Cancellations, Compensation and Refund Policies by Cruise Line

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(Updated May 20, 2020 11:16 a.m. ET) The global cruise industry shut down in mid-March, with each cruise line making independent decisions on when they will return to service and each line crafting their own compensation and refund policies.

We have published a round-up of what you can expect from each cruise line.

READ MORE: How to Use A Future Cruise Credit

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Azamara Cruises

  • Service Suspension: All cruises through June 12, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit toward any Azamara cruise sailing on or before December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Cruise with Confidence: Azamara allows passengers sailing through September 1, 2020, to cancel up to 48 hours prior to the cruise and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any non-refundable penalties that can be used for any Azamara cruise departing on or before December 31, 2021

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line

  • Service Suspension: Grand Celebration sailings through June 12, 2020 and Grand Classica sailings through July 9, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit toward any Bahamas Paradise sailing through December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Sail With Ease Policy: The Sail With Ease Policy applies to any guests currently booked on non-canceled sailings through December 21, 2020, who wish to defer their sailing to a later date through December 28, 2020, up to 24 hours before departure.
  • More Information: https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com/

Carnival Cruise Line

  • Service Suspension:  Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sensation, & Carnival Vista sailings through and including July 31, 2020. Plus, all Carnival Sunrise sailings from New York through 2020; all Alaska sailings through and including June 30, 2020; all San Francisco sailings through 2020; all Carnival Radiance sailings through and including November 1, 2020; all Carnival Legend sailings through and including October 30, 2020.
  • Compensation: Valid for sailings booked by 12/31/2020 and sailed by 12/31/22. 5 Day or Shorter Cruises: Future Cruise Credit plus $300 per Stateroom Onboard Credit. 6+ Day Cruises: Future Cruise Credit plus $600 per Stateroom Onboard Credit
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Incentive to Sail/Flexible Cancellations: For sailings departing June 27 through September 2020, guests will receive a $100 per stateroom Shipboard Credit for sailing as scheduled. If guests choose to cancel their cruise, they can do so at least 30 days prior to sailing and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any non-refundable penalties
  • More Information:  https://www.carnival.com/health-and-sailing-updates; https://cruiseradio.net/carnival-extends-cruise-cancellation-compensation-period/

Celebrity Cruises

  • Service Suspension: All sailings through June 12, 2020; Alaska sailings through June 30, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit toward any Celebrity Cruises sailing on or before December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Cruise with Confidence: Celebrity allows passengers sailing through September 1, 2020 to cancel up to 48 hours prior to the cruise and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any non-refundable penalties that can be used for any Celebrity cruise departing on or before December 31, 2021
  • More Information: https://www.celebritycruises.com/travel-alert/voluntary-suspension-of-cruising 

Costa Cruises

  • Service Suspension: all sailings through June 2, 2020; select ships have additional cancelled cruises
  • Compensation: Future Cruise Credit
  • Refund: No information provided. Contact Costa for details
  • More information: https://www.costacruises.com/cruising-soon.html

Crystal Cruises

  • Service Suspension: cruises through mid-May
  • Compensation: A Future Cruise Credit for 125% of the cruise fare paid will be issued, valid for any Crystal cruise experience (Ocean, river, yacht or expedition) valid for sailings through December 31, 2022
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • More information: crystalcruises.com/health-and-safety-hub

Cunard Line

  • Service Suspension:  all cruises through July 31, 2020; Alaska sailings on Queen Elizabeth through September 8, 2020
  • Compensation: A Future Cruise Credit equal to 125% of the cruise fare paid will be issued, valid on any Cunard sailing through March 31, 2022, when booked by December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment within 60 days.
  • Revised Final Payment Due Date: Cunard has modified the final payment date for cruises sailing between August 1 and September 30, 2020 to be 60 days before sailing, and cancellation penalties do not apply until the new final payment date.
  • More information: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/contact-us/travel-health-advisories

