Celestyal Cruises Cancellation Policy

When planning a cruise vacation with Celestyal Cruises, it’s important to be aware of their cancellation policy. Life can be unpredictable, and whether it’s a change in personal circumstances, health concerns, or unforeseen events, you may need to cancel or modify your booking. Celestyal Cruises provides clear guidelines to help customers understand the process, charges involved, and their rights when cancellations are necessary. 

The policy aims to offer flexibility while ensuring transparency in handling refunds and cancellations. Understanding these terms ahead of time can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected charges, while also knowing when you might be eligible for a full refund under special circumstances.

Celestyal Cruises Cancellation by the Customer

Celestyal Cruises values transparency and provides a structured approach to cancellations. The official cancellation terms are as follows:

Notification Requirement

If a customer decides to cancel their cruise for any reason, they must inform Celestyal Cruises in writing via email. Once the company receives this notification, they will issue a cancellation invoice and process the refunds (if any) to the customer. 

Cancellation Fees

The cancellation charges depend on how far in advance the cancellation is made and are applied to the total cruise fare:

• Up to 90 days before departure – No penalty for cancellations or changes.
• Between 89 and 60 days before departure – Loss of the deposit paid.
• Between 59 and 30 days before departure – 50% of the total cruise fare is charged.
• Within 29 days of departure or after – 100% of the cruise fare is non-refundable.

The cancellation charges are applied in the currency of the customer’s country of origin.

It’s important to note that these charges apply solely to the cruise fare. Any payments made for additional travel services, products, or services not included as part of the cruise itinerary will be fully refunded if the cancellation is made before the cruise departure.

Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances

Customers are entitled to cancel their holiday without paying any cancellation fees if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at or near the destination that significantly affect the cruise experience. In such cases, customers are eligible for a full refund of any payments already made but will not be entitled to further compensation.

Celestyal Cruises Alteration and Cancellation by the Company

When booking a cruise, it’s essential to understand that certain changes or cancellations may occur due to operational needs or unforeseen events. Celestyal Cruises has a well-defined policy to handle such situations with fairness, clarity, and customer support. The following sections explain the reasons for alterations or cancellations, customer rights, refund options, and compensation procedures.

Reasons for Alteration or Cancellation of Celestyal Cruises By the Company 

There are certain situations where Celestyal Cruises may need to change or cancel a cruise. These adjustments are made to ensure passenger safety, vessel management, or in response to extraordinary events beyond the company’s control.

Operational and Safety Requirements

Cruises are planned months ahead, but circumstances sometimes require adjustments. The company reserves the right to change or cancel any part of the cruise itinerary if it’s necessary for the proper management of the vessel or the safety of passengers and crew.

Extraordinary and Unavoidable Circumstances

The company may also make changes or cancel cruises due to factors beyond its control. These include but aren’t limited to:

• Severe weather conditions
• Acts of war or terrorism
• Natural disasters like earthquakes or nuclear accidents
• Fire, strikes, or industrial action
• Closure of ports
• Riots, civil unrest, or other emergencies that isn’t within the company’s control

In such cases, the company is not liable for cancellation or alteration and cannot be held responsible for damages caused by third parties, unforeseen events, or circumstances that could not have been avoided with reasonable care.

Celestyal Cruises Cancellation Due to Insufficient Bookings

If the cruise does not meet the minimum number of customers required, the company may cancel the cruise before departure. In fact, the company isn’t liable for paying additional compensation if there aren’t sufficient passengers as per the minimum requirement needed for the cruise to commence.  Moreover, to avoid paying compensation, customers must informed in advance based on the trip duration, as mentioned below: 

• For trips lasting for over 6 days, customers must be notified 20 days in advance before the trip begins. 
• For trips with a duration of 2-6 days, customers have to be informed 7 days prior to when your holiday begins. 
• For trips with a duration of below 2 days, customers should be notified 48 hours before your holiday starts. 

In such cases, customers will receive a full refund for any payments made but will not be entitled to additional compensation.

Options Given By The Company When Essential Terms Change

If a significant change is made to essential parts of the contract, such as price or itinerary, customers will be given options as soon as possible:

• Full refund – customers can choose to cancel and get all payments back.
• Alternative cruise of equal or greater value – at no extra cost.
• Alternative cruise of lower value – with a refund of the price difference.

