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Upgrading your cabin on Regent Seven Seas Cruises can turn an already luxurious journey into something truly exceptional. Whether you want more space, better views, enhanced service, or just different amenities, Regent offers multiple paths to move up from your original booking. In this article, we explore in detail how to upgrade, when to ask or bid, what to expect, and how to maximize value.
When traveling with Regent Seven Seas, there are several ways to upgrade your cabin. Some are promotional, some are via bidding or direct purchase, and some are client- or loyalty‑based. Below are the main upgrade routes.
One of the simplest ways to upgrade is by contacting Regent or your travel agent and asking about paid cabin upgrades. This involves:
Checking current availability in higher categories.
Obtaining the fare difference plus any applicable taxes or fees.
Confirming the payment and being reassigned to the better cabin.
This route gives you the flexibility to choose what you want and when you want it, though the cost might be higher if fares in upper categories are in demand.
Regent runs an upgrade‑bid program (Upgrade Advantage) that allows eligible guests to place offers to move into a higher suite. Key features:
You submit one or multiple bids for the suite category you prefer. rssc.com
If your bid is accepted, you pay the upgrade amount as an addition to your original fare. rssc.com
If not accepted, you stay in your original cabin with no charge. rssc.com
This system can yield upgraded cabins at lower cost than booking the higher category directly, depending on how much people are bidding and what availability is left.
Regent periodically runs promotions that offer free suite upgrades, often two categories up, or combinations of upgrades plus additional benefits (reduced deposit, shipboard credit, etc.). Some of the promotions include:
Upgrade Your Horizon: Free 2‑category suite upgrade up to Penthouse Suite, plus reduced deposits and sometimes savings on selected sailings. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News+2es.rssc.com+2
Valentine’s Day or special seasonal offers: They might bundle upgrades with shipboard credits. es.rssc.com+1
Promotional upgrades are usually capacity controlled and subject to availability.
If you are a member of Regent’s loyalty program (Seven Seas Society), or you booked via a recognized travel agent, or you’re an Regent Ambassador, you may receive upgrade offers or better terms in promotions. Some perks you may get:
Earlier notifications of upgrade opportunities.
More favorable upgrade bids or “first dibs” on special offers.
Combining loyalty‑savings with promotional offers.
Timing and strategy matter a lot when you want to secure an upgrade at the best value.
At booking: If you spot a promotional offer (like “Upgrade Your Horizon”), it might already include free upgrades or reduced rates. Booking early ensures you have a greater chance of securing a good cabin.
After booking, but before final payment: Sometimes fares in higher categories drop, or Regent releases more inventory. You can monitor and ask whether Regent will allow you to move up by paying the difference.
Closer to sailing: Many upgrade offers via bidding or upgrade advantage are triggered when Regent determines what cabins are unsold as sail date approaches. At this point, offers might be more economical.
Before you try upgrading, confirm:
Whether your existing booking class is eligible (some promo fares might be restricted).
Whether upgrade‑offers or bid programs apply to your ship, itinerary, and suite category.
Deadlines for promotional offers or bid submissions.
Whether taxes, service charges, or other fees differ in higher categories.
If using the Upgrade Advantage / bid system:
Wait for Regent to send you a notification that the upgrade bidding is open (often by email).
Review what suite options are available to bid into.
Submit one or multiple bids; you may bid for different categories to increase chances. rssc.com
If successful, you’ll be informed via email; the extra charge is applied. If not, you retain the original suite with no extra cost.
Even for upgrades outside formal promotions:
Ask your travel agent to monitor fares and alert you if higher category fares drop.
Call Regent’s customer service for upgrade availability and cost (sometimes they have unpublished inventory or special prices).
Be polite and clear about what you want; sometimes the agent can offer more flexible terms or incentives.
Upgrading has benefits, but there are also costs or trade‑offs to think through. Knowing these helps you decide whether and when to upgrade.
The cost of upgrading is not just the difference in base fare; often there are additional taxes, port fees, or service charges that change with suite category.
If upgrading via bid, you pay the bid amount (which includes what Regent expects to make in revenue), not just a “discounted difference.”
With promotional free upgrades, sometimes there is a higher deposit, or cancellation penalties are stricter.
Upgraded cabins generally provide:
More square footage, larger balconies, more storage space.
