Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will now enable guests to bid on a potential accommodation upgrade ahead of their departure.
The luxury river cruise line has rolled out the new program, called Category+, allowing guests to place a bid on potential stateroom or suite upgrade. Dozens of airlines and ocean cruise lines offer a similar program to upsell unsold seats and suites.
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Powered by Plusgrade, Uniworld guests will be invited to browse staterooms and suites still available on their cruise in a higher category than they originally booked, and then place an offer. Bids may be placed on multiple available staterooms to increase upgrade chances, but guests will only pay for their upgrade if it is accepted.
“At Uniworld, we’re always looking for new ways to elevate our guests’ river cruise experience,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “We’re thrilled to be the first river cruise line to work with Plusgrade in providing an upgrade program of this nature.
“Our new Category+ stateroom program will give our guests an opportunity to add even more luxury to their vacation at a price point of their choosing, risk-free,” Bettridge said.
Any upgrade is only valid on the cruise portion of an itinerary, and not on any land portion or hotel accommodation. The location of the cabin will be based on availability, and Uniworld will not guarantee a specific stateroom number assignment within the upgraded category.
Once an offer is either accepted or declined, the guest will be notified via email and immediately charged the amount of their offered bid. If the guest originally booked their cruise with a travel advisor, that advisor will also receive commission on that additional amount.
Bids may be cancelled or modified up to 5 days prior to departure provided that an acceptance has not already been made, and Uniworld will notify guests of acceptance no less than 3 days prior to sailing.
To learn more about Category+, see uniworld.com/au/already-booked/category-plus.
Lead image: S.S. Bon Voyage in Libourne, France.