plan for it in advance. It never hurts to remind the staff how excited you are to be celebrating on the ship and ask if there is any chance for an upgrade.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.