cruises cancelled due to a charter

[Cruizann]

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous 7 day cruise aboard the Eurodam and enjoyed delicious food in the MDR (Chef Martin) and Lido, relaxing and delicious breakfasts on our balcony, excellent service, a wide variety of good entertainment, and a fun time on our excursions.

We put down 100 dollars for our future cruise credit and were interested in a southern caribbean cruise on the Westerdam or Noordam in January or February 2013 and 3 of these cruises are now cancelled due to a charter. We wondered how close to the date a cruise departs, could a cruise be cancelled? We live in Canada and also need to book a flight to FLL.

[RuthC]

I imagine a cruise could be canceled right up to time of departure, but it would have to be an extraordinary reason for that to happen. Something like a total breakdown of the engines, maybe?

But charters are usually firmed up about a year (or more) in advance. I believe I've seen postings of shorter timeframes, but not many, and not by much. It takes a while for a charter to get the word out and sell the cabins. The organizers are putting up a lot of money to rent the entire ship for the week (or more), and need the time to get that money back from sales which cost more than a regularly scheduled cruise.

[Kamloops50]

Sometimes Alaska charters are done literally 2 - 4 months in advance.

The cost to line is horrendous.

[RuthC]

Sometimes Alaska charters are done literally 2 - 4 months in advance.

The cost to line is horrendous.
You don't think the cruiseline is making it up in what they charge the chartering company?
They're not going to lose money on the deal, or they wouldn't make the deal.

[Kamloops50]

Its the cost to there reputation thats expensive. No charter can pay for that.

[iancal]

I would wait for at least six months before booking any non refundable airfare or airfare that has a high change fee. Lots of time yet to get a reasonable fare.