Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy

Let’s face it—travel plans don’t always go as planned. You book a cruise, get excited, maybe even start shopping for sunscreen… and then life throws something at you. That’s why the Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy isn’t just a bunch of fine print—it’s something you’ll actually care about. It is built for real-world stuff. Last-minute changes. Health surprises. Travel bans. Whatever it is, Silversea gives you options. 

You can cancel, reschedule, or get credit without jumping through hoops. It is not perfect, but it’s practical. And in a world where flexibility matters more than ever, that’s worth something. So if you’re wondering what happens if your cruise gets canceled—or if you need to cancel it yourself—here’s the lowdown.

What Happens If You Cancel Your Silversea Cruises 30 Days Before Departure

Under the Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy, guests who cancel at least 30 days before their cruise get a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC). That’s the full amount you paid—minus any third-party fees Silversea can’t control. It’s not a refund, but it’s credit you can use later. And it is a pretty decent deal if you’re just rescheduling.

Now, if you’d rather get your money back instead of a credit, things get a little more complicated. For cruises in 2021, Silversea relaxed their refund penalties. For 2022 and 2023 voyages, though, the standard cancellation terms kick in. In other words, you won’t have as much breathing room.

Cash Refund Terms (2021 Voyages Only)

If you’re sailing in 2021 and want a refund instead of credit, here’s how the penalties break down:

• Cancel 61+ days before your cruise → you’ll pay a standard admin fee
• Cancel between 60–31 days out → 50% of your booking is gone
• Cancel 30 days or less before departure → 100% penalty

For guests in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, the cancellation fees are a bit different:

• 29–20 days before sailing → 60% penalty
• 19–1 days before → 80% penalty
• No-show or cancel on the day → 95% penalty

Not ideal, but at least it is spelled out clearly.

If Silversea Cancels Your Cruise

Now, what if the cancellation isn’t on you—but on them? Under the Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy, if Silversea pulls the plug on your voyage, you’re not left hanging. You’ll get up to 110% in Future Cruise Credit. Yep, more than you paid. That extra 10%? Use it to upgrade your stateroom, splurge on a longer itinerary, or just keep it in your back pocket for next time.

Here’s how it works: 

Silversea will either send you an alternative cruise option (if the same voyage is available later) or email your FCC within 15 days. If you booked through a travel advisor, they’ll get the details too. Tour operator? You’ll need to reach out directly.

Prefer a refund instead of credit? That’s on the table too. Just let them know.

Also worth noting—if you booked using Net Rates, you’ll still get a full 100% FCC. This applies to any cruise canceled from July 2020 onward.

What Is a Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?

Under the Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy, FCCs are offered as a flexible alternative to refunds. They’re basically a voucher for future travel—but with a few rules attached. You get one when you cancel under eligible terms, or when Silversea cancels your cruise. It’s not cash, but it’s usable credit—and in most cases, it’s pretty generous.

FCCs are valid for two years from the date they’re issued. You need to book before they expire, and your cruise has to start no later than one year after that expiration date. If you don’t use it, it’s gone. No extensions. No cash-outs.

What’s Included in Your FCC?

The amount you receive depends on what you paid—and what you paid for. It’s not just the cruise fare. If you booked extras through Silversea (like flights, transfers, hotels, land tours), those get rolled into the credit too. But if Silversea gets hit with penalties from third-party suppliers, they’ll deduct that from your FCC. It’s not ideal, but at least they’re upfront about it.

Key Things to Know (Without the Fine Print Headache)

Here’s the stuff that actually matters—no fluff, no legalese:

• FCCs can be used for hotels, land programs, and flights—but not insurance.
• If you booked on Net Rates, you’ll get 100% of what you paid in FCC.
• FCCs are tied to your name, but you can transfer them once, with a notarized letter.
• If your new cruise costs less than your FCC, you’ll get a new one for the leftover amount.
• You can’t use FCCs for past bookings or ones already paid in full.
• Promotional fares? Yep, FCCs work with those too.

What Happens If Your FCC Was Already Used?

