Sunday, March 31, 2024

Royal Caribbean removes future cruise credit expiration dates

royal caribbean future cruise credit

In most cases, cruise lines do not allow FCCs to cover the cost of prepaid shore excursions and drink packages. Your travel advisor will be able to assist with the exact "extras" that your FCCs will cover. Royal Caribbean has changed a rule about how guests can use their future cruise credits (FCC) to make it much easier if you have leftover credit.

royal caribbean future cruise credit

Can I use the future cruise credit to book more than one sailing?

If you're looking to taste your way across both at a discount, consider purchasing a specialty dining package onboard or ahead of your sailing via the Cruise Planner app. These packages allow you to enjoy the ship's specialty restaurants at special prices. If you'd rather stick to free dining on Utopia of the Seas℠ for a more "all-inclusive" cruise experience, you'll still have all of these wonderful options. We’re happy to announce that we’ve focused on simplifying things for you and your clients with only one date to remember — Book and Sail by April 30th, 2022! This includes all unredeemed FCCs generated as a result of a suspended sailing, the Cruise with Confidence program, and non-refundable deposit credits issued after March 16, 2020.

Royal Caribbean Ship Cancels Cruise Departures Out of Israel - Cruise Hive

Royal Caribbean Ship Cancels Cruise Departures Out of Israel.

Posted: Sun, 08 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Free Things To Do Onboard Utopia Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean International has notified guests of a change in expiration to its Future Cruise Credits (FCCs), many of which were issued during the global suspension of cruise operations. Royal Caribbean has made those future cruise credits you have accrued over the last two years easier to use. FCCs cannot be used toward flights when cruise lines allow customers to book directly with the airlines through their flight programs.

Future Cruise Credit Expiration Dates: Do I Need to Worry?

It got rid of expiration dates on all future credits offered under its Cruise With Confidence program. This now-defunct program allowed passengers to cancel cruises at the last minute without penalty when the line first returned to cruising after the pandemic-induced shutdown. Many travelers still hold future cruise credit, which they received when their booked cruises were canceled during the pandemic when the cruise industry shut down for more than a year. The program allows customers to get their money back in the form of future cruise credit if they choose to cancel for any reason, up until 48 hours prior to sailing. All Disney Cruise Line FCCs issued due to COVID-19 currently expire September 30, 2022. They may be used to pay for any new or existing booking and though they have no cash value, are refundable for the value of the original cancelled cruise if you are unable to use them before the expiration date.

He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. Prior to this policy change, guests with a FCC would be required to put a cash deposit down first on a new reservation, and then apply a FCC to the reservation. It gives them the flexibility to cover a variety of purchases with the unused credit, so it's easier to use up the total amount. Plus, the onboard credit is refundable, according to Royal Caribbean, so should travelers manage not to spend it all, they'll get the remainder back.

Learn About Reward Programs

With the suspension of cruise operations lasting much longer than originally expected, Royal Caribbean has made the decision to simplify its Future Cruise Credits program. There’s only one simple date to remember moving forward which guests will be happy about. Royal Caribbean has steadily pushed back expiration dates for FCCs given out during the pandemic.

Royal Caribbean removes future cruise credit expiration dates

Travelers would have to book a second cruise (and pay the majority out of pocket) or forfeit some of the money they paid. If the FCC has already been issued, you cannot revert back to a cash refund. In the future, if your cruise needs to be canceled, you can try requesting a refund, which the cruise lines consider on a case-by-case basis. Royal Caribbean is giving guests an additional three months of cruises to choose from when using their future cruise credit.

