I never saw RCCL offer free upgrades when booking a cruise. Check the prices on all catagories; you'll be surprised how little it cost to upgrade. If you're looking for the best price, check out the "Hotdeals" on RCCL's web site. It all depends on the sail date, and how full the ship is. For example, on a 7 night sailing, I got a balcony cabin on deck nine on the Mariner for Sept 2nd, and paid around $1,450 for both my wife and I. Our August 10th price for only three nights in a oceanview cabin, is a whopping $1,050 for the two of us. The Sovereign happens to be full. I would never pay that much for any 3 or 4 night cruise, but, I'm using my RCCL credit card points, so the cruise is free.
Sonny