If you applied an FCC to a cruise that later got canceled, Silversea will reinstate it. You’ll either get the original expiration date back or an extension to December 31, 2021—whichever gives you more time. You can also combine it with a new FCC from the Cruise with Confidence program. Commissions stay protected on the original trip, and won’t be reduced on the new one.

Can You Swap FCC for a Refund?

If your cruise sails after December 1, 2020 and you’ve got an FCC, you can switch it to a cash refund—but only until April 30, 2021. After that, it’s locked in. If you paid in full, your commission stays protected.

Cancellations & Refunds—The Breakdown You Actually Need

Canceling a cruise isn’t fun, but sometimes it’s necessary. Under the Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy, you’ll need to contact their Reservations Department by phone and follow up with a written cancellation. Sounds formal, but it’s standard practice.

Now, the cancellation charges vary depending on when you cancel and which World Cruise year you’re booked for. The earlier you back out, the less you lose. But once you’re inside that 90-day window, things get steep—fast.

World Cruise 2026–2028: Standard Cancellation Charges

Here’s how the penalties stack up for most guests:

• 350+ days before sailing → Admin fee (500 USD / 450 EUR / 350 BPS / 650 CAD / 650 AUD)
• 349–181 days out → 20% of total cruise fare
• 180–151 days out → 25%
• 150–121 days out → 50%
• 120–91 days out → 75%
• 90–0 days or no-show → 100%

If you’re from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, the rules shift slightly—especially in the final days before departure. For example:

• 90–2 days out → 90% penalty  
• 1–0 days or no-show → 95% penalty

And for 2028, that initial admin fee for German-speaking markets gets converted into a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which is a nice touch.

Admin Fee as FCC—What That Actually Means

If you cancel early and pay the admin fee, Silversea will send you a Future Cruise Credit in the same amount and currency—usually within 15 days. It’s valid for two years, and your new cruise must start no later than one year after that expiration date.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The FCC can be used for cruise fare and extras like air upgrades, hotels, land tours, and transfers.
• It has no cash value and must be redeemed before you board—not onboard.
• You can transfer it once with a notarized letter.
• If your new booking costs less than the FCC, the leftover amount can be used on another trip.
• Once it’s applied, it’s locked in—no do-overs.

Suite Cancellations & Segment Changes

If you’re booked on the full World Cruise or Grand Voyage and cancel even one segment, your entire booking gets wiped and rebooked based on availability. And if you’re in a Silver Suite or higher, canceling a segment means you lose that suite. Silversea reserves the right to reassign suites based on segment combinations, so not all categories may be available if you change plans.

When Silversea Cancels or Changes Your Cruise

The Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy isn’t just about what you can do—it also covers what happens if they make changes or cancel your trip. While Silversea tries not to cancel confirmed holidays, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Operational issues, low bookings, or extraordinary circumstances (like government restrictions or emergencies) can force their hand.

If they do cancel, you’ll get a written notice and a choice:

• Book a different cruise (if available), and pay or get refunded the price difference
• Or take a full refund (minus admin, change, and transfer fees)

You’ve got 7 days to respond. If you don’t, they’ll assume you want the refund.

Changes Before Departure—What Counts and What Doesn’t

Not all changes are created equal. Some are minor and don’t affect the overall vibe of your holiday. Others are big enough to give you options.

Minor Changes (No Compensation)

These are tweaks that don’t change the core experience

• Switching your suite to another in the same or higher category
• Changing airlines or airports
• Flight time shifts under 12 hours
• Itinerary adjustments that don’t affect where you start or end

Cruise itineraries are especially fluid. Weather, medical emergencies, port traffic, and government orders can all cause last-minute reroutes. Silversea will try to notify you, but these changes aren’t considered “significant.”

Major Changes (You Get Options)

If Silversea changes something that really alters your trip—like ending the cruise in a different region or replacing port days with sea days—you’ll be notified and given choices:

• Accept the change and any price adjustment
• Switch to a different cruise
• Cancel and get a full refund

You’ll have a reasonable window to decide. If you don’t respond, they’ll follow up—and if there’s still no reply, they’ll cancel and refund.

