Costa Cruises Cancellation Policy

Travel plans sometimes change unexpectedly, and it’s essential to know your rights and options when booking a cruise. Costa Cruises understands the importance of flexibility and provides clear guidelines for cancellations, refunds, and adjustments. Their cancellation policy is designed to offer transparency and fairness while ensuring smooth handling of unforeseen circumstances. Whether you’re traveling from the United States or other regions, Costa Cruises outlines specific procedures and charges that apply if you decide to cancel or need to make changes to your reservation. 

This guide walks you through the cancellation terms, refund procedures, name change rules, “No Show” penalties, and the cancellation charges depending on when you cancel. 

Cancellation of Cruises or Departures by Costa – For Cruises with Ports of Embarkation in the U.S.

If you booked a cruise departing from U.S. ports and Costa Cruises cancels or delays your departure by three or more days, the company may offer alternatives such as a travel voucher, rescheduling, or new cruises. If you find these options unsatisfactory, you can request a refund by emailing clients@us.costa.it. In the email, you must include:

• Your booking number,
• Personal information of the booking holder,
• Proof of payment for the travel package, and
• Bank details for the refund transaction.

Costa Cruises will process the refund within 180 days from the date of the request. By submitting your request, you confirm that you are requesting refunds not only for yourself but also for any companions on the same booking. Note that no additional compensation will be considered beyond the refund.

Costa Cruises Cancellation, Refunds, and Charges – General Guidelines

Unless specified otherwise in your booking or notified in writing by Costa Cruises, cancellations will be subject to refund rules based on the itinerary and timing of the cancellation. Guests must contact Costa at 1-800-GO-COSTA during business hours before the cruise’s departure date to initiate cancellation. Additionally, all booking-related documents such as receipts and tickets must be returned before the refund can be processed.

Name Change Policy:

A change in the name of one guest (excluding minor spelling corrections) will incur a fee. If the name change involves multiple guests, it is treated as a new booking, and full cancellation charges will apply. Restricted fares are also subject to applicable name change fees. Furthermore, changing a booking from an air-and-sea package to cruise-only counts as cancelling the air portion, attracting cancellation fees.

No Show:

Failure to get to the embarkation port on the scheduled day is classified as a “No Show” and will result in a 100% cancellation fee. Guests anticipating delays on the day of departure must contact the emergency number provided in the itinerary. Interrupting a voyage or missing the embarkation results in forfeiture of the cruise fare.

Administrative and Cancellation Fees:

Cancellation charges apply to both individual and group bookings. Additional fees from air carriers, hotels, or other independent suppliers are not covered by Costa Cruises and will be assessed separately. Guests who booked through a travel agent must contact their agent for cancellation. The cancellation fee per person is determined by when Costa receives the cancellation notice.

Costa Cruises Cancellation Charges – Cruise Programs (Excluding World Cruises and Asia)

Costa Cruises applies cancellation charges based on how far in advance the booking is canceled. The following table outlines the fees for standard cruise programs, excluding World Cruises and Asia itineraries.

Days Before Departure	Cruise Only / Cruise + Drinks	Promo Fares	Last Minute Fares
Until 90 days	$50 USD	50% of fare	100% of fare
89 – 60 days	$250 USD	50% of fare	—
59 – 30 days	50% of fare	50% of fare	—
29 – 15 days	75% of fare	75% of fare	—
14 – 0 days	100% of fare	100% of fare	100% of fare

Costa Cruises Cancellation Charges – World Cruise and Asia (Serena)

For World Cruises and Asia itineraries like the Serena program, Costa Cruises has a specific cancellation fee structure. The charges vary depending on how many days before departure the cancellation is made.

Days Before Departure	Cruise Only / Cruise + Drinks
Until 90 days	15% of fare
89 – 60 days	25% of fare
59 – 30 days	50% of fare
29 – 15 days	75% of fare
14 – 0 days	100% of fare

Note: Restricted fares under World Cruise and Asia categories, such as Promo and Last Minute fares, are subject to the same cancellation policies as applicable.

Costa Cruises Cancellation Policy – Cancellation by the Organizer

In certain situations, Costa Cruises, as the organizer of holiday packages, may need to cancel a booking due to specific circumstances. When this happens, the company follows a transparent process designed to protect passengers and ensure they are fully informed. Depending on the situation, Costa Cruises may cancel the contract and provide a full refund for the amounts already paid without offering additional compensation. This section explains the conditions under which such cancellations occur and the timeframes for notifying passengers.

When the Organizer Cancels the Costa Cruise Package

Costa Cruises reserves the right to cancel a holiday package under the following conditions:

1. Insufficient Bookings:

If the number of passengers booking the package is less than the minimum required to operate the cruise, Costa may terminate the contract. The passengers will receive a full refund of the amounts already paid, without further compensation. The company will inform the passengers within the following timelines:

• For holidays longer than six days: at least 20 days before the start of the trip.
• For holidays lasting between two and six days: at least 6 days before the trip.
• For holidays shorter than two days: at least 48 hours before the trip.

