Royal Caribbean is once again grappling with an overbooking issue. This time, it involves a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Adventure of the Seas. The cruise is set to depart from Port Canaveral on 7th June 2025. The itinerary includes stops in Labadee, Falmouth, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Compensation Options for Affected Guests
Guests have been informed about the overbooking situation. To address this, Royal Caribbean is offering compensation packages. Travellers can choose to either rebook or cancel their cruise.
Rebook and Enjoy Added Benefits
The first option allows guests to transfer their booking to one of four alternative sailings. These are scheduled for later in June or July 2025. In return, guests receive a 50% refund of their original fare and a $300 non-refundable onboard credit. Three of these alternatives are longer than the original cruise, providing extra value. Options include:
– Two 8-night Western Caribbean cruises on Adventure of the Seas
– A 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas
– An identical 6-night Western Caribbean cruise departing 19th July 2025
Cancel for a Full Refund and Future Credit
For those unable or unwilling to reschedule, there’s another option. Guests can cancel their cruise entirely. This includes a full refund and a 100% Future Cruise Credit. The new sailing must be booked for a departure on or before 7th June 2026.
No Action Required for Current Bookings
Guests who wish to keep their current booking need not take any action. Royal Caribbean anticipates that enough passengers will opt for the compensation packages. This should resolve the overbooking without affecting those who choose to sail. If not, the cruise line may need to enhance its compensation offers. Otherwise, it risks cancelling some guests with ‘Guarantee’ cabins.
Ongoing Overbooking Issues
This incident is part of a series of overbookings by Royal Caribbean. Recently, Allure of the Seas had two oversold sailings between April and May. Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas faced similar issues in May and early June. While many guests accept the compensation, the pattern raises questions. Why do these overbookings keep happening? Should this practice be allowed?
Understanding Overbooking in the Cruise Industry
Overbooking is common in the travel industry, including cruises. It helps operators offset expected cancellations and no-shows. This maximises revenue and occupancy. Much of this is driven by “guaranteed cabin” bookings. Passengers reserve a category without choosing a specific stateroom. These fares are usually offered at a lower rate for flexibility. However, they also contribute to overbooking issues.
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