2021 is already heating up to be a fantastic year for travel! After a year of being cooped up, people are ready to get out there and travel again. I am right there with you! Unfortunately, there is still so much uncertainty on what the rest of this year and even next year will look like. So why is now the right time to think about planning your Royal Caribbean Cruise? Royal Caribbean is on top of their game in providing assurance for travelers. Royal Caribbean has been on top of innovation in the cruise industry and that isn’t changing anytime soon. Beyond great ships, great food, and great entertainment we are going to talk about some of the programs going on right now to help you feel at ease about booking your vacation package.
**UPDATE**
Royal Caribbean has extended our popular Cruise with Confidence policy to allow cancelations up to 48-hours prior to sailing in exchange for a 100% Future Cruise Credit when your clients book on or before November 30, 2020 on sailings through April 30, 2022. That’s an additional two months of flexibility and security!
Royal Caribbean has extended and enhanced its “Cruise With Confidence” program and today we are going to break down how it benefits you!
What is Royal Caribbean’s Cruise With Confidence Program?
At the beginning of the Coronavirus situation, Royal Caribbean put out it’s Cruise With Confidence program. The program allowed guests the option to cancel up to 48 hours prior to their vacation start date and, in turn, receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to sail at a later time. This was originally eligible for all departures setting sail from now through July 31, 2020. It has since been enhanced and extended several times and with this newest extension, it applies to any sailing booked on or before September 30th sailing through April 2022. You will have until December 2021 or 12 months from the date of cancellation (whichever is further) to redeem the future cruise credit.
Now let’s take a look at some additional information along with some of the enhancements we have seen.
Lift and Shift
This enhancement came out in May and has been very popular. If you decide to move your cruise to the same time next year, within a 4-week window, Royal Caribbean will honor your pricing and promotions. This will need to be used on the same itinerary type, room category, and sailing length. This is a great opportunity to lock in your current pricing and promotions by moving your sailing out a year.
Best Price Guarantee
Another enhancement that we saw added to Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence program is the Best Price Guarantee. What that means is if you book your package by September 30, 2020, you are automatically eligible for the Best Price Guarantee program. If any promotion comes out before the final payment that applies to your cruise and situation you are eligible for that new promotion and pricing. If a new promotion comes out after the final payment you will receive the difference in an onboard credit.
This is a huge perk and incentive to book now!
Refunds
Under Royal Caribbeans Cruise with Confidence program If you cancel your cruise before the final payment, you are eligible for a refund minus any non-refundable deposits. If you cancel after final payment and choose not to take the future cruise credit outlined above you are subject to normal cancellation fees.
Canceled Cruises (Canceled by the cruise line)
This is something we are all hoping we don’t have more of. Unfortunately, we don’t know if we have seen the last of these. You need to be aware of how Royal Caribbean is handling canceled cruises due to Coronavirus. Royal Caribbean has a few options for you.
- Future Cruise Credit – You will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of 125% of cruise fare and must be redeemed prior to December 31, 2021 on sailings through April 2022. Taxes and fees are refunded to the original method of payment.
- Refund – You will receive 100% refund to the original method of payment. Refunds can take up to 45 days from request.
- Lift and Shift – You are able to move your cruise to a sailing at the same time next year. See Lift and Shift above.
Future Cruise Credit Redemption
If you have been issued a future cruise credit on a canceled cruise now is the time to redeem. Redeem before September 30th to take advantage of the Cruise with Confidence program. Contact your travel professional today and we will help you find the perfect itinerary.
If you did not use a travel agent to book the original cruise, it’s not too late to get a professional’s help. We can help you use your future cruise credit! One of the amazing travel professionals at Wish Upon Afar would love to help you navigate all of the policies and book the perfect itinerary. Make sure to lock in all the protections available to you by booking by September 30th.
We want to hear from you! Are you ready to get back out on the open water? Is it a little too soon for you? Visit to our Facebook page and let us know.
Whether you are ready to book using a future cruise credit or you are ready to book a new cruise contact us to get started planning.
We Exist to provide each client with a highly knowledgeable travel professional dedicated to providing personalized service with attention to even the smallest detail.