Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Booking a cruise with Windstar Cruises is an exciting experience — a promise of intimate luxury, fine dining, and exotic destinations. However, sometimes life happens — plans shift, names change due to marriage or legal updates, or a different traveler needs to take your place. In such situations, passengers often ask:The good news is that Windstar allows name changes on reservations, but there are specific policies, timelines, and possible fees involved depending on the stage of your booking and type of change.In this detailed 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from Windstar’s official name change policy and fees to the step-by-step process of requesting the change. We’ll also share expert tips to help you minimize costs and handle any last-minute adjustments efficiently.
Windstar Cruises, known for its small-ship luxury experiences, is flexible but also structured when it comes to reservation changes.
A name change refers to any modification in the passenger’s name listed on the cruise reservation. It may include:
Correcting spelling errors or typos.
Updating a name due to marriage or legal reasons.
Substituting one passenger for another.
Changing a first or last name in group or corporate bookings.
Windstar differentiates between minor name corrections and passenger substitutions, and each type has different rules.
Windstar Cruises categorizes name changes into two main types:
These are small edits that do not fundamentally change the identity of the traveler.
Examples:
Fixing typos like “Jonh” to “John.”
Updating a legal name after marriage.
Adding or removing a middle name or initial.
Policy:
Allowed at no additional charge if corrected before final payment.
May require supporting documentation (e.g., marriage certificate).
Once cruise tickets are issued, administrative fees might apply for reprinting.
A passenger substitution occurs when an entirely new person replaces an existing traveler.
Examples:
A friend taking your place on the voyage.
A corporate or group participant changing.
One couple member being replaced by another traveler.
Policy:
Allowed before final payment in most cases.
After final payment, substitutions are considered a cancellation and rebooking, subject to cancellation fees.
The new passenger must meet all eligibility requirements (e.g., age, visa, and identification compliance).
The timing of your name change request greatly affects fees and feasibility.
This is the best time to make changes.
Minor corrections are free.
Passenger substitutions are allowed with minimal or no penalty.
The reservation retains the original pricing and promotions.
Minor name changes may still be possible but might incur a small administrative fee (usually $50–$100 per person).
Full passenger substitutions will likely be treated as a cancellation and new booking.
Only very limited corrections can be made (such as typos).
A name substitution is not permitted once documents are finalized.
If an emergency arises, you may have to cancel the booking and rebook under the new passenger’s name.
The cost of changing a name varies depending on timing and type of change.
Here’s an overview of the estimated fee structure:
Type of ChangeWhen RequestedEstimated FeeNotes
Typo or minor correctionBefore final paymentFreeNo documentation usually required
Legal name changeBefore final paymentFree (with proof)Marriage/divorce certificate required
Typo or correctionAfter final payment$50–$100Administrative fee may apply
Passenger substitutionBefore final payment$100–$200Approval required
Passenger substitutionAfter final paymentUp to 100% of fareTreated as cancellation/rebooking
Important:Fees may vary depending on your fare type, travel agent, or promotional conditions.
Here’s exactly how to go about changing a passenger name on your Windstar booking:
Before contacting Windstar or your travel agent, ensure you have the following:
Reservation number.
Full names of all passengers.
Type of change (typo correction, legal change, or substitution).
Supporting documents (if applicable).
Look at your invoice or booking confirmation for:
Final payment date.
Fare type (promotional, refundable, or non-refundable).
Whether you booked directly with Windstar or through a travel advisor.
This information helps determine applicable policies and fees.
You can contact Windstar directly or reach out to the travel agent who made your booking.
Contact Information:
U.S. & Canada Reservations: 1-888-526-2803
Email: info@windstarcruises.com
Website: www.windstarcruises.com
Explain the change clearly and provide any necessary documentation.
Windstar’s representative or your agent will:
Verify whether the change is permitted.
Inform you of any applicable fees.
Process the change once you approve.
Once processed, you’ll receive a revised booking confirmation or updated e-ticket with the corrected or substituted name.
Double-check for:
Correct spelling.
Updated passenger information.
Cabin assignments or dining preferences remaining intact.
If your reservation includes:
Flights through Windstar,
Transfers, or
Pre/post cruise packages,
ensure those records are also updated. Airline name changes often require separate fees and documentation.
If you’re part of a group booking (4+ cabins or 8+ guests), the process may differ slightly.
Group coordinators or travel advisors manage name changes.
Substitutions are generally permitted until final payment.
