Cancellation Fee

[Pimienta]

We just cancelled a cruise with Azamara six months before the final payment date.

 

The travel agency informed us that Azamara has a $25.00 per person cancellation fee. We knew the travel agency had this fee, so I thought the agent was confused.

 

I searched this forum and found out that that Azamara does indeed charge this fee. I was not aware of this before now, and I have never heard of any other cruise line charging this.

 

It's not a huge amount by any means, but I was just surprised by this. I always thought that we would receive a refund in full before the final payment date.

 

Have I been living under a rock this whole time? Do other cruise lines charge a fee for cancellation before final payment?

[uktog]

I believe Azamara in the USA introduced this fee some time ago, count yourself lucky you are not in the UK, the fee would be the equivalent of $260 each as we lose our deposits

[Pimienta]

Ouch!

[Andy]

Azamara has had the $25.00 administrative/cancel fee for quite some time.

[Pimienta]

That's fine and dandy, but I still wasn't aware of it.

[dln929]

That's fine and dandy, but I still wasn't aware of it.

 

It is easily found by using the search box on the top right of Azamara's home page. BTW, this charge is always in effect and will not be waived for any reason. We booked our fall Azamara cruise with one agency and I cancelled it because I found a far better deal with another agency. Even though I rebooked the cruise within the hour (and in the exact same cabin, too), we were still charged the admin fee.

 

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/plan-your-voyage/after-booking/helpful-information/voyage-cancellation-and-refund-policies

[Pimienta]

I suppose I didn't research cancellation fees before I even booked a cruise is because I usually don't ever cancel. I only cancelled one cruise in my life, because of a family emergency. I wasn't charged a fee for doing this with another cruise line, so I was surprised.

 

Well, lesson learned, water under the bridge, and all that.

[dln929]

I suppose I didn't research cancellation fees before I even booked a cruise is because I usually don't ever cancel. I only cancelled one cruise in my life, because of a family emergency. I wasn't charged a fee for doing this with another cruise line, so I was surprised.

 

Well, lesson learned, water under the bridge, and all that.

 

I sympathize! I found out the hard way that some travel agencies charge fees (like in the neighborhood of $100) for cancellations. After that, I always check the fine print. Ah well, there's a learning curve for everything. ;)

[2irisheyes]

I was going to post the same as uktog before I read on. I guess it might have been introduced in an attempt to stop multiple bookings being made when there is only the intention to take one or two of them. If there is some financial cost involved some people are less likely to do this. I know in the UK we need to pretty sure when we book that we intend to proceed. We have lost our deposits on a few cruises due to medical emergencies. It would have been great if it was only $25 pp. Always read the small print. Unfortunately not enough people do.

[dorisis]

Thanks for posting this, I was not aware of Azamara's cancellation fee. None of the other lines have it but I know some agencies do have it.

[legaleaglegreen]

I believe that other lines do have it. I know for sure that Oceania has a much higher charge. Sorry you were dinged but always read the fine print.

[Pimienta]

Oceania has a complicated "menu" of cancellation fees. This is the one cruise that I did have to cancel, and we didn't have any cancellation fee. Cruises under 19 days in length, and cancelled in writing within the time limit, have no fee.

 

I just looked this up. ;)

[Leesie6351]

I also got caught up in the cancellation fee. DH and I decided to try Azamara for our 45th anniversary. We're Elite on X and got a great deal-- balcony for price of an inside.

 

I spoke to an Azamara rep and expressed interest in a particular cruise. She said even though it was a "gty", I could actually pick a cabin. There was a particular cabin we wanted and booked it and paid the $1100 deposit. I mentioned we were going to try to get another couple we know to come with us. At no time was I told about the cancellation fee or that I could put a 4 day hold on the cabin instead to reserve it. My friends were interested but decided they wanted a 16 day cruise instead of the 9 day we had booked. They called Azamara and were able to put a hold on their cabin, right next to ours, while t hey checked with us to see if we would switch to the 16 night. We agreed and the next day, I called Azamara and booked the 16 day. DH and I were thinking of doing the 2 as back to backs but a day later, we decided to cancel the 9 day. I was shocked to be charged $25/per person cancellation fee.

 

the Rep at Azamara said it was on the booking confirmation form but I pointed out that you don't get that form until you book so unless you are told by an agent, there is no way to know. It never occurred to me to ask because X and RCCL do not charge and they are sister lines. Since it was only a matter of 3 days and we did book another cruise, I really don't think the charge is appropriate and I have sent a polite email requesting a refund.

 

This has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I understand charging if you cancel after a long time, but 3 days? Also, I swapped cruises and that should be the difference. this is not a way for Azamara to win friends and gain loyal X customers.

[pacheco18]

Oceania had no cancellation fees if you cancelled far out from the cruise date until recently. Result: lots of folks booked cruises that they had no intention of taking. Now the cancellation fee has been raised. Azamara's $25 is a pittance!

 

Frank Del Rio, Oceania's CEO, actually posted on CC about this issue and asked us how we felt about stiffer cancellation penalties. There is a serious problem with folks booking multiple cruises with the intention of canceling all but one of them -- and the consequences are obvious (not talking about emergencies here). The cruise line has no accurate idea of occupancy on a particular cruise, many cruisers are wait listed or even closed out unnecessarily and cannot make plans or book flights. They then might book elsewhere. Incredibly most of us involved in the discussion APPLAUDED the idea of a stiffer cancellation fee to prevent the multiple booking scenario. I guess the folks on the thread just don't cancel after we book. On Oceania (and Regent, the sister company, which has always had a cancellation penalty), the cancellation penalty can be applied to a future cruise, so you really don't lose anything if you book something else in the future.