What are the change fees on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines?

Planning a cruise is exciting — from choosing the perfect itinerary to selecting your dream cabin. But life is unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to change your cruise booking. That’s when passengers ask:Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, a respected UK-based operator with more than 175 years of maritime heritage, understands that travel plans may shift. While they allow changes to bookings, fees often apply, especially if adjustments are made close to the departure date.

This article provides a detailed 2025 guide to Fred. Olsen’s change fees, including:

• Booking amendment policies

• Name change fees

• Cruise date and itinerary changes

• Cabin upgrades and downgrades

• Flight or package modifications

• Rules for group vs. individual bookings

• Tips for avoiding or minimizing change fees

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect if you need to adjust your Fred. Olsen booking.

1. Understanding Change Fees in the Cruise Industry

1 What Are Change Fees?

Change fees are administrative charges applied when passengers modify an existing booking. Unlike cancellation fees, change fees apply when you keep the booking but adjust certain details.

2 Why Do Change Fees Exist?

• Administrative Costs: Processing changes requires staff time.

• Logistics Impact: Cabin assignments, dining schedules, and manifests must be updated.

• Financial Protection: Prevents last-minute changes from causing revenue loss.

2. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Change Fee Policy (2025)

Fred. Olsen applies fees based on the type of change requested and the timing of the change.

3. Types of Booking Changes and Their Fees

1 Name Changes

• What it means: Changing the passenger name on a booking.

• Why it happens: Spelling errors, replacement passengers, or legal name changes.

• Fees:

  • Minor spelling corrections: Free or nominal (£0–£25)

  • Full name substitutions: £100+ per person (closer to sailing, higher fees may apply).

• Restrictions: Some promotional fares may not allow name changes at all.

2 Date Changes (Rescheduling)

• What it means: Moving your cruise to a different departure date.

• Fees:

  • Change fees vary but can be £100–£250 per passenger.

  • If the new cruise is more expensive, you pay the fare difference.

  • If cheaper, refunds are usually not given.

• Timing: The closer to departure, the higher the fees and restrictions.

3 Cabin Changes (Upgrades or Downgrades)

• Upgrades:

  • No penalty; you simply pay the difference in fare.

  • Sometimes offered as discounted upgrades closer to sailing.

• Downgrades:

  • Allowed, but usually no refund of the price difference.

  • Administrative fee may apply (£50–£100).

4 Itinerary Changes (Switching Cruises)

• Switching to a Different Cruise Itinerary:

  • Treated like a cancellation + new booking.

  • Deposit lost + possible change fee (£100+).

5 Flight and Hotel Package Changes

• For Fly-Cruise or Cruise-and-Stay Packages:

  • Flights are subject to airline rules.

  • Airline change fees may apply (£100–£300 per ticket).

  • Hotel changes depend on supplier cancellation/amendment rules.

• Fred. Olsen administrative fee: Often £50–£100 per passenger, in addition to third-party charges.

6 Onboard Extras

• Excursions, dining, spa, and drinks packages can often be amended free of charge if done early.

• Closer to departure, some prepaid extras may be non-refundable.

7 Group Bookings

• Group booking changes are subject to stricter rules.

• Name substitutions may be free if within the group’s contract, but last-minute changes may incur £100+ fees.

4. Comparison: Change Fees vs. Cancellation Fees

Type of ChangeChange Fee (Typical)Cancellation Equivalent

Name correction£0–£25Full cancellation not required

Full name substitution£100+Full cancellation + rebook

Date change£100–£250 + fare diffCancellation scale applies

Cabin upgradeFare difference onlyNot applicable

Cabin downgrade£50–£100 (no refund diff)Not applicable

Flight change£100–£300 + admin feesAirline cancellation penalties

This table shows why passengers often prefer making changes rather than outright cancellations — fees are lower, and some value is preserved.

5. How Timing Affects Change Fees

1 Early Changes (90+ Days Before Departure)

• Minimal fees.

• More flexibility in rebooking options.

2 Mid-Window Changes (60–30 Days Before Departure)

• Higher administrative fees.

• Limited cabin availability.

3 Last-Minute Changes (Less Than 30 Days Before Departure)

• Substantial fees (£250+).

• Often treated like cancellations.

• Limited possibility of rebooking.

6. Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) and Changes

Fred. Olsen sometimes offers Future Cruise Credits as an alternative to penalties.

• If you request a change but the policy doesn’t allow it, FCCs may be offered instead.

• FCCs usually must be used within 12–24 months.

• Often provided as a goodwill gesture to avoid outright cancellations.

7. Legal Framework: Passenger Rights

Fred. Olsen operates under UK and EU regulations:

• UK Package Travel Regulations 2018: Protects consumers if significant changes are made by the cruise line.

• EU Regulation 1177/2010: Applies to cancellations and delays but not passenger-requested changes.

Important: Passenger-requested changes are not legally protected, meaning change fees are standard industry practice.

8. Tips to Minimize Change Fees

1. Make Changes Early – The earlier, the cheaper.

2. Check Promotions – Some “flexible booking” offers waive change fees.

3. Buy Travel Insurance – May cover change costs if caused by illness or emergencies.

4. Use FCCs Wisely – Accept FCCs when offered to reduce immediate loss.

5. Book Directly – Direct bookings are easier to amend than travel agent bookings.

6. Be Strategic – Instead of downgrading cabins, wait for upgrade offers or switch to flexible fares.

9. Case Studies

Case 1: Name Change

A couple misspelled one passenger’s name. Correction made 100 days before departure: no fee applied.

Case 2: Date Change

A solo traveler moved their cruise from April to October. Paid £150 change fee + £200 fare difference.

Case 3: Flight Change

A couple booked a fly-cruise package but needed to adjust flights. Airline charged £250 per ticket, plus Fred. Olsen’s £75 admin fee per passenger.

Case 4: Cruise Switch

A family switched from a Mediterranean itinerary to a Norwegian fjords cruise. Their booking was treated as a cancellation, resulting in loss of deposit + £150 rebooking fee.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much does it cost to change a Fred. Olsen cruise booking?

Typically £100–£250 per passenger, depending on the change.

Q2: Can I change passenger names?

Yes, for a fee — small corrections may be free, but substitutions cost £100+.

Q3: What if I want to reschedule my cruise?

You can change dates by paying a fee and any fare difference.

Q4: Are cabin changes free?Upgrades cost the fare difference, downgrades may involve fees with no refund.

Q5: Do change fees apply to onboard extras?Excursions and packages are usually flexible if changed before departure.

11. Conclusion

So, what are the change fees on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines cruises?

• Name changes: £0–£100+ depending on correction vs. substitution.

• Date changes: £100–£250 per person, plus fare difference.

• Cabin changes: Upgrades cost fare difference; downgrades may incur fees.

• Flight and hotel changes: Airline/hotel penalties + Fred. Olsen admin fees (£50–£100).

• Last-minute changes: Often treated like cancellations with very high fees.

Fred. Olsen’s policy strikes a balance between customer flexibility and business protection. Passengers can minimize fees by making changes early, booking flexible fares, using travel insurance, and considering FCCs.