Royal Caribbean Offers Oasis of the Seas Guests Refund, 50% Credit
The offer underscores how tightly packed peak sailings have become, with cruise lines increasingly using airline-style incentives to balance capacity without disrupting departures.
Royal Caribbean International is asking some guests booked on Oasis of the Seas’ Feb. 7, 2026 sailing from Fort Lauderdale to voluntarily cancel their reservation in exchange for a full refund and a future cruise credit worth 50% of their cruise fare.
The outreach is structured as an opt-in offer aimed at travelers who can change their plans. Guests who want to keep their vacation were told they do not need to take any action and can proceed as scheduled.
How the voluntary cancellation offer works
In the email shared with guests, Royal Caribbean described the offer as available for a limited time and subject to availability. Interested guests are directed to complete a survey to register, and the line indicated they must wait to learn whether they are selected for the program.
The compensation package combines two elements: a 100% refund of the cruise booking and a future cruise credit (FCC) valued at 50% of the cruise fare paid for the current reservation.
Refunds and reimbursed travel costs
Guests who are accepted into the program are eligible for a full refund without penalties, including non-refundable deposits. Royal Caribbean also said it would reimburse certain non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses tied to the trip, such as flights and hotel stays.
While the cruise fare is refunded, the terms shared with guests draw a distinction between cruise fare and other parts of a reservation. The FCC is based on cruise fare only and excludes items such as port fees and taxes, as well as other pre-purchased onboard purchases.
How the 50% future cruise credit can be used
Royal Caribbean told guests the FCC is calculated as a dollar amount equal to 50% of the cruise fare paid for the Feb. 7, 2026 booking. The credit can be applied to any Royal Caribbean sailing departing by Feb. 7, 2027, and the replacement cruise does not need to be on Oasis of the Seas, does not need to sail from Fort Lauderdale, and does not need to follow the same itinerary.
In the terms provided to guests, the FCC excludes several common trip components and add-ons, including:
- Taxes and fees: The credit is based on cruise fare and does not include taxes, port fees, or similar charges.
- Prepaid onboard items: Purchases such as drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and prepaid gratuities are not included in the FCC calculation.
Itinerary: the Feb. 7, 2026 Oasis of the Seas sailing
The sailing is scheduled as an eight-night Southern Caribbean roundtrip itinerary from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades. Planned port calls include Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
The voyage also includes four days at sea before returning to Port Everglades. Oasis of the Seas is listed at 5,664 passengers at double occupancy and can carry more at maximum occupancy, with one account citing a maximum of up to 6,780 passengers.
Why cruise lines make offers like this
Royal Caribbean did not provide a specific reason in the email shared with guests. However, the line has used similar outreach on other sailings, and within the cruise industry, voluntary cancellation programs are one way to manage capacity and inventory constraints while minimizing disruption for guests who prefer to keep their plans.
Overbooking situations, while described as rare, can be tied to factors such as system errors, changes to ship configurations, or booking practices that account for expected no-shows. When too few guests accept an initial offer, incentives can be adjusted, including increasing the FCC value or adding additional perks such as onboard credit.
Recent precedent on other Royal Caribbean sailings
Royal Caribbean has faced over-capacity challenges on other voyages in recent years. In a high-profile case, guests were denied boarding for a Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane in November 2023 and were provided a full refund along with a 25% future cruise credit.
Other ships have also seen overbooked sailings at different times, including Wonder of the Seas in late 2022, as well as Liberty of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas in mid-2025. Compensation packages have varied by voyage and circumstance, and Royal Caribbean has also made offers on some 2025 sailings encouraging guests to change reservations, such as moving to different stateroom categories.
For now, the Feb. 7, 2026 Oasis of the Seas cruise remains scheduled to operate from Fort Lauderdale with its published itinerary. Guests who received the email and are considering the offer must respond within the stated window and, if they opt in, wait for confirmation on whether Royal Caribbean will accept their cancellation under the program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do guests have to cancel their Feb. 7, 2026 Oasis of the Seas booking?
No. Royal Caribbean told guests who want to keep their plans that they can ignore the email and travel as scheduled.
How can affected passengers opt into the compensation offer?
Guests who want to volunteer to cancel must register interest by completing a survey provided by Royal Caribbean. The offer is described as time-limited, subject to availability, and guests may need to wait to learn whether they are selected.
What exactly is included in the 50% future cruise credit?
The FCC is a dollar amount equal to 50% of the cruise fare paid for the current booking. In the terms shared with guests, it does not include taxes, port fees, or other pre-purchased onboard items such as drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, or prepaid gratuities.
What travel expenses will Royal Caribbean reimburse if a guest cancels?
Royal Caribbean said it would reimburse certain non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses tied to the trip, such as flights or hotels, in addition to refunding all monies paid for the cruise.
What happens if too few guests accept the cancellation offer?
In similar situations, Royal Caribbean may enhance the incentive by increasing the FCC value or adding additional perks such as onboard credit. In at least one prior high-profile case on Quantum of the Seas, guests were ultimately denied boarding and compensated with a full refund and a 25% FCC.
