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CORRECTED: Regent makes cruise cancellations more expensive

November 02, 2009

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has enacted a stricter cancellation policy for 2011 cruises.

In a letter sent to travel agents on Oct. 30, Regent said that if customers cancel between 91 and 120 days prior to departure, they would pay a 15% penalty. The 15% cancellation fee usually will be higher than the current flat fee of $400.

The penalty climbs to 50% if the cancellation comes within 51 to 90 days prior to departure, up from the current 10% penalty on cruises canceled between 61 and 90 days out.

The penalty jumps to 75% if the cancellation occurs between 31 and 50 days before departure, up from the current 25% if cancellation is between 31 and 60 days.

If customers cancel within 30 days prior to embarkation, they will incur a 100% cancellation penalty. Currently, customers can cancel within 15 to 30 days of the cruise and pay a 50% fee.

Customers still will pay a $200 flat fee if they cancel more than 120 days out.

The report was corrected to state that customers canceling within 30 days prior to sailing will pay a 100% cancellation penalty.

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#16November 07, 2009
The new policy is mild in comaparison to non-refundale air line tickets; which by far and the most purchased air fare. Many hotels, especially those hosting large events like conventions, require a non-refundable deposit for the first night, and require that you cancel the second night by 6 pm on the first night, or else they charge you an additional night. The only real problem with Regents' polcy is it made the news, and became a discussion issue.
#15November 05, 2009
Here's what really angers me - I woiuld like to book a canbin for 2 people, me plus A.N. OTHER, but if the name of A.N OTHER changes, I am out a canbcellation policy. There ois absolutely NO justification for them needing to know the name of AS.N.Other until the ship sails. They do NOT have a complete manifest until the ship leaves its first port. ASsd another subscrober stated, this will just lead to later and later bookings.
#14November 04, 2009
I had this happen to me, I had to cancel my trip due to my mother's medical condition. Had it not been for the travel insurance, RBC Travel Protection I would be "OUT" all the money my husband and I paid. We're talking 11,000.00, but as a result of RBC I got evey penny back...
#13November 04, 2009
Get real people, and sell insurance. All smaller ships have stiffer penalties, it's necessary for their volume, and in order to "protect pricing" and guard against last minute discounting.....that's the villian here. This also helps protect your commission, as a rash of last minute cancellations, especially on a luxury product, where discounting compromises the entire image. Personally I charge cancellatiion fees, so why shouldn't cruiselines?
#12November 04, 2009
I doubt Regent's bookings will even suffer a hiccup due to the policy change. When considering, selecting or recommending a cruise, the cancellation policy is low priority, maybe not even considered. I suspect the change was driven by loss of income. Regent put a cork in that leak. It is not out of line, nor excessive. It's business, and it is a contract. It is bad business to enter into a contract with reservations. The policy could be: there are no refunds, unless you or we find replacement passengers. Compare it to reserving group space; you either sell it or release it by a set date, or after which, you bought it. Compare it to leasing land based real estate. @#1: Any good agent already does that now. @#6: LOL! In your dreams. :) @#8: Ditto-Travel Guard @#10 & 11: Discoraging early booking? More like encouraging entering into a contract in good faith. JBE Travel Agent
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