2. Unavoidable Extraordinary Circumstances:

If Costa Cruises cannot fulfill the holiday package due to extraordinary events beyond its control—such as natural disasters, political unrest, or other unforeseen emergencies—it may cancel the contract. In such cases, passengers will be notified without undue delay once the situation arises.

Costa Cruises Refund Process

In both scenarios mentioned above, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the amount paid for the holiday package. Costa Cruises is not obligated to provide any additional compensation beyond reimbursing the amounts already collected.

Passengers will be informed promptly once the cancellation decision is made, and the refund process will be initiated as per the company’s guidelines. The aim is to ensure that affected passengers are not left at a disadvantage and are supported through alternative arrangements or reimbursement.

15-Day Cancellation Policy – Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises offers added flexibility to travelers booking cruises during specific promotional periods. The 15-Day Cancellation Policy applies to cruises booked between March 1, 2022, and October 31, 2022, for departures scheduled between March 16, 2022, and March 31, 2023. This policy is available exclusively for bookings made with the MyCruise or All-Inclusive fare types and does not apply to promotional (Promo) fares.

Under this policy, if you cancel your cruise up to 15 days before the scheduled departure, all cancellation fees will be waived. This provides travelers with peace of mind and the ability to adjust plans without incurring additional costs.

Your Options if You Cancel within 15 Days of Departure

If you choose to cancel your booking within this period, you have the following options:

• Rebook for a later cruise date

You may choose to reschedule your cruise for a future sailing that suits your availability.

• Request a full refund

If you prefer not to travel, you can request a refund of the full cruise fare paid.

How to Request a Refund

To request a refund, the cancellation must be processed by calling 1-800-GO-COSTA, either by you or your travel agent, no later than 15 days before the departure date. Additionally, you will be required to complete the refund request form as instructed by Costa Cruises.

Once approved, 100% of the cruise fare paid will be refunded to the original payment method. Please note that the refund will be processed no earlier than 90 days after the request has been submitted.

Important Notes

•  Insurance Costs:

If you purchased insurance for your trip, the cost of the insurance will not be refunded.

• Excursions and Add-On Products:

Any shore excursions or additional products reserved through MyCosta.com will automatically be cancelled along with your booking. Since these items are not charged in advance, no refunds are necessary.

Costa Cruises’ 15-Day Cancellation Policy reflects its commitment to customer satisfaction by offering flexibility and financial protection. Whether unforeseen events arise or plans change, this policy ensures travelers can cancel their cruise bookings without penalty, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

If you need assistance with cancellation or further details, call Costa Cruises at 1-800-GO-COSTA during business hours.

Costa Cruises Cancellation Policy – Impact on C|Club Points

Costa Cruises’ cancellation policy also applies to the C|Club loyalty program, which rewards guests with points for their bookings and onboard spending. However, it is important for members to understand how cancellations and changes can affect their ability to earn points.

When Points Are Not Awarded

Members will not be eligible to earn C|Club Points in the following situations:

1. Cruise Canceled by Costa Due to Extraordinary Events:

If Costa cancels a cruise for reasons beyond its control—such as severe weather, political unrest, or other unforeseen circumstances—no points will be awarded for that cruise.

2. Member-Initiated Cancellations:

If a guest cancels their cruise for any reason, points will not be granted for that booking. This ensures that points are only awarded for completed cruises and valid bookings.

Effect of Cabin Changes Onboard On Costa Cruises 

Once onboard the ship, certain changes to the reservation do not impact the accumulation of points:

• Cabin Changes Within the Same or Lower Category:

If a member or other guests in the same booking make a cabin change that stays within the same cabin category or moves to a lower one, the points earned for the cruise remain unaffected.

• Upgrades to a Higher Cabin Category:

If a member chooses to upgrade to a higher cabin category while onboard, the difference in price will be used to calculate additional C|Club Points. These extra points are awarded using the same method as other onboard purchases, allowing members to benefit from upgrades during their cruise experience.

Conclusion

Costa Cruises’ cancellation policy is designed to provide clarity and flexibility while protecting both the company and its guests. By outlining specific conditions for cancellations, refunds, and changes, the policy ensures that travelers understand their rights and obligations before and during their cruise journey. Whether you are affected by unforeseen circumstances, need to reschedule, or simply decide not to travel, the structured guidelines help you make informed decisions. 

It’s important to review the terms carefully, confirm fare eligibility, and communicate any cancellations within the required timelines to avoid unnecessary penalties. With transparent procedures in place, Costa Cruises aims to offer a worry-free booking experience and reliable support when plans change. 

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