Cruise Line War Time Cancellation Policies
(Updated March 18, 2003)
Star Clippers
Star Clippers will allow passengers booked on a Mediterranean cruises between May 17 and September 27 to cancel up to 72 hours prior to departure and receive a cruise credit. A $100 per person administration fee will be applied to the credit if it is issued. For further details, visit Star Clipper's website at
http://www.starclippers.com.
Celebrity Cruises
Guests sailing on Celebrity Mediterranean cruises prior to May 1, 2003 may cancel their cruise for any reason and will receive a future cruise credit equal to 90 percent of the cancellation fees. The credits may be used on any sailing except for those during Christmas and New Years. The credits are valid for one year from issue date, are not transferable and have no cash value. Celebrity notes that this cancellation offer is not an insurance policy and does not provide any other coverage. For further details, visit Celebrity's website at
http://www.celebrity.com.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean Mediterranean cruises prior to May 1, 2003 may cancel their cruise for any reason and will receive a future cruise credit equal to 90 percent of the cancellation fees. The credits may be used on any sailing except for those during Christmas and New Years. The credits are valid for one year from issue date, are not transferable and have no cash value. Royal Caribbean notes that this cancellation offer is not an insurance policy and does not provide any other coverage. For further details, visit Royal Caribbean's website at
http://www.rccl.com.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises announced on March 12 that it is enhancing its Reassurance Program while reducing the cost. Silversea was the first cruise line to offer a cancel for any reason policy that was implemented last year. Silversea's Reassurance Program protects travelers from the penalties and anxieties of canceling a cruise for any reason. Instead of losing 100% of the cruise fare, guests will receive a 100% Reassurance Cruise Credit on a future cruise, regardless of why they choose to cancel. The fee for the Reassurance Program is $100 (formerly $250) per guest when purchased with Silversea's GuestCare optional travel insurance, or $250 (formerly $500) per guest when purchased alone. The enhanced Reassurance Program and fee reduction is available for all Silversea cruises in 2003 which depart on or after May 1, 2003. Guests who have already purchased the Reassurance Program on applicable sailings may request the new rate. For further details, visit Silversea's website at
http://www.silversea.com.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises is waiving cancellation penalties on all spring transatlantic and European cruises, effective immediately through April 30 and applicable only on the US market. Under the new policy, passengers may cancel their cruise up to the day prior for any reason and receive a full refund. The offer applies to the voyage only on CostaAtlantica, Victoria, Romantica, Classica, Allegra, Tropicale, Europa, and Mediterranea. The policy does not cover air, pre or post cruise hotel stays, and excursions. For further details, visit Costa's website at
http://www.costacruises.com.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
Radisson Seven Seas offers their 'PartnerShip Assurance Program' that will convert penalty fees incurred for the cancellation of any Europe cruise departing on or before August 31 into a 'Goodwill Cruise Certificate' that may be applied to a future sailing (on any Radisson vessel except the Paul Gauguin). The certificate must be used prior to September 1, 2004. The Goodwill Cruise Certificate will be equal to the cancellation fee less an administration fee of $200 per person. For further details, visit Radisson Seven Seas website at
http://www.rssc.com.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises offers 'Sea of Assurance' that allows guests on cruises through Oct. 31 to cancel up to 24 hours before departure and receive a cruise credit valid for any sailing within 36 months. This program is available as an upgrade to its standard protection program and costs an additional $149 per guest. For further details, visit Oceania's website at
http://www.oceaniacruises.com.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises is launching 'Cruise Protection Program-PLUS,' an optional new insurance upgrade that allows travelers to cancel their cruise for absolutely any reason up until three days before departure, and receive a 90% cruise credit of the cancellation fee valid for any sailing within 12 months. Cruise Protection Program-PLUS is available on all cruises aboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and the new Crystal Serenity, departing between May 15 and December 31, 2003. The program costs $200 per person for cruises costing under $8,000 or 3% of the cruise fare for voyages more than $8,000. For further details, visit Crystal's website at
http://www.crystalcruises.com.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is offering 'Princess Travel Care Insurance', which enables passengers to cancel for any reason and receive 75% of the booked fare as a future cruise credit. This option will be offered without charge on Golden Princess sailings only. For further details, visit Princess' website at http://www.princess.com.
Royal Olympia Cruises
Royal Olympia Cruises (formerly Royal Olympic Cruises) offers a cancel-without-penalty policy for bookings made on the line's 2003 cruises between March and November. Passengers can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours prior to sailing and receive a full credit toward another cruise taken within one year. For further details, visit Royal Olympia's website at
http://www.royalolympiacruises.com.
ResidenSea
ResidenSea introduced a new cancellation protection policy on voyages of The World through July 2004. Customers who cancel voyages before Jan. 1, 2004, will receive a cruise credit for the balance of their current penalty period. As an example, passengers who cancel and normally lose 50% of their paid fare will instead be given that money as a certificate. For further details, visit ResidenSea's website at
http://www.residensea.com.
SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club's 'No Stress No Strings' policy offers travelers the option to change or postpone their SeaDream travel plans for any reason up to the day before departure and receive 100 percent travel credit of the yacht tariff including government fees, handling and service charges. This money is applied toward a future sailing on SeaDream I or II within two years of the original booking. This innovative program is offered at no cost to guests. For more information, visit SeaDream's website at
http://www.seadreamyachtclub.com.
Seabourn
SeabournShield Plus offers a cancel-for-any-reason option to its current travel insurance package that will refund 90% of the paid fare as a cruise credit. The option is available on cruises sailing between June 1 and Dec. 31. Passengers can cancel up to 24 hours before the voyage; the cost of the package is $295 per person. For more information, visit Seabourn's website at
http://www.seabourn.com.
First European Cruises
First European Cruises modified its cancellation policy on all 2003 cruises. Passengers can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to departure and receive a cruise credit valid for up to one year. To qualify for the new cancellation policy, which is offered without extra charge, cruises must be booked by April 30. For further details, visit First European's website at http://www.first-european.com.
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