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Booking a cruise can sometimes require a little time before you are ready to make a final decision. You may need to check vacation dates with family, compare travel arrangements, or confirm that everyone in your group can travel. Royal Caribbean offers a courtesy hold that gives eligible guests additional time to complete their booking.
A courtesy hold temporarily holds a cruise reservation, including applicable promotions, while you decide whether to complete the purchase. Royal Caribbean currently states that a courtesy hold can last up to five days, with the hold expiring at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on the fifth day after booking. Availability of the courtesy hold can vary by country.
The important thing to understand is that a courtesy hold is not the same as a fully paid cruise reservation. You must complete the required payment before the hold expires if you want to keep the booking.
A courtesy hold allows you to temporarily reserve a cruise itinerary while you arrange your plans and decide whether to proceed with the booking.
Royal Caribbean describes the option as a way to hold the reservation, including promotions, for up to five days.
This can be useful when you have found the right sailing but are not ready to make the required payment immediately.
For example, you may want to:
Confirm vacation dates with your employer
Check availability with family members
Coordinate travel plans
Discuss the cabin choice with your travel group
Review the total cruise cost
Compare transportation arrangements
Instead of immediately paying the full amount, an eligible booking may allow you to place the cruise on courtesy hold.
Royal Caribbean currently states that the courtesy hold lasts up to five days.
The important detail is the expiration time. The hold expires at 11 p.m. EST or EDT on the fifth day after booking, depending on the applicable time zone designation.
For example, if you place a courtesy hold on Monday, you should not simply assume that it remains available until the same time on Saturday. The specific expiration date and time shown with your reservation should be treated as the deadline.
Your hold confirmation should be checked carefully so you know exactly when payment must be completed.
A courtesy hold can allow you to place a cruise on hold with no payment due immediately, depending on the booking option presented during checkout.
Royal Caribbean's app documentation shows a courtesy-hold option where the guest can select "No payment today" and hold the price and room until the displayed expiration date.
However, the exact payment requirements can depend on the booking, sailing, market, and terms shown during the reservation process.
Do not assume that every cruise or every country offers identical courtesy-hold terms.
The purpose of the hold is to temporarily secure the selected cruise reservation details while you decide whether to complete the booking.
However, passengers should pay attention to the language displayed during checkout. Royal Caribbean's app documentation specifically describes a courtesy-hold confirmation and provides an expiration countdown and payment deadline.
If your preferred cabin is important, review the exact reservation details immediately after placing the hold.
If you do not complete the required payment before the courtesy hold deadline, the reservation can expire.
Once the hold expires, you should not assume that the cabin, fare, or promotion will still be available.
The cruise may still be available afterward, but:
The stateroom could be booked by someone else.
The price could change.
A promotion could end.
The sailing could become less available.
Your original hold may no longer be recoverable.
For this reason, treat the courtesy-hold expiration time as a real deadline rather than an informal reminder.
You should not assume that a courtesy hold can automatically be extended.
Royal Caribbean's current published information states that the courtesy hold is available for up to five days and specifies its expiration time.
If you need additional time, check your reservation or contact Royal Caribbean or your travel advisor before the hold expires. Any extension or alternative arrangement would depend on what Royal Caribbean allows for that particular booking.
If you decide that you do not want the cruise, you generally do not need to convert the courtesy hold into a completed booking.
The key issue is whether you have made a payment and whether the reservation has moved from a hold into a confirmed booking.
If you simply allow an unpaid courtesy hold to reach its expiration deadline, the held reservation can expire.
For a specific booking, review the payment and cancellation information displayed with your reservation.
If you decide to keep the cruise, you need to make the required payment before the hold expires.
The general process is:
Access the cruise reservation through your Royal Caribbean account or the applicable booking system.
Check:
Sailing date
Ship
Stateroom
Guests
Cruise fare
Promotions
Amount due
Hold expiration date and time
Complete the required deposit or payment shown for your reservation.
Royal Caribbean's app documentation shows that a courtesy-hold reservation provides payment information and a deadline for completing the reservation.
After payment, make sure the reservation reflects the completed booking and save the confirmation details.
One of the main advantages of the courtesy hold is that Royal Caribbean says the hold includes applicable promotions.
This can give you time to coordinate plans without immediately committing to the purchase.
However, the hold only lasts for the stated period.
A courtesy hold should therefore be viewed as temporary protection of the booking terms, not a permanent price guarantee.
Once the hold expires, the same price or promotion may not necessarily be available.
No.
A courtesy hold and a deposit serve different purposes.
A courtesy hold temporarily keeps the reservation available while you decide whether to complete the booking.
A deposit is a payment made toward a cruise reservation.
Royal Caribbean's deposit requirements vary according to factors such as cruise length, number of guests, and stateroom type.
