Booking a cruise involves both an art and a science, with prices fluctuating frequently, cruise ships reaching capacity, and the additional complexity of coordinating multiple rooms for family and friends. For this reason, it is generally recommended to utilize a travel agent, who can access tools that facilitate securing competitive prices and coordinating group bookings effectively. A proficient travel agent, typically someone working full-time within an agency that can provide prompt responses almost around the clock, simplifies the process of booking the desired cruise at a favorable price.
Despite this, some passengers choose to book independently, utilizing tools available to the general public as well as travel agents. Royal Caribbean, for instance, offers passengers the option to place a temporary hold on their cruise reservation. Depending on the timeframe until the cruise, passengers may have 24 to 48 hours to consider their purchase, which allows for consultation among partners, spouses, or family groups. However, this is a relatively brief period, and Royal Caribbean has opted to extend the time allowed for both passengers and travel agents to hold a cruise before requiring a deposit.
Royal Caribbean has announced an extension to the duration it permits passengers and travel agents to hold a cruise for individual bookings. This hold allows the cabin to be reserved without any financial commitment, thus removing it from available inventory and preventing other potential passengers from booking it during this period. Although this presents a risk for the cruise line, as it may miss out on selling the cabin to another passenger, Royal Caribbean communicated this policy change via email to travel agents.
The length of the hold varies depending on the final payment deadline, which is the date by which any booked passengers must pay the balance for their cruise. For cruises more than 91 days from final payment, a 5-day hold is available. For sailings 46 to 90 days away, a 2-day hold is applicable, while bookings 31 to 45 days out allow for a one-day hold before requiring a deposit to confirm the cabin reservation. No extensions to the hold period will be granted under this policy, which applies equally to travel agents and individual passengers booking their own cruise.
These regulations are specific to individual cabin bookings, while travel agents can secure longer, 30-day holds for group bookings, although groups exceeding 16 rooms necessitate a $50 deposit per cabin. Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean’s sister line, Celebrity Cruises, offer 48-hour holds for bookings.