If group size falls below the minimum requirement, group rates may be forfeited.
After final payment, individual substitutions may not be allowed.
Always coordinate with your Group Sales Specialist or travel advisor early to maintain eligibility for group perks.
Windstar Cruises offers Air + Cruise packages, combining flights and sailing itineraries.
Changing a name on such bookings can be more complex since airlines have stricter rules.
Minor corrections are allowed (if passport matches).
Full passenger substitutions are not allowed once airline tickets are issued.
You may have to cancel and rebook at the new prevailing airfare.
Tip: Always confirm that the name on your cruise matches the name on your passport and airline tickets before finalizing.
Windstar may require proof of legal name change in certain cases. Examples of acceptable documentation include:
Marriage certificate
Divorce decree
Government-issued photo ID
Court order for name change
Having this paperwork ready ensures faster processing and minimizes disputes.
If your request is treated as a cancellation and rebooking, Windstar may offer Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the canceled fare.
FCC is issued to the original passenger (not transferable).
The new passenger must pay separately for the new booking.
FCC can be used toward future Windstar sailings within the validity period.
Thus, while FCCs help recover lost funds, they do not automatically transfer between passengers.
Here are some practical tips to make the process smooth and cost-efficient:
Ensure that all passenger names match exactly as they appear on passports.
Include or omit middle names consistently across all documents.
Make name changes before final payment whenever possible.
If you recently changed your name, carry official documentation to show port authorities if needed.
Agents can often handle name corrections faster and sometimes negotiate fee waivers.
Yes, you can. Minor corrections are allowed before final payment. Full substitutions may require cancellation and rebooking after that date.
Minor corrections are usually free before final payment. Afterward, fees range between $50–$200, or more if it’s a full substitution.
Yes, but only before final payment and with approval. Afterward, transfers are treated as cancellations.
Contact Windstar immediately. Typo corrections are generally free if caught early.
No. Once issued, airline tickets typically cannot be changed to another person. You may need to rebook the flight.
Currently, Windstar requires name change requests to be handled via phone or travel agent, not through the online portal.
Generally, no. All other arrangements remain intact once the name change is processed.
Windstar’s small-ship capacity means most sailings sell out early. Because of that:
Late name changes are harder to accommodate.
Administrative reprints take longer.
Post-ticket issuance changes are heavily restricted.
By acting early, you preserve flexibility and avoid losing promotional fares.
Let’s say you booked your Windstar voyage under your maiden name six months ago, but you recently married and changed your surname.
Here’s how it plays out:
Contact Windstar’s reservation department.
Provide your booking number and proof of legal name change.
Windstar updates your records at no charge (if before final payment).
Updated confirmation is issued with your married name.
Result: You sail seamlessly under your new legal name — no fees, no delays.
You booked a 7-night Tahiti cruise for two, but your friend can no longer travel. You want your sister to take their place.
Steps:
Contact Windstar before final payment.
Request passenger substitution.
Pay a small administrative fee (if applicable).
Provide your sister’s passport information.
Receive updated confirmation.
If after final payment, the friend’s booking is canceled, and your sister must rebook separately — possibly at a higher rate.
Windstar occasionally offers Book with Confidence or Flexible Booking promotions that make name changes easier:
Reduced or waived fees.
Extended deadlines for passenger substitutions.
Option to rebook without penalty.
Keep an eye on Windstar’s promotions or ask your travel advisor about current flexibility options.
Accurate names are not just for documentation — they are legal travel identifiers.
Boarding Denial: If your name doesn’t match your passport, you may be denied boarding.
Visa Issues: Mismatched names can lead to immigration delays.
Insurance Claims: Travel insurance requires exact matching information.
Always triple-check your documents before submitting them to Windstar.
If your name change is related to a covered event (like illness or legal change), travel insurance may cover:
Cancellation fees.
Administrative name-change costs.
Rebooking expenses.
Opt for “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage if you anticipate potential adjustments.
Changing a name on a Windstar Cruises reservation is absolutely possible — but how easy or costly it is depends on timing and type of change.
In summary:
Minor corrections = usually free before final payment.
Full substitutions = possible but may involve fees.
After ticket issuance = limited options.
Always act early and confirm documentation.
Windstar’s small-ship luxury style ensures personalized service, and its reservation team or your travel advisor can assist you quickly when you need to modify passenger details.
With careful planning and proactive communication, you can ensure your journey remains smooth — from booking to boarding.
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
