Short answer
Future cruise credit (often shortened to FCC) is a credit with a cruise line that you can put toward a later booking, instead of receiving a cash refund. The details differ by cruise line and by the type of credit, so the key steps are to find your credit’s terms, note its expiry date and who it is issued to, and then apply it to a new booking through the cruise line or your travel agent. Don’t rely on general information, including this article, over the terms on your own credit.
What is future cruise credit?
It is a balance held by a cruise line that can be used for a future cruise, generally with that line or its group. Credits are not cash, so they usually can’t be paid out as money, and they often come with conditions such as expiry dates and limits on what they can be used for.
Where credit comes from
Credit can arise in several ways:
- You cancelled your own booking. Your fare’s cancellation terms may give you a refund, a credit or nothing, depending on the timing and fare type. Some cruise-line cancellation protection or fee waivers are paid as credit.
- The cruise line cancelled or changed your sailing. Credit may be offered as an alternative to a refund, sometimes with a bonus. Whether you can choose a refund depends on the circumstances and the line’s policy.
- A purchase onboard. Some lines sell a deposit or voucher for a future cruise during your sailing, often with a deadline to redeem or to book.
- Compensation or a promotion. A line might issue credit after a problem or as part of a loyalty offer.
Each source can have different rules, so check which type you have.
Rules to check
Look at the certificate, email or account page for these points:
- Expiry date. Note when you must book by and whether you must also sail by a certain date. These can be two different deadlines.
- Whose name is on it. Credits are often issued to the person who held the original booking. Check whether other guests can use it.
- Which brands and sailings qualify. Some credits are limited to one brand, or exclude certain sailings, ship types or promotional fares.
- What it covers. Does it cover only the fare, or also taxes, fees, gratuities or extras?
- Is the amount applied per person or per cabin?
- Booking channel. Some credits must be redeemed with the cruise line directly, others can be used through a travel agent. Ask.
- Refundability. Find out whether any unused balance remains available, and whether the credit is refundable if you later cancel the new booking. In many cases it returns as credit again, with the same or a shorter expiry date.
- Combination with offers. Some promotions can’t be combined with credit.
How to apply credit to a booking
- Find the paperwork. Locate the credit number, amount, expiry date and name.
- Choose your sailing. Compare prices and check whether the sailing qualifies. See the best time to book a cruise and how to find unsold cruise cabins at big discounts if you are shopping for a deal.
- Contact the cruise line or your travel agent. Ask them to apply the credit when you book, or to confirm how to do so.
- Ask about the total. Confirm the price after credit, taxes and fees and what remains to pay.
- Get written confirmation. Ask for confirmation that the credit has been applied, and how much remains, if any.
- Note the new deadlines. The new booking has its own final payment date and cancellation terms.
- Think about protection. If you may need to cancel again, check the fare terms and consider insurance. See whether cruise travel insurance is worth it.
Can credit be transferred?
Sometimes, but do not assume so. Many credits are tied to the person named, and the cruise line may allow use only for a booking that includes that person. Some lines allow certain transfers to another person, perhaps with conditions. Ask the cruise line before you plan around a transfer, and ask about fees. If you want to swap a traveler on a booking later, see changing a guest on a Carnival cruise booking.
What happens when credit expires?
An expired credit is often lost, and the cruise line may not be obliged to extend it. If your expiry date is close:
- Contact the cruise line or agent early to ask about any extension and what is possible.
- Check whether you can book a sailing now and sail after the expiry date, if the rules separate booking and sailing deadlines.
- Consider a placeholder booking if the terms allow it, and read the cancellation terms first.
Do not wait until the last day. Phone lines can be busy near deadlines.
Stacking credits and promotions
Some cruise lines allow you to use FCC alongside current promotions, while others restrict this. Ask whether your credit affects eligibility for onboard credit or discounts. Compare the final price with and without the credit. If you have an offer such as a military or loyalty rate, see how they might combine, for example military discounts with ID.me or loyalty status matching.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the credit never expires
- Booking before checking that the sailing qualifies
- Forgetting that taxes, fees and gratuities may not be covered
- Not checking the name on the credit against the traveler
- Failing to ask whether a new cancellation returns credit again
- Not keeping records of the credit number and confirmations
- Forgetting the other costs of a cruise that the credit won’t cover
If you need to change a booking after using credit, see changing your cruise after booking with Carnival.