Royal Caribbean has announced a new Non-Refundable Deposit Program that will be launched fleet-wide on July 1, 2017.
However prior to the full launch on July 1, this new program will be seen on select ships and sailings. So what is this new program from Royal Caribbean?
Cruisers will have the choice to choose the Non-Refundable Deposit Program when booking a cruise more than six months before sailing. Those that do choose this fare will receive up to $100 in onboard credit. The best part is that the early booking credit is combinable with the existing promotional offer available at time of booking, offering you the ability to stack on additional savings for the best deal out there.
- Cruises 1-5 nights: $25 on board credit for interior/ocean view, $50 for balcony and suites
- Cruises 6+ nights: $50 on board credit for interior/ocean view, $100 for balcony and suites
When booking a cruise, the Non-Refundable Deposit fare will default to the Best Rate whenever available, as it will always be priced lower than the Regular Brand Promotion.
In an effort to deter continual or late ship/sail date adjustments, a change fee of $100 per guest will be imposed to all reservations booked under a nonrefundable deposit fare that opts to change either the ship and/or sail date originally selected. Such fees will be incurred, without exception, at time of change.
Multiple adjustments to the ship and/or sail date of a booking will result in the assessment of a $100 per guest change fee for each qualifying change made to the reservation. There is no limit on the number of change fees that can be incurred.
Outside of final payment, when a nonrefundable deposit cancellation occurs, you will receive a Future Cruise Certificate in the amount of the designated cruise deposit, less the $100 per guest change fee. Such Future Cruise Certificates can be applied towards your future Royal Caribbean cruise vacation when reserved within 1 year of the issue date. Thereafter, the Future Cruise Certificate will expire and becomes invalid.
Nonrefundable deposit fares are combinable with promotional onboard credit offers, Crown & Anchor discounts, and NextCruise benefits. Such fares are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, standard group, interline, travel agent, travel agent friends & family, net as well as weekly sales events and shareholder benefits.
This is unacceptable,if instituted I will no longer be cruising with Royal Caribbean.I can’t see why they feel the need for this policy…as far as I know and see sailings are sold out,it is not like they lose bookings.
Really! People have lives, things come up requiring schedule changes. $100 change fees?
they keep doing takeaways……i always book on board to get the 100 deposit and wait for the new sail dates to arrive, therefore changing my cruise….i book the day the new sailings are released….i may find another line if they are gonna keep nickel and diming me
Terrible policy. Might need to change cruise lines.
We pay good money to cruise.
Enough is enough.
I agree that it’s terrible, but fortunately it’s optional (at this point).
On the other hand, if you’re the sort of person who books a cruise and never changes the reservation, then it could be a good deal.