If your Royal Caribbean cruise was cancelled as a result of the voluntary global suspension of cruising, you have the choice of a Future Cruise Credit or getting a full refund.
There are advantages of both options, but if you are interested in a refund, here is what you need to know.
How long do you have to decide if you want a refund or a credit?
Royal Caribbean wants to provide its guests the greatest flexibility when choosing between either compensation offer.
Even if you opt for a future cruise credit, you have a certain amount of time to change your mind and opt for a refund instead. Royal Caribbean would prefer you take the future cruise credit, but they do provide a means of changing your mind up until a certain point.
- If your cancelled sailing was on-or-before March 14 - May 11, refunds must be requested on-or-before December 31, 2021 and will be processed approximately 30 days after the request is submitted.
- If your cancelled sailing was between May 12 – June 11, 2020, refunds must be requested on-or-before December 31, 2020 and will be processed approximately 45 days after the request is submitted.
Keep in mind that even if you take a future cruise credit, taxes, fees, and prepaid gratuities will be refunded to the original form of payment automatically.
How to request a refund
If you know you want a refund, there are two methods you can employ to get the process started on processing it.
If you booked through a travel agent, my advice is contact them and ask them to do it for you.
Alternatively, Royal Caribbean provides a self-service form that you can fill out and submit your refund request. This form is good for requesting refunds of a cancelled sailing, as well as opting into the Cruise with Confidence program.
You will need a few details to complete the self-service request:
- Booking ID
- Ship
- Sail Date
- Last Name
When can I expect refunds for shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage package, and other add-ons?
For sailings departing on-or-before April 10, 2020, once the reservation is cancelled, refunds can be expected within 30 days.
For sailings departing April 11 – May 11, 2020, guests had the option to select a 125% onboard credit to be used on a future sailing, in lieu of a refund. This option was available, if desired, through April 8, 2020, and has since expired. The fulfillment of both options is currently underway and can be expected within 30 days of request date.
For sailings departing May 12 – June 11, 2020, guests can elect to convert their purchases into an onboard credit valued at 125% of the amount paid via the Cruise Planner tool. You must opt-in to take advantage of this option on-or-before Monday, May 4, 2020 – at which time the offer will expire.
Thereafter, all guests who did not opt-in for the elevated onboard credit will automatically receive a refund to the original form of payment. Please allow 45 days for processing. This offer is applicable to individual reservations, as well as individuals within a Group.
Can I change my mind later and opt for a future cruise credit instead of a refund?
Yes, if the refund has not yet been processed, the compensation offer can revert back to a Future Cruise Credit.
What if my cruise isn't cancelled yet? Can I request a refund?
If your cruise has not been cancelled yet, you have a few choices that will depend on when your sailing is scheduled.
If you have not reached your final payment date, you can always cancel your cruise to get a refund, subject to the usual Royal Caribbean policies on how to cancel a cruise.
If your cruise is on or before September 1, 2020, you can take advantage of the Cruise with Confidence program to get a 100% future cruise credit.
