If you have booked a Holland America cruise and are eagerly looking forward to your trip, you may be wondering what happens if the cruise line cancels your voyage. While it’s not a situation any traveler wants to experience, it’s essential to know what options are available in case of such an event.
Why Would Holland America Cancel a Cruise?
Before diving into the details of what happens if your Holland America cruise is canceled, it’s vital to understand why the company might take such a step. There are several reasons why Holland America might cancel a sailing, including:
- Unsafe or unfavorable weather conditions
- Technical issues with the ship
- Illness outbreak on board
- Unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or geopolitical unrest
What Happens if Your Cruise is Canceled?
If Holland America cancels your cruise, they will typically offer you one of two options:
Option 1: Refund
The first option is a full refund of the fare paid for the canceled voyage. This refund will usually be processed within 30 days of the cancellation announcement. If you had purchased any extras like shore excursions or drink packages, these would also be refunded.
Option 2: Future Cruise Credit
The second option is a future cruise credit (FCC) worth 125% of the fare paid for the canceled voyage. This credit can be used towards booking another Holland America cruise within one year from its issue date.
It’s important to note that this FCC can only be applied towards the base fare and cannot be used for taxes, fees, and other expenses associated with booking a new voyage. Additionally, if the new cruise costs more than the FCC’s value, you will be responsible for paying the difference.
What about Additional Expenses?
If you had already made additional purchases like airfare or hotel reservations, you would need to contact those providers to seek refunds or make changes. Holland America is not responsible for any expenses beyond the cruise fare and extras purchased directly through them.
What if I Don’t Like Either Option?
If neither of the options offered by Holland America is satisfactory, you can try reaching out to their customer service team to discuss alternatives. However, please note that they are not obligated to offer any other solutions beyond the two options mentioned above.
Conclusion
While it’s never fun to have your cruise canceled, it’s important to know what steps will be taken and what options are available. Holland America has a reputation for excellent customer service and will do their best to assist you in such a situation. Remember to read their cancellation policy carefully when booking your next voyage to understand what steps will be taken if another cancellation occurs.