Cruise Help - Payments and Refunds

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dollar-keyHow much is it to go on a cruise, and how to get best cruise prices? For most of the travelers, how much cruise cost is the first question, long before asking for the best places to go on a cruise. The ship vacation, like all the pleasures of this world, is about money, and time.

The average cost of a cruise depends on several factors - the line's rating, the very ship, the itinerary length and date of departure (peak or low season), the cabin category, time of booking, discounts, etc. This article surveys the cruise payment plans and refunds of the major passenger ship lines in the world.

MasterCard, American Express, and Visa are accepted for payments by all the major lines, and some of them add to this list Discover Card, Diner's Club International, Cart Blanche, and Optima.

All the best passenger ship cruise lines and operators require a deposit to reserve your cabin. As a deposit, you'll be required to pay a flat rate. The deposit usually is between $100 and $1,000, or a percentage of the total cost (10 to 25%, depending on the line, length, itinerary, cabin category), and differs for holiday sailings, group booking, and special discount booking. The deposit often is of better price when is done on-line.

The travel agency or the operator will require paying the remaining balance of the fare at the final payment due date. The final payment differs with different lines, and is generally between 45 and 90 days prior to sailings (up to 150 days for longer itineraries). Booking in this period requires paying in full amount. Cruise transfers can only be made within a specific period before the sailing, usually with an additional administration fee charge (a percentage of the initial price).

Passenger lines again differ in their cancellation and refund policies. The refund depends on numerous factors, but mostly on the remaining days prior to the sailing, and strictly in the cancellation period. A refund is infeasible in the events of no-show, or interruption by the passenger after the voyage start. The charges don't include any fees by air carriers, hotels, car rentals, etc.

Most lines don't make exceptions regarding the cancellation charge. Names or departure dates discrepancies are treated as cancellations. Although optional, it is advisable to purchase a trip cancellation insurance. It offers the possibility to exchange dates, and in some cases - a full refund.

Payment Plans for Cruises - Deposit Requirements (ship cruise prices Per Person Per Day, double occupancy, in US dollars, for Inside cabin).

OPERATOR - ITINERARY LENGTH in nights (DEPOSIT - USD or percenatge)

  • Azamara - 3-5 ($100), 6-8 ($250), 9+ ($550)
  • Carnival - Alaska ($350), 3 ($100), 4 ($150), 5-8 ($300), 12-16 ($500)
  • Celebrity - 3-5 ($100), 6-8 ($250), 9+ ($450)
  • Costa - Caribbean ($250); the other itineraries ($400)
  • Crystal - (20%-penthouse, 10%-other categories)
  • Fred. Olsen Line - (10%)
  • Gap Adventures (non-refundable) - expedition trips ($750), all other ($250)
  • Holland America - ($350 - $2900)
  • Hurtigruten - 8+ ($600), 7- ($300)
  • MSC - 4-9 ($250), 10-14 ($350), 15+ ($500)
  • NCL - 4-5 ($100), 3-5 ($100), 6-9 ($250), 10+ ($400)
  • Oceania - 20+ ($750), 19- ($750)
  • P&O - (10%)
  • Paul Gauguin - (20%)
  • Princess - (20%)
  • Regent Seven Seas - World cruises & 26+ (20%), all others (15%)
  • Royal Caribbean International - 3-5 ($100), 6-9 ($250), 10+ ($450)
  • Seabourn - (25%)
  • SeaDream - (25%)
  • Silverseas - World cruises (20%), all others (10%)
  • Star Clippers - ($400)
  • Uniworld - ($500)
  • Viking - ($500)
  • Voyages of Discovery - ($500)
  • Windstar - Caribbean, Europe, Tahiti ($750), Transatlantic ($500).

The top luxury cruises all-inclusive deals differ greatly from the other types - considerably bigger deposits, and lower refunds. The cancellation charges increase as the sailing date approaches, and the refunds diminish. Usually, for cancellations 60+ days prior the departure, no charges are assessed, around 30 days - 50% of the deposit, and for less than 2 weeks prior - the whole deposit. The penalties for cancellations of luxury cruises may reach 100% of the entire fare, even for 30- days prior the departure. Consulting a travel agency is highly recommended, since timetables and all rates are subject to change.

Check all the related articles in our "First Cruise Tips" section. Good luck, and have the best fun at sea!