Future Cruise Credit FAQs




Q: What is a Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?

A Future Cruise Credit, or FCC, is essentially a voucher for future travel that is issued by the cruise line. It has a monetary amount associated with it, and it is provided as an alternative to a refund. FCC’s can be redeemed towards a cruise fare of a future booking and are specific to the cruise line that issued it. With each cruise line’s form of FCC comes its own terms and conditions on when and how to use it. An FCC is always issued under a single passenger name and typically cannot be transferred or gifted to another.


    Q: Can an FCC be used to book a cruise with Costco Travel even if the original booking was made with a different travel company?

    Yes. Who you decide to book with is entirely up to you, even when using an FCC. If you have an active Costco membership you can apply your previously issued FCC with Costco Travel.


      Q: Why and how does one receive an FCC?

      FCC’s are issued by the cruise lines for various reasons. It is typically a compensation due to a cancelled, interrupted or re-booked cruise. Cruise lines often have different terms associated with FCC’s from cancelled cruises under a temporary cancellation policy vs. cancelled cruises due to a cruise line suspension. You can use your FCC as soon as it is credited into your account (guest profile) from the cruise line. In most cases, if you do not already have an account, the cruise may will create one for you.


        Q: How is an FCC calculated?

        FCC amounts can vary. Sometimes, it can be for the entire cost of an affected cruise. Amounts can also include segments pre-purchased through the cruise line, such as hotels, tours, shore excursions, flights or prepaid gratuities. Occasionally, the FCC amount has potential to be more than the original cruise fare you paid if your cruise was recently suspended due to unprecedented times. Taxes, fees and add-ons are typically excluded and refunded separately. FCC amounts can also differ if a booking is made with a non-refundable deposit or if a booking is canceled outside vs. inside penalty.


          Q: What happens to add-ons originally booked or included with a cruise, such as shore excursions, drink packages or spa treatments?

          In most cases, FCC amounts are calculated on the base fare paid, less any taxes, fees, upgrades, additional purchases (i.e. shore excursions or spa treatments), or add-ons (i.e. drink packages or Wi-Fi). Cruise lines all have different procedures with these items. Many refund these items separately in the same form of payment you paid. In other cases, if items came in conjunction with a specific offer booked, an agent can work with you to find a cruise that feature those same additions as part of the next cruise.


            Q: How does one redeem/apply an FCC to a new booking?

            You can use your FCC as soon as it is credited into your account with the cruise line. This process may take several weeks. You can check your balance when you log into your account with the cruise line. Once you find a new sailing, you can use the value of the FCC to apply to the cruise fare of that new cruise. If you have an active Costco membership you can apply your previously issued FCC with Costco Travel. For Princess and Holland America reservations, your FCC will automatically be applied to your booking when you add your cruise line past passenger number. For all other cruise lines, you will need to call one of our customer service agents to apply the credit for you.

            If the cruise fare for the new booking exceeds the FCC’s value, you will be responsible for the difference. Alternatively, depending on the cruise line, if the new cruise fare is lower than the FCC’s value, a new FCC will be issued for the remaining balance.

            FCCs are applicable to the cruise fare only and cannot be applied as payments towards taxes, fees or prepaid gratuities.

            FCCs can also be applied to an existing booking outside of final payment.


              Q: Can a new booking be made before an FCC is received for a canceled booking?

              This varies across cruise lines. Some cruise lines allow you to secure a deposit on your new booking and then apply the FCC once it’s made available. Some cruise lines have relaxed their payment schedule so you do not have to make a deposit until a later date while you wait for your FCC.


                Q: Do FCCs expire?

                Yes. Each cruise line provides a set expiration date in which a given FCC must be redeemed. Dates will vary depending on the cruise line and the reason you received the FCC. Keep in mind this date is often different than the applicable sailing window in which you can apply the FCC.


                  Q: Can an FCC be used across multiple bookings?

                  Depending on the cruise line, an FCC can be used across multiple itineraries if there is a remaining balance after initial use. Any remaining funds on the FCC will continue to be available until the FCC balance reaches zero, or the expiration date is reached. This may vary by cruise line.


                    Q: After an FCC is received, can a change be made to request a refund instead? Alternatively, if a refund was initially chosen, can an FCC be requested instead?

                    The ability to change compensation selections will vary by cruise line. Some will not have flexibility once a compensation selection has been made. Some will not allow a change to a refund but will allow a change to an FCC if the refund has not been processed. Some will offer the flexibility to change based on a given deadline to make that decision.


                      Q: What happens if a cruise booked with FCC is canceled?

                      The original FCC amount will be protected at 100% and the certificate will be reactivated for that amount. FCC expiration dates will likely be adjusted accordingly. Any additional amounts paid will fall into the new compensation options provided by the cruise line – a second FCC certificate will be issued or a refund will be processed accordingly for that additional amount.


                        Q: What is a Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?