Once the voucher has been issued and redeemed it cannot be re-issued and any unused credit is lost, making it impossible to split across multiple cruises. Guests deemed to be at risk of having COVID-19 at embarkation are offered the opportunity to re-book their cruise for a later date. As of June 1, 2022, Royal Caribbean announced that all unredeemed future cruise credits (FCC) offered under the Cruise with Confidence program will no longer expire. Windjammer Marketplace is one of the best free restaurants on Utopia of the Seas℠ if you're looking to keep things casual. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, this buffet-style restaurant features plenty of seating at all hours of the day and stations that offer a jaw-dropping selection of rotating international culinary delights. You'll find some tried-and-true favorites that are available each day of your sailing, but you could also dine on something different during every visit.

Learn About Credit Cards

Several cruise lines will allow FCCs to be transferred to another person, but it's also important to note that they have no cash value and often times only one transference is allowed. It is best to consult with your travel agent regarding the cruise line policies regarding transferring FCCs. Future Cruise Vouchers offered by Viking can be used within 24 months of date of issue on any Viking cruise, river, ocean, or expedition.

Picture dishes like buttery escargot, succulent Maine lobster tail, tender filet mignon and even classic spaghetti Bolognese. If you're traveling with little ones, don't worry — the main dining room also offers a menu curated especially for kids. Dining here is complimentary, with very few exceptions — such as an extra charge for lobster on non-formal nights. There’s now less confusion and more simplicity with Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The cruise line sent out an update to travel agents about just one simple date that needs to be remembered – Book and Sail by April 30, 2022. The new date has also been updated on the latest Royal Caribbean travel advisory for guests.

After 2 cancelled cruises, Royal Caribbean cruise ship will resume sailings - Royal Caribbean Blog

After 2 cancelled cruises, Royal Caribbean cruise ship will resume sailings.

Posted: Sun, 10 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In either case, a voucher code is provided that can be redeemed for the value of the sailing. The FCC compensation amount for impacted sailings is based on the total cruise fare paid at the guest-level and is exclusive of taxes, fees, and prepaid gratuities which are being refunded to the original form of payment. Holland America FCCs are set to expire on December 31, 2021, but that's a book-by date, not a sail-by date.

FCCs may be used across multiple bookings and may be eligible for a one-time transfer to someone other than the original passenger. There currently are no limits on the number of times an FCC amount can be re-used in cases where re-booked cruises are also cancelled. Future cruise credits were given to guests as a kind of voucher to represent the amount paid for a cruise. Guests either elected to receive them in lieu of a refund when Royal Caribbean cancelled a cruise, or took them when they decided to cancel a cruise reservation during the pandemic. The change applies to future cruise credits a guest has received during the pandemic between 2020 and early 2022. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.

Located on Deck 6 in the ship's alfresco Boardwalk® neighborhood, this fast-casual hot dog spot serves up a variety of artisanal brats inspired by foodie capitals. Quantum of the Seas sailings have already resume out of Singapore and Cruise Hive has already reported on the false positive. The Spectrum of the Seas out of China are also excluded from the suspension. The cruise line has suspended sailings through February 2021, Cruises won’t resume until March at the very earliest and it will be a phased-in return to service. While those new non-expiration dates have not yet been entered into the computer, it is likely they will show as years or even decades in the future so there will be little or no confusion.

If you booked with a travel agent, then your travel agent can request the FCC transfer. Yes, any FCC issued is "owned" by the guest, and is never attached to any agency until it is applied to a booking. FCCs are managed online in the guest's account and can be split across multiple cruises. Cruising these days means more flexibility is needed on everyone's part. Changes can happen on very short notice, from last-minute itinerary changes due to shifting port regulations, to your own COVID-19 test results on embarkation day.

All qualifying FCCs will be updated automatically, with no need to action anything on your end. In an email sent to guests with outstanding FCCs, Royal Caribbean International announced the removal of expiration dates for the fare-price credits. The bonus amount above fare credits, however, will still expire on the original expiration date. Prior to this week, Royal Caribbean would reissue the leftover amount as new future cruise credit.

Many cruisers have questions about how a Future Cruise Credit works, and I did some digging to find answers. We dug into the details offered by the major lines regarding the use of Future Cruise Credits. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog.

