There's just about a day left to book a cruise that qualifies for Royal Caribbean's policy that allows for a last minute cancellation.

The Cruise with Confidence program is set to expire on March 31, 2022, which means cruises booked after will not qualify for the program.

There's been no word from Royal Caribbean on it being extended, so it appears the program may very well come to an end at the end of the day on Thursday.

Cruise with Confidence program is the name of the offer for guests who can cancel their cruise even after final payment date, up to 48 hours before a ship is scheduled to sail in exchange for a future cruise credit.

As of the writing of this article, it applies to sailings booked by March 31, 2022 that depart by September 30, 2022.

The program was introduced at the start of the global pandemic so passengers could feel assured they could change their mind closer to sail date.

The flexibility this program provides is a great "safety net" for anyone with a cruise booked who is unsure what the cruise world may look like closer to your sail date. In short, there is very little risk when your booking is protected with Cruise with Confidence since you can change your mind at any time.

Royal Caribbean thought Cruise with Confidence would have ended before, but the Omicron variant compelled them to keep it going once more.

What happens after Cruise with Confidence ends?

Once Cruise with Confidence comes to an end, cancellation policies revert back to pre-pandemic.

Cancellations may occur up to the final payment date without penalty if you booked refundable cruise fare. Typically the final payment date for most cruises is 90 days before a cruise begins.

If you booked a non-refundable cruise fare, and are outside of final payment, you will receive a Future Cruise Certificate in the amount of the cruise deposit, less a $100 per guest change fee.

After final payment date, there is a penalty for cancelling a reservation in the form of losing a percentage of the cost of the cruise. The exact amount of this penalty depends on how close to your sail date you are when cancelling.

In addition, the enhanced Best Price Guarantee program reverts back, which means guests can reprice their cruise up until final payment date. After final payment date, price changes are not allowed.

Moreover, certain countries had been able to price match because of the enhanced Best Price Guarantee.

What you should do before Cruise with Confidence ends?

If you are thinking of booking any cruise between now and September 2022, it may make a lot of sense to at least put a deposit down now to not only lock in the price of your cruise, but also ensure you can cancel it under Cruise with Confidence up to 48 hours before the sailing.

Of course, there are still some other means to retain some level of flexibility to change your mind later even without the program. 

• Book refundable cruise fare so you can cancel before final payment date for a 100% refund.
• Consider a "Cancel for any reason" travel insurance plan

How to get flexibility in the future

As Royal Caribbean sunsets Cruise with Confidence, this is a good reminder how to book a cruise with maximum flexibility.

While cancelling at the last minute for any reason may be a thing of the past, there are still some easy ways to change your mind down the line.

Book refundable cruise fare

Be sure to put a refundable deposit down, and not a non-refundable deposit.

While a non-refundable deposit will save you some money, those savings are offset by the inflexibility and change fees it comes with.

Purchase cancel for any reason travel insurance

While not as easy as Cruise with Confidence, there are some travel insurance policies that allow you to cancel for any reason.

Most travel insurance only kicks in under certain conditions, but there are Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies that allow you to get reimbursed for travel costs.

A typical CFAR policy allows you to cancel a cruise and any associated prepaid activities for whatever reason you choose. 

Be sure to read the policy before buying one of these plans, as you usually have to purchase a plan within 14-21 days of making a deposit.

Cancel for any reason insurance is not available in all states, so check with your insurance provider if you're eligible. 

One other thing to consider is most CFAR plans only pay out 50 to 75 percent of your out-of-pocket expenses if you decide to cancel. Expect to pay as much as 40 percent more on your policy for the privilege.

Wait longer to book a cruise

While I always advocate booking as early as you can to lock in a good price, if you're uncertain about your plans, perhaps waiting to place a deposit makes more sense.

Talk with a good travel agent about prices, and if you see prices starting to creep up, consider putting down a deposit or see if prices drop again.

Royal Caribbean has released updated North American health protocols for cruises departing on or after March 18, 2022.

This includes updated shore excursion requirements for unvaccinated children and their families.

