FOR NORTH AMERICA BASED CHARTER AGENTS/CLIENTS:
Colleen Hagen | Sr. Account Executive | [email protected] 

FOR INTERNATIONAL BASED CHARTER AGENTS/CLIENTS:
Clem Galindo | International Sales Manager | [email protected]

No. The client is responsible for the marketing program for the chartered sailing. Tools can be provided to assist with the effort to create a client’s own collateral material, video content, or website images.

The charter client determines pricing for a Re-Sale Full Ship Charter program. Due to anti-trust regulations, Royal Caribbean International cannot legally advise a client how to price staterooms on a chartered sailing. Current retail pricing may be used as a guide but it is only a snapshot of the pricing on a particular day. This pricing would never apply to the entire ship nor would it remain constant throughout the booking life cycle for the sailing.

Not necessarily — although relatable experience of some kind is preferred:

• A history of chartering ships of a similar size with us or our competitors
• A history of sailing as a large group with growth from year to year
• A history of promoting and selling large land programs on a similar scale

No. The client must have the ability to handle or work through a travel partner to market the program, answer questions, accept payment (if applicable), assign staterooms, etc.

No. There is no cancellation or attrition with a charter agreement. Nor can a charter reduce to a group if a charter client is not able to fill all space.

An Irrevocable Stand-By Letter of Credit is issued by the client’s bank (must have an A rating or higher) to guarantee funds will be paid to the Cruise Line. The bank a charter client intends to use must be pre-approved by Royal Caribbean International prior to issue.
As the beneficiary, Royal Caribbean International can draw upon the LOC to collect payment in the case of default. The LOC is required at contract signing and is held for 60 days post-sailing to ensure all balances are paid and no damages occurred to the ship during the charter.
A Letter of Credit is required for Full Ship charters because Royal Caribbean International loses all ability to market and sell the chartered sailing once an Agreement is signed. Should the client default on the Agreement, our ability to refill space is limited, which would result in a significant financial loss.

Option 1: Staggered Payments with An Irrevocable Stand-By Letter of Credit in place at contract signing

• 10% of charter rate and pre-paid gratuities at contract signing
• 30% of charter rate and pre-paid gratuities at 7 months prior to sailing
• 30% of charter rate and pre-paid gratuities at 5 months prior to sailing
• 30% of charter rate and pre-paid gratuities at 3 months prior to sailing

Option 2: Payment in Full at Contract Signing – No Letter of Credit

• 100% of charter rate and pre-paid gratuities at contract signing
• Interest credit earned to be provided as a shipboard credit on the chartered sailing
• Payment is non-refundable

Payment for per person taxes and fees, expected OBR penalties (if applicable), requested amenities and other miscellaneous fees relating to customization will be required 30 days prior to sailing and/or prior to the release of documents.

Requests for alternate custom payment arrangements may be considered if a charter client has a previous and verifiable history of doing similar successful events either on land or at sea and must be discussed with the Charter Sales Manager. All payments to be made in U.S. Dollars.

Any requested change to standard operation may impact the charter rate or result in incremental fees. Examples are:

• Requests to close any revenue center or revenue generating activity (e.g., casino, bars, art auctions, bingo, etc.)
• Requests to significantly change menu offerings or re-printing of menus
• Custom itinerary requests that impact fuel, port fees, security, tenders etc. and/or changes to contracted itinerary requested post-contract; this also applies to “floating hotel” request
• Food and/or Beverage events not offered on a non-chartered sailing, including personal brands
• Customized entertainment requests
• Special Services such as Fireworks, Drones, Flyovers, Banners, Decorations, etc.

An onboard revenue guarantee is a component of chartering with Royal Caribbean. To minimize risk exposure of not being able to meet/exceed the ship’s onboard revenue guarantee, it is best for the number of sailing guests to be as close to or exceed a ship’s double occupancy capacity. If the onboard revenue target is not met during the charter, Purchaser is responsible for paying the shortfall.

A charter rate is based on the ship’s full double occupancy regardless of how many people sail. Prepaid gratuities, taxes & fees, and incremental fuel costs if (any) are also part of the guaranteed amount due. 

Additional fees for triple and quad berths must also be paid to the Cruise Line if the charter sails above the ship’s full double occupancy.

More accurate pricing may be provided based on an exact ship, sail date, itinerary and level of customization. The following range can be used to determine financial feasibility.

Charter pricing is most attractive during non-peak seasons, i.e., September, October, early December and/or January. The most expensive months are May through August. Products in Alaska, Bermuda or Europe may exceed the ranges outlined above.

Royal Caribbean usually won’t consider Full Ship Charter for requests submitted within 12 months of departure or even further out if the requested sail date is already booked above a certain capacity threshold. Recommend chartering at least 13 to 16+ months out to allow adequate time for a charter client to promote their cruise and fill space.

• Extremely strong affinity or cult-like following with ability to market and reach intended audience
• Entertainment or charitable component
• Previous success executing similar large land event or festivals
• Proper financing
• Fulfillment capabilities
• Extremely strong affinity or cult-like following with ability to market and reach intended audience
• Entertainment or charitable component
• Previous success executing similar large land event or festivals
• Proper financing
• Fulfillment capabilities

Corporate: A company that purchases all staterooms for a meeting or incentive program and provides those staterooms at no charge to its employees, customers or vendors.

• Meetings & Conventions
• Product Launches
• Incentive Programs
• Tradeshows
• Corporate Anniversaries
• Consumer Promotions
• Educational Seminars & Recertifications

Affinity or Promotional (Re-Sale): An organization that charters the ship with the intent to re-sell all staterooms to consumers sharing a common interest (aka “theme cruise”). The client typically creates unique onboard programming, charging a premium for the exclusive opportunity and unique experience which isn’t available on a standard retail sailing. The majority (Re-Sale) programs are:

• Music & Entertainment
• Lifestyle & Religious

• Freedom to Customize & Greater Control
  • Complete customization of your program and itinerary
  • Unlimited branding opportunities
• Camaraderie & Exclusivity — Everyone sailing is part of your group
• Prestige — People feel honored and excited when they board a privately chartered ship
• Undivided Attention — Entire crew devote 100% attention & resources to your program
• Value — Save up to 30% compared to land-based events or meetings — Complimentary use of all A/ V equipment.

Group Business:

For a North America Group Proposal contact one of our Corporate Sales Specialists at 800-345-7225. 

Full Ship Charter:

North America Team – Craig Jarrett at [email protected] 

International Team – Clem Galindo at [email protected] 

Service Team – Corporate Event Planners

For assistance with an existing group event, contact our Corporate Event Planning Team at 800-345-7225.