If you convert a courtesy hold into a completed reservation, you will need to satisfy the applicable payment requirements.
The biggest difference is commitment.
A courtesy hold gives you a limited period to decide.
A confirmed reservation has been completed according to the applicable payment requirements and booking terms.
Think of the courtesy hold as a short decision window rather than a substitute for completing the booking.
You should not assume that unlimited courtesy holds are available.
The availability and conditions of courtesy holds can vary depending on the booking system, market, sailing, and applicable terms.
If you are comparing several cruises, check the options presented during booking rather than assuming that every sailing can be held simultaneously.
Royal Caribbean states that its courtesy hold can include promotions associated with the reservation.
This is useful when you find a cruise fare that you want to discuss with your travel companions before paying.
However, the promotion remains subject to the applicable terms and the hold's expiration deadline.
If the hold expires, you should not assume that the same promotion will remain available.
Travel agents can manage cruise bookings, but the exact options available to them depend on the booking system and applicable Royal Caribbean policies.
If you are working with a travel advisor, ask them specifically whether the sailing and fare can be placed on a courtesy hold and what deadline applies.
If your booking is made through a travel agent, Royal Caribbean notes that online management access can be limited for certain agent bookings, with amendments and payments handled through the travel agent.
Once the courtesy hold is converted into a completed reservation, Royal Caribbean offers payment options that can include scheduled payments, depending on eligibility and applicable terms.
Royal Caribbean states that guests can make payments over time or pay the full balance by the applicable final-payment deadline.
The courtesy hold itself is different because it is primarily a temporary period before the booking is completed.
If you miss the deadline, the first thing to do is check whether the cruise and cabin are still available.
You may be able to make a new reservation, but the original fare or stateroom may no longer be available.
Do not rely on the assumption that a short delay will automatically be forgiven.
The safest approach is to complete payment before the displayed expiration time.
Do not rely on the day alone. Royal Caribbean currently specifies an expiration time of 11 p.m. Eastern Time on the fifth day after booking.
Keep the confirmation email or reservation information so you can quickly access the booking.
Use the hold period to make your decision rather than waiting until the last few hours.
Make sure the cabin you want is actually reflected in the held reservation.
Confirm that the fare and applicable promotion match what you expected.
Because the hold period is short, setting a personal reminder can help prevent an accidental expiration.
Royal Caribbean's courtesy hold is designed for travelers who have found a cruise but need a little more time before completing the booking. The current policy allows an eligible reservation to be held for up to five days, including applicable promotions, with the hold expiring at 11 p.m. EST/EDT on the fifth day after booking.
The most important thing is to treat the expiration time seriously. Use the hold period to confirm your travel plans, review the stateroom and fare, and discuss the cruise with your travel companions.
If you decide to proceed, complete the required payment before the deadline. If you do not, the hold can expire and the original cabin, price, or promotion may no longer be available.
What is Royal Caribbean's courtesy hold policy?
Royal Caribbean's courtesy hold allows eligible guests to temporarily hold a cruise reservation, including applicable promotions, for up to five days. The current stated expiration is 11 p.m. EST/EDT on the fifth day after booking.
How long does a Royal Caribbean courtesy hold last?
A courtesy hold lasts up to five days. The exact expiration is shown with the reservation, and Royal Caribbean states that the hold expires at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on the fifth day after booking.
Do I have to pay for a courtesy hold?
A courtesy hold can allow you to choose no payment immediately, depending on the booking option presented. The applicable payment requirement is shown during the booking process.
Does a courtesy hold guarantee my cruise price?
The courtesy hold can include applicable promotions, but it is temporary. You must complete the required payment before the hold expires to keep the booking.
What happens if my Royal Caribbean courtesy hold expires?
The held reservation can expire if the required payment is not completed by the deadline. The cabin, fare, or promotion may not still be available afterward.
Can I extend my courtesy hold?
Do not assume that a courtesy hold can be extended. Contact Royal Caribbean or your travel advisor before the deadline if you need additional time.
Is a courtesy hold the same as a deposit?
No. A courtesy hold temporarily keeps a reservation available, while a deposit is an actual payment toward a completed booking.
Can I cancel a courtesy hold without paying?
If you have not completed the required payment, you can generally allow the temporary hold to expire rather than completing the reservation. Review the terms associated with your specific booking.
Does Royal Caribbean hold the cabin during the courtesy hold?
The courtesy-hold process is designed to temporarily hold the selected reservation. Check your confirmation carefully to verify the stateroom and expiration information associated with your hold.
Can I use a courtesy hold for any Royal Caribbean cruise?
Availability can vary by country and booking. Royal Caribbean specifically notes that the courtesy hold is not available in all countries.
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