                        A Future Cruise Credit, or FCC, is essentially a voucher for future travel that is issued by the cruise line. It has a monetary amount associated with it, and it is provided as an alternative to a refund. FCC’s can be redeemed towards a cruise fare of a future booking and are specific to the cruise line that issued it. With each cruise line’s form of FCC comes its own terms and conditions on when and how to use it. An FCC is always issued under a single passenger name and typically cannot be transferred or gifted to another.


                          Q: Can an FCC be used to book a cruise with Costco Travel even if the original booking was made with a different travel company?

                          Yes. Who you decide to book with is entirely up to you, even when using an FCC. If you have an active Costco membership you can apply your previously issued FCC with Costco Travel.


                            Q: Why and how does one receive an FCC?

                            FCC’s are issued by the cruise lines for various reasons. It is typically a compensation due to a cancelled, interrupted or re-booked cruise. Cruise lines often have different terms associated with FCC’s from cancelled cruises under a temporary cancellation policy vs. cancelled cruises due to a cruise line suspension. You can use your FCC as soon as it is credited into your account (guest profile) from the cruise line. In most cases, if you do not already have an account, the cruise may will create one for you.


                              Q: How is an FCC calculated?

                              FCC amounts can vary. Sometimes, it can be for the entire cost of an affected cruise. Amounts can also include segments pre-purchased through the cruise line, such as hotels, tours, shore excursions, flights or prepaid gratuities. Occasionally, the FCC amount has potential to be more than the original cruise fare you paid if your cruise was recently suspended due to unprecedented times. Taxes, fees and add-ons are typically excluded and refunded separately. FCC amounts can also differ if a booking is made with a non-refundable deposit or if a booking is canceled outside vs. inside penalty.


                                Q: What happens to add-ons originally booked or included with a cruise, such as shore excursions, drink packages or spa treatments?

                                In most cases, FCC amounts are calculated on the base fare paid, less any taxes, fees, upgrades, additional purchases (i.e. shore excursions or spa treatments), or add-ons (i.e. drink packages or Wi-Fi). Cruise lines all have different procedures with these items. Many refund these items separately in the same form of payment you paid. In other cases, if items came in conjunction with a specific offer booked, an agent can work with you to find a cruise that feature those same additions as part of the next cruise.


                                  Q: How does one redeem/apply an FCC to a new booking?

                                  You can use your FCC as soon as it is credited into your account with the cruise line. This process may take several weeks. You can check your balance when you log into your account with the cruise line. Once you find a new sailing, you can use the value of the FCC to apply to the cruise fare of that new cruise. If you have an active Costco membership you can apply your previously issued FCC with Costco Travel. For Princess and Holland America reservations, your FCC will automatically be applied to your booking when you add your cruise line past passenger number. For all other cruise lines, you will need to call one of our customer service agents to apply the credit for you.

                                  If the cruise fare for the new booking exceeds the FCC’s value, you will be responsible for the difference. Alternatively, depending on the cruise line, if the new cruise fare is lower than the FCC’s value, a new FCC will be issued for the remaining balance.

                                  FCCs are applicable to the cruise fare only and cannot be applied as payments towards taxes, fees or prepaid gratuities.

                                  FCCs can also be applied to an existing booking outside of final payment.


                                    Q: Can a new booking be made before an FCC is received for a canceled booking?

                                    This varies across cruise lines. Some cruise lines allow you to secure a deposit on your new booking and then apply the FCC once it’s made available. Some cruise lines have relaxed their payment schedule so you do not have to make a deposit until a later date while you wait for your FCC.


                                      Q: Do FCCs expire?

                                      Yes. Each cruise line provides a set expiration date in which a given FCC must be redeemed. Dates will vary depending on the cruise line and the reason you received the FCC. Keep in mind this date is often different than the applicable sailing window in which you can apply the FCC.


                                        Q: Can an FCC be used across multiple bookings?

                                        Depending on the cruise line, an FCC can be used across multiple itineraries if there is a remaining balance after initial use. Any remaining funds on the FCC will continue to be available until the FCC balance reaches zero, or the expiration date is reached. This may vary by cruise line.


                                          Q: After an FCC is received, can a change be made to request a refund instead? Alternatively, if a refund was initially chosen, can an FCC be requested instead?

                                          The ability to change compensation selections will vary by cruise line. Some will not have flexibility once a compensation selection has been made. Some will not allow a change to a refund but will allow a change to an FCC if the refund has not been processed. Some will offer the flexibility to change based on a given deadline to make that decision.


                                            Q: What happens if a cruise booked with FCC is canceled?

                                            The original FCC amount will be protected at 100% and the certificate will be reactivated for that amount. FCC expiration dates will likely be adjusted accordingly. Any additional amounts paid will fall into the new compensation options provided by the cruise line – a second FCC certificate will be issued or a refund will be processed accordingly for that additional amount.