When the pandemic brought the cruise industry to a halt, many operators gave customers credit for future travel however getting a cash refund from the operators was like pulling teeth in the cold and for some, impossible.
Following an investigation by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington, new reimbursement rules have been put in place and have been in effect since April 18.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington launched an investigation which ultimately resulted in new industry rules and regulations for cruise operators. The updated rules came into effect on April 18 2022.
A cruise is defined as “non-performing” if the voyage is cancelled or has been delayed for three days or more.
The updated cruise rules state that in the event of a “non-performance” of a cruise, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the entire deposit, including incidental costs.
The FMC has announced that cruise lines are required to post clear instructions on how a passenger can request and receive refunds on their websites. It is expected that all operators adhere to the updated rules and supply refunds within a reasonable time.
The updated rules apply to all cruises scheduled after April 18, 2022, for all cruises scheduled prior to this date the previous operator’s refund conditions will still apply.
The FMC website has the most up to date information regarding refund regulations and an option to file a complaint against a cruise operator’s refund policies if a passenger believes the refund policy is not inline with the new rules.