Royal Caribbean is set to implement a new cancellation policy April 8.
According to the unofficial Royal Caribbean Blog, the policy changes are aimed at encouraging guests to finalize their bookings earlier, with Royal Caribbean saying the adjustments “were decided upon in an effort to better align with industry standards and to make the schedule simpler and more concise.” The changes will impact individual, NextCruise and group reservations created on or after April 8.
Here’s a rundown of the changes:
For cruises of one to four nights (including holiday sailings), the charge for cancellations 74 – 61 days out from departure will now be 50 percent, as opposed to the deposit amount for cancellations 74 – 43 days out under the old system. The charge will be 75 percent for cancellations 60 – 31 days out, and 100 percent for 30 days or less; that’s a longer time window than the previous 75 percent charge for bookings 28 – 15 days out and 100 percent for 14 days or less.
On cruises of five nights or longer, including holiday sailings and cruisetours, the higher cancellation charges will likewise extend farther out from the sail date. Guests will now be charged 25 percent for cancellations 89 – 75 days out; 50 percent for cancellations 74 – 61 days out; 75 percent for cancellations 60 – 31 days out; and 100 percent for cancellations 30 days or less. Under the old system, guests were charged the deposit amount for cancellations 89 – 57 days out; 50 percent at 56 – 29 days out; 75 percent at 28 – 15 days out; and 100 percent at 14 days or less.
Related Stories
Carnival Corp. Supports Fight Against Bermuda’s Same-Sex Marriage Repeal
Royal Caribbean Cancels Radiance of the Seas Cruise