Roommate cancellation before final payment

[FarmerNC]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times. I've tried searching the forum to figure this out, but most of the posts I've found are several years old or not quite the same situation.

I booked an interior porthole room for two guests back in December. I have only paid the deposit ($100) and the rest is due at the end of this month. I found out yesterday that my roommate is not going on the cruise, however he IS going to pay me for his half of the cost. I have read many posts that talk about cancellation fees, no-shows, etc. but most of those were talking about cancellations closer to sail date and after final payment has been made. Since the final payment has not been made yet, what would be the best way to deal with this?

[wemjam]

You have to pay a single supplement if you are cruising alone in the room which is almost the full cost of the cruise for 2 (less port fees and taxes)?  You don't specify if there is more than 2 in the room or not but since you said his 1/2 I assume it was just the 2 of you.?

 

However, if you do make a change to the room now you will be subject to change fees and also if the rate has changed and has gone up it will cost you more overall.

 

If they are going to pay their part anyhow, I would take the money and just have them be a no show.

 

Be advised, port fees and taxes will be returned if they no show (which you could then return to them when you are reimbursed).

 

If you do decide to drop them, then your single cruise will be repriced at the current rate plus single supplement which most certainly will be higher, plus likely change fees.  This means you would end up paying the full amount of the room pretty much on your own that you would for the 2 of you being in it, or more.

 

Also, more than likely if they cancelled they would not get a $ refund, but a future cruise credit only.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2023 by wemjam

[wemjam]

PS:  Since you said you only did a $100 deposit you both could cancel and eat the $100 (which I would make them pay) and neither of you go.

 

Again, if you rebooked a different booking just you by yourself though keep in mind that you pay pretty much what 2 people pay almost.

 

So, if you still want to go by yourself, then just keep the booking and have them pay their 1/2 of the booking now and return the port fees/credit when they no show and you get the $ back.

 

Also, IF you could find someone else to go with you that wanted to pay the 1/2, you might be able to switch to a new person for a small fee (depending on your rate code, this may be possible for $50).  Then your roommate could just pay the change fee to swap to a different person.

Edited May 15, 2023 by wemjam

[FarmerNC]

Thanks for the info.

 

I am definitely going to go. We were actually going with a larger group of people, but all of the cabins were booked separately (each family, couple, etc. booked their own). So I will thankfully not be by myself on the cruise, but I will have a cabin to myself now.

 

Actually, I just thought of something else too...I booked the room for two guests, but I had not yet filled in my roommate's information. I was going to do that when I made the final payment. So the booking has my name and "Guest 2" at the moment. So if I just leave him on to be a no-show, I guess I will have to fill in his information anyway, right? Or at least someone's info...not necessarily his, since they won't actually be there?

Edited May 15, 2023 by FarmerNC

[VIFP1987]

1 hour ago, FarmerNC said:

Thanks for the info.

 

I am definitely going to go. We were actually going with a larger group of people, but all of the cabins were booked separately (each family, couple, etc. booked their own). So I will thankfully not be by myself on the cruise, but I will have a cabin to myself now.

 

Actually, I just thought of something else too...I booked the room for two guests, but I had not yet filled in my roommate's information. I was going to do that when I made the final payment. So the booking has my name and "Guest 2" at the moment. So if I just leave him on to be a no-show, I guess I will have to fill in his information anyway, right? Or at least someone's info...not necessarily his, since they won't actually be there?

Is this a casino booking? A free cruise where you only pay the deposit,  plus taxes and fees?  If so, you can remove the 2nd guest from the booking, pay the $200 deposit plus your port taxes and fees, and travel solo. 

[FarmerNC]

Nope, not a casino booking. Just a regular booking with only the deposit paid so far. I wanted to find out the best way to handle it before I paid the final payment (due May 31st).

[groundloop]

2 hours ago, FarmerNC said:

.... So if I just leave him on to be a no-show, I guess I will have to fill in his information anyway, right? Or at least someone's info...not necessarily his, since they won't actually be there?

 

That's my understanding.  But since guest 2 is TBA is there anyone else you could get to go?

 

I'd also suggest checking to see if the price has dropped since you booked (which I kind of doubt, but it never hurts to look).  If by some miracle it's dropped you could simply cancel, lose your deposit, and rebook at the lower rate.

[FarmerNC]

I just checked and the total price has gone up by about $400 since I booked, so I definitely don't want to cancel and rebook. Since he's going to pay his half anyway, and the rest of the group we were going with will also be on the ship, I'm not too worried about getting anyone else to go. I'll just enjoy having the room to myself without having to pay the full amount!

[wemjam]

So yes, you would need to add "someone" as the 2nd guest in the room then.

 

Good thing they are standing up and paying their way even thought they can go.  BONUS for you.  Room all to yourself.

 

Just let them know that the taxes and gratuities will be refunded back to them when you return.

 

I think you may get is OBC with a no show for the taxes and port fees  (someone can jump in her and confirm).  This means you will have to pay them.  You can cash out some money in the casino to return to them if that helps.  OR just consider it for your own spending and reimburse them yourself when you get home.

[momof3cruisers]

I had this happen just after the restart. My friend and I got an incredible rate so we booked it quick and then a few weeks later, she realized she couldn’t go. We left the booking as it was and I just paid the whole thing. (It was like $35 pp, not kidding, not a casino deal) and they refunded her taxes and port charges to my card on file for onboard expenses.