Planning a cruise vacation requires careful thought, and sometimes unforeseen circumstances may lead to a change of plans. Cordelia Cruises recognizes this and offers a transparent cancellation policy designed to guide travelers in case they need to cancel their journey. Whether it involves canceling an entire booking or only part of a stateroom, passengers are subject to clearly defined charges that vary depending on how early the cancellation is made.
This policy ensures fairness while balancing the operational commitments of the cruise line. At the same time, Cordelia Cruises also provides flexibility by refunding service charges, levies, and applicable taxes, thereby giving guests a measure of reassurance if travel adjustments become necessary.
Understanding the Cordelia Cruises Cancellation Policy
Cordelia Cruises provides guests the option to cancel their booking in full or partially (for instance, if only some members of the party are unable to travel). While cancellations are accepted, they are subject to specific charges depending on how close to the departure date the cancellation is made.
This tiered structure is designed to cover operational commitments already made by the cruise line—such as cabin allocation, itinerary planning, and onboard service preparation—while still giving guests some flexibility if they need to change their plans.
Cordelia Cruises Cancellation Charges by Timeline
The amount deducted at the time of cancellation depends on how early the request is submitted relative to the sailing date:
- 61 days or more before departure – Passengers will be charged 25% of the total price of the cabin. This is the most favorable stage to cancel, as most of the booking amount is refunded.
- 31 – 60 days before departure – A cancellation charge of 50% of the total cabin price applies. This represents a midway point, balancing both customer flexibility and the cruise line’s commitments.
- 16 – 30 days before departure – Travelers face a 75% charge of the total cabin cost, meaning only a small portion is refunded.
- 0 – 15 days before departure – Cancellations made within this timeframe incur a 100% charge of your total cabin cost, leaving no refund for the cabin fare.
Steps to Cancel Your Cordelia Cruise
If you need to cancel your Cordelia Cruise, the process is straightforward but requires attention to specific rules:
- Gather Your Booking Information
Keep your booking reference number, guest details, and travel dates ready. These are required to validate your cancellation request.
- Review Your Fare Conditions
Different fare categories, especially promotional or discounted fares, may have stricter rules. Always check your fare type before proceeding.
- Choose Your Cancellation Channel
- Booked via Travel Agent: Contact your agent directly, as they will process the cancellation on your behalf.
- Booked Directly with Cordelia Cruises: Reach out through Cordelia’s official customer service numbers or email listed on their website.
- Submit Your Cancellation Request
Clearly state your intent to cancel and provide all necessary details, such as passenger names, booking reference, and sailing dates.
- Obtain Written Confirmation
Once processed, request a cancellation confirmation email or document for your records. This will serve as proof of cancellation.
- Track Refund or Credit (If Applicable)
Depending on your fare rules, you may receive a refund or a non-transferable credit note. Refunds are generally processed back to the original payment method within the stipulated timeline.
- Follow Up if Needed
If you do not receive confirmation or a refund within the expected period, contact customer service or your travel agent for assistance.
Cordelia Cruises’ Refund of Service Charges, Levies, and Taxes
One of the notable customer-friendly aspects of the Cordelia Cruises cancellation policy is that service charges, government levies, and taxes are always refundable. Even if the cancellation falls within the 100% penalty period for cabin fares, these additional costs are returned to the traveler. This ensures that passengers are not paying beyond the direct cruise fare for a trip they are unable to undertake.
Cancellations and Operational Changes
The smooth operation of Cordelia Cruises is dependent on a variety of external factors, such as:
- Weather conditions
- Mechanical issues
- Vessel traffic or government directives
- Emergency assistance to other vessels or individuals in distress
- Availability of port berths
Because of these factors, Cordelia Cruises does not guarantee that the ship will call at every advertised port, follow a fixed route, or adhere strictly to the published schedule. The ship’s Master and the Company reserve the absolute right to:
- Cancel or modify the itinerary
- Substitute ports, routes, or even vessels
- Make such changes without prior notice
If the port of embarkation itself is substituted, Cordelia Cruises will arrange alternate transportation to the new port at no cost to the guest, ensuring passengers are able to begin their journey.
