Select cruise ship passengers booked on an upcoming sailing received quite an offer from Royal Caribbean if they'd consider changing their ship or sail date.
The email from Royal Caribbean doesn't say why they're offering cruisers substantial incentive to change their plans, but it's been a tactic in the past for opening up cabins.
Oversold cruises aren't as common as oversold flights, but they do happen. As a result, cruise lines try to rectify the situation with refunds, future travel credits, and other rebooking options.
Royal Caribbean reached out to guests on Allure of the Seas' May 15, 2025, voyage to see if anyone had flexible travel plans.
"Ahead of our Allure of the Seas, May 15, 2025, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel plans," reads an email sent to confirmed passengers.
"If your plans are set in stone, please mark this email as 'read,' and gear up for your upcoming adventure - although, there are some pretty sweet options below."
Three options with a full refund
It appears as though only certain stateroom categories were oversold on Allure of the Seas' May 15 cruise, as the first option lets guests move to a "beautiful interior stateroom."
"We'll move you to one of our cozy Interior staterooms and Royal Caribbean International will fully refund your current booking, including any non-refundable deposit for Allure of the Seas," says the email.
Additionally, guests will receive $200 USD in onboard credit per stateroom to use during the 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise.
The second option lets passengers move to Odyssey of the Seas' May 18, 2025, cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to the Greek Isles and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey.
According to the email, "You'll receive a complimentary transfer to the Odyssey of the Seas sailing you selected in the same category you previously booked. The complimentary transfer covers your cruise fare for the new sailing only and excludes taxes, fees & gratuities."
Moreover, Royal Caribbean will fully refund the reservation for Allure of the Seas.
The last option is for those who aren't satisfied with the other choices and prefer to cancel their booking altogether.
Passengers on Allure's May 15 cruise who decide to cancel will receive a 100% refund, as well as a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to use on another Royal Caribbean sailing departing by May 15, 2026.
Guests who select option two (Odyssey) or three (full refund + FCC) will also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses, including hotels and flights.
Those interested in changing their booking must submit their reservation details through a special survey link by May 7, 2025. Call centers can't process inquiries over the phone.
Then, Royal Caribbean will directly reach out via phone or email and send an updated booking invoice to your email.
If guests don't hear back from Royal Caribbean by May 8, they will remain booked on the existing Allure of the Seas voyage to Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca; and La Spezia, Italy.
Allure of the Seas just received over $100 million in upgrades and is sailing to Europe for the first time since 2015
After being indefinitely postponed during the pandemic, Allure finally received her long-awaited Royal Amplication.
New features include a renovated resort-style pool deck with the Perfect Storm waterslides, a Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, two hot tubs on Deck 16, and The Lime and Coconut bar.
That's not all, though. Playmaker's replaced Sabor Modern Mexican on the Boardwalk. Now, guests can enjoy casual bar bites in the sports bar setting steps away from the new Ultimate Abyss dry slide.
The Mason Jar is another new specialty restaurant on Allure of the Seas with southern-inspired dishes (think Lobster n’ Crawfish Gumbo and Smoky Deviled Eggs), live music, and unique cocktails.
Royal Caribbean also added the Pesky Parrot, a new bar that first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, as well as a shaved ice bar near the FlowRider surf simulators.
Additionally, over 100 cabins were added to Allure, ranging from standard staterooms to spacious Sky Class suites with 200-degree ocean views.
