List of Each Cruise Line Cancellation Policy During Coronavirus Pandemic
Cruising in the time of coronavirus. This is an ugly situation and getting uglier by the day. If you have decided that you want to cancel your cruise, but not sure what you’ll get in return, if anything, we’ve listed nearly every cruise line and their cancellation policy that’s published.
List of Each Cruise Line Cancellation Policy amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Because none of the cruise line coronavirus cancellations or changes offers an actual cash refund, you might want to call this a “rebooking” policy.
Maybe you’ve tried to find a clear path on cruise line websites for their cancellation policy or refund/changes but couldn’t find it. That’s because sometimes the answer is buried three layers deep on their site. If and when the cruise lines alter any existing cancellation policy, we will post the updates in bold type.
Carnival Cruise Line
For cruises booked before March 6, 2020, Carnival states that for March 2020 departures, you have until 3 days before your cruise departure to decide if you want to cancel.
If your cruise is scheduled to depart in April or May 2020, you have until March 31, 2020 to make the decision to cancel.
If you should decide to cancel during this coronavirus outbreak, Carnival is offering future cruise credits (FCC) for those who cancel and are booked on departures until May 31, 2020 to move your reservation to a new date. You will receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of the non-refundable cancellation fee.
Those who still want to cruise on their original departure date through May 31, 2020, Carnival is giving Onboard Credits per stateroom in the following amounts:
$100 per stateroom for 3- and 4-day cruises; $150 per stateroom for 5-day cruises; $200 per stateroom for cruises that are 6-days or longer
The onboard credit will automatically be applied to your onboard account and there’s no need to call Carnival to confirm the credit.
Cruises booked that depart between March 9, 2020 and March 31, 2020 can be moved to a future date up to 3 days before sailing.
The FCC must be used for a sailing that departs on or before March 31, 2021.
- All Future Cruise Credits that will be issued must be used for a sailing that departs on or before March 31, 2021. There is no deadline to book a cruise.
Cunard
If you have a booking that was made before March 11, 2020, and departs before August 31, 2020 and you’d like to keep the booking, Cunard is offering incentives in the form of onboard credits. This will be credited to your on board account. The amount you’ll receive is determined by the length of your cruise.
- 1-3 nights duration: $150
- 4-7 nights duration: $300
- 8-14 nights duration: $600
- 15+ nights duration: $900
If you decide to cruise, Cunard says that you do not need to call their reservations department because your on board credit will be added to your account by the day of departure.
For those who want to cancel their cruise, Cunard has eased up on their cancellation policy during this coronavirus outbreak. If your Cunard cruise departs from now through July 31, 2020, you are able to cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure. However, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any cancellation fees and refunds. The FCC can be applied on any cruise reservation made through December 31, 2021 and redeemed against any Cunard cruise until March 31, 2022.
- If you’re booked on a Cunard voyage sailing through July 31, 2020, you may now cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure.
- Canceled bookings will receive a Future Cruise Credit equivalent to the cancelation fees and refunds will be given on any remaining funds paid.
- The Future Cruise Credit can be used on bookings made through December 31, 2021, and can be redeemed against any Cunard voyage sailing until March 31, 2022.
Disney Cruise Line
It seems like most cruise lines have come up with pleasant names for their own cancellation or rebooking policy during this critical coronavirus pandemic. At Disney, it’s the Temporary Cancellation Policy…straight to the point.
Disney Magic European Sailings
Disney has not yet announced any changes to their European itineraries, but say they are “closely following the situation in Italy.”
Those who are already booked on Disney European sailings through July 25 departures, can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation. You’ll receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for future sailing within 15 months of the original sail date. The credit is non-refundable.
If you are booked on a European cruise that departs July 13, July 18 and July 25, 2020, you can push your final payment up to 30 days prior to sailing.
Those scheduled to depart on Disney Magic up until May 8, 2020, and Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder until May 31, 2020, can change their reservation up until the day before departure and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 12 months of their original sail date.
Again, the credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.
Holland America Line
Over at Holland America, their coronavirus cancellation policy is called, “Cruise with Confidence.” With their policy, you can cancel for any reason and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of the cancellation penalty fee.
Restrictions include:
- Cruise must have been booked in March or April 2020
- Cruise embarks between April 1, 2020 – October 15, 2020
- Cruise is cancelled no less than 30 days prior to sailing
If your booking meets the eligibility criteria, here’s what you have to do to receive a Future Cruise Credit:
- Cancel your booking either through your travel agent or call Holland America Line.
- Submit the Book with Confidence Form and request your Future Cruise Credit. This must be done no less than 30 days prior to sailing.
- Receive email notification that your Future Cruise Credit has been applied in approximately two weeks.