Disney Cruise Line

  • Service Suspension: all cruises on cancelled through July 27, 2020.
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit for any Disney Cruise Line sailing within 15 months of the original sailing date
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • More information: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/advisory/

Holland America Line

  • Service Suspension: all cruises through June 30, 2020; all Alaska, Europe, and Canada/New England cruises in 2020; 79-night Grand Africa voyage sailing October 3, 2020
  • Compensation: Guests will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit for the base cruise fare paid, plus guests on cruises with an announced cancellation date prior to May 6, 2020, will receive a $250 per person Onboard Credit; guests with paid in full bookings on canceled sailings announced on May 6, 2020, will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit for the base cruise fare paid; guests with bookings not paid in full will receive a Future Cruise Credit for double the amount of the deposit paid, with a minimum value of $100 and a maximum amount of the base cruise fare.
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment. For guests whose sailings were canceled on May 6, 2020, they have up to June 15, 2020, to select the refund option
  • Book with Confidence: For sailings on or before July 31, 2020, guests can cancel up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit in the amount of cancellation fees; guests sailing August 1 through October 15, 2020, who booked March 1 to April 30, 2020, can cancel up to 30 days before sailing to receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit in the amount of cancellation fees
  • More information: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/coronavirus-travel-advisory/BookWithConfidence.html

MSC Cruises

  • Service Suspension: through July 10, 2020
  • Compensation: Passengers can receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit for the entire cruise fare paid, valid on any MSC Cruise sailing on or before December 31, 2021.
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Cruise Assurance: Passengers sailing through September 30, 2020, can cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit for the cruise fare paid, valid on any MSC cruise through December 31, 2021.
  • More information: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Changes-COVID19.aspx

Norwegian Cruise Line 

  • Service Suspension: all sailings through July 31, 2020.
  • Compensation: All guests with current and active bookings through July 31, 2020, will automatically receive their refund in the form of a future cruise credit valued at 125% of the fare paid.
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment ninety days after the request for a refund has been submitted.
  • Guests with active reservations on canceled Norwegian Sun Sailings from August 13 through October 18, 2020, will not be eligible for an FCC and will be automatically issued a 100% refund.
  • Peace of Mind Guarantee: It has extended its temporary “Peace of Mind” policy through November 30, 2020. Guests are free to cancel anytime up to 48 hours in advance of embarkation. Anyone choosing to cancel will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit to be used for sailings that embark through December 31, 2022.
  • More information: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence#suspendedsailings

Oceania Cruises

  • Service Suspension: through May 10, 2020
  • Compensation: Guests with active reservations on these canceled sailings as of the dates listed above have been provided with a 125% Future Cruise Credit of the amount paid, which can be applied to an existing reservation or any new reservation made within one year for an Oceania voyage between now and December 31, 2022.
  • Refund: Eligible guests may choose a refund equal to the amount paid.
  • Cruise Assurance: for all existing and new reservations made by May 31, 2020, on Oceania Cruises voyages embarking on or before December 31, 2020, guests who have paid in full have the option to cancel up to 48 hours prior to the departure date and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit.
  • More Information: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/assurance

P&O Cruises

  • Service Suspension: all cruises through July 31, 2020
  • Compensation: A Future Cruise Credit equal to 125% of the cruise fare paid will be issued, valid on any P&O sailing through March 31, 2022, when booked by December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment within 60 days.
  • Holiday Flexibility: If you’re booked on a P&O Cruise sailing between August 1 and 31, 2020, you can cancel up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 110% of the fare paid.
  • More Information: https://www.pocruises.com/travel-health-advisories

