Virgin Voyages’s Level Upgrade program is one of the most underutilized savings tools available to Sailors — a bid-based upgrade system that allows you to move from your booked cabin category to a higher one at below-list pricing, starting approximately 45 days before your sailing. If you have booked a Sea View or Sea Terrace and have your eye on a RockStar suite, the Level Upgrade program may be your most affordable path to getting there.
How Level Upgrade Works
Starting around 45 days before your sailing date (and available up to 48 hours before departure), you will receive an invitation to bid for an upgrade to a higher cabin category. The bid is a minimum amount per person per night added to your existing fare. You set your bid, Virgin Voyages reviews all bids against available inventory, and successful bidders are notified before sailing.
The program is available to all fare types including Lock It In and Base — even Sailors who cannot change their cabin normally can still bid through this program. Check out Wave Season Deals: How to Get 80% Off a Second Sailor on Virgin Voyages.
Which Upgrades Are Available
Level Upgrade bids are structured by cabin category step. Common upgrade paths include: Sea View to Sea Terrace, Sea Terrace to RockStar Quarters, and RockStar Quarters to Mega RockStar Quarters. Virgin Voyages does not offer bids for every sailing or every cabin category — availability depends on how much inventory remains in higher categories as the sailing date approaches.
How to Bid Strategically
Virgin Voyages does not publish the minimum winning bid amounts, but the community has developed general guidance through shared experiences:
- Bid meaningfully above the minimum. The minimum bid is set by Virgin Voyages; bidding just at the minimum rarely wins. A bid 20-40% above the minimum has a significantly higher success rate.
- The sweet spot for RockStar bids from Sea Terrace is typically $200-$400 per person total. This varies by sailing and availability, but this range is where successful bids have been most frequently reported.
- Monitor your email starting at 45 days. Bid invitations do not always arrive at exactly 45 days — check your email and Virgin Voyages app in the 45-30 day window before sailing.
- You are not committed until the bid is accepted. You can submit a bid and continue enjoying your booked cabin. If the bid is not accepted, nothing changes. There is no penalty for submitting an unsuccessful bid.
Level Upgrade vs. Direct RockStar Booking
For popular sailings where RockStar availability is limited, booking a RockStar cabin directly (rather than bidding) gives you certainty and the full 120-day dining window that comes with RockStar status. The Level Upgrade path trades certainty for potential price savings. If you absolutely must have a specific RockStar suite layout or need the 120-day dining window, book directly.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- Set a calendar reminder for 45 days before your sailing. That is when your bid invitation will arrive. Being ready to bid immediately gives you the best odds on the most competitive upgrade categories.
- Bid on RockStar upgrades from Sea Terrace, not from Sea View. The farther apart the cabin categories, the larger the minimum bid requirement. Sea Terrace to RockStar is the most commonly successful and most value-efficient upgrade path.
- Even a Base fare Sailor can bid. The Level Upgrade program bypasses the normal fare flexibility restrictions. It is the only upgrade path available to Lock It In and Base fare Sailors after booking.
Ready to Bid?
As certified First Mates, Joel and Erin can advise on realistic bid ranges for your specific sailing and cabin category based on current community data.
Book your Virgin Voyages cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and aim for a suite at below-suite pricing
