These past few weeks have certainly generated encouragement for the cruise industry with the announcements of the progressive return to sailing from a variety of locations around the globe! In just a few short months, Royal Caribbean will begin setting sail from exciting new homeports in Israel, The Bahamas, Bermuda and Cyprus. These events are the perfect steppingstone as we continue to build our destination portfolio and expand our global footprint with a broader array of cruise offerings for you and your clients.
With opportunity comes responsibly, so to ensure full preparedness for a healthy and safe return to cruising, Royal Caribbean has made the tough decision to further extend our operational pause through June 30, 2021. Exceptions to this include our Singapore sailings onboard Quantum of the Seas, China sailings departing after May 27, 2021, Israel departures on our newest game-changer – Odyssey of the Seas, and also Adventure of the Seas from The Bahamas and Vision of the Seas from Bermuda.
We understand that news of further suspensions is disappointing so, for guests booked on impacted departures and not previously canceled under our Cruise with Confidence program, the following choices are available to them:
LIFT & SHIFT
- Our Lift & Shift option is perfect for guests who simply wish to move their existing reservation to next year, while protecting their original cruise fare and promotion. Select a qualifying cruise in 2022 on the same itinerary, sailing length, embarkation port, stateroom category and departing within +/- 2-weeks of the original cruise date and then give us a call. We’ll take care of the rest! But act quickly as this option expires on April 22, 2021!
125% Future Cruise Credit
- To compensate for the disruption to guest’s vacation plans, they are eligible for an elevated 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that is based on the total cruise fare paid per guest, which will be automatically issued on or before May 13, 2021 if no other option is selected. Taxes and fees, as well as any pre-purchased amenities or onboard packages, will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment within 45 days from the cancelation date.
If guests previously opted to take advantage of our Cruise with Confidence policy, the 100% FCC will stand, and this new option is not available to them. Additionally, if guests redeemed their Cruise with Confidence Future Cruise Credit on a sailing that is now canceled, their original FCC will be reinstated, plus 125% of any amount paid by the guest on the canceled reservation.
REFUND
- If guests would simply prefer a refund, we are happy to return the funds paid per guest when selecting this option on or before June 30, 2021. To request the refund, contact your Travel Agent or RCL is booked on your own. Guests can expect their refund to the original form of payment within 45 days from the cancelation date. To ensure guests are selecting the best possible option for their vacation, there is no need to rush — the 125% Future Cruise Credit will remain active until the refund request is submitted, at which time it will be deactivated.
It’s our hope that by working with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and our partner cruise lines, we can soon resume a safe and healthy operation, sailing from the United States. In concert with CLIA, we are petitioning the CDC and U.S. policymakers to remove the Conditional Sail Order and allow cruising to resume along with other travel and hospitality industries. CLIA has launched a “Ready Set Sail” campaign to raise our collective voice. We ask you to please join the Group and cruise-related industries in this movement to take our industry forward. Visit the CLIA Action Center and leverage the easy-to-use tools to ask your senators and representatives to make resumption of cruising an urgent priority. Hopefully by combining our voices and love of cruise vacations, we can see the safe return of our ships to US homeports in the near future.
We will continue working tirelessly each and every day to once again offer your clients the best vacations possible. Thank you for your ongoing support and continued partnership!
Stay healthy and safe!
Source: Royal Caribbean