For departures on or after March 18, 2022: all guests, regardless of vaccination status, may visit most ports freely or book a shore excursion.

A few ports still require an excursion to go ashore, regardless of your vaccination status. 

Those ports are:

• Barbados
• Falmouth
• St. Lucia
• Dominica
• St. Vincent

According to the cruise line, all guests going ashore must still follow local health and safety guidance when visiting each port of call. Unvaccinated children should expect to wear their masks while ashore, avoid crowded areas, and maintain physical distance whenever possible.

Up until now, families with unvaccinated children had to take only Royal Caribbean shore excursions and were not allowed to take private tours.

The rest of the protocols for North American cruises remains unchanged.

North America Cruise Ship Protocols

Here are the Covid protocols for U.S. sailings (excluding Puerto Rico).

Vaccines

All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing.

Children aged 5 to 11 are not required to be vaccinated.

Royal Caribbean recommends children that become eligible for vaccination receive their vaccine before sailing.

Children with one dose of a two-dose vaccine do not count as fully vaccinated for the purpose of a sailing.

Testing

Pre-Cruise: All guests 2 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result.

• Vaccinated guests: PCR or antigen test must be taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing.
• Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11: PCR test must be taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing — but not on boarding day. Antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests.
• No testing required for guests under age 2.

Certificate of Recovery: Instead of a negative pre-cruise test, a Certificate of Recovery and a positive PCR test taken between 11-90 days prior to our sail date can be provided to sail with us. To learn more, check out our dedicated FAQ here. Please note: we will not accept a Certificate of Recovery in the place of a vaccination record. Additionally, some ports of call do not accept Certificates of Recovery for the purposes of debarking and enjoying the destination.  

Embarkation Day: Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test for COVID-19 during check-in. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.

Onboard: For sailings that are 5 nights or longer, unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test prior to debark. Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements. Registration details will be provided onboard.

Masks

Masks are optional for vaccinated guests and are expected for unvaccinated children.

Masks will be required in Adventure Ocean, in the terminal, and may be required at various destinations. Guests under 2 years old don’t need a mask.

Royal Caribbean has updated its health protocols for cruises sailing through April 14, 2022 in order to match the cruise line's decision to opt into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) voluntary cruise program.

In an email to guests and travel agents, Royal Caribbean issued new health protocols that apply to all cruises sailing from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Barbados between February 25, 2022 and April 14, 2022

Royal Caribbean says this update reflects the, "government mandates, the changes based on our voluntary opt-in to the US CDC Cruise Program, plus shore excursion requirements for unvaccinated children and their families."

Royal Caribbean also said that protocols are still subject to change, due to the fluidity of the situation with Covid.

Here's a look at the latest protocols.

Covid-19 booster

While currently not required as a condition to sail, the US CDC has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those eligible, prior to cruise travel.

Royal Caribbean, "strongly recommends" guests get boosted before their cruise.

Vaccine requirements

All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing.

Children aged 5 to 11 are not required to be vaccinated, however, as they are eligible, Royal Caribbean recommends they receive their vaccine before sailing.

Children with one dose of a vaccine do not count as fully vaccinated for the purpose of the sailing. 

Face masks

Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. 

Unvaccinated children should expect to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings.

Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program.

Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time. 

Adventure Ocean Youth Program Reservations

For the first time, Royal Caribbean has included Adventure Ocean children's programming as part of the protocol release.

These spaces will be cleaned and sanitized frequently.

Royal Caribbean asks that guests make a reservation before bringing their child to Adventure Ocean on port days the ship is in port — just stop by Adventure Ocean on boarding day to reserve time, or throughout your cruise.

Dining

In the Main Dining Room, vaccinated guests may dine with other vaccinated guests outside their travel party. Parties that include unvaccinated kids will be assigned a table of their own.

Royal Caribbean recommends making reservations for dining before the cruise or via the app while onboard.

Vaccinated venues

Previously designated "vaccinated zones" are being removed.

This means no more vaccinated zones in the theater, spa, or gym, among other locations.

Shore excursions

Families traveling with unvaccinated kids are required to purchase a tour through Royal Caribbean to go ashore (except at private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee).