Customers must notify the company of their choice promptly. The alternative cruise can be taken within 12 months from the original booking, and refunds will be processed within 14 days after the contract is concluded.

Reporting Service Shortcomings

If any part of the cruise experience is not delivered as promised, customers should notify the company or its representative immediately. Prompt communication helps the company resolve issues and ensures that compensation or price reductions are handled fairly. Failure to report problems may limit the customer’s ability to claim compensation later.

Celestyal Cruises’ Remedies for Service Failures

The company will try to correct any service shortcomings unless:

• It’s impossible to do so, or
• The cost of the correction is disproportionately high compared to the problem and the value of the service affected.

Where a significant part of the cruise cannot be provided after departure, the company will arrange suitable alternatives at no extra cost, aiming to match or exceed the original experience.

If no suitable alternatives are possible or if the customer reasonably rejects the offered arrangements, the company will ensure transportation back to the starting point or another agreed location and may provide compensation where appropriate.

Customer Responsibility and Exceptions

Customers will not be entitled to compensation if the issue is:

• Caused by the customer’s actions
• Due to third parties unrelated to the cruise service
• Resulting from unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond control.

What Constitutes a Significant Alteration?

A change is considered significant if:

• The cruise price increases by more than 8%, or
• A fundamental element affecting the holiday experience is altered

However, the following changes are not considered significant:

• Changing airline carriers or flight schedules, provided departure and arrival dates remain unchanged
• Substituting the vessel with one of similar standards
• Modifying the itinerary
• Changing cabins or hotels, as long as the new accommodations are in the same or a higher category
• Adjustments to entertainment or onboard programs

These exceptions allow for flexibility without affecting customer expectations.

Substitution of the Vessel or Itinerary

In cases of technical, operational, or safety reasons, the company may replace the vessel with another that meets similar standards. Likewise, the captain may adjust the itinerary for safety or unavoidable circumstances. These changes are not considered significant alterations and do not entitle customers to compensation.

Celestyal Cruises’ Shore Excursion Cancellation Policy

Celestyal Cruises offers a wide range of shore excursions to enhance your cruise experience. However, there are circumstances under which these excursions may be cancelled. The company provides clear guidelines to explain how cancellations are handled, what refunds are available, and under what conditions they apply.

Excursions May Be Cancelled for Any Reason

Celestyal Cruises may cancel shore excursions for reasons at their discretion. In such cases, the only compensation available to customers is the refund paid for the cancelled activity. No additional compensation will be provided.

Non-Refundable Tickets Policy for Celestyal Cruises

It is important to note that unused shore excursion tickets are non-refundable. If a customer is unable to participate for any reason and does not cancel within the required timeframe, the payment will not be refunded.

Cancellations Not Included in Celestyal Cruises Package

For excursions that are not part of the main cruise package—whether pre-booked or arranged onboard—cancellations are fully refundable if they are made within the timeframe specified in the daily program. Cancellations made after this deadline are not accepted and will be non-refundable.

For Authentic Encounters Shore Excursions, cancellations are allowed up to 15 days prior to the scheduled date. Any cancellations made after this period are not eligible for refunds.

Also Read: MSC Cruises Cancellation Policy

Celestyal Cruises Online Cancellations and Refund Process

If you cancel an excursion online within the stipulated timeframe, a full refund will be automatically processed to the credit card used during the booking. This applies even if the person who made the reservation is not sailing. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for the refund to appear in your account.

Celestyal Cruises Rules for Medical Cancellations

Free cancellations are only allowed for medical reasons. If you need to cancel due to illness or injury, you must provide a valid medical note from the ship’s doctor for the cancellation to be approved without penalty.

Conclusion 

Understanding the cancellation policy of Celestyal Cruises is essential for a smooth and stress-free travel experience. The policy provides clear information on how cancellations are handled, refund eligibility, and customer rights in various situations. Whether cancellations are due to personal reasons, unforeseen events, or operational requirements, the guidelines ensure transparency and fairness. Customers are encouraged to communicate promptly and are offered options when significant changes occur. 

While certain circumstances like bad weather or safety concerns are beyond control, the policy ensures passengers are informed and supported throughout the process. By knowing these terms in advance, travelers can confidently plan their cruise, prepared for any changes that may arise along the way.

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