What is the cancellation fee for Marella Cruises?

Booking a cruise holiday is exciting, but life can be unpredictable. Sometimes, plans change due to work, health, travel restrictions, or personal reasons. If you find yourself asking, “What is the cancellation fee for Marella Cruises?”, you’re not alone.

Marella Cruises has a structured cancellation policy that determines how much of your fare is non-refundable, depending on how close you are to your departure date. Understanding these fees can save you stress, money, and confusion.

This guide explores everything about Marella Cruises’ cancellation fees, including timelines, exceptions, flexible options, insurance, and strategies to minimize costs.

How Marella Cruises Handles Cancellations

Marella Cruises allows guests to cancel at any time, but fees increase the closer you are to departure.

Key Highlights:

You can cancel your booking at any point.
Cancellation fees are tiered based on how far in advance you cancel.
Refunds are generally returned to the original payment method.
Optional add-ons (excursions, upgrades, drinks packages) may have separate cancellation rules.

Marella Cruises Cancellation Fee Schedule

Marella applies a tiered fee structure, which is standard for the cruise industry. The exact percentages may vary slightly based on promotions, fare types, and package inclusions.

Typical Cancellation Fees:

Days Before DepartureFee AppliedNotes

70+ daysDeposit OnlyMinimal loss; standard deposit retained

69–63 days30% of total bookingModerate loss

62–49 days50% of total bookingHalf of total fare

48–29 days70% of total bookingSignificant loss

28–15 days90% of total bookingAlmost full fare

14 days or less100% of total fareNo refund

Example: If your cruise costs £1,000:

Cancel 75 days prior → lose only deposit (~£100–£150).
Cancel 40 days prior → lose 50% (£500).
Cancel 10 days prior → lose 100% (£1,000).

Factors That Affect Cancellation Fees

Booking Type
- Standard fares vs. promotional fares may have different cancellation windows.
Additional Packages
- Drinks, excursions, spa treatments, or flight-inclusive packages may have separate cancellation rules.
Travel Insurance
- Comprehensive insurance may cover non-refundable amounts in certain situations (illness, emergencies, travel restrictions).
Government Travel Restrictions
- If Marella cancels your cruise due to official restrictions, you may be entitled to a full refund or a future cruise credit.

Flexible Booking Options

Marella has introduced flexibility measures to accommodate changing traveler needs.

Rebooking or Transferring

If you cannot travel, you may transfer your booking to a different date (subject to availability).
In some cases, you can transfer your booking to another person.

Future Cruise Credit

Instead of a cash refund, Marella may issue credit for a future cruise.
Credits typically expire within 12–24 months.

How to Cancel a Marella Cruise

To minimize fees and ensure your cancellation is processed correctly:

Step-by-Step Process

Review Your Booking – Check cancellation terms in your confirmation email or on the Marella website.
Contact Marella or Your Travel Agent – Provide booking reference, passenger names, and reason for cancellation.
Submit Written Confirmation – Keep proof of cancellation and fee details.
Receive Refund or Credit – Refunds go to the original payment method; credits are recorded in your account.
Claim Insurance if Needed – If you have coverage, submit a claim for non-refundable amounts.

Travel Insurance and Cancellation Fees

Travel insurance is the best way to protect against high cancellation fees.

What Insurance Can Cover

Illness or injury preventing travel.
Family emergencies.
Travel disruptions (flight delays, strikes, or weather).
Job loss or other personal crises (depending on policy).

Tip: Read your insurance policy carefully to know what is and isn’t covered.

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Early Cancellation (Deposit Only)

Passenger cancels 80 days prior.
Fee: Only deposit lost (£100).
Refund: £900 returned.

Scenario 2: Mid-Window Cancellation (50% Fee)

Passenger cancels 45 days prior.
Fee: 50% (£500).
Refund: £500 returned.

Scenario 3: Last-Minute Cancellation (100% Fee)

Passenger cancels 10 days prior.
Fee: 100% (£1,000).
Refund: £0. Insurance needed to recover costs.

Comparing Marella Cancellation Fees to Other Cruise Lines

Cruise LineFinal Non-Refundable PeriodFee StructureFlexibility

Marella Cruises14 days before sailingTiered (Deposit to 100%)Rebooking, future cruise credit

Royal Caribbean30 days before sailingTiered, high fees for late cancellationsFuture cruise credit

P&O Cruises14 daysTiered fees similar to MarellaTransfer booking, future cruise credit

MSC Cruises21 daysTiered cancellation feesFuture cruise credit

Insight: Marella’s cancellation fees are comparable to competitors, but its flexible rebooking and credit options give passengers more options to reduce losses.

Tips to Minimize Cancellation Fees

Cancel Early – The earlier you cancel, the lower the fee.
Purchase Travel Insurance – Protects against illness or emergencies.
Consider Rebooking – Changing the date may cost less than canceling outright.
Check Add-Ons Separately – Excursions and upgrades may have separate, often stricter, cancellation rules.
Monitor Travel Advisories – If travel restrictions affect your sailing, Marella may allow full refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the cancellation fee for Marella Cruises?

It varies based on timing. Early cancellations usually cost only the deposit, while cancellations within 14 days of sailing incur 100% of the fare.

Q2. Can I cancel without losing money?

Only if you cancel very early or if Marella cancels your cruise. Insurance can cover other situations.

Q3. Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

Yes, Marella sometimes allows name changes with a fee.

Q4. What if I booked a flight-inclusive package?Flight-inclusive bookings may have separate airline cancellation rules in addition to Marella fees.

Q5. How do I get a refund?

Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 1–2 weeks.

Q6. Can I get a future cruise credit instead?

Yes, Marella may issue credit instead of cash refunds, depending on the situation.

Understanding Marella Cruises Cancellation Fees

Marella Cruises allows cancellations, but fees increase the closer you are to departure. Deposits are lost if you cancel early, but last-minute cancellations can result in losing your entire fare.

The key to minimizing losses:

Cancel as early as possible.
Use travel insurance for unexpected situations.
Explore rebooking or name transfer options.
Keep documentation for all cancellations and claims.

Marella’s fees are standard for the industry, but with flexible options and insurance, passengers can protect their investment and travel with confidence.