Cruise enthusiasts have always dreamt of the elusive "upgrade fairy," but Norwegian Cruise Line's Upgrade Advantage program adds a touch of predictability to the upgrade game. It lets passengers bid on various stateroom categories with the hope of securing a better cabin at a discounted price. It's a bit like a game of chance, and just as in a casino, understanding the rules increases your odds of success.
In essence, Upgrade Advantage is a program where eligible guests receive an email inviting them to bid on a stateroom upgrade. Those interested are directed to a dedicated webpage displaying the categories available for bidding. A sliding scale shows the bid amount, and a color-coded meter indicates whether the offer is considered poor, fair, good, strong, or excellent.
It might seem straightforward, but there are some essential things to know:
Not Everyone Gets Invited: The number of bid offers sent out depends on the ship's size and the availability of stateroom categories. If you're traveling in a group with multiple staterooms booked, you might receive an offer. However, others in your party, even if they have similar staterooms, may not.
Not All Bids Are Accepted: Even if your bid is accepted, family members in connecting staterooms might not have their bids accepted, even if they place the same bid.
Two Category Upgrades: You can bid to upgrade up to two categories. For instance, if you have an interior stateroom, you can bid on an ocean view or balcony stateroom. Balcony stateroom guests can bid on a mini-suite or Haven stateroom.
Bid Amount Doubled: When placing a bid, the dollar amount is per person for double occupancy. So, if your bid to upgrade from an inside cabin to a balcony is $700, you'll be charged $1400 if your bid is accepted. A higher bid increases your chances of success.
Locked In Once Accepted: Once your bid is accepted, your credit card is immediately charged, and the payment is non-refundable. You can modify or cancel your bid as long as it hasn't been accepted.
No Additional Promotions/Perks: When you bid for an upgrade, you retain the perks associated with your originally booked stateroom, not the upgraded one. For example, guests booking interior rooms generally receive one promotional perk, while balcony room guests typically get two perks.
Why Bidding Might Not Be for Everyone:
The process is relatively straightforward and can lead to great deals, but there are reasons to think twice, especially if you prefer meticulous planning:
Lack of Control: You won't have control over the specific stateroom you'll be assigned when your bid is accepted. This means you might end up above a nightclub, below a bowling alley, or in an excellent location. If you like to have control over your surroundings, this might not be the best option.
Last-Minute Acceptance: Bid acceptance can occur anytime, even at the last minute, which might not suit travelers who prefer to plan their trips weeks in advance. If you meticulously plan your ship-to-buffet route, the Upgrade Advantage program might not be the right choice for you.
Read the FAQ here: https://www.ncl.com/nz/en/content/upgrade-advantage-faq