Huge Change Coming to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Suite Deposit: What to Know
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If you’re thinking about booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity you should book sooner vs later. A huge change is coming to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity suite deposit requirements.
You might pay more to book a suite on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Effective June 1, 2023, the deposit requirement for new suite bookings including junior suites and suite guarantees will increase to 10% of the cruise fare per guest.
In alignment with the suite deposit policy, your cruise deposit will be non-refundable. This means, if you cancel your cruise before final payment, you will lose your deposit.
This change only applies to suite reservations made on and after June 1, 2023.
Pro-tip: You can avoid the increased suite deposit if you book your cruise by May 31, 2023.
This policy only applies to suites. Deposits for inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins remain the same.
The increased suite deposit applies to all destinations and all cruises.
10% Suite Deposit
The 10% suite deposit is based on the full cost of the cruise after all promotions and discounts divided by the number of guests.
If 10% of the cruise fare is less than the standard deposit amount, you only have to pay the standard deposit.
You’ll pay the 10% suite deposit if your suite costs more than $2,500 per person.
Pro-tip: If you want to save money on your upfront deposit, you’ll pay a lower suite deposit on short cruises especially if you travel during off peak.
Standard Cruise Deposit
A standard cruise deposit varies depending on the length of the cruise and the number of guests in the cabin. Typically $200 per cabin for 1 to 5 night cruises, $500 per cabin for 6 to 9 night cruises, and $900 per cabin for 10 night or longer cruises.
With this new change to suite deposit requirements, instead of paying a flat rate based on cruise length and guests, your cruise deposit will be 10% of the cruise cost divided by the number of guests.
Pro-tip: The 10% cruise deposit requirement doesn’t apply if booking under a Kids Sail Free promo.
Kids Sail Free Suite Deposits
If you’re booking your cruise during a Kids Sail Free promotion, the deposit will revert to the standard deposit for any fifth or more guests. In other words, you’ll still pay 10% of the cruise fare value unless you have 5 or more guests in the cabin.
Suite Deposits on Upgrades
This new policy change also applies to suite deposits on upgrades. If you upgrade your cabin to a suite after June 1, 2023, the 10% of the cruise fare deposit policy also applies.
You will have to pay any increased deposit costs at the time of your upgrade.
Pro-tip: Your deposit will also revert to a nonrefundable deposit.
Next Cruise Bookings
Many guests like to take advantage of reduced deposits and free onboard credit (OBC) for booking their future cruises at Next Cruise. You can still get your OBC but you’ll pay a higher deposit. This new suite deposit policy applies to Next Cruise bookings made on or after June 1, 2023.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity suite deposits on cruises booked on and after June 1, 2023 will increase to 10% of the cruise fare per guest.
If the amount is less than the standard deposit amount, the standard deposit will apply.
This change only applies to guests booked in suites including junior suites, suite guarantees, and guests who upgrade into a suite.
You can avoid the increased deposit by booking your suite by May 31, 2023.
Will this change cause you to rethink the type of cabin on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity you book?
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