Are you getting the best deal for your cruise? Let's understand what the rates mean ensuring the best deal if you need to cancel for unforeseen events.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity introduced non-refundable rates for lower pricing compared to the original refundable rates during the pandemic and now it has been updated. This pricing will save you money but there are some gotchas as Meemaw would say. And it's not your nose.
Refundable Rates
Available on all sailings
Combinable with many promotional offers
Can be transferred into an existing group.
Refundable up until final payment.
Can change ships and sailings without any cancel fees.
Non-Refundable Rates
Available on all sailings
Combinable with many promotional offers like the
Can be transferred into an existing group.
A change fee of $100 Per person if you change your ship or sail date without exceptions. It does not apply if you change category like going from an inside cabin to a balcony cabin.
There is no limit on the $100 per person change fee.
Travel Insurance would cover the non-refundable deposit provided that you paid for Travel Insurance at the time of booking the non-refundable rates. BUT it still would not cover the change fee.
If the reservation is canceled before final payment, Royal Caribbean/Celebrity will issue a Future Cruise Credits (FCC) for the deposit minus the $100 pp change fee. The FCC will expire in one-year of the issue date and it is not transferrable. After the expiration date, the FCC will be voided and forfeited.
Other cruise lines offer non-refundable deposits where no deposit portions are refundable. This may include name changes as well.
Holland America
Princess
Luxury cruise lines charge an Administrative Fee after a deposit is made on top of other cancellation penalties. The confirmations will state the cancellation fee schedules.
Regent Seven Seas $100 per person
Viking Cruises $100 per person
Oceania Cruises $250 per person
Silversea $100 per person