Starting December 18, 2017 Norwegian Cruise Line will require all final payments to be made 120 days before the sailing date, up from 90 days the line had required before.
The new deadline is to be enforced for all cabins, including suite and Haven category bookings.
Frank Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO, made the announcement at CruiseWorld conference held in Fort Lauderdale last week, explaining to the audience that clients will have to pay in full faster, thus helping agents close a sale.
According to Norwegian, the new schedule would help simplify travel partners' booking experience, further allow them to sell with confidence, and help ensure their clients who book early will receive stateroom choice and optimal pricing.
The new policy will allow travel agents to receive commission 30 days earlier. Norwegian Cruise Line makes its payment to agents a week after the final payment is made.
In July, MSC Cruises moved its final payment date for new bookings from 60 to 90 days prior to departure. The change brought line’s policy closer to other cruise lines based in the U.S.
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean require final payment on 7-night sailings 75 days prior to departure.