LEGAL

Royal Caribbean makes changes to passenger legal terms & COVID policies

ROYAL CARIBBEAN - The fine print associated with a Royal Caribbean cruise has been updated

Royal Caribbean informed passengers with a cruise booked that the cruise line has amended its Cruise Ticket Contract, which is the legal terms all passengers agree to when booking a cruise

“We’re making important changes to our legal terms and simplifying the process by which these terms – which are applicable to your cruise purchase and other activities, services, and products related to your cruise – are communicated to you and all our guests from around the world,” the cruise line stated in an email to guests

The changes went into effect on April 12, 2023 and will apply to sailings that depart on or after that date

The changes apply to the Cruise Ticket Contract, Booking Conditions, and Global Purchase Terms and Conditions Royal Caribbean highlighted three changes they believe are the most important

Primary Country of Residence

The cruise line says the Cruise Ticket Contract or Booking Conditions applicable to your cruise purchase are now determined by your Primary Country of Residence This means whichever country you live in primarily at the time of booking will be which contract applies to you Royal Caribbean will determine the primary country of residence based on what's indicated by you, your agent, or other representative at the time of booking the cruise or at online check-in

COVID-19 Policy

One change is there are now less days prior to a cruise beginning to have tested positive for Covid to qualify for a refund

Royal Caribbean changed the policy from 14 to 5 days prior to embarkation if a passenger tests positive for Covid, exhibits signs or symptoms of Covid, or has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having Covid, Royal Caribbean may deny boarding

The two changes here are 14 to 5 days, and the word "will deny boarding" to " may deny boarding"

Unless the passenger failed to follow Royal Caribbean's Covid policies and procedures, any passenger denied boarding under these circumstances will be entitled to either a refund or a future cruise credit equal in value to the cruise fare passenger paid