Royal Caribbean Launches Cabin Upgrade Bidding Program

(10:33 a.m. EST) -- Starting November 28, Royal Caribbean cruisers will have the opportunity to bid on an upgrade to a higher cabin category.

Called "Royal Up," the program will only be available on select sailings. When it is available, people booked on the sailing will be notified via email and given a chance to browse through a list of staterooms available for an upgrade. Cruisers can then select the dollar amount they are willing to pay for the upgrade and submit their "bid."

Each cabin category, from oceanview to the highest-level suites, will have an associated minimum upgrade bid, and bidders must put a credit card number on file when bidding. If the bid is accepted the card will be charged right away. Bids are priced per person and based on two people per stateroom, but only the first two guests in the room will be charged even if more are sailing.

Cruisers will be notified by email if their bid was accepted at least two days before sailing.

The line recommends interested cruisers make bids across multiple categories in order to increase their chances of success.

Royal Caribbean is not the first cruise line to offer an upgrade bidding program. Norwegian Cruise Line introduced its program, Upgrade Advantage, last January.