Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas overbooking has prompted the cruise line to offer some guests a full refund and a 50% future cruise credit for the Feb. 7, 2026 sailing.
Summary: Royal Caribbean has contacted guests booked on Oasis of the Seas for the Feb. 7, 2026 departure, offering volunteers a 100% refund (including non-refundable deposits and some pre-paid travel costs) plus a 50% future cruise credit, after the sailing was reported as overbooked.
Royal Caribbean is offering compensation to some guests impacted by an Oasis of the Seas overbooking ahead of the ship’s February 7, 2026 sailing. Passengers who are willing to forgo the trip are being presented with an option that includes a full refund and a 50% future cruise credit (FCC), a move aimed at reducing the number of travelers on a departure that has reportedly exceeded capacity.
Which sailing is affected and where it goes
The affected trip is an eight-night Southern Caribbean itinerary departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The route includes planned calls in Aruba, Curacao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, with the CocoCay stop listed as weather permitting.
What Royal Caribbean is offering impacted guests
According to the report, Royal Caribbean notified booked passengers that the Oasis of the Seas sailing is overbooked and offered an alternative for those with flexibility. Guests who volunteer to skip the cruise can receive a 100% refund of their booking, including non-refundable deposits. The offer also covers certain pre-purchased expenses such as flights or hotel accommodations.
- 100% refund of the current booking, including non-refundable deposits
- Refund of pre-purchased expenses such as flights or hotel accommodations (as described in the report)
- 50% future cruise credit (FCC) based on the original Oasis of the Seas fare
The FCC is calculated from the original fare for the Oasis of the Seas sailing. The report notes that the credit does not include port fees, taxes, or onboard pre-purchased items such as dining packages or shore tours. The offer is described as time-limited and subject to availability, and guests must complete a survey to indicate interest before receiving confirmation on whether they have been selected.
Why overbooking happens in cruising
Royal Caribbean has not explicitly confirmed overbooking in the report, but the compensation package suggests the sailing may have reached or exceeded capacity. Oasis of the Seas can carry up to 6,780 guests at maximum occupancy, and the report notes that overbooking can occur across the industry for several reasons.
Potential causes cited include technical issues in online booking systems, mistakes tied to stateroom inventory, or “phantom bookings,” described as reservations that appear to exist due to system errors. The report also explains that cruise lines may intentionally oversell a small number of cabins, expecting some passengers to cancel late or not show up—an approach that can backfire if fewer cancellations occur than anticipated.
If you don’t take the offer: what changes
Guests who decline the proposal can keep their original plans and board Oasis of the Seas as scheduled, according to the report. Those who accept the deal receive the refund and the FCC, which can be used on any Royal Caribbean sailing departing before February 7, 2027.
The report emphasizes that the FCC is tied to the original fare amount for the Feb. 7, 2026 Oasis of the Seas booking, rather than functioning as a percentage discount applied to a future cruise price.
Could the offer change if not enough guests volunteer?
Royal Caribbean may be counting on the 50% FCC to persuade enough passengers to opt out, the report suggests. If the response is insufficient, the cruise line could potentially increase the FCC, add onboard credit, or introduce other incentives, based on how similar situations have been handled previously.
When overbooking leads to denied boarding
In uncommon cases, the report notes, overbooking can result in denied boarding when no staterooms remain available. One example cited is a Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane, Australia, in November 2023, where affected guests were offered a full refund and a 25% FCC after their vacation was cancelled.
A broader trend across Royal Caribbean and the cruise sector
The report frames the Oasis of the Seas situation as part of a wider pattern in cruising, especially during high-demand periods. It notes that overbooking is not limited to one operator and adds that several Royal Caribbean ships—including Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas—have faced similar issues in recent years.
Why this matters for travelers
For travelers, an overbooking notice can create last-minute uncertainty, particularly when flights and hotels are already arranged. At the same time, the reported Oasis of the Seas package shows how cruise lines may use refunds and future cruise credits to resolve capacity problems before embarkation day. Passengers booked on the Feb. 7, 2026 sailing should pay close attention to deadlines, what costs are covered, and the FCC’s limits—especially that it is based on the original fare and excludes items such as port fees, taxes, and certain pre-purchased onboard extras.
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