How do I cancel a Regent Seven Seas Cruises reservation and get a refund?

Cancelling a cruise reservation can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to know what you’ll lose, what you’ll get back, and how fast. If you booked with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, there are specific cancellation policies, refund or cruise‑credit options, timelines, and conditions. This article walks you through all the details so you can cancel with confidence.

Understanding Regent Seven Seas’ Cancellation Policy

Before you cancel, it helps to know what rules apply. Cancellation policies differ depending on how far in advance you cancel, the length of the voyage, the suite category, whether you’ve paid in full, whether you booked under special offers, and whether you purchased travel protection.

Standard Cancellation Penalties

Regent Seven Seas has a tiered schedule of cancellation charges based on how many days prior to departure you cancel. The closer to the sail date, the larger the penalty. The charges are generally expressed as a percentage of the fare or as a fixed administrative fee. Regent Cruises+3Regent Cruises+3cruisedirect.zendesk.com+3

For example, for cruises 14 nights or less:

• If cancellation is well in advance (deposit date up to ~120 or 121 days before sailing), there is usually a small administrative fee per person. Regent Cruises+1

• As you come closer—90‑61 days, 60‑31 days, etc.—the percentage of the total fare you must forfeit increases. Regent Cruises+1

• If cancellation is very close (30 days or fewer), often 100% of the cruise fare is nonrefundable. Regent Cruises+1

For longer voyages or suites in more premium categories, the penalty schedule may be stricter. Regent Cruises+2cruisedirect.zendesk.com+2

Special / Flexible Policies & Future Cruise Credit

At certain times Regent offers more flexibility. These policies may allow you to cancel under special conditions and receive a Future Cruise Credit rather than a cash refund. Such policies often have eligibility requirements: full payment, cancellation deadline, and sometimes tied to specific bookings or promotional periods. Regent Cruises+2regentcruisedestinations.com+2

Key points to note:

• Future Cruise Credit is typically non‑transferable and may have restrictions when it can be used. regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• You may need to cancel by a certain date to be eligible for credit rather than penalties. regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• Ancillary items (shore excursions, transfers, air, hotel) may be handled differently. Regent Cruises+2regentcruisedestinations.com+2

Insurance, Travel Protection, and Other Add‑Ons

Travel protection insurance is often emphasized in Regent’s terms. It can cover certain cancellation penalties or nonrefundable portions under covered reasons (medical, emergencies, etc.). Without appropriate travel protection, you may not get reimbursed for many of the fees or penalties that apply under standard cancellation rules. m.regentcruises.com+1

Also, optional services and add‑ons (pre‑ and post‑cruise hotels, shore excursions, transfers) often have separate cancellation or refund policies. The closer to departure, the more likely these will be nonrefundable. Regent Cruises+1

Steps to Cancel a Regent Seven Seas Reservation

Here is a practical, step‑by‑step guide to cancelling and getting a refund or future credit, with what to watch out for.

Step 1: Review Your Booking Details

Before doing anything:

1. Check your reservation documents (confirmation, ticket contract) to see what cancellation terms apply to your specific booking. Suite type, trip length, promo code, nonrefundable deposit, any added protection etc.

2. Identify the final payment due date. Once final payment is made, penalties may increase sharply. rssc.com+1

3. If you have travel insurance or RegentCare travel protection, check what cancellations reasons are covered and what documentation you’ll need.

Step 2: Decide whether you want Cash Refund or Future Cruise Credit

Depending on your booking, you may have the option to receive either a refund (or partial refund) or a future cruise credit. Factors affecting this include:

• Whether you have paid in full. Many of the more flexible policies require full payment. regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• Whether your booking was under a policy like Regent Reassurance or another promotional offer that gives special cancellation rights. Regent Cruises+1

• What penalties apply if you choose refund vs. credit. Sometimes choosing credit gives better value.

Step 3: Give Written Notice Before Penalty Deadline

Regent requires that cancellations be submitted in writing. You or your travel agent must notify Regent in writing of the cancellation. Timing matters—cancellations must be received before penalties begin or escalate. Regent Cruises+2cruisedirect.zendesk.com+2

Make sure to:

• Include your booking number, guest name(s), suite category, cruise dates.

• State clearly whether you want refund (if eligible) or future credit.

• Keep proof of when you sent the cancellation (delivery receipt, email timestamp, etc.)

Step 4: Return Any Required Documents / Tickets

If your reservation included airline tickets, hotel bookings, shore excursions arranged via Regent, or other third‑party items, those may need to be returned or cancelled (if they are nonrefundable). Regent often processes refunds only after return of airline tickets or proof of cancellation for these add‑ons. Regent Cruises+1

Step 5: Wait for the Refund / Credit Processing

Once Regent receives your cancellation in writing and verifies eligibility:

• If a refund is due, it will generally go to the original form of payment or through your travel agent. Regent Cruises+1

• If future cruise credit is issued, you’ll get documentation showing its value, terms, expiration or conditions. Be sure to note those. rssc.com+1

• The time for processing can vary. Sometimes refund or credit appears in your account or with your agent in several weeks, depending on which components (air, hotel, cruise fare) are involved.

