Cruise Cancelled, What Happens Now?
Embark on your cruise adventure with confidence, equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle any unexpected situation, like the recent Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise cancellation. This comprehensive guide covers the importance of cruise travel insurance, preparing for potential disruptions, and managing unforeseen events. Learn to maximize your onboard experience with exciting activities and entertainment, navigate local customs, and ensure your safety throughout your journey. Elevate your cruise experience with expert tips and insights, transforming setbacks like canceled cruises into opportunities for new adventures.
What to Expect If Your Cruise Is Cancelled
A recent Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise was cancelled after guests boarded. The “Radiance of the Seas” was supposed to start a week-long trip from Vancouver, but problems with the ship’s engines meant that the cruise had to be delayed and then canceled altogether.
The ship had been in port for two days when the captain told the passengers they had to get off by Sunday at 4 p.m. Royal Caribbean promised guests a full refund and a $900 credit for a future trip.
Guests had a mixed responses. Some people, like a blogger on the Royal Caribbean website, chose to see the bright side and explored the lively city of Vancouver. Others, like guest Charlene Chong, were upset and cancelled their future plans with Royal Caribbean.
What Type of Cancellation Refund Can I Get?
For some fare packages, you have to pay a nonrefundable deposit when you book. You won’t get that deposit amount back at any point after you send it. There are other fees that you should also look out for when booking your cruise that could significantly decrease your refund if you choose to cancel your trip.
Cancellation on a Cruise or Cruise Tour
If you cancel your cruise or tour booking before the scheduled sail date, you may incur a cancellation fee. The table below shows how much the cancellation fee you incur could be. The fee changes based on when the Operator receives the cancellation notice before the sail date.
Here are the tabulated cancellation policies for Royal Caribbean cruises:
1 to 4 Night Cruises (including Holiday sailings)
| IF CANCELLATION IS MADE | CANCELLATION CHARGE |
| 75 days or more prior to the first day of the Cruise | No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts) |
| 74 to 61 days | 50% of total price |
| 60 to 31 days | 75% of total price |
| 30 days or less | 100% of total price (No refund) |
5 Nights or Longer Cruises (including Holiday sailings and Cruisetours)
| IF CANCELLATION IS MADE | CANCELLATION CHARGE |
| 90 days or more prior to the first day of the Cruise | No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts) |
| 89 to 75 days | 25% of total price |
| 74 to 61 days | 50% of total price |
| 60 to 31 days | 75% of total price |
| 30 days or less | 100% of total price (No refund) |
When plans are made outside of the US and Canada, there may be a different cancellation policy. For more information, call your neighborhood office or a travel agent.
Refunds For Delayed Trips
If your cruise line cancels a trip or delays boarding by three (3) days or more and you decide not to go on the delayed trip or a different trip they offer, you can get your money back or credit for a future cruise (FCC). The normal procedure is to give you credit for a future cruise, but you can request a refund instead.
Refund requests must be made within six (6) months of either the cancellation date or the departure date.
Remember that this rule does not apply to people who have planned chartered sailings. If you were scheduled on a chartered sailing that was canceled or whose embarkation was delayed by three (3) days or more, you need to call the third-party seller who sold you the cruise. They can help you with refunds or future credits, especially in cases like the recent Alaska cruise cancelled by Royal Caribbean.