Some ports require all guests, regardless of vaccination status, to purchase tours through Royal Caribbean. These tours follow our health guidance and are available at a variety of prices. 

Pre-cruise Covid-19 test

The email made no mention of Covid-19 tests before the cruise, but the policy remains unchanged on Royal Caribbean's website.

Cruises from U.S. homeports (except Puerto Rico)

• Pre-Cruise: All guests 2 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Vaccinated guests ages 12 years and over: PCR or antigen test must be taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing.
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 years: PCR test must be taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing — but not on boarding day. Antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests.
  • No testing required for guests under age 2.
  • Pre-cruise testing costs and scheduling are the guest's responsibility.  

Embarkation Day: Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test for COVID-19 during check-in. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.

Onboard: For sailings that are 5 nights or longer, unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test prior to debark. Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements. Registration details will be provided onboard.

Cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Entry to Puerto Rico:
  • All guests unvaccinated guests 2 years and older will need a PCR or antigen test for entry.
  • Guests arriving from non-US countries (regardless of vaccination status) will need to provide a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding a flight to Puerto Rico.
• Pre-Cruise: All guests 2 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — must present a negative COVID-19 test result in order to sail. Your client's entry test can meet this requirement as long as it falls into the appropriate timeframe. 
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11: will need to show proof of a negative test result from a PCR test taken no more than 3 days prior to our sail date — but not on boarding day. Antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests.
  • Vaccinated guests 12 years and older: will need to show proof of a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days prior to our sail date. If for any reason guests can’t arrange this test prior to sailing, Royal Caribbean has port testing available for scheduling here.
  • No testing required for guests under age 2.
• Pre-cruise testing costs and scheduling are the guest's responsibility.
• Embarkation Day: In addition to the pre-cruise test requirement, unvaccinated guests 2 to 11 years old will be required to take a complimentary embarkation day antigen test. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
• Prior to disembarking: Unvaccinated guests 2 to 11 years old will take an antigen test prior to debarking in San Juan. 
  • ​For re-entry into guest's home country, guests may require proof of a negative COVID-19 test. If needed, we’ll offer complimentary testing on Day 5 or 6 of the cruise. Testing details will be provided onboard.
  • Please note, the test results will also be shared with Royal Caribbean International. This will let us help guests plan the next steps of their cruise and keep them informed. Royal Caribbean may also share the results with third parties, such as public authorities and health care providers.
• Post-Cruise: If a guest is staying in Puerto Rico after the cruise, or they live in Puerto Rico, an additional test will be needed.
  • Residents of Puerto Rico ages 2 years and older regardless of vaccination status, guests must take a COVID-19 test, at their own expense, after the cruise and upload their results on the TravelSafe Declaration within 48 hours of departing the ship.
  • Non-residents ages 2 years and older regardless of vaccination status, non-residents extending their stay in Puerto Rico after sailing must complete a COVID-19 test after their cruise, and upload the results to Puerto Rico's TravelSafe Declaration form within 24 hours of departing the ship. Guests will be provided a complimentary test kit for this purpose.
  • Please Note: Failure to meet this requirement can result in a $300 USD fine from Puerto Rico authorities.
• Quarantine: Unvaccinated travelers intending to stay in Puerto Rico before or after their cruise are now required to complete a quarantine period of 7 days. However, if a guest arrives in Puerto Rico on cruise boarding day, and depart Puerto Rico on the same day the cruise ends, a local quarantine is not required.
  • Quarantine Before: If guests arrive in Puerto Rico 1 or more days prior to their cruise, any unvaccinated guests ages 2 years and up in the travel party must remain in quarantine for those days. These guests may only leave to head directly to the cruise terminal for check-in on boarding day.
  • Quarantine After: Any unvaccinated non-residents ages 2 years and up extending their stay in Puerto Rico post-cruise must quarantine for up to 7 days. If a guest’s flight departs prior to the completion of the 7 days, they must remain in the hotel and may only leave to proceed directly to the airport on the day of your flight.

