Royal Caribbean Adopts a New Booking Rule

Royal Caribbean just made it a little easier for its cruise passengers.

In a move similar to what Carnival Cruise Line is already utilizing, Royal Caribbean will give passengers a 48-hour window between booking a cruise and actually paying for it. Frankly, it’s for People who still need to dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s, or take care of any last minute minutia involved with booking a cruise.

Now, booking a cruise is so much easier.

That’s especially true for people booking multiple cabins for family or friends, because cruises are generally nonrefundable. Having a two-day hold on the cabins and the price can be advantageous. But the courtesy hold is not available for all sailings. As one blogger noted, it could be a test by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line could be in beta mode for the moment.

It is not known which shifts or which happens are available. Both cruise lines will still give you on board credit for any difference in the final price. In other words, if you book for $500 in the final price is $450 you will get a $50 on board credit. But it’s up to you to point out the disparity, because the cruise line certainly won’t.

Travel advisors have always been able to use the 48-hour window, but now individuals booking their own cruise are apparently able to do so as well.