Can I move my Silversea Cruises cruise to a different date?

When you “move” your cruise to a different date, you are requesting a change to your originally booked sailing date (or itinerary) rather than canceling entirely. This could mean selecting:

• The same ship on a later (or earlier) sailing

• A different itinerary that has similar features or destinations

• The same suite category (or possibly upgrading) depending on availability

Changing a date is different from canceling, because changing implies keeping the booking, shifting it to a new schedule, possibly adjusting price differences, and often paying a fee. Canceling usually involves losing money depending on how far from departure you are and what refund rules are in place.

Silversea’s Official Policies on Date Changes

Below are Silversea’s terms and conditions, rules, and practices related to changing a booking date. These will vary somewhat by region, type of cruise (standard cruise, world voyage, etc.), fare type, and how far in advance you request the change.

When Can You Request a Change?

Change Before Final Payment or Within “Flexible” Period

• Silversea requires a deposit (often around 25% of the total cruise fare) when booking. Depending on the voyage (e.g. standard cruise vs world cruise), the final payment is due somewhere between 150 days prior to sailing to 180 days for some longer voyages. Silversea Cruises+2Silversea Cruises+2

• You are more likely to be able to request a date change before final payment is due, or at least well in advance of sailing — since that gives Silversea time to adjust availability, possibly re-sell the original booking, etc. Silversea Cruises+2Silversea+2

After Final Payment or Closer to Departure

• Once final payment is made or you are close to departure, change requests become more restricted. Some components (like flights, if part of the package) may have separate rules. Requests after certain deadlines may be treated as cancellations. Silversea Cruises+1

• Silversea’s terms indicate that for all other cruises (not world voyages), final payment is due 150 days before sailing; world voyages tend to have final payment due 180 days prior. Silversea Cruises+2Silversea Cruises+2

Fees, Penalties, and Additional Costs

If a date change is allowed, expect some or all of the following:

Administrative or Change Fees

• Silversea applies non‑refundable administrative fees for many change requests. These fees vary depending on how far in advance you request the change. Silversea+1

• For example, the Middle East terms say: “requested changes to confirmed air schedules … will incur fees … for each confirmed change, guests will be charged a non‑refundable administrative fee of €100 per person.” Silversea

Fare Differences

• If the new sailing you choose is more expensive than your original, you’ll usually need to pay the difference.

• If it is cheaper, Silversea may or may not offer a refund of the difference; often that depends on fare rules and promotions.

Third‑Party Costs

• If flights or other third‑party components are included or booked separately, altering them may incur additional airline fees, rebooking charges, etc. Silversea may not control those fees. Silversea+1

Treatment of Promotional Fares

• If your booking involves special offers, loyalty discounts, resident rates, or other promotions, changing the date might forfeit or change those benefits. The promotional rules may not apply to the new date. Silversea Cruises+1

Special Rules by Cruise Type or Region

Silversea has additional or different rules depending on whether your cruise is a standard voyage, a world cruise or grand voyage, or depending on country/region of booking. Also special conditions may apply for “world cruise / voyage segments.”

World Cruises and Grand Voyages

• These often have earlier deadlines, larger cancellation or change penalties, and stricter deposit and payment schedules. Silversea Cruises

• For example, cancellation terms for world cruises show that if you are within certain windows before departure, penalties escalate (percentage of fare lost) depending on how far out the change or cancellation is. Silversea Cruises

Regional Differences

• Different countries or markets may have slightly different terms — for instance, the Silversea terms for the Middle East region specify particular administrative fees (e.g. €100 per person) for certain changes. Silversea

• Also, if you booked through a travel agent your rights and deadlines/responsibilities may involve both Silversea’s contract and what the travel agent agreement states.

How to Request a Date Change: Step‑By‑Step

If after reading the policies you decide you want to move your cruise date, here are the steps to follow to improve your chance of success and minimize fees.

Step 1: Review Your Booking Details

• Have at hand your booking confirmation, including the suite category, itinerary, fare type, and the “final payment due date.”

• Check whether there are any special promotions, discounts, or “non‑refundable” clauses applying to your fare.

• Note dates far in advance vs “close to sailing” deadlines.

Step 2: Contact Silversea or Your Travel Agent

• If you booked via a travel agent, contact them first — they often manage or help negotiate the change.

• If direct, contact Silversea’s Reservations Department. Be clear that you want to move the sailing date. Give them your preferred new dates, or at least a range.

