Have you been given a Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?
If you’re not a regular cruiser, you may be unaware of what it is and how an FCC works. You may be left with lots of questions.
So, here’s our essential guide to make you an expert on the matter.
What is FCC?
Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is similar to the sort of credit you would get at a shop. In lieu of a direct refund, a cruise line will issue a non-refundable voucher with a monetary amount associated to it, to be used towards booking a new cruise, with that same cruise line, in the future.
When does this tend to happen?
A Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is offered as compensation for a sailing cancellation, disruption or rebooking. Many new cruisers heard of an FCC only due to the COVID19 situation. It is sometimes used as a goodwill gesture in some other cases such as customer complaints.
How is the FCC calculated?
The FCC compensation amount for impacted sailings is based on the total cruise fare paid (per guest) and is exclusive of taxes, fees, and prepaid gratuities which are being refunded to the original form of payment.
How do you use it?
It will generally take a few weeks for an FCC to be issued and emailed to you, however it largely depends on how long it takes the cruise line to process it. Some cruise lines do not email you an actual certificate but automatically apply it to your loyalty account number.
You can then use the full amount of your FCC against the new booking’s base cruise fare, but not to pay the deposit. The new booking must be made solely for the person named on the FCC and not for someone else.
If you choose a cruise of a lower value than your FCC, the balance will be reissued in a new FCC in most cases with the same expiration date as the previous one. Once the voucher has expired, any unused part of the credit will be lost.
If on the other hand you choose a more expensive cruise, you’ll have to pay any applicable fare difference.
What isn’t covered by your FCC?
This varies between cruise lines, but it generally won’t cover things like:
- Your initial deposit on your new cruise
- Future fees and port taxes
- Shore excursions
- Pre-paid gratuities
- Onboard Credit and any other add-ons that you have purchased during online check-in such as drinks, Wi-Fi etc.
What happens if my new cruise is cancelled?
The original Future Cruise Credit will be reinstated with the prior FCC amount and expiration date. They may give you another FCC with a different expiry date. However, it always depends on the cruise line.
What else do you need to know?
- Each cruise line has different rules about when and how you can use your future cruise credit.
- Make sure you read the fine print for any clarifications you may need.
- Take note of any expiration dates.
- Make sure you keep track of the FCC for everything needed when you are ready to rebook.
- Save or print the email with the information and bookmark it so it’s easy to find.
Is Future Cruise Credit the same with Future Cruise Program?
That’s very different to an FCC. The Future Cruise Program is a benefit similar to Onboard Credit which is offered while you’re on a cruise for booking another, future cruise.
What are our cruise partners’ Covid-19 Future Cruise Credit & Temporary Cancellation policies?
Cruising during this uncertain environment means added flexibility is needed as changes can happen on very short notice. Cruise lines are eager to give passengers more leeway to reschedule or cancel their cruise. Are all cruise lines equally generous? Here is what we found.
Royal Caribbean – Anyone cancelling cruises between now and March 31, 2022, for voyages that depart by September 30, 2022 or 12 months from original sailing date – whichever is later will be offered the option to either: a) cancel their cruise reservation up to 48 hours prior to the vacation start date and receive a Future Cruise Credit under the Cruise with Confidence program equal to the amount of the cruise fare the guest paid , or b) opt in for the Cruise with Confidence “best price guarantee” on their current sailing up to 48 hours prior to the vacation start date..
Celestyal – The cruise line’s “Celestyal Promise” flexible booking policy offers the freedom to adjust your sailing date up to 30 days before scheduled departure. If you must cancel your booking you can do so for free up to 90 days prior to departure . All FCCs issued by Celestyal were valid until the end of December 2021 as the cruise line will return to year-round cruising on March 2022.
Cunard – As per the Flexible Transfer policy Cunard has also relaxed their balance due payment terms on all holidays departing up to and including 30 April 2022, to 30 days prior to departure. All guests with voyages cancelled by Cunard will automatically receive a FCC credited to their account. Any FCC issued on or prior to 30 June 2021 is protected by ABTA to the value of 100% of the monies paid on your booking. Any FCC issued on or after 1 July 2021 can be redeemed at any time. These FCCs are not covered by ABTA’s scheme of financial protection, until a new booking is made. The new booking will then be protected to the value of 100% of the original monies paid. If you are booked on a Cunard voyage sailing on or before 30 April 2022 and wish to cancel, Cunard will levy a cancellation charge the cancellation policy in the cruise line’s Booking Conditions applies.
Holland America – With the cruise line’s ‘Flexible Cancellation’ policy, book a cruise by March 31, 2022 (that departs through September 30, 2022) and you can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before and automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit with the Flexible Cancellation. Additionally, you may cancel up to your sailing date if you test positive for COVID-19 and will also receive a Future Cruise Credit. The FCC is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through December 31, 2022.
Azamara – ‘Cruise with Confidence’ has been enhanced and offers great flexibility to all bookings made by 31 March 2022. For any voyage sailing before 31 December 2022, you have up to 48 hours before you sail to cancel and receive 100% of the amount paid in a Future Cruise Credit to be used for a new or existing Azamara booking departing on or before 30 June 2023. The credit must be applied toward the cruise fare by 30 June 2023.This policy is applicable to both new & existing bookings. You must redeem the FCC for a cruise that departs on or before 31 December 2022, or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.
