Cancellation and refund policy

The short version

Cruise reservations are subject to the strict cancellation policies of the specific cruise line operating the vessel. The closer to your embarkation date you cancel, the greater the penalty assessed by the cruise line, reaching 100% forfeiture close to departure.

Your written quotation will clearly show the specific cancellation penalty milestones for your sailing before you make any payment.

If you need to cancel your cruise

1. Submit written notice: Send a formal cancellation request via email to contact@myoceantours.com, clearly stating your legal name and cruise reservation confirmation number. Cancellations are officially recorded on the date received during regular U.S. business hours (Eastern Time).
2. Agency processing: We submit the cancellation to the operating cruise line and calculate any eligible refund.
3. Application of penalties: The cruise line applies its contractual cancellation fee schedule based on the number of days remaining until embarkation.
4. Refund disbursement: We issue any refund funds released by the cruise line directly back to your original payment method, less our non-refundable agency service fee of $50 per stateroom.

Typical cruise line cancellation tiers

While each line maintains its own schedule, standard 5-to-8 night Caribbean, Alaska, and Mexican Riviera sailings typically follow these milestone penalties:

• 90+ days prior to sailing: Full refund (except on non-refundable deposit promotions) or transfer of deposit.
• 89 to 60 days prior: Forfeiture of the deposit amount.
• 59 to 30 days prior: Forfeiture of 50% of the total cruise fare.
• 29 to 15 days prior: Forfeiture of 75% of the total cruise fare.
• 14 days or fewer prior: 100% forfeiture of the total cruise fare (zero refund).

Non-refundable items

The following fees are strictly non-refundable:

• Our agency service fee of $50 per stateroom, which covers the professional administrative work of researching and executing your reservation;
• Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD) fares: Discounted cruise fares booked under non-refundable promotional rules forfeit the initial deposit upon cancellation, though some lines issue a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) minus an administrative fee;
• Travel protection insurance premiums, once the initial review period (usually 10 to 14 days from purchase) has elapsed.

Government port taxes and fees are refunded in full if cancellation occurs prior to sailing, regardless of when you cancel.

Reservation modifications and name changes

Modifications to your sailing date, stateroom category, or guest names are subject to cruise line approval and prevailing fare differences. Most cruise lines permit one name correction or minor spelling adjustment without penalty, but require at least one original adult guest name from the original reservation to remain on the booking.

Changing a sailing date or swapping all guest names inside the final payment window is treated by cruise lines as a full cancellation and new booking.

Denied boarding and missed departures

No refunds are issued if a passenger:

• Arrives at the cruise terminal after final boarding check-in has closed;
• Fails to present required government travel documents (e.g., valid passport or state photo ID with certified birth certificate);
• Is denied boarding due to health protocols, intoxication, unruly behavior, or entering the 24th week of pregnancy; or
• Departs the cruise mid-voyage for personal convenience.

Cancellations by the cruise line

If the cruise operator cancels a sailing due to vessel mechanical failure, weather disruptions, or government restrictions prior to departure, you will be offered the cruise line's official remediation options. These typically include:

• A 100% full refund of all monies paid; or
• A Future Cruise Credit (often with a 10% to 25% bonus incentive) applied toward an alternate voyage.

Where a cruise is canceled by the cruise line, we also waive and refund our agency service fee. We cannot reimburse independently arranged non-refundable expenses, such as third-party flights or hotel accommodations, which is why travel insurance is always recommended.