When your Future Cruise Credit has been applied to your account, you will have 90 days to redeem the credit. Call your travel agent or Holland America Line to redeem.
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten now has a new flexible and risk-free rebooking policy:
- For all guests booked on departures between March 12 through June 30 2020, Hurtigruten offers free rebooking to any future Hurtigruten cruise – expedition or Norwegian coastal – from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021.
- The offer is also valid for any new Hurtigruten bookings made by April 30, 2020.
- A changed reservation will be reimbursed as a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 100%. A 10% discount on a future cruise includes fees. If you have booked your flights through Hurtigruten, the voucher also covers your flights.
- Your Hurtigruten Future Cruise voucher will be valid on all Hurtigruten departures – expedition or Norwegian Coastal Voyages – until July 1, 2021.
- If you wish to change your Hurtigruten reservation, you need to notify Hurtigruten.
If you have booked your flight through Hurtigruten: At least 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure
If you arrange your own flights: At least 48 hours prior to your hotel check-in or cruise embarkation (whichever is first).
- The voucher is combinable with all other Hurtigruten offers.
MSC
This Swiss-based cruise line’s cancellation policy, Cruise Assurance Program, allows you to cancel up to 48 hours before your cruise and you’ll receive a Future Cruise Credit to reschedule your cruise.
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Deals/cruise-assurance-program.aspx
This policy was effective beginning March 10, 2020 and applies to cruises that depart on or before July 31, 2020.
If you choose to cancel and reschedule your cruise, a Future Cruise Credit will be given in the amount paid for your current cruise that is valid on any MSC cruise on or before December 31, 2021.
If you choose to cancel your current cruise, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit to reschedule for a future cruise.
The Future Cruise Credit will be for the original value of your cruise. Any pre-paid items will be refunded to the original form of payment.
You will receive an email confirmation with your temporary Future Cruise Credit reference number. Once approved, MSC will email a Future Cruise Credit Certificate within 14 days of the original cruise sailing date.
You can apply your Future Cruise Credit to any MSC cruise departing on or before DEC 31, 2021.
Norwegian
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Peace of Mind assurance cancellation policy applies through 2022.
Beginning on March 10, 2020, if you book a cruise that departs through September 30, 2020 you may cancel up to 48 hours from departure and receive a 100% future cruise credit to be used for all sailings that embark through December 31, 2022.
This offer applies to all individual and groups but not to any chartered cruises booked during that timeframe.
Oceania
With Oceania’s Travelers Assurance Program, you can cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for 100% of whatever cruise fare you already paid.
Here are the rules:
- Valid for all existing reservations for cruises that depart from March 10, 2020 through September 30, 2020
- Valid for all new reservations through April 30th for cruise that depart from March 10, 2020 through September 30, 2020
- Future Cruise Credit is valid for redemption for one year from date of issue for travel departing no later than December 31, 2022
If there’s a price adjustment for the new cruise that’s less that what you paid, you will receive either an onboard credit, a future cruise credit, or an upgrade.
Ponant
This niche cruise line calls their cancellation policy a “Worry-Free Booking” and began on March 9, 2020 Any new booking is fully refundable up to 90 days after making the reservation.
You can make a new reservation with only a 10% deposit. Final payment is due only 30 days before sailing.
You can get a full refund if you cancel before 30 days of departure. Bookings between 29 days prior to sailing and sailing date, the cancellation penalty will amount to 100% of the booking value.
If you choose a future cruise credit for your refund, great! If you ask for a cash refund, you will pay a $250 per passenger administration fee.
Princess
Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corp, follows along much the same lines as Carnival during this time of cancellations due to the coronavirus.
The cruise line has made temporary changes to the cruise and cruise-tour cancellation policy for departures between March 6 and May 31, 2020. Princess has also revised their final payment dates for cruises and Alaska cruise-tours that depart in June 2020.
The details vary by departure date. The following applies to new and existing bookings on cruises and cruisetours in all markets globally.
Departures between March 9 and April 3, 2020
- Cancel up to 72 hours before sailing to automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for 100% of cancellation fees
Departures between April 4 and May 31, 2020
- Cancel by March 31 and automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit for 100% of cancellation fees
As with all the cruise lines, Future Cruise Credits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. They can be used for any new or existing booking that’s not yet paid in full if it departs before December 31, 2021.
After you cancel your cruise, the Future Cruise Credit will automatically be applied to your Captain’s Circle guest account. The FCC may take up to 10 days to show up in your account.