Changes After Departure—What You Should Expect

Once you’re onboard, things can still shift. Silversea doesn’t guarantee every port or every part of the itinerary. The captain has full authority to change course, skip ports, or adjust the schedule for safety, comfort, or operational reasons.

If a big chunk of your holiday can’t be delivered, Silversea will try to offer alternatives at no extra cost. If that’s not possible—or if the new plan doesn’t work for you—they’ll arrange transport back to your departure point or another agreed location.

Important notes:

1. No compensation for minor changes or unavoidable disruptions
2. If you’re stranded due to extraordinary circumstances, Silversea will cover up to 3 nights of accommodation (exceptions apply for pregnant guests, minors, and those with medical needs)

If You Cancel, Change, or Leave Early—Here’s What Happens

Life happens. Plans shift. And sometimes, you need to cancel or change your cruise. The Silversea Cruises Cancellation Policy lays out what you can expect if you’re the one making the change—not them.

You can cancel your holiday at any time before it starts. But unless your situation falls under specific exceptions (like unavoidable circumstances or what’s outlined in Article 6), you won’t get a refund, credit, or compensation. That’s the baseline.

How to Cancel

If you or someone in your travel party wants to cancel, you’ll need to:

• Call Silversea directly (or your travel agent)
• Submit a written cancellation notice

Your cancellation officially kicks in on the date Silversea receives that written notice—not when you make the call.

Cancellation Fees—What You’ll Pay

The amount you owe depends on two things: how far in advance you cancel, and which fare type you booked. There are different rules for bookings made before and after September 11, 2025.

Bookings Confirmed Before September 11, 2025

• Essentials Fare: 100% cancellation fee from the moment you book. No wiggle room.
• Door-to-Door & Port-to-Port Fares:
  • 150–121 days out → 15% fee
  • 120–91 days → 25%
  • 90–61 days → 50%
  • 60–31 days → 75%
  • 30–0 days → 100%

If you cancel more than 150 days out, you’ll get a refund minus an admin fee and any non-refundable costs. As a courtesy, Silversea will issue a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equal to the admin fee—valid for two years.

Bookings Confirmed On or After September 11, 2025

• Last Minute Fare: 100% cancellation fee from the moment you book.
• All Inclusive Plus & All Inclusive Fares:
  • Up to 121 days →
    • All Inclusive Plus: 0% fee
    • All Inclusive: 25% fee
  • 120–91 days → 25%
  • 90–61 days → 50%
  • 60–31 days → 75%
  • 30–0 days → 100%

All Inclusive Plus bookings come with a refundable deposit—if you cancel early enough. All Inclusive bookings? That deposit is locked in and non-refundable.

Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances

If something major happens at your destination—like a natural disaster or government shutdown—you can cancel without paying a fee. Silversea will refund your payments, but you won’t get extra compensation.

Also Read: What is Oceania Cruises Cancellation Policy?

Making Changes to Your Booking

If you need to tweak your plans (change the ship, sail date, or guest name), you’ll need to call Silversea before the final payment due date or at least 61 days before sailing. After that, changes get tricky—and expensive.

If they accept your change request, here’s what you’ll pay:

• Name changes: £50 per guest
• Other changes (ship, date, flights): £75 per guest

You’ll also cover any fare differences and third-party costs (like airline fees). Some suppliers treat name changes as cancellations, so be prepared.

Leaving the Cruise Early

If you disembark before your holiday ends—whether it’s a personal choice or something unexpected—Silversea won’t refund the unused portion. No compensation, no credit. Once you’re off the ship, that’s it.

Conclusion 

Silversea’s cancellation policy isn’t exactly light reading—but it’s not smoke and mirrors either. It’s layered, sure. Different rules for different fares, timelines, and regions. But once you break it down, it’s clear: they reward early decisions, penalize last-minute changes, and offer decent flexibility if life throws a curveball. Future Cruise Credits soften the blow, and there’s room to maneuver—if you know where to look. Bottom line? Don’t skim it. Know your fare, know your deadlines, and don’t assume the rules bend just because you’re having a bad day. Silversea plays it straight, but you’ve got to meet them halfway.

FAQs: