No-show specialty dining fees are back in the news again, with Norwegian Cruise Line announcing a $10 per person fee for guests who fail to keep their scheduled reservation within 15 minutes. Royal Caribbean International made a similar announcement this month, charging $25 per person for guests who do not show up, with some restaurants charging $50 per person for a no-show.
This is not unusual, as the major cruise lines have a similar policy for those who fail to show up for their reservations. Specialty restaurants have limited seating but are a popular onboard option. The cruise lines have a no-show policy to encourage guests to keep their reservations or, if they cannot, to cancel so someone else can enjoy the venue. And, let’s be honest, no-shows represent lost income for the cruise line.
Here are the major cruise lines’ no-show policy:
Carnival Cruise Line charges the full price for no-show dining reservations for the Chef’s Table, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast. Cancellations need to be made within 48 hours of a guest’s scheduled reservation and preferably before the cruise.
Celebrity Cruises charges at least a $20 per person no-show fee for specialty dining reservations not canceled at least 24 hours in advance.
Disney Cruise Line requires a cancellation of at least 24 hours to avoid a full per-person cost. This applies to adult-exclusive dining.
Holland America Line does not automatically charge for a no-show, but guests could lose their “Have It All” credits if used for the reservation. Guests can cancel their reservation online at least 3 days in advance of the cruise without a fee. Guests within the 3-day window will need to cancel onboard; however, onboard cancellations are subject to at least a 10% cancellation fee.
MSC Cruises charges the full cost of the specialty dining reservation if not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. Guests’ reservations will also be canceled and charged the full cost if you are more than 15 minutes late.
Norwegian Cruise Line now charges $10 per person if not canceled or changed at least two hours before the reservation. Additionally, the reservation will be canceled for guests who are more than 15 minutes late.
Princess Cruises has two separate fees depending on the dining experience. Guests who no-show for specialty dining will incur a $10 per person fee, while guests who no-show for experiential dining will be charged 50% of the experience cost. Guests who cancel the reservation within 24 hours of the scheduled time will not incur a fee.
Royal Caribbean International now charges guests who are a no-show or do not cancel at least 24 hours in advance a minimum of $25 per person. Some venues charge $50 per person and the Celebration Table fee is 50% of the base cost. However, guests who purchased the dining package or booked a Star Class suite are exempt from these fees.
Virgin Voyages’ specialty dining is included in the cruise fare, meaning the cruise line does not charge a no-show fee. Guests are asked to cancel if they can not make it, so another can have the spot. If guests are more than 15 minutes late, they are likely to lose the reservation to a walk-in guest.
Here are some of the best ways to avoid a fee:
- Plan appropriately.
- If your plans change, be aware of the cancellation window for the restaurant and cancel within that window.
- Show up on time.