Starting June 1, 2022, the rules for Royal Caribbean’s Non-Refundable Fare program will change. To understand the changes coming, it’s best to explain how the process currently works.

Currently, the non-refundable deposit (NRD) policy is that if you have paid a $1000 deposit for a family of four ($250 per person) and decide to cancel your reservation prior to the final payment date, you are penalized $100 per person ($400 total) and the $600 balance is automatically issued to you as a Future Cruise Credit. So while the deposit is non-refundable, as long as you plan on cruising again, all is not lost aside from the $400 penalty.

The new program is very different.

Under the new terms starting June 1 2022, the entire deposit will be forfeited. The deposit will be withheld in full, offering no future cruise credit component.

What if you booked prior to the change?

Guests booked prior to June 1, 2022, will be grandfathered in under the prior policy terms and, therefore, remain eligible for the FCC component. Please note, however, if canceling the reservation after May 31, 2022, Royal Caribbean will no longer automatically issue the FCC and, therefore, will require a call to the contact center for issuance of the FCC under the prior policy terms.

Another important change!

As of June 1, 2022, all upper suite categories (Grand Suites and higher), as well as all guarantee cabins, will ONLY be bookable under an NRD rate.

Will Next Cruise bookings be affected by this change?

• The same non-refundable policy will apply to all bookings, including Next Cruise

Why will only Non-Refundable fare options be available for suites (Grand Suites and higher) and guarantee staterooms?

• “In an effort to preserve valued Suite inventory and to ensure availability for our committed guests, a non-refundable deposit fare is the only option for those guests interested in reserving an upper Suite. This also holds true for guarantee categories, including WS, XB, XN, YO, and ZI, where lower lead fares are typically the best deal.”

Can I still change my ship and sail date?

• You can but you will incur a $100 charge per guest. A $100 per guest change fee will be issued for any subsequent qualifying changes as well. So if you change you ship and sail date numerous times, be prepared to be charged each time.