Step 3: Ask for All Implications

Make sure you ask:

• What is the administrative fee in your case

• If there is a difference in cost for the new date

• Whether your fare or promotion will still apply

• Whether any components booked (air, transfers, hotels) will need rebooking, and who covers those costs

Step 4: Formalize the Request

• Many times you will need to submit the request in writing (email or form), especially for changes involving itinerary, suite, or date. Silversea Cruises+1

• Ensure all guests in your booking consent (if required).

Step 5: Confirm and Document the New Booking

Once Silversea or your agent confirms the date change:

• Get a new booking confirmation that shows the new sailing date, suite, price, any differences, and new payment dates if applicable.

• Keep all receipts for administrative fees or changes.

• If you had third‑party components (airline tickets, hotels), check separately whether those have been reissued or you need to do something.

Limitations, Risks, and Considerations

Changing your sail date is often possible, but there are trade‑offs and things to watch out for.

Deadlines Close to Departure

• If you attempt to change your sailing date too close to the departure, options may be severely limited or may be treated as cancellation with full penalties.

Availability

• New sailings may not have the same suite category available. You may have to accept a different suite (higher or lower) or have limited choices.

Promotions and Discounts May Be Lost

• If your original booking had a special promotion, or if you qualified under certain loyalty / resident / early booking discounts, changing date might mean losing those benefits if they are no longer valid for the new date.

Costs Can Add Up

• Administrative fees + fare difference + third‑party costs (like flights) can sometimes make changing the date nearly as expensive as canceling and rebooking. Always compare total cost.

Non‑Refundable or “No‑Change” Fares

• Some fares may be explicitly non‑changeable or have restrictions that do not allow changes. If you have a “non‑refundable” or “strict” fare, your ability to move might be zero or very limited.

Recent Policy Updates and What You Should Know (as of 2024‑2025)

• Silversea introduced a change in its “Cruise with Confidence” policy effective May 6, 2024, aligning the final payment and the start of cancellation charges period at 150 days prior to sailing. This provides greater clarity: you are not subject to cancellation or major penalty before completing your final payment or before that period. iCruise+1

• The payment schedules reflect this: for most cruises (other than world voyages), final payment is due 150 days before departure. For longer voyages like world cruises, it may still be 180 days. Silversea Cruises+1

Decision: Should You Move Your Date?

Here are some points to help you decide whether it makes sense to change the date of your booking or not.

Pros of Moving

• Preserves most or all of what you’ve already paid (versus canceling and rebooking).

• Avoids losing deposit or incurring the worst cancellation penalties.

• Flexibility in choosing a more convenient travel date.

• If you move early, fewer fees, more options.

Cons of Moving

• You may incur change fees + fare differences + extra costs for ancillary services.

• Potential loss of promotional benefits.

• Possible limited availability (same suite / ship).

• If done too late, change may be treated as cancellation (with high penalties).

Example Scenarios

Here are illustrative examples that show how date changes might work in practice under Silversea’s rules.

ScenarioTime Before DepartureOriginal Fare Type / PromotionOutcome of Date Change Request

You booked a standard cruise 10 months ahead, promotional early booking rate, deposit paid, final payment due in 150 days. You request changing to a sailing 2 months later.~ 9–10 months outEarly booking / promotional fareLikely allowed. You’ll pay admin fee + any fare difference. Promotion may or may not be preserved depending on availability.

You are 4 months before sailing (120 days), paid full amount, and want to move to another date 6 months after original date.120 days outStandard fareMight be possible. Changed date is outside final payment deadline; fees apply; fare difference likely. Some third‑party costs (flights) may be extra.

You are 20 days prior to sailing, you want to switch date.~20 days outAny fareMost likely change is either not allowed or treated like cancellation, hence full penalties apply.

What You Should Do Now (If You Want to Move Your Date)

To maximize your chances and to keep costs down:

1. Check how far you are from the Final Payment Due DateThe earlier you make the request, the more favorable the terms. If you are prior to 150 days (for standard cruises) or 180 days (for world cruises), you have more flexibility.

2. Review your booking contract / confirmationSometimes special clauses or fare‑type restrictions are in the fine print.

3. Ask what “change fee” applies in your specific caseAdministrative fees differ by region, by how long before departure, etc.

4. Check availability of the date(s) you wantIf the new sail date has no rooms in your suite class, you may have to accept a change there or pay more.

5. Calculate total extra cost (fare difference + fees + ancillary changes)Compare that with cost of canceling (if allowed) and making a brand new booking. Sometimes cancel + rebook may be cheaper, but that carries risk of rate increases.

6. Get everything in writingOnce the change is confirmed, get a written confirmation showing all details: date, costs, suite, inclusions.

7. Consider travel insuranceIf your plans are uncertain, insurance may cover some change‑ or cancellation costs, depending on the policy.