Force Majeure Cancellations
In certain situations beyond the company’s control—such as natural disasters, political unrest, or other force majeure events—Cordelia Cruises may be compelled to cancel, alter, or terminate a cruise before or after departure. In such cases:
- The cruise line will not be responsible for providing refunds, compensation, or covering additional costs incurred by passengers.
- Guests bear responsibility for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as air tickets, accommodation, food, or ground transportation booked independently to reach the port of embarkation.
This clause emphasizes that the company cannot be held liable for disruptions caused by uncontrollable events.
Cancellation by Cordelia Cruises Prior to Departure (Non–Force Majeure)
Cordelia Cruises may occasionally cancel a cruise prior to departure for reasons such as:
- Vessel unavailability (due to chartering, overbooking of cabins, or other operational reasons).
In such cases:
- Guests will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
- Instead of a refund, passengers will receive a non-transferable, non-encashable Credit Note equal to or slightly higher than the value of the cruise ticket.
- The Credit Note will have a fixed validity period and must be redeemed within that time. Extensions to the validity will not be granted.
Importantly, no refunds are issued under this clause. Guests must also note that any expenses incurred while traveling to the embarkation port—such as airfare, local transport, accommodation, food, or other costs—are not reimbursed by Cordelia Cruises.
Additionally, payments made for onboard or shore-side services (such as dining upgrades, spa bookings, or excursions) are non-refundable once processed, regardless of the cancellation circumstances.
No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy for Cordelia Cruises
- Bookings are held until two hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
- Guests who fail to arrive at the port on time (“no-shows”) will not receive a refund or credit note.
- Similarly, no refunds are issued for:
- Lost tickets
- Partially used tickets
- Interruptions during the voyage
- Cancellations made after the cruise has started
Cordelia Cruises strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance to protect against such risks, especially for last-minute disruptions or emergencies.
Group and Charter Bookings
For group bookings, partial ship charters, or full ship charters, specific cancellation charges and policies are outlined in the charter contract or group booking supply agreement. These terms may differ from those applied to individual travelers and should be reviewed carefully at the time of booking.
Non-Use or Partial Use of Ticket On Cordelia Cruises
Passengers must ensure they arrive well in advance of the ship’s scheduled departure:
- The embarkation process closes two hours before sailing.
- Missing this deadline, joining from another port, or leaving mid-cruise results in the forfeiture of the fare, with no entitlement to a refund.
- The “All Onboard Time” is published daily in the ship’s program and displayed at the gangway in each port. Guests are advised to be onboard at least one hour before this time to avoid last-minute issues.
If a passenger fails to embark on time, Cordelia Cruises holds no responsibility for alternate travel arrangements, and the guest must cover any additional costs to return home or attempt to rejoin the vessel.
Policy Updates
Cordelia Cruises’ policies—including FIT, Group, Cancellation, and Refund policies—are subject to periodic updates. Guests are strongly advised to check the official website (www.cordeliacruises.com) regularly for the latest terms and conditions, as these policies form an integral part of the travel agreement.
Cancellation Rules for Promotional Offers
Cordelia Cruises frequently offers attractive deals and discounts, but these come with specific terms that override the standard cancellation policy. Two key promotional categories are worth noting:
September Birthday Special – 30% Off
- Valid for guests who have their birthday’s on September
- Eligible guests must sail to avail the offer.
- As per discount rules , covering accompanying guests in the same stateroom.
- Government-issued ID with date of birth must be presented at the time of booking for verification.
- The offer applies to select staterooms only.
- 18% GST, service charges, levies, and fuel surcharges are applicable for all passengers.
- This promotion can be combined with other existing offers.
- Standard cancellation, refund, and amendment policies apply.