MSC – The ‘Stress Free Booking’ policy applies to all existing and new bookings made by 31st March 2022. Change date free of charge up to 15 days before departure for cruise only and up to 21 days before departure for fly & cruise. Change Name Free Of Charge: possible up to 15 days before departure (21 days Fly & Cruise bookings). The Future Cruise Credit vouchers issued from July 2021 must be redeemed before/on 30th April 2022 for any departure, destination and ship as per Terms and Conditions detailed in your voucher. If a guest chooses not to accept the FCC, they are entitled to apply for a refund equal to the original amount of the cruise fare paid only and the additional 25% will not be included. In this case an email must be sent to operationsuk@msccruises.co.uk forwarding the FCC and requesting the refund which may take up to 120 days following the submission.
Celebrity – This ‘Cruise with Confidence’ program is here to give you more peace of mind. All existing & new bookings made before March 31, 2022, on sailings departing by September 30, 2022 with the option to either cancel their cruise reservation up to 48 hours prior to the vacation start date and elect to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount of the paid cruise fare, or opt for the Cruise with Confidence ‘best price guarantee’ on their current sailing up to 48 hours prior to the vacation start date if the guest cancels an eligible booking before the 48-hour cut-off and elects to receive a CWC FCC: a) before the final payment due date of the booking, if the guest paid a non-refundable deposit (NRD) to Celebrity on the booking the guest will receive an FCC equal to the amount of the NRD paid. Celebrity will refund any other payments it received towards the guest’s cruise fare, b) after the Final Payment due date, the guest will receive a CWC FCC equal to 100% of the cruise fare paid to Celebrity.
P&O – If you have a booking and no longer wish to travel due to the changes on board, normal cancellation terms apply. If you would like to reschedule, you can take advantage of the free flexible transfer policy up to the date the balance for your holiday is due. This means that if you have a Select Price or Early Saver booking you can transfer your booking to any P&O Cruises holiday currently on sale (and not just to those within the next 12 months), transfer your booking to a cruise of higher or lower value (and not just of a higher value, as is usually the case), transfer your booking an unlimited number of times (and not just once) and free of charge. This policy modifies the transfer policy in the cruise line’s Booking Conditions and may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. If you have received a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) because you failed in the Health Declaration you had to complete in My P&O Cruises or if you were denied boarding due to a positive COVID test, you will be able to redeem your FCC within 2 years from the date of issue.
Princess – The ‘Cruise with Confidence’ policy gives you the flexibility to change your plans. So you can cancel up to 30 days before you sail, and get your cancellation fees back as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The policy applies to booking made through March 2, 2022 for voyages departing through September 30, 2022 and the FCCs issued under this policy are valid up to one year after their issue date.
Norwegian Cruise Line – With Norwegian’s Book with Confidence, you can cruise safely with enhanced health and safety protocols and flexible booking rules, whether you are already booked or are thinking of booking by February 28, 2022 for any voyage with an embarkation date through and including March 31, 2022. For new and existing reservations for any voyage with an embarkation date through and including March 31, 2022, guests are free to cancel anytime up to 24 hours in advance of embarkation. For the applicable reasons click here . Anyone choosing to cancel will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit applicable towards all published sailings through December 31, 2022. Guests who chose to cancel by January 31, 2002 under the ‘Peace of Mind’ policy and received a full refund in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), they must redeem the FCC by December 31, 2022 for sailings departing on or before December 31, 2022.
Seabourn – Having enhanced their temporary cancellation policy ” Book with Confidence” Seabourn allows guests with bookings made by March 31, 2022 on sailings departing by September 30, 2022 to cancel up to 30 days prior to departure or within 30 days of embarkation if you test positive for COVID-19. Within 30 days and up until your embarkation date, you may still receive a Future Cruise Credit if you, or someone in your immediate travel party, tests positive for COVID-19. FCCs must be used on a new booking that is booked by and sails within 12 months of the date of issue
Regent Seven Seas – . ‘Regent Reassurance’ dictates that for all bookings made between 18 May and 31 July 2020 on voyages embarking through December 2022 and have paid in full, may cancel their voyage up to 15 days prior to departure date and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (excludes concierge collection arrangements where applicable. Cancellation for air arrangements must be received at least 65 days prior to departure to receive the 100% Future Cruise Credit). The Future Cruise Credit may be applied toward a new reservation(s) made within one year of the Future Cruise Credit issue date.
Carnival – If you, your family members living with you in the same household or travelling companions assigned to the same stateroom cancel a cruise booking due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of embarkation, you and they are entitled to a FCC for the amount paid to Carnival. If guest has close contact with a positive or suspected COVID-19 case within 14 days of embarkation, and Carnival deems you are unfit to travel, you are eligible for a FCC.
Oceania – Oceania Cruise’s ‘Travellers Assurance Programme’ dictates that for all bookings made before July 31, 2020 on voyages embarking through 31 December 2022 and have paid in full, may cancel their voyage up to 48 hours prior to departure date and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit redeemable within one year from date of issue.
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