If you’re thinking about booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you should book sooner rather than later. A huge change is coming to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity suite deposit requirements.
You can pay more to book a hotel on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Beginning June 1, 2023, the deposit requirement for new stateroom reservations, including junior suites and room guarantees, will increase to 10% of the cruise fare per guest.
As per package deposit policy, your cruise deposit is non-refundable. This means that if you cancel your cruise before final payment is made, you will forfeit your deposit.
This change applies only to 2023. for bookings made on June 1 and after.
Pro typeYou can avoid the added package deposit if you book your cruise by May 31, 2023.
This policy applies to suites only. Deposits for indoor, ocean view, and balcony cabins remain the same.
The increased suite deposit applies to all destinations and all cruises.
10% Suite Deposit
The 10% suite deposit is based on the total cost of the cruise after all promotions and discounts divided by the number of guests.
If 10% of the cruise fare is less than the standard deposit amount, you only need to pay the standard deposit.
You will pay a 10% deposit if your suite costs more than $2,500 per person.
Pro typeIf you want to save money on your initial deposit, you’ll pay less on short cruises, especially if you’re traveling off-peak.
Standard cruise deposit
The standard cruise deposit varies depending on the length of the cruise and the number of guests in the cabin. Typically $200 per cabin for a 1- to 5-night cruise, $500 per cabin for a 6- to 9-night cruise, and $900 per cabin for a 10-night or longer cruise.
With this new change in deposit package requirements, instead of paying a flat rate based on cruise length and guests, 10% of your cruise cost will be 10% of the cruise cost divided by the number of guests.
Pro type. The 10% cruise deposit requirement does not apply if you book under the Kids Sail Free promotion.
Free child cruise deposits
If you book your sailing during the Kids Sail Free promotion, the deposit will revert to the standard deposit for any fifth or more guests. In other words, you’ll still pay 10% of the fare if you don’t have 5 or more guests in the cabin.
Suite deposits on updates
This new policy change also applies to deposits for upgrades. If you upgrade your cabin to a stateroom after June 1, 2023, the 10% cruise fare deposit policy will also apply.
You will have to pay any additional deposit charges at the time of your renewal.
Pro type. Your deposit will also revert to a non-refundable deposit.
Next Cruise Bookings
Many guests like to take advantage of the reduced deposits and free board (OBC) feature when booking their future cruises with Next Cruise. You can still get your OBC, but you will pay a higher deposit. This new deposit policy applies to Next Cruise bookings made on or after June 1, 2023.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity suite deposits for cruises booked on and after June 1, 2023 will increase to 10% of the cruise fare per guest.
If the amount is less than the standard deposit amount, the standard deposit will be applied.
This change only applies to guests booked in suites, including junior suites, with suite guarantees and guests who upgrade to suites.
You can avoid the added deposit by booking your package before May 31, 2023.
Will this change cause you to reconsider the type of cabin you book on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity?
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