Royal Caribbean Overbooks Cruise From Miami Over July 4th

Royal Caribbean sent out emails to some guests who are booked on an upcoming cruise from Miami asking for volunteers to move to a different sailing.

While airlines are well known to overbook flights due to no shows, cruise lines from time to time also find themselves in a situation where they need to have guests move to a different sailing.

Some guests who are booked on the July 2, 2026 sailing on Freedom of the Seas out of Miami were notified about compensation offers if they had flexible travel plans. The cruise line gave them the option of keeping their cruise or choosing from two generous offers.

So what were the offers that they were given?

Offer 1

The first offer was to move to a different departure date in a few weeks on the same ship and itinerary. In exchange, Royal Caribbean would give them a full refund of their cruise fare, excluding taxes and amenities.

They can sail in a similar stateroom category or choose a lower category booking for a $300 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom.

Royal Caribbean would also reimburse for any non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses.

If a guest used a Future Cruise Credit to book their cruise, they will refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount and issue a new certificate.

Offer 2

The second offer was to cancel the booking and not only receive a full refund but also a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100% of what they paid. The refund would be returned to the original form of payment within two weeks.

Royal Caribbean would also reimburse guests for any non-refundable travel expenses such as flights and hotels.

The Future Cruise Credit will be good for one year on any Royal Caribbean sailing.

If a guest used a Future Cruise Credit to book their cruise, they will refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount and issue a new certificate.

The two offers are first come, first served and were subject to availability. Royal Caribbean said that if a guest put in for one of the two offers, they would hear back by July 1, 2026. If not, then they would take the sailing in their original cabin on July 2.

The four-day sailing that departs on July 2, 2026, on Freedom of the Seas from Miami has port stops in CocoCay and then in Nassau on July 4, 2026.