One of the most common questions about virgin voyages lock it in upgrade bids is whether these restricted-fare bookings can participate in the Level Upgrade program at all. The answer is yes — Lock-It-In (GTY) bookings are fully eligible for upgrade bids on Virgin Voyages, including bids into RockStar and Mega RockStar Suites. The only cabin excluded from upgrade bidding fleet-wide is the Massive Suite. This guide explains exactly how Lock-It-In fares interact with the upgrade bidding system, what restrictions still apply, which upgrades you can target, and the smartest bidding strategies for sailors on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady.
A Lock-It-In fare is Virgin Voyages’ version of a GTY (guarantee) cabin booking. Instead of selecting a specific cabin number, you choose a cabin category — Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, or even RockStar Suite — and Virgin Voyages assigns the specific cabin number closer to your sailing date. In exchange for giving up cabin selection control, you get a lower fare than booking a specific cabin directly.
Lock-It-In restrictions include no manual cabin changes (Sailor Services cannot move you to a different cabin without repricing the entire booking), no MNVV eligibility, and reduced flexibility overall. The fare is essentially non-refundable and non-modifiable in the traditional sense. This is the trade-off for the lower price — less control, more savings. Compare the full details in the Base tier vs Lock-It-In guide.
Despite the restrictions on manual cabin changes, Lock-It-In bookings can participate in Virgin Voyages’ Level Upgrade bidding program. This is because upgrade bids operate through a separate automated system that does not count as a manual cabin modification. The distinction is technical but important:
This means a sailor who booked a Lock-It-In Sea View can bid for a Sea Terrace, a RockStar Suite, or even a Mega RockStar Suite (except the Massive Suite). The upgrade path is wide open as long as inventory exists.
Virgin Voyages’ Level Upgrade program allows you to bid on any cabin category higher than your current booking, with one exception. Here is the full upgrade path available through virgin voyages lock it in upgrade bids:
From Lock-It-In Insider, you can bid for:
From Lock-It-In Sea View, you can bid for:
From Lock-It-In Sea Terrace, you can bid for:
From Lock-It-In RockStar, you can bid for:
The Massive Suite is the only cabin type that cannot be reached through the upgrade bidding system, regardless of your starting cabin or fare type.
Virgin Voyages sends upgrade bid invitations via email, typically 14 to 21 days before your sailing date. You can also check eligibility directly through the Virgin Voyages website using your booking confirmation number. Here is how the process works step by step:
If your bid is not accepted — either because it was too low or no inventory was available — nothing changes. Your original Lock-It-In booking remains intact with no penalty.
Bidding strategically increases your chances of winning an upgrade without overpaying. Here are the tactics experienced sailors use:
Bid on less popular sailing dates. Sailings with lower occupancy — early-season voyages, repositioning crossings, and mid-week departures — have more upgrade inventory available. Your bid is more likely to be accepted when there are empty cabins in higher categories.
Bid slightly above the minimum. Minimum bids rarely win on popular sailings. Adding 20 to 40 percent above the minimum significantly improves your odds without approaching full upgrade pricing. For a RockStar upgrade, even a modest bid can unlock Richard’s Rooftop access, 120-day dining windows, and a stocked in-room bar.
Target the category just above yours. Bidding one category up (Sea View to Sea Terrace, or Sea Terrace to RockStar) has a higher acceptance rate than jumping multiple categories. The smaller the gap, the more likely Virgin has inventory to fill.
Check your Sailor Loot balance. If you win an upgrade to a higher category, you may unlock additional onboard perks like Bar Tab credits or better WiFi inclusions depending on whether the upgrade includes a fare tier change. Factor these added perks into your bid value calculation.
Winning an upgrade bid from a Lock-It-In booking can transform your cruise experience. Here is what changes at each level:
Sea View to Sea Terrace: You gain a private balcony — arguably the single biggest quality-of-life improvement on any Virgin Voyages ship. On sea days and transatlantic crossings, the balcony becomes your personal retreat.
Sea Terrace to RockStar: You unlock Richard’s Rooftop, priority boarding, a stocked in-room bar, a dedicated RockStar Agent, and a 120-day dining reservation window. The Mega RockStar Bar Tab on higher suites adds unlimited drinks.
RockStar to Mega RockStar: You gain unlimited drinks (no Bar Tab needed), daily Redemption Spa access, and complimentary Work from Sea WiFi with two devices. These suites — Gorgeous, Posh, and Fab — represent the peak Virgin Voyages experience.
Understanding how virgin voyages lock it in upgrade bids work changes how you plan your entire booking. The smartest approach is to book a Lock-It-In fare at the lowest category you are comfortable sailing in, then use the upgrade bidding system to try for something better. If the bid wins, you get a premium cabin at a discount. If the bid loses, you still sail in a perfectly good cabin at the lowest available price.
This strategy pairs well with other savings tactics. Since Lock-It-In fares are already discounted, any upgrade bid you place starts from a lower cost basis than a standard fare booking. Sailors who combine a Lock-It-In booking with a well-timed upgrade bid often end up in a cabin category they could not have afforded at full price. The key is setting your bid amount at a level where the total cost — Lock-It-In fare plus winning bid — still represents meaningful savings over the full price of the higher category. A Serious Sailors travel advisor can help you calculate the break-even point and recommend a bid amount that maximizes your value. Note that Lock-It-In bookings cannot use MNVV credits, so factor that into your decision between Lock-It-In and standard fares.
Yes. Lock-It-In bookings in every cabin category — Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, and RockStar — are eligible for upgrade bids. The only cabin that cannot be reached through bidding is the Massive Suite, which is excluded from the upgrade program entirely.
No. If your bid is not accepted, your original Lock-It-In booking remains completely unchanged. Your cabin assignment, fare, and all other details stay the same. There is no penalty for placing a bid that is not accepted.
Invitations typically arrive 14 to 21 days before your sailing date via email. You can also check the upgrade portal on the Virgin Voyages website using your booking confirmation number at any time during that window.
Yes. You can bid on any higher category including RockStar and Mega RockStar Suites (except the Massive Suite). Jumping multiple categories is allowed — the system processes all eligible bids based on inventory availability and bid amount.
Virgin voyages lock it in upgrade bids are fully supported across every cabin category. The automated upgrade system operates independently from Lock-It-In fare restrictions, meaning you can bid for Sea Terrace, RockStar, or Mega RockStar upgrades regardless of how you originally booked. Combined with the lower Lock-It-In fare, upgrade bidding creates one of the best value strategies on Virgin Voyages — pay less upfront and take a shot at a premium cabin for a fraction of the full price. Book a Lock-It-In fare on your next sailing and keep an eye on your inbox for the upgrade bid invitation.
