Several cruise lines have increased their cancellation policies to encourage consumers to book. 

Whilst some cruise lines are allowing late and close-to-sailing booking cancellations on bookings through to March 31, 2022, Holland America Line has gone a step further and has extended their ‘Flexible Cancellation Plan’ until May 31, 2022. Cancellations must be made up to 30 days before departure.

Refunds for cancelled bookings will be given in the form of future cruise credits.

Final payments for any 2022 Europe cruise made on, or after March 15, 2022 will be due 60 days prior to departure rather than 75 or 90 days.

Holland America Line’s senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Ms Beth Bodensteiner said: “We want our guests to confidently make their summer cruise vacation plans” and added that consumers would have peace of mind that if their plans change they can still cruise at a later date.

Princess Cruises has updated its ‘Book with Confidence’ program and now any guest who cancels a booking made on, or before March 31, 2022 for cruises departing on, or before September 30, 2022 will receive a Future Cruise Credit that can be used up to 12 months after it was issued.

Royal Caribbean’s ‘Cruise with Confidence Program’ is available for any voyage due to depart on, or before 30 September 2022 provided it is booked on, or before March 31, 2022. Cancellations are permitted up to 48 hours before the embarkation date. Anyone who cancels will receive the full paid fare amount back as a Future Cruise Credit that can be used for any sailing due for departure within 12 months of the original sailing date.

Celebrity Cruises has extended its ‘Cruise with  Confidence’ program for cruises booked on or before March 31, 2022 for itineraries through to 30 September 2022.

Guests can cancel up to 48 hours before embarkation with the full amount refunded in the form of a future cruise credit that has 12 months validity from the original sailing date. 

MSC in America has extended their flexible booking policy. Any guest who is booked before March 31, 2022 and departing on, or before March 31, 2023 can make changes to their booking up to 48 hours before departure.

Any guest who chooses to cancel their booking can apply their money as a future cruise credit for any departure schedule to depart on or before 31 March 2023.

The cancellation policy does not apply to world cruises or world cruise segments.