If you decide to not cancel and rebook and are determined to take your cruise that departs before May 31, 2020 you will receive the following amounts of Onboard Credit (same as with Carnival Cruise Line):
- $100 USD / $150 AUD per stateroom for 3 and 4 day cruises
- $150 USD / $225 AUD per stateroom for 5 day cruises
- $200 USD / $300 AUD per stateroom for 6 day and longer cruises
Princess also changed the final payment due dates on June 2020 departures to 60 days prior to sailing. This is for the start of either a cruise or cruise-tour.
Regent
With Regent Reassurance applies to all current booking and all new bookings made by April 30, 2020.
For all voyages embarking on or before September 30, 2020, guests who have paid in full have the option to cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure date. They will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit, to apply to any new booking made within one year on any Regent voyage sailing before December 31, 2022.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara
All under the Royal Caribbean umbrella, all three cruise lines have added their spin on cancellation with the Cruise with Confidence program.
Anyone who is scheduled to cruise on or before July 31, 2020 may cancel their reservation up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the full amount paid.
You can apply these credits to any future cruise that departs on or before December 31, 2021.
That’s all from these three cruise lines.
Silversea
Because Silversea is partially owned by Royal Caribbean, part of their cancellation policy as it applies for coronavirus is not too much different.
As of March 9, 2020, they are taking part in Royal Caribbean’s ‘Cruise with Confidence’ program. Guests on cruises departing before July 31st, 2020 now have the additional option of cancelling their voyage as late as 48 hours prior to sailing, same as with Royal Caribbean.
Silversea’s existing cancellation policy covers cruises that depart between June 1st and December 31st, 2020, while the ‘Cruise with Confidence’ policy covers upcoming voyages in the coming weeks.
Summary of ‘Cruise with Confidence’ policy applicable for existing and future bookings:
Cruises that depart from now until May 31, 2020:
You may cancel your booking up to 2 days prior to departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for the cruise portion of the booking.
But, if you cancel in the last 48 hours before departure, you’ll be penalized 100% of the booking.
For cruises June 1 through July 31, 2020, there are a few options. Cancel up until 30 days prior to sailing date and choose either a 100% cash refund or a 100% Future Cruise Credit for the cruise portion of the booking.
Wait until between 30 days and 2 days prior to sailing and get a 100% Future Cruise Credit. If the cruise is canceled in the last 48 hours before sailing, penalty is 100% of the booking.
Cancellations are subject to a $200 administrative fee.
Cruises that sail between August 1 through December 31, 2020:
Cancel your booking up to 30 days prior to departure and receive 100% cash refund of the money paid to Silversea.
But, cancel inside the last 30 days before sailing and you’ll pay a penalty of 100% of the booking. Plus a $200 administrative fee.
Silversea has a lot of fine print to sift through, so we suggest that you call them, visit their site or ask your travel agent.
Viking
As stated on their website, “As of March 11, 2020, Viking is temporarily suspending operations of our river and ocean cruises, for embarkations taking place between March 12 to April 30, 2020. We believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve after this time and plan to resume operations on May 1, 2020, continuing all further sailings as originally planned.”
We applaud Viking for being the first cruise line we’ve found to announce that they will not cruise for close to 45 days. No cruises. Period.
Viking suggests that those who are booked as well as their travel agents visit MyVikingJourney.com for the latest details regarding each specific cruise, river or ocean.
Virgin Voyages
This long-awaited launch of Virgin Voyages has been scrubbed for now. The cruise line posted that they have decided to postpone the Showcase Tour launch and the inaugural cruise season for Scarlet Lady until July 15, 2020. The “Maiden” Voyage has been rescheduled to August 7, 2020.
For those who’ve booked, Virgin Voyages is offering three options you can choose. The first option is if you don’t want a refund, you will receive 200% Future Voyage Credit based on the amount that you paid. That’s double your money.
Second option is if you decide to use (apply) your Future Cruise Credit to a new cruise and reserve before June 30, 2020, you’ll receive an onboard credit. The amount of onboard credit you receive is determined by the category of stateroom you’ve selected: Suites: $500, Sea Terraces: $300, and Sea Views or Inside: $150.
The third option applies if you decide to totally cancel and want a cash refund. Virgin Voyages will of course refund your cruise fare to your original form of payment and issue to you a Future Voyage Credit equal to 25% of your booked voyage fare to be used on a future sailing.
Windstar
On cruises that depart through December 31, 2021 all cruise cancelation fees collected up to 15 days prior to initial departure will receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of the cancelation fees collected. This excludes fees collected for air transportation and hotels.
The Future Cruise Credit can be applied to any future cruise booking that departs within a year of your cancellation date. As with almost all the cruise lines, Future Cruise Credits are non-transferable and have no cash value.
READ MORE:
List of cruise lines that decided to suspend operations due to coronavirus pandemic / COVID-19.
