Cruise lines allowing last-minute cruise cancellations due to spread of coronavirus

Many cruise lines are adding new cancellation policies that aim to ease the concern of cruisers that are worried about the spread of coronavirus.

The policies vary by cruise line, although most are adding a temporary option up to 48 hours before the sail date. 

Here is a look at each cruise line's policy:

Carnival Cruise Line

Guests booked on a sailing before May 31 can receive a future cruise credit for the amount of their cruise that needs to b e used by March 31, 20201.

Passengers booked on sailings departing on or before March 31 can move their bookings to a later date anytime up to three days before departure. Cruises departing in April or May must make the decision to change by the end of March.

The policy only applies to passengers who booked Carnival cruises before March 6.

Celebrity Cruises

Guests can cancel up to 48 hours prior to their cruise, if they have a cruise booked through July 31, 2020.

Guests must use their future cruise credit by December 31, 2021.

Disney Cruise Line

Guests currently booked on a Disney European sailings through our July 25 departure can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.

Guests currently booked on a Disney Cruise Line July 13, July 18 and July 25, 2020, European sailings may delay their final payment to 30 days prior to their sailing.

All Guests scheduled to depart on the Disney Magic between now and May 8, 2020, and the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder between now and May 31, 2020, can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 12 months of their original sail date. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.

Holland America Line

Guests with cruises booked on departures April 1, 2020, through July 31, 2020 are covered under the Short Term Cancel Policy, and can be cancelled up to 48 hours in advance.

Any cancellation will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount of the paid fare, less the cost of Cancellation Protection Plan (Standard or Platinum), which can be used for another cruise in 2020 or 2021. The FCC must be booked by Dec. 31, 2020.

For those who choose to keep their cruise plans on departures through May 31, 2020, an Onboard Spending Credit of US$200 per stateroom/US$100 per person for voyages 7 days or longer and US$100 per stateroom/US$50 per person for voyages 6 days or less will be automatically applied to their shipboard account as a thank you.

MSC Cruises

Guests with a cruise booked that departs before July 31 may cancel without penalty up until 48 hours before departure.

Those who cancel will receive a future cruise credit that must be used by December 31, 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Guests who have booked a trip through September 30 can cancel up to 48 hours before their voyage begins.

The guests would receive 100% future cruise credit on any sailing through December 31, 2022.

Royal Caribbean

Guests can cancel up to 48 hours prior to their cruise, if they have a cruise booked through July 31, 2020.

Guests must use their future cruise credit by December 31, 2021.