- The discount is not valid for modifications made after the original booking.
In short, if you book under this birthday offer, you’ll still fall under the regular cancellation structure outlined above.
Exclusive Value Fares
Cordelia Cruises also offers special Exclusive Value Fares, designed to provide significant savings for select sailings. However, these fares come with stricter cancellation rules:
- Applies only on Interior Staterooms for specific September 2025 sailings (3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, and 17th).
- 18% GST applies on the booking amount.
- Cancellations and reschedules are not permitted under this fare category.
- No refunds are issued for no-shows.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.
- The discount will not apply to any modifications after the original booking.
This means that while Exclusive Value Fares may be budget-friendly, they carry a strict no-cancellation, no-refund policy, so travelers must be certain of their plans before booking.
Important Considerations Regarding Cancelling Cordelia Cruises
Before booking or canceling a Cordelia Cruise, passengers should be aware of certain key conditions that affect refunds, upgrades, and overall travel terms.
- Promotional Fares
Some special promotional fares, including Exclusive Value Fares, are often non-refundable. Passengers should carefully review these terms before booking.
- Stateroom Upgrades
If you plan to upgrade your stateroom, this must be done several days before departure. The fare difference must be paid, and upgrades are subject to availability.
- Passenger Cruise Ticket Contract
All bookings are bound by the terms of the Passenger Cruise Ticket Contract, which details liability, refund rules, and service conditions. It is strongly recommended that passengers review this document prior to traveling.
Conclusion
Cordelia Cruises’ cancellation policy strikes a balance between guest flexibility and the operational needs of the cruise line. With a tiered system of charges based on the proximity to departure, travelers are encouraged to finalize plans early while still retaining some flexibility in case of unavoidable changes. Refunds on taxes, levies, and service charges add a layer of reassurance, even when fare penalties apply.
At the same time, promotional fares such as the September Birthday Special and Exclusive Value Fares carry unique rules that guests must review carefully before booking. By understanding these policies in detail, travelers can better safeguard their investment and enjoy a smoother, worry-free cruising experience.
FAQs:
Yes, Cordelia Cruises allows guests to cancel either a full booking or specific staterooms. However, cancellations are subject to charges that depend on how many days before departure the cancellation request is made.
If canceled 61 days or more before sailing, 25% of the cabin price is charged. Between 31–60 days, the charge is 50%; 16–30 days is 75%; and 0–15 days before departure, 100% of the cabin fare is non-refundable.
Yes. Even if you cancel close to the departure date, Cordelia Cruises refunds all government levies, taxes, and service charges. Only the cabin fare is subject to cancellation penalties.
If the cancellation is due to reasons outside Cordelia’s control (e.g., weather, government directives, or force majeure), no refund or compensation is provided. However, in cases unrelated to force majeure (such as overbooking or vessel unavailability), guests receive a non-transferable credit note equal to or slightly higher than the value of their ticket.
No. Expenses such as flights, accommodation, food, or local transport to the embarkation port are not reimbursed, even if the cruise is canceled or altered. Guests are responsible for these independent arrangements.
Bookings are held until two hours before departure. Guests who fail to arrive on time (“no-shows”) or miss embarkation receive no refund or credit note. Similarly, partially used or interrupted tickets are non-refundable.
For group bookings, and full or partial charters, separate cancellation policies apply. These are outlined in the specific contract or supply agreement and may differ from the standard individual policy.
Not always. Standard cancellation rules apply to the September Birthday Special, but Exclusive Value Fares have stricter conditions — no cancellations, refunds, or reschedules are allowed, and no-shows also forfeit the fare.
No. Once booked under a special promotion (like Birthday Specials or Exclusive Value Fares), modifications are not permitted. The original booking terms remain binding.
Yes, Cordelia strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. Since last-minute cancellations, missed departures, or force majeure events are non-refundable, insurance offers additional protection and peace of mind.
Leave a Reply