Want a bigger cabin without paying the full price difference? Virgin Voyages lets you bid on an upgrade through a program called Level Upgrade. You name the price you're willing to pay, and if Virgin accepts, you move up. Here's how bidding works, when you'll be invited, how payment works, and how to bid smart.
Details in this guide reflect Virgin's Level Upgrade terms as of October 2026 and are subject to change.
A bigger cabin might be one bid away. Here's how Virgin's Level Upgrade works.
What Is Level Upgrade?
Level Upgrade is Virgin's upgrade bidding program. Instead of paying the full fare difference for a higher cabin, you submit an offer for what you'd pay to move up. Virgin reviews each offer on its own and decides whether to accept it based on availability.
Virgin runs the bidding through a partner called Plusgrade, so you'll see that name on the bidding site and on your card statement if your bid is accepted.
Who Can Bid
Most cabins can bid. Every category except the Massive Suite can be upgraded, depending on what's available on your sailing.
You have to be invited. Virgin decides which sailings and bookings get invitations. You'll get an email when your booking can bid.
How you booked doesn't matter. Bookings made direct, through a First Mate, or through another agency can all be invited.
Check your eligibility anytime on Virgin's Level Upgrade page with your last name and booking number.
If you have a Lock It In booking, it's worth checking the Level Upgrade page too. Lock It In sailors have been invited, though invitations aren't guaranteed.
When Bidding Opens and Closes
There's no set date when bidding opens. It varies by sailing, and some open months ahead while others open closer to departure.
Change or cancel your bid up to 72 hours before you sail, as long as it hasn't been accepted.
Most accepted bids are confirmed about 48 hours before sailing.
You'll know by 48 hours before departure at the latest. Virgin notifies you by email.
How Bidding Works
Open the Level Upgrade page from your invitation email or Virgin's website.
Choose the cabin category you want.
Set your offer using the slider. Your offer is for the whole cabin, not per person or per night.
Add your card. Virgin places a $1 authorization hold to verify it, which is released once you get your result.
Wait for the email. If your offer is accepted, you're moved to the new category.
You can bid on more than one category at once, like a Sea Terrace upgrade and a suite upgrade. Only one can be accepted, so you'll only ever pay for one.
Virgin doesn't share what the winning bids are, so there's no way to know exactly what will win.
How Payment Works
You're only charged if your offer is accepted. The full amount is charged right away to the card you used.
Future Voyage Credits can't be used to pay for an upgrade.
If your card is declined, you have 24 hours to update it.
Financing: if you used Uplift, you'll need to reapply for a new loan that covers the upgrade.
Travel insurance: if your upgrade raises the cost of your Voyage Protection, you pay the difference.
What Happens After You're Upgraded
Your fare perks come with you. Your Base, Essential, or Premium perks carry over to the new cabin.
Upgrading to a RockStar suite? You get that suite's perks and policies instead, including the RockStar amenities. See Are RockStar Quarters Worth It?
Your current promotions stay. You won't get any new promotions tied to the higher category.
Accepted upgrades are final. They aren't refundable unless Virgin cancels your sailing and can't give you the same category on the new one.
Your cabin is assigned by Virgin. You can't pick the exact cabin you're upgraded into.
Upgrading as a Group
One bid covers everyone in the cabin. One person submits the offer for the whole booking.
Separate cabins bid separately. If you're traveling with friends in different cabins, each cabin bids on its own, and some may be accepted while others aren't.
Adjacent cabins aren't guaranteed after an upgrade, so this can split up a group that booked side by side.
Bidding vs. Paying for an Upgrade
Bidding isn't the only way to move up. More than 120 days before your sailing, you can change your cabin category, up or down, if there's space. After that, you can still pay to upgrade up to 48 hours before sailing.
The difference:
Paying the fare difference guarantees the upgrade, and I can choose your exact cabin for you.
Bidding can cost less, but there's no guarantee, and Virgin assigns the cabin.
If a specific cabin or location matters to you, paying for the upgrade is usually the better move. See the Virgin Voyages Cabin Guide for help choosing.
Tips for Bidding
Don't expect the minimum to win. On popular sailings, the lowest offers rarely get accepted.
Bid what the upgrade is worth to you. If you'd be disappointed to pay it, bid lower.
Compare against the paid upgrade price. If your bid is close to the actual fare difference, paying may be the better deal, since you'd get a guaranteed cabin.
Turn off ad and pop-up blockers if the bidding page says you're not eligible. Blockers can stop the page from loading correctly.
Use an email you check. You can't change the email after you submit, and that's where your result goes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bid for an upgrade on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. Virgin's Level Upgrade program lets invited sailors submit an offer to move to a higher cabin category.
When will I know if my Virgin Voyages upgrade bid was accepted?
Most are accepted about 48 hours before sailing. You'll be notified by email no later than 48 hours before departure.
Am I charged if my bid isn't accepted?
No. Only a $1 authorization hold is placed, and it's released once you get your result.
Can I cancel my upgrade bid?
Yes, up to 72 hours before departure, as long as it hasn't already been accepted.
Can I get a refund on an accepted upgrade?
Generally no. Accepted upgrades are final unless Virgin cancels the sailing and can't offer the same category on the new one.
Can I bid on a suite?
Yes. Every category except the Massive Suite can be part of Level Upgrade, depending on availability.
Can my travel agent bid for me?
You submit the bid yourself through the Level Upgrade page, but I'm happy to help you decide whether to bid or pay for a guaranteed upgrade.
Want a Guaranteed Upgrade?
Request a free quote and I'll price out the upgrade, choose your exact cabin, and stack every offer you qualify for, at the same price as booking direct.