Better views (higher deck, less obstructed).
Enhanced amenities: e.g. in‑suite service, better toiletries, perhaps a butler (in Penthouse or higher suite categories).
Priority in dining, excursions, or embarkation/disembarkation in some cases.
Weigh whether you will use the extra amenities. If your time on the ship is limited, the benefit might be less.
Higher cost: Even with an upgrade, the price might still be significantly more than what you initially budgeted.
Location trade‑offs: Sometimes better suites are higher up or farther forward or aft, which may have motion, wind, noise, or vibration differences.
Limited availability: You may not get the ideal suite or deck; sometimes upgrade offers come with fewer options to choose from.
Cancellation or change penalty: Promotional bookings often have stricter terms. Upgraded cabin bookings might not be refundable or changeable without penalty.
When you move up in suite category, especially to high end ones, the perks multiply. Examples include:
Complimentary pre‑cruise hotel nights in embarkation city (in many promotions for Concierge or higher). es.rssc.com+1
Butler service in Penthouse suites. es.rssc.com
Additional shipboard credit offers when bundled with upgrade promos. es.rssc.com+1
Enhanced deposit terms (reduced deposit) as part of some promos. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News+1
If you want to get the best possible cabin upgrade without paying more than necessary, these strategies can help.
Sign up for Regent Seven Seas’ newsletter or alerts to learn about “Upgrade Your Horizon” and similar promotions.
Watch for wave‑season offers or off‑season deals.
Travel agents can sometimes access exclusive deals or know of upcoming promotions before the general public.
If your travel dates are flexible, you might find better promotions on less popular sailings or ships.
Choosing less popular departure dates (midweek departures or shoulder season) often yields better cabin availability and upgrade options.
If you are part of Seven Seas Society, see what loyalty upgrades or perks are available. Better loyalty status may allow preferential access to upgrade offers.
Ask if your loyalty status allows combining offers (for example promotional upgrade + loyalty discount + agent offer).
If using the bid program, placing bids on more than one suite category may improve your chances of getting some upgrade even if your first choice is not accepted.
Bid amounts should be thoughtful: not too low (unlikely to be accepted), not ridiculously high (defeats the value), but enough to compete. Research typical upgrade premium.
Keep an eye on when bidding windows open. Sometimes Regent sends these out far ahead; sometimes closer to sailing.
Closer to sailing date, inventory may be more available, increasing your chance. But also risk that popular suites are already sold.
Once boarding is near, sometimes on‑board upgrade options may be available if there are unsold suites—but expect higher costs.
Before committing, ask:
Is the upgrade cost worth what you’re getting (extra space, butler, views)?
Will the perks (e.g. pre‑cruise hotel, extra amenity) compensate enough to make the upgrade valuable?
Will you spend enough time on board to enjoy the upgraded suite’s amenities?
To make all this more concrete, here are examples of how people have upgraded, what costs and perks were involved, and what to watch out for.
Suppose you’ve booked a Concierge Suite on a sailing that qualifies under the “Upgrade Your Horizon” offer. You receive notice (or see in promotion) that for bookings between certain dates, you get a free 2‑category suite upgrade up to Penthouse Suite, plus 50 percent reduced deposit. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
You make the booking, pay the reduced deposit, and your booking is automatically upgraded (no need to bid or negotiate). A higher suite means better amenities, likely better location, maybe butler service if you reach Penthouse.
Trade‑offs: Your cancellation or change policies might be more restricted due to the promo. If you later change itinerary or cancel, you may lose more.
You have already booked a Master Suite, but you’d rather have a Penthouse or Distinctive Suite. Regent notifies you that bid upgrades are open for your voyage. You submit a bid for the Distinctive Suite, another for the Penthouse, with amounts you are comfortable paying. Weeks later, your bid for Penthouse is accepted. You pay the bid amount, get the suite, and enjoy elevated amenities.
You saved compared to booking the Distinctive Suite outright earlier. But you might not have gotten view or deck preferences if inventory is limited.
You’re already on board or close to sailing, and notice unsold higher category suites. You ask Regent (or guest services) whether you can switch. Sometimes this works, especially if the ship realizes they have empty cabins. But cost will likely be higher, as the cruise line may still try to maximize revenue.
Also, options might be limited: you may not get preferred deck or exact location.
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