Royal Caribbean Pushes Back Final Payment Deadline and Extends Cruise with Confidence Policies

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Last Friday, Royal Caribbean extended some policies to increase flexibility for guests during the pandemic.

Final Payment Due 30 Days Prior

For guests sailing through March 2022, the final payment is now due 30 days prior to sailing. Previously, the final payment extension was valid for cruises through January 2022. During normal times, the final payment is due 90 days prior.

Guests who booked directly through Royal Caribbean received an email with this news. People who booked through a travel agent may or may not receive this news passed along from their agent. Regardless, the 30-day payment window applies to all cruises departing through March 31, 2022.

Presumably, this extra deadline gives people more time to evaluate the Covid situation close to their departure date. However, Royal Caribbean can still change on-board protocols closer to the time of sailing.

Cruise with Confidence

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence has also been extended through April 2022. This policy allows guests to cancel a cruise up to 48 hours in advance with no penalty in exchange for a future cruise credit. So even if guests don’t have travel insurance, they can get a cruise credit if they fall sick in the week leading up to the cruise.

Another part of Cruise with Confidence is the ability to re-price the cruise up to 48 hours in advance. This doesn’t happen automatically; guests must call their travel agent or Royal Caribbean if they notice a price drop on the website. If final payment has already been made, guests will receive the difference in an on-board credit.

Covid-19 Assistance Program

Along with the above changes, Royal Caribbean also extended its Covid-19 Assistance Program. This program gives guests a full refund if anyone in their party tests positive for Covid in the 14 days leading up to their cruise. It also provides a partial refund if anyone gets Covid while on board. For guests who get sick on board, the program covers medical and quarantine costs during and after the cruise.

Overall Thoughts

All of this is great news for cruising fans. Other cruise lines don’t have quite the same flexibility. Disney Cruise Line, for example, requires final payment 60 days prior. Royal Caribbean’s Q3 financial performance missed expectations, and the occupancy rate was only 36%. Obviously, the company wants to do everything it can to ensure customers keep their reservations.

My family has a cruise booked on Royal Caribbean in early 2022, so I am happy to see these policies extended. I personally think that because of all of the protocols in place. cruising is a relatively safe way to travel right now.

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