Royal Caribbean extends window of time to use future cruise credits through end of 2022

royal caribbean future cruise credit

For me, nothing beats a delicious taco tray or cheesy burrito during a pool day — especially when it's complimentary. It's why I end up enjoying lunch at El Loco Fresh®, a fast-casual Tex-Mex eatery, during most of my sea days. You'll find all kinds of shareable options here, including a nacho tray that's perfect for enjoying with friends or family. This means when guests are booked by the end of April 2022 or even a sailing before then, they can take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s 125% Future Cruise Credit.

If I booked through a travel agent, will the credit be sent to the travel agent or to me directly?

No cruise is complete without a night of belly laughs at the onboard comedy club. On Utopia of the Seas℠, that club is called The Attic, and admission is free. This adults-only hotspot can hold a candle to some of the best clubs in Manhattan and Chicago.

Award vs. cash calculator

Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. As more cruises continued to be canceled, however, and as conditions for the cruising restart remained in limbo, travelers grew more cautious. Growing economic turmoil and less virtual work flexibility has also made it challenging for some travelers to redeem their credits, especially if they accrued several FCCs from multiple canceled cruises. Got a future cruise credit from a canceled cruise with Royal Caribbean that you're having trouble spending?

Computer Updates to Still Show Expiration

Ultimate Abyss℠ first made waves for being the longest dry slide at sea. It spans 10 stories and stretches 43 feet longer than any other before it. And that's not all — the ship's Ultimate Abyss℠ also has zoom booster rollers and see-through racing windows that make the ride even more thrilling than ever. Drop by Café Promenade on Deck 5 in the morning, afternoon or at night for brewed coffee, lattes and cappuccinos paired with tasty pastries and other quick-and-easy bites. Another complimentary returning favorite you'll find on Utopia of the Seas℠ is Boardwalk Dog House.

Hopefully today's change will give these folks more time to find the right way to redeem it for them. This strategy allowed the cruise lines to stay afloat, but it also has left lots of FCCs out there. Your FCC will be attached to your cruise line loyalty information or rewards profile — the VIFP Club at Carnival, for instance, or Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society. If you never registered with the cruise line or you do not have a loyalty account, your FCC information will be emailed to you on the email address you provided when you originally booked your cruise.

royal caribbean future cruise credit

But during the COVID-19 pandemic, some lines have extended the "use by" dates for future cruise credits several times. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises recently said their pandemic-era future cruise credits would never expire. Now with the change in policy, when cruisers use their future cruise credits to book sailings, any remaining credit will be transferred into onboard credit. No, once you know you're about to get a future cruise credit for a canceled cruise, you can go ahead and reserve your next cruise immediately.

"Starting today, for qualifying bookings and certificates, Royal Caribbean will convert any remaining balance from Future Cruise Credit into Onboard Credits instantly," the company said in a statement emailed to TPG. "This means that any value left at the time of redemption is automatically added as a refundable onboard credit for FCCs redeemed in full." Some cruise lines require you to pay for a deposit and use your FCC towards the balance. Some cruise lines require you to use all of your FCC at once or forfeit the overage — so, if you don't use it, you lose it. Others will apply whatever amount you want to a booking and issue a new FCC for the balance. Future Cruise Credits are an option for guests who either choose to cancel their cruise up to 48 hours before the sail date via the Cruise with Confidence program, or have their cruise cancelled by Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Announces Schedule for 2025-2026 Bookings - Cruise Hive

Royal Caribbean Announces Schedule for 2025-2026 Bookings.

