Royal Caribbean Group has extended its Cruise with Confidence programme for all bookings made by 30 April 2021.

Effective from 1 February 2021 and applicable on voyages on or before 30 April 30 2022, guests can cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a full credit of the cruise fare paid. For Celebrity Cruises the extension applies to sailings before 4 May 2022.

The future cruise credit can be used for a new voyage on or before 30 September 2022.

In addition, the group will continue to offer a best price guarantee, where guests can choose to change the price and promotional offer on their reservation up to 48 hours before departure. This is available through to 31 January 2021.

The group said the concept eases “concerns of booked guests” and also “enhances consumer confidence to schedule new bookings, knowing last-minute travel adjustments are allowed”.

Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain said: “As the world has changed, so have we. We want our guests to have peace of mind when booking a cruise, and extending this popular programme gives them more freedom and flexibility to make informed decisions.”

Royal Caribbean Group recently announced a deal to sell Azamara to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm.

Sycamore Partners will acquire the brand and associated intellectual property. The deal, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, and will allow the group to focus its efforts on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.

Fain added: “Our strategy has evolved into placing more of our resources behind three global brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, and working to grow them as we emerge from this unprecedented period.”

Azamara has since purchased Pacific Princess from Princess Cruises, taking it to four ships in the fleet.