Summary
- Free casino cruisers must pay a $200 deposit on casino reservations.
- The $200 will be turned into an Onboard Credit during a future reservation.
- Any unused amount is refunded to the card on file after the trip ends.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have made major changes to their casino rules that may upset many travelers. Letters outlining a new policy regarding casino travel were sent to travelers on August 22. Due to a large number of late cancellations, any individual with a free casino cruise must pay a $200 deposit starting on September 5, 2024.
More Details on the Change
Regular cruisers receive free trips via Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises due to casino play perks or other incentives. Once they earn a set number of points, they can cash them in for interior room upgrades and even free trips.
The problem with this program is that travelers cancel at the last minute due to work, health, or other reasons. As a result, passengers do not show up for the cruise, and the cruise line loses out on revenues. Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have sent letters to their regulars with a casino rule change that will hopefully stop no-shows.
The letter stated that anyone receiving it had canceled within two days of sailing or not shown up for the casino reservation. Based on the new No-Show & Cancellation Policy, individuals must pay a $200 deposit on casino reservations starting September 5, 2024, and beyond.
The $200 deposit will be refunded as an Onboard Credit for travelers on a future trip. Any unused amount at the end of the trip will be paid back to the card the individual has on file. Travelers who cancel within seven days of the trip will receive a full refund of the $200.
Avoiding Last-Minute Cancellations
The goal of the cruise lines is to avoid last-minute cancellations. With the fee paid, anyone who wants to cancel must do so within the grace period. This allows the cruise line to have openings for other travelers so it does not lose any potential earnings.
Anyone with free casino cruises from September 5, 2024, has 30 days to review the reservation and pay the $200 deposit. If the payment is not made by October 5, the reservation will be canceled. Payments can be made online, and cancellations must be completed by telephone.
The cruise lines are not adding to the overall cost but creating the deposit to urge travelers to communicate if they will not be showing up to the cruise they booked. Hopefully, the letter will be received in a timely fashion for those who have cruises coming up in September and October. If not, some free travelers may find their trip canceled due to non-payment of the $200 deposit.
About the Author