Vaccine and Testing protocols for cruises from Bridgetown, Barbados

• Due to the requirements of destinations on our Barbados itineraries, Royal Caribbean can only accept vaccines that are authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Guests under the age of 12 years, who are considered fully vaccinated, should follow the guidance for vaccinated guests below. Children with one dose of a vaccine do not count as fully vaccinated for the purpose of our sailing. The only mixed MRNA vaccines accepted are combinations of Pfizer and Moderna.
• Entry to Barbados: Guests must follow Barbados’ COVID-19 Travel Guidelines. All guests 5 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — must present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 3 days prior to arriving in Barbados. 
• Pre-cruise: All unvaccinated guests 2 - 11 years old must present a negative PCR test result no more than 3 days prior to sailing.
• Embarkation Day: All guests 2 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — are required to take a complimentary embarkation day antigen test and receive a negative test result. Registration details will be sent via email in advance for the antigen test at the terminal.
• No testing required for guests under age 2.
• Prior to disembarking: Guests 2 years and older will be provided with a complimentary antigen test to re-enter Barbados.
• For re-entry into a guest’s home country, proof of a negative COVID-19 test may be required. More details will be provided once onboard.

Bracelets

Royal Caribbean informed travel agents that they will no longer be using bracelets to identify vaccinated guests.

Under the CDC guideline for Highly Vaccinated sailings, with at least 95% of guests fully vaccinated, the ships are considered a vaccinated community, so identification via bracelets is not required.

Royal Caribbean will give anyone with a June 2022 cruise more time to make final payment.

In a webinar with travel agents, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents final payment is extended to 60 days-to-sailing for June 2022 departures.

Unlike other times Royal Caribbean has pushed back final payment date, this is pushed back to 60 days. Previously, they pushed it back to 30 days.

Prior to this change, the final payment had only been pushed back for cruises through May 31, 2022.

The benefit to guests is it gives guests more flexibility in deciding if they want to cruise without forcing a cancellation earlier.

The final payment date window of 75 days for cruises 1-4 nights and 90 days for cruises 5+ night remains for sailings beyond June 2022.

No action is required on the part of guests or travel agents, and no cancellations will occur until the new final payment date.

By cancelling a cruise before the final payment date, they can get a full cash refund, if they booked refundable cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean had already announced an extension of its Cruise with Confidence program for bookings made by January 31, 2022.

The Cruise with Confidence program allows anyone with a cruise booked the ability to cancel up to 48 hours before the sail date and get the full value in a Future Cruise Credit that’s good to redeem until May 31, 2022. 

Between the Cruise with Confidence program and final payment extension, Royal Caribbean is looking to give consumers more time to decide if they want to move forward with their cruise.

Planning a cruise? Here's some helpful articles:

• 2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Guide to cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean
• Answers to common Royal Caribbean unlimited alcohol package questions
• Guide to Royal Caribbean's onboard activities
• How to find a deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise

With Omicron cases on cruise ships plummeting, Royal Caribbean will not extend its stricter face mask rules and will allow them to end.

In mid-December Royal Caribbean tightened its face mask protocols due to the increase of Covid-19 cases around the world due to the Omicron variant.

Specifically, face masks were required to be worn indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This included vaccinated-only zones.

Beginning February 15, 2022, the stricter mask rules will go away and that means guests will not have to wear face masks at venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and Casino Royale. 

During a webinar with travel agents, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents the policy was changed yesterday, and beginning February 15, 2022 the stricter mask rules will go away.

"One thing that changed yesterday is we have now announced that in our casinos you will not be required to wear masks and you can smoke again in the smoking areas of the casino," Ms. Freed told travel agents.

Royal Caribbean International Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, told travel agents protocols will go back to the way they were before the stricter mask rules were added due to Omicron, "After February the 15th, we'll now allow smoking in the casino again. That is actually aligned, with us going back to protocol the way they were before, where you don't have to wear a mask in vaccinated areas."

"We'll go back to the way it was before on Omicron."

"As of right now, we did not push that additional mask restriction and casino smoking out to guests beyond the 15th. So hopefully we're in a good spot."

