If your cruise is cancelled
A cancelled cruise is rare, and when it happens it never costs you money. If the operator has to call off your cruise, you choose between another date and a full refund. You do not lose what you paid, and you do not have to fight for it. This page explains why a cruise might be cancelled, how we tell you, and exactly what you get.
Why a cruise might be cancelled
Cancellations almost always come down to safety, which is the right reason to call one off. The most common causes are:
- Unsafe weather: storms, strong wind, or rough water on the strait can make sailing unsafe, so the operator cancels for everyone’s safety
- Operational reasons: an unexpected technical or maintenance issue with the boat
- Official restrictions: occasional port or traffic restrictions on the Bosphorus that stop sailings for a period
Note that light rain or a cool, breezy evening is not a reason to cancel. Boats have covered, heated indoor seating and sail in most conditions. See weather and what to expect.
How we tell you
- As early as possible: we contact you the moment the decision is made, often the day before when it is weather related
- By your booking contact: we use the email and phone number on your booking, so keep them correct and to hand
- With your options ready: the message explains what happened and asks how you would like to proceed
This is why we ask for a reachable phone number at checkout. If your cruise is for today and you have any doubt, you can always contact us to check.
Your options: reschedule or full refund
When the operator cancels, the choice is yours, not ours:
- Move to another date: rebook the same cruise for a day that suits you, at no extra cost for the change
- Switch to another cruise: move to a different cruise of the same value, or pay or be refunded the difference if you change to one that costs more or less
- Take a full refund: get back everything you paid, with no fee and no deduction
How the refund works
- You tell us your choice: reply to let us know whether you want a new date or a refund
- We process it: a refund is issued to your original payment method, in euros
- It reaches you: normally within 3 to 5 business days, depending on your bank
For the full timing, see refunds and how long they take, and for every refund situation see your refund rights.
If it is cancelled at short notice
Weather can change quickly, so a cruise is sometimes called off close to departure or on the day. The protection is exactly the same: you are offered another date or a full refund, and you never lose your money because the operator could not sail.
What you do not need to do
- You do not need to prove the weather was bad, we confirm that with the operator
- You do not need to pay anything extra to move to a new date
- You do not need to chase your refund, it is processed once you confirm your choice
This is different from cancelling yourself
This page is about the operator cancelling. If you need to cancel your own booking, that is covered separately and is also free up to 24 hours before departure. See our free cancellation policy and how to cancel your booking.
To claim a refund or rebooking after a cancellation, see if the operator cancels. This protection is part of our guarantee.