Posted: Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Lots of credits out there

The change in policy not only applies to Royal Caribbean International, but also Celebrity Cruises. All other FCC types remain unchanged and will continue to enforce the expiration date noted on the Future Cruise Credit. Royal Caribbean hopes this change will provide more flexibility for anyone with a FCC, as most FCCs were set to expire at the end of 2022.

royal caribbean future cruise credit

The smoked pulled pork sandwich is at the top of my must-try list, followed by the cheeseburger flatbread drizzled with secret sauce. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), make sure you save room for The Spare Tire's daily rotating selection of desserts. Come back for seconds and thirds throughout your pool day — every bite is included in your cruise fare. Delicious dining options play a big role in every Utopia of the Seas℠ sailing. The ship offers a mouthwatering selection of free restaurants onboard, serving up tantalizing cuisine from around the world. There are 21 total restaurants onboard, including both complimentary and specialty dining options.

Cruises selected for use with the FCCs should sail by December 31, 2022. They may be split among multiple cruises and are accessible in the guest's online account. There currently are no limits on FCCs used for bookings that are later cancelled, other than the final expiration date. The current book-by date for all existing FCCs is April 30, 2022, with a sail-by date of September 30, 2022, or one year from original sailing date, whichever is later.

In many cases when cancellations are necessary, MSC is offering replacement dates rather than FCCs. Guests can accept the replacement dates or choose from other options before deciding on accepting either a refund of the original fare paid or FCC. You won't have to worry every again about your unredeemed Royal Caribbean Cruise with Confidence future cruise credit expiring.

Until then, Royal Caribbean is working through the details on the CDC Conditional Sailing Order that was announced on October 30, 2020. A lot of work needs to be done on preparing cruise ships with new health measures and making sure the crew can get back to the ships safely. While cruise ships are back in service, there are still plenty of people who have a FCC and cannot use it yet for a variety of reasons. Even if you're not familiar with World Travel Holdings, you surely know its brands, which include CruisesOnly, Cruises.com, Cheap Cruises, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne. This means if you received a FCC under the Cruise with Confidence program, there is no longer a deadline to use them and they are good indefinitely.

The extra 25% bonus amount will still now be lost if guests do not apply the FCC to a new booking prior to the expiration date, but the original vacation investment will not be lost. During the height of pandemic when the cruise industry was shutdown, Royal Caribbean and other lines offered bonus FCC if a guest took the credit instead of a cash refund. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.

Most cruise lines only allow a FCC to be applied to a new booking that is made after the date the FCC is issued. There are some exceptions to this rule that allow you to apply your FCC to an existing reservation. With the new change, guests now have more cruises to choose from when applying their credits. Essentially, anyone with a future cruise credit can apply it to more sailings than before. Royal Caribbean has slowly changed some of the FCC rules because of all the cancelled cruises, including being able to use a FCC towards a deposit and even allowing guests to combine FCCs. FCCs are being issued to passengers who are denied passage on embarkation day due to positive test, symptoms, and/or exposure to COVID-19.

They soon discovered that it was not always a simple matter to find a replacement cruise priced the same, down to the penny, as the original booking and credit amount. Some cruisers had to pay the balance in cash; others booked a cruise for less than the amount of the credit, ending up with a small remainder. Most cruise lines typically have issued FCCs within a couple of weeks after the cancellation has been announced, but other cruise lines can take weeks or months to process them. World Travel Holdings' cruise brand websites have a help center that provides guidance on when FCCs will arrive.

While widespread cruise cancellations have stopped, the Cruise with Confidence program has been a popular option for Royal Caribbean customers who need to cancel a cruise close to the sail date for many possible reasons. Travel agents were advised today that Royal Caribbean has removed the "book/redeem by" deadline, and FCCs can now be redeemed anytime up until the expiration date listed on the certificate. Without the Cruise with Confidence program, there would be a penalty if you cancelled a cruise after the final payment date. Royal Caribbean has steadily extended the Cruise with Confidence program by pushing back the date at which sailings must be booked by.

The Best Short Haircut for Your Hair Type, According to Hairstylists

Table Of Content Wavy Hair: Wet Look Iconic Lob Haircuts for Every Face Shape When to trim based on length… *This* Is How Often You Should T...