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

• In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting.
• In the pool or any activity where they may become wet.
• At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and Casino Royale. NOTE: For cruises departing through February 14, 2022, masks must be worn in vaccinated-only venues
• In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party.
• While visiting our private destinations, unless you are in a crowded setting.
• By any guest under the age of 2.

Masks ARE required to be worn:

• While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking.
• While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them.

Falling Covid cases on ships

The change in protocols coincides with Covid cases onboard falling back to pre-Omicron levels.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors last week that ship cases are significantly lower than the last two months, "In the last several weeks, cases on board our ships have been declining rapidly and we now have returned to exceptionally low pre-Omicron levels."

Over the last seven days, Royal Caribbean Group has averaged only "a handful of positive guest cases per cruise."

Other cruise lines relaxing protocols

Royal Caribbean's announcement comes a day after Norwegian Cruise Line said it would end its Omicron protocols as well.

NCL said beginning March 1, masks will no longer be required while indoors. Instead, they will be recommended.

Another change is NCL will now allow children under 5 years old to sail if they are unvaccinated, beginning on March 5.

In addition, NCL will require its passengers to test once at home before the cruise begins in an effort to speed up the check-in process.

Royal Caribbean has made those future cruise credits you have accrued over the last two years easier to use.

Future cruise credits (FCCs) have been given out to guests by the cruise line for cancelled cruises, and up until today there was a date a customer had to redeem it by before they expired.

Travel agents were advised today that Royal Caribbean has removed the "book/redeem by" deadline, and FCCs can now be redeemed anytime up until the expiration date listed on the certificate.

A FCC can now be redeemed on any Royal Caribbean International sailing departing on or before the expiration date. For example, if their credit expires on December 31, 2022, they can redeem their certificate on any sailing departing on or before the same date.

Royal Caribbean said the decision was made due to limited options for guests in light of the current global situation.

Royal Caribbean hopes this change will give guests more choice and more time to plan a cruise that can be booked with the FCCs.

Some other important notes about FCCs:

Multiple FCCs can be combined for one sailing.

If you are cruising with other guests on the same booking (reservation number), you can equally share the value of a FCC across all guests on that booking.

In addition, FCCs can be used with any promotion by the cruise line.

A welcome change

Sharla Manglass, a travel agent with MEI Travel, thinks this change will offer more flexibility for her clients, "This will give people more time to use them."

"And more time to sail, since a lot of people don't feel comfortable cruising right now."

Royal Caribbean has steadily pushed back expiration dates for FCCs given out during the pandemic.

While widespread cruise cancellations have stopped, the Cruise with Confidence program has been a popular option for Royal Caribbean customers who need to cancel a cruise close to the sail date for many possible reasons.

The program allows customers to get their money back in the form of future cruise credit if they choose to cancel for any reason, up until 48 hours prior to sailing.

Cruise with Confidence has been popular because of customers like knowing that they can cancel them due to Covid, or any reason.

The result has been a great deal of future cruise credits sitting idle as customers make a decision to sail again, or wait for the pandemic and its policies to change.

Read more: Top ways you cannot use your Royal Caribbean future cruise credits

Lots of credits out there

Prior to Covid, a future cruise credit was fairly rare, since cancelled cruises were few and far between.  But since then, many cruisers of all levels have dealt with them in one way or another.

During the height of pandemic when the cruise industry was shutdown, Royal Caribbean and other lines offered bonus FCC if a guest took the credit instead of a cash refund.

This strategy allowed the cruise lines to stay afloat, but it also has left lots of FCCs out there.

While cruise ships are back in service, there are still plenty of people who have a FCC and cannot use it yet for a variety of reasons.

Hopefully today's change will give these folks more time to find the right way to redeem it for them.

Planning a cruise? Check out these articles:

• What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?
• What to expect on your first cruise
• The unwritten rules of going on a cruise
• Is it worth it to book a short 3-night cruise?
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find
• How do I pick the perfect first cruise?

Once again, Royal Caribbean is giving its customers more time to take advantage of its flexible cancellation program.

