Cruise company Cunard does not refund deposits to customers: what to do.

Issues with cruise compensation

According to The Sun: In May 2024, my wife and I booked a 14-day cruise with Cunard to the Canary Islands for November 2025. We paid a deposit of £1,155, and the total cost of the cruise was £7,698.

However, in September 2024, we noticed that Cunard was offering the same cruise for £1,130 less than what we paid. I contacted them, requesting a reduction in the price of our cruise, considering we had made a significant deposit, but was refused.

Then we decided to postpone the departure to November 2026 while keeping the same ship and cabin at the same price. However, later Cunard announced a similar cruise for £1,440 less.

I contacted them again requesting a price reduction, but was refused once more. As a result, we decided to cancel the cruise as we were disappointed with their treatment.

The difficulty is that Cunard does not refund our deposit of £1,155. We cannot afford to lose this amount. Can you help?

James Stewart, via email.

Compensation advice

The feeling of overpaying is indeed unpleasant, so I understand why you reached out to Cunard requesting a price reduction. Many cruise companies have pricing correction policies that allow for refunds or credits if the cost of the cruise decreases after your payment.

However, such policies vary among different companies, and the timeframes within which you can apply also differ. Unfortunately, Cunard does not have such a policy. As they explained, their prices depend on the current market situation, allowing them to change them at any moment.

When canceling a cruise, you do not get your deposit back, but in some cases, you can postpone your departure date.

I thought Cunard was being too rigid in your situation, so I asked them to reconsider the decision once more. Ultimately, Cunard acknowledged that price fluctuations can be unpleasant for customers who have already made bookings.

As a result, they provided a £148 onboard credit for your ship and agreed to allow you to reschedule the cruise again.

I am disappointed with this outcome. In the future, it would not be surprising if you choose a cruise company with a pricing correction policy.

Always read the fine print when booking a vacation to avoid unpleasant surprises. The most important thing is to take screenshots and note the prices charged so you have evidence if the price drops significantly.

Question for Adele: £232,628.

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The situation regarding deposit refunds and the pricing correction policies of cruise companies highlights the importance of being attentive when booking vacations. Customers should be aware that with price change possibilities come risks that can lead to financial losses. A good working contact with the company can help in resolving similar issues in the future.