Princess Cruises 

  • Service Suspension: all cruises through June 30, 2020; all 2020 Alaska cruises; all summer 2020 Europe and Transatlantic cruises; Summer 2020 Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess; summer and fall cruises in Japan on Diamond Princess; Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess cruises in Australia through August 2020; July cruises from Taiwan on Majestic Princess; Hawaii and French Polynesia cruises on Pacific Princess through November, 2o2o
  • Compensation: Depending on their sail date, paid-in-full guests are eligible for a 100 percent future cruise credit, plus a bonus future cruise credit, good for sailings through May 1, 2022; for guests not paid in full, Princess will issue a Future Cruise Credit for “Double the Deposit” with a minimum value of #100
  • Refund:  All guests have the option of a 100% refund.
  • Cruise Assurance: Depending on their sail date, guests can cancel from 48 hours to 30 days before sailing to receive a future cruise credit.
  • More information: https://princess.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3IPGcxcN0jSk6c5 

Regent Seven Seas 

  • Service Suspension: through May 10, 2020
  • Compensation: Guests with active reservations on these canceled sailings as of the dates listed above have been provided with a 125% Future Cruise Credit of the amount paid, which can be applied to an existing reservation or any new reservation made within one year for a Regent voyage between now and December 31, 2022.
  • Refund: Eligible guests may choose a refund equal to the amount paid.
  • Cruise Assurance: for all existing and new reservations made by May 31, 2020, on Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyages embarking on or before December 31, 2020, guests who have paid in full have the option to cancel up to 48 hours prior to the departure date and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit.
  • More Information: https://www.rssc.com/request-refund/

Royal Caribbean

  • Service Suspension: all sailings through July 31, 2020.
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit toward any Royal Caribbean cruise sailing on or before December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • Cruise with Confidence: Royal Caribbean allows passengers sailing through October 31, 2020, to cancel up to 48 hours prior to the cruise and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any non-refundable penalties that can be used for any Royal Caribbean cruise departing on or before December 31, 2021
  • More Information: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates

Seabourn

  • Service Suspension: all sailings through June 30, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit, valid on any future Seabourn sailing through December 31, 2021
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
  • More Information:  https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/news/pause-global-cruise-operations.html

Silversea

  • Service Suspension: Silver Cloud sailings through May 18, 2020; Silver Wind sailings through Mat 12, 2020; Silver Shadow sailings through May 13, 2020; Silver Spirit sailings through May 16, 2020; Silver Muse sailings through July 1, 2020; Silver Whisper sailings through May 24, 2020; Silver Explorer sailings through June 6, 2020; Silver Galapagos sailings through May 15, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Credit, valid for two years from the date of issuance
  • Refund: Guests can elect to receive a 100% refund of the fare paid to be reimbursed to the original form of payment within 90 days.
  • More Information:  https://www.silversea.com/information-on-itinerary-changes.html

Viking Cruises 

  • Service Suspension: through June 30, 2020
  • Compensation: 125% Future Cruise Vouchers
  • Refund Policy: Guests may choose a refund equal to the amount paid by calling Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or your Travel Agent by April 6, 2020.
  • More Information: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/current-sailings/index.html

Virgin Voyages 

  • Service Suspension: through August 7, 2020
  • Compensation: 200% in Future Voyage Credit, which you can apply to another sailing rather than a refund. That’s double the value of your existing voyage fare. If you use your Future Voyage Credit before June 30, 2020, we’ll sweeten things even more with up to $500 in onboard credit.
  • Refund Policy: A full refund of your voyage fare and a Future Voyage Credit equal 25% of the booked voyage fare to be used on a future sailing. All refunds will be applied to your original form of payment within 30 days.
  • More Information: www.virginvoyages.com

Windstar Cruises 

  • Service Suspension: through September 1, 2020.
  • Compensation: Guests on canceled cruises will receive the choice of (1) a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of all monies paid to Windstar Cruises; (2) on select canceled cruises, a Future Cruise Credit valued at 100% of all monies paid to Windstar Cruises plus an onboard credit for $300.
  • Refund: A full refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking to the original form of payment.
  • Cruise with Confidence Policy: Travelers who cancel a cruise booking up to 15 days prior to departure will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit to be used on another Windstar departure within one year of the issue date of the credit. The offer is good for the cruise fare only.
  • More Information: https://www.windstarcruises.com/travel-health-advisory/

(Updated: April 24, 2020, 5:35 p.m. EDT)

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