Cruise with Confidence has been extended again for bookings made through March 31, 2022 on sailings departing on or before September 30, 2022.

What this means is you can cancel a booked Royal Caribbean cruise for any reason for a 100% future cruise credit.

In an email travel agents, Royal Caribbean explains the Omicron variant impact to its business, "With the rise of the Omicron variant, we have strengthened some of our health protocols to ensure that we mitigate the spread of COVID-19 onboard. We are confident in our approach as Royal Caribbean Group has carried 1.1 million guests since the restart of cruising from the US in June of 2021. We remain in constant communication with various government health authorities and will continue to work collaboratively with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

"At the end of the day, we want to ensure that planning your clients' vacations is as worry-free as possible. Therefore, we've made the decision to extend our popular Cruise with Confidence program to reservations confirmed on or before March 31, 2022 on sailings departing through September 30, 2022."

Prior to this extension, the Cruise with Confidence program was set to expire on January 31, 2022.

When a guest cancels their cruise past the final payment date, they can get a future cruise credit worth 100% of the cruise fare paid as long as they cancel at least 48 hours before the sail date.

It was originally introduced right before cruises began shutting down due to Covid-19 as a mechanism to give guests piece of mind they could change their plans after the final payment date.

Without the Cruise with Confidence program, there would be a penalty if you cancelled a cruise after the final payment date.

Included with the ability to cancel a cruise under Cruise with Confidence is the Best Price Guarantee, which allows guests to reprice their sailing up to 48-hours prior to the sail date if the price drops.

If you have a cruise booked already, then you qualify automatically for Cruise with Confidence. Going forward, you have until at least March 31, 2022 to qualify for Cruise with Confidence.

Do all sailings qualify for Cruise with Confidence?

Cruise with Confidence is applicable to all sailings.

It is not available to guests booked on chartered sailings or residents of mainland China.

You simply need to book a cruise before March 31, 2022. Existing bookings automatically qualify for Cruise with Confidence.

Why are they extending Cruise with Confidence?

The reason Royal Caribbean has extended this flexible cancellation program again is to give consumers more time to change their mind if they are worried about going on a cruise during the pandemic.

Traditionally, the final payment date would be the point in time when you would have to cancel without incurring a penalty fee.

At the onset of Covid-19, people were uncertain what to expect and cancelled their bookings early out of concern they could not predict if they would want to sail or not.

As a result, Cruise with Confidence was introduced so that anyone who has a cruise booked could wait longer to make a decision if they want to sail or not.

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked in April or May 2022, you will have more time to decide to make final payment.

Royal Caribbean announced it has extended the final payment window to 30 days-to-sailing (DTS) for April and May 2022 departures (excluding China & Singapore departures).

Prior to this change, the final payment had only been pushed back for cruises through March 31, 2022.

According to Royal Caribbean, this change was made to, "allow greater flexibility during these uncertain times." In short, it gives guests more flexibility in deciding if they want to cruise without forcing a cancellation earlier.

The final payment date window of 75 days for cruises 1-4 nights and 90 days for cruises 5+ night remains for sailings beyond May 2022.

No action is required on the part of guests or travel agents, and no cancellations will occur until the new final payment date.

By cancelling a cruise before the final payment date, they can get a full cash refund, if they booked refundable cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean had already announced an extension of its Cruise with Confidence program for bookings made by January 31, 2022.

The Cruise with Confidence program allows anyone with a cruise booked the ability to cancel up to 48 hours before the sail date and get the full value in a Future Cruise Credit that’s good to redeem until May 31, 2022. 

Between the Cruise with Confidence program and final payment extension, Royal Caribbean is looking to give consumers more time to decide if they want to move forward with their cruise.

Royal Caribbean won't let you embark the ship at a different port of call or leave the ship earlier during your cruise.

The policy on the cruise line's downline embarkation has changed, according to an update sent to travel agents via email.

Up until now, passengers were able to request to embark or disembark at a port of call other than the scheduled embarkation/disembarkation port.