Step 6: Follow Up if There Are Discrepancies

After processing:

• Verify the amount refunded or credited matches what you were told.

• Looking at deduction for fees, value of nonrefundable parts, etc.

• If something is off, contact Regent’s customer service (or your travel agent) with your documentation (cancellation notice, booking confirmation, folio, etc.).

Key Timelines, Fees, and Scenarios

Knowing how the rules apply in specific situations helps you plan better and minimize losses. Below are typical schedules, fees, and special scenarios.

Cancellation Fees by Timeline & Voyage Length

Here are some sample penalties based on voyage length, suite category, and how many days before departure you cancel. These are examples; your booking may differ.

Voyage Length / Suite CategoryVery Early Cancellation (deposit to many days before final payment)Mid‐term Cancellation (~60‑120 days)Close to Departure (30‑60 days)Very Close (30 days or less)

Short voyages (14 nights or fewer) in standard suites (SG‑H etc)Low fixed admin fee per person (often ~US$100) or small percentage15‑50% of cruise fare50‑75%100% (no refund) Regent Cruises+1

Longer voyages (15 nights or more) or premium suites (RS, Regent Suite, etc)Similar admin fee or higher percentage from early onHefty percentage (50‑75%)Very high penaltyFull fare forfeited Regent Cruises+2cruisedirect.zendesk.com+2

Non‑Refundable Deposits and Special Offers

Some bookings are subject to non‑refundable deposits. For example:

• If you booked far in advance for a cruise of 60 nights or less, some promotions offer a nonrefundable deposit in exchange for savings. If you cancel, that deposit is forfeited. rssc.com+2Regent Cruises+2

• These offers often exclude certain suite categories (e.g. Regent Suite) and impose stricter rules. Regent Seven Seas Cruises+1

Future Cruise Credit Validity & Restrictions

If you receive future cruise credit, note:

• It may have an expiration date (you might have to book another cruise within some time from issuance). regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• It may not be transferable to someone else. regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• Sometimes promotions or onboard savings tied to original booking may or may not carry over. regentcruisedestinations.com+1

• Once used on a new reservation, standard cancellation penalties apply if that new reservation is later cancelled. rssc.com

Scenario Examples

Here are some likely scenarios to help clarify:

1. You cancel well ahead, paid in full, booked under a flexible or promotionYou might receive nearly full refund or full future cruise credit, minus small admin fees.

2. You cancel closer to departure (say 30‑60 days out), paid in fullSignificant percentage penalty applies. Many standard ways will result in large forfeiture of fare.

3. You cancel after final payment date, or very close to embarkationUsually there's no refund. You may still be responsible for full fare.

4. Cruise line cancels the sailing, or materially changes itIn such cases, Regent’s non‑performance or legal policies may give you refund of cruise fare plus port fees etc or offer comparable alternative. rssc.com

5. You can’t go for a medical reason, have insuranceIf your travel protection covers that reason, you may get refund or credit, provided you document properly. Without insurance, the standard cancellation schedule still applies.

Tips to Minimize Loss When You Cancel

If you anticipate needing to cancel, or want to make sure you lose as little as possible, here are practical tips:

Buy Travel Protection / Insurance Early

• Get travel protection that covers trip cancellation for reasons you think might happen (illness, unforeseen work, etc.).

• The earlier you buy it, the more likely pre‐existing conditions waivers apply, or full coverage kicks in.

Understand All Parts of Your Booking

• Cruise fare is only part. Add‑ons like airfare, hotels, excursions, visas may have different rules. If you booked those via Regent, sometimes you need to cancel and return tickets etc. If independent, you must deal with them separately.

• Sometimes taxes and fees are refundable even if fare is not.

Time Your Cancellation Strategically

• Cancel before a major penalty window opens (for instance, prior to 60 or 30 days out) to reduce the % you lose.

• If you have some flexibility, check if any policy like “Reassurance” or offers give more leeway.

Use Future Cruise Credit if Cash Refund Is Too Costly

If the cancellation penalty is very large, sometimes the future cruise credit gives more value (especially if you plan to cruise again). Even if you wanted cash back, compare both options.

Keep Clear Records

• All correspondence in writing.

• Dates, times, names of representatives.

• Copies of all tickets or vouchers for ancillary services.

• Receipts for travel insurance, etc.

These will help if there is any dispute.

Contact Your Travel Agent

If you booked via a travel agent, often they can negotiate or clarify how refunds or credits can be applied. They may also have more up‑to‐date information