Are cruise fares paid in full upon booking?
June 4th, 2010 | 
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I read somewhere that certain cruise lines only require a down payment and then the guests can make payments towards the cost of their cruise. Is this true? My fiance and I are planning a cruise to Bermuda on RCCL. Does anyone know if RCCL follows this policy or is the entire amount due at booking? Thanks!
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I cruise with Royal Caribbean frequently, like 2 or 3 times a year. So here’s what I know from experience.
If you book your cruise within 60 days of your cruise departure date then you must pay the full amount. However, if you book more than 60 days in advance, for example, six months or a year before the cruise, then you pay an initial deposit of $250 per person for a seven day cruise (slightly less for a shorter cruise), and then you can pay the balance in installments as long as you make the final payment 60 days before the cruise.
When you book your cruise you will receive a reservation number, whether you do it online or with a travel agent, and then you can log onto Royal Caribbean’s web site and register, enter the reservation number, and then complete all of the pre-cruise information. You can also make periodic payments anytime you want to right online. So if you want to pay $100 every two weeks you can do that right on line (or through your travel agent). You can pay in full at any time right on line (or through your travel agent).
I suggest that you look at the Frequently Asked Questions on Royal Caribbean’s web site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq.do;jsessionid=0000lfx1WF0cr24iQxowrK7W3EH:13hldcctq
Look especially at the sections on "Reserving" and "Preparing" for your cruise.
No, when you book, you make a down payment, then they let you know when you have to pay in full. Now there is a catch. If you book at the last minute, like 45 days before, then yes you must pay in full. Each cruise line will tell you when payment in full is required.
When you book a cruise before the payment due date you only need to pay a deposit. Depending on the cruise that date can be anywhere from 45-60 days before the cruise. The deposit is usually somewhere around 10%-20% of the total cost. Once the final payment due date arrives you must have paid the total. You begin getting penalties after that date beginning with the deposit amount up to the full fare if you cancel.
Princess has a nice plan that is only available while on a cruise. You make a $100 deposit and that becomes the total deposit when you later book a cruise. You also get a shipboard credit of $25 and up.
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Unless you book at the last minute, the normal procedure is to make an initial payment at the time of booking, and the remainder 45 to 90 days prior to sailing. Actual dates and amounts are established by each cruise company. As an example, I am booked on Costa, departing Ft. Lauderdale in March, 2010, for a 17 day cruise through the Caribbean, crossing the Atlantic, and ending at Savona, and then staying on board for the next cruise of 7 days around Italy to Venice, where we will stay for 3 days before flying home. I paid the first payment when we booked the trip in May, and will pay the rest in December.