"Down lining" was on a request basis only, subject to consideration and approval by Royal Caribbean.  While they used to allow down lining, they also  discouraged it due to implications resulting from unscheduled itinerary changes and weather/sea conditions, which would have resulted in missing a guest's port of embarkation/debarkation. 

Royal Caribbean will no longer allow cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.

Why the change? As many countries continue to enforce travel restrictions, Royal Caribbean says the decision was made "in an abundance of caution for the safety and security of our guests." 

Should guests who reserved flights through Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program experience delays in air travel that result in missed cruise embarkation, downlining to a future port-of-call remains an option as long as the guest is fully vaccinated and able to show proof of required Covid-19 test results prior to boarding.

Here is the full statement by Royal Caribbean:

“Royal Caribbean will no longer allow cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships. As many countries continue to enforce travel restrictions, this decision was made in an abundance of caution for the safety and security of our guests."

"Should guests who reserved flights through our Air2Sea program experience delays in air travel that result in missed cruise embarkation, downlining to a future port-of-call remains an option as long as the guest is fully vaccinated and able to show proof of required COVID-19 test results prior to boarding.”

Why would someone want to down line?

Joining a cruise ship after the cruise begins or leaving it before it ends sounds like an odd thing to want to do, but it happens more often than you might think.

A common reason to join the ship down line is if you miss the embarkation for some reason, or if at the end of the cruise you need or prefer to depart early for convenience.

Quite often it was used by someone who found a different port of call made it more convenient to join or depart the ship than where the cruise was scheduled to begin or end.

One of many Covid protocols

Over the past few weeks, Royal Caribbean has updated many policies as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some other recent actions include banning smoking in the casino, stricter mask rules, cutting off complimentary international Covid-19 tests and more.

Based on these changes, it appears the cruise line is looking to limit risk, as well as reduce the demand on crew members for certain functions.

The elimination of down lining not only cuts down on paperwork for the ship, but helps maintain the "bubble" approach to cruising in terms of limiting outside Covid-19 exposures.

Planning a cruise? Here's some helpful articles:

• 2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Guide to cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean
• Answers to common Royal Caribbean unlimited alcohol package questions
• Guide to Royal Caribbean's onboard activities
• How to find a deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean has extended the ability for cruise passengers to cancel a cruise at the last minute with its Cruise with Confidence program.

The Cruise with Confidence program allows anyone booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise to cancel their sailing up to 48 hours before their sail date, and that credit can now be used for any sailing booked by January 31, 2022 up to 48 hours before your sail date and get the full value in a Future Cruise Credit that’s good to redeem until May 31, 2022. 

The credit can be used toward any cruise that sets sail through December 31, 2022, or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.

Essentially, anyone has more time to book a cruise to get this last-minute benefit policy, along with more sailings that it applies to than before.

When a guest cancels their cruise past the final payment date, they can get a future cruise credit worth 100% of the cruise fare paid as long as they cancel at least 48 hours before the sail date.

Previously, the Cruise with Confidence Program was set to expire on December 17, 2021 and only applied to cruises departing before the end of April 2022.

In an email to travel agents, Royal Caribbean said it extended the program again to give passengers more time to change their mind and feel confident about their decision to sail, "As we make strides towards our fleetwide return, we want to ensure that planning your clients' vacations is as worry-free as possible."

"Therefore, we've made the decision to extend our popular Cruise with Confidence program to reservations confirmed on or before January 31, 2022 and sailing through May 31, 2022. "

While there was word that it might not have been extended, Royal Caribbean told travel agents on Wednesday it would get extended again.

It was originally introduced right before cruises began shutting down due to Covid-19 as a mechanism to give guests piece of mind they could change their plans after the final payment date.

Without the Cruise with Confidence program, there would be a penalty if you cancelled a cruise after the final payment date.

Included with the ability to cancel a cruise under Cruise with Confidence is the Best Price Guarantee, which allows guests to reprice their sailing up to 48-hours prior to the sail date if the price drops.

If you have a cruise booked already, then you qualify automatically for Cruise with Confidence. Going forward, you have until at least January 31, 2022 to qualify for Cruise with Confidence.