Royal Caribbean asks guests to cancel cruise

Royal Caribbean has asked guests booked on the Voyager of the Seas September 4, 2026 Alaska cruise to give up their reservations. The 137,276-gross-ton vessel is scheduled to depart Seattle on September 4, 2026 for a seven-night journey that will visit Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier before returning to Seattle on September 11.

An email sent to those guests offers two voluntary options. The first is a transfer to one of three similar Voyager of the Seas Alaska sailings from Seattle in 2027. Guests can move to the August 27 or September 3, 2027 departures, which follow the same itinerary as the 2026 cruise, or to the September 10, 2027 sailing that includes Sitka instead of Dawes Glacier.

Guests who choose a transfer receive a 100 % refund of the cruise fare paid, excluding taxes and amenities, plus $200 in non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom. Reimbursement for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses such as hotels and flights is also included. The transfer option effectively gives guests a free replacement cruise, but the new sailing is almost a year later.

The second option is to cancel the September 4 cruise entirely. A full refund of the booking is provided, along with reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses. In addition, guests receive a future cruise credit equal to 150 % of the fare paid. This credit can be applied to any Royal Caribbean sailing that departs by September 4, 2027, allowing guests to book an earlier, potentially more expensive cruise.

Guests must apply for either option by September 1, 2026. The cruise line says successful applicants will be contacted by phone or email; those who do not hear back by September 2 remain booked on the original itinerary. The offers are voluntary and not guaranteed to all interested parties.

The email that prompted the offer reads: “We are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel arrangements. If your plans are set in stone, please mark this email as ‘Read’, and gear up for your upcoming adventure - although, there are some pretty sweet options below.”

Royal Caribbean has used similar incentives earlier this summer. In June 2026, guests booked on a June 19 Voyager of the Seas sailing received an offer to transfer or cancel, and a week later, those on the July 17 sailing were presented with the same options. The company has not confirmed whether the September 4 sailing is oversold, but such offers typically arise when a ship has more bookings than available accommodations.

Guests can apply through the official portal on the stats page. Similar offers were reported on the squad page, illustrating the cruise line’s consistent approach to managing over-booked sailings.

Those who do not respond to the email will remain booked on the September 4, 2026 itinerary, with no changes to their reservation.