What the Azamara New Horizon sale deposit is

The Azamara New Horizon is a cruise ship operated by Azamara, a cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean. When Azamara announced the sale of this ship in 2023, passengers who had booked cruises on it faced a choice: accept a refund, rebook on a different Azamara ship, or receive a future cruise credit. A deposit was required to hold a new booking or credit.

If you paid a deposit to secure your new cruise booking or future credit after the New Horizon sale was announced, that deposit amount depends on when you booked and what option you chose. Azamara typically required a percentage of the total cruise fare — often 10 to 25 percent — to hold the reservation. The deposit was non-refundable if you cancelled, though it could be transferred to a different sailing or applied as a credit toward a future booking.

Key Takeaways

  • The Azamara New Horizon deposit was required to rebook on a different ship after the original sailing was cancelled due to the vessel sale.
  • Deposit amounts varied based on your original booking date and the cruise fare, typically ranging from 10 to 25 percent of the total cost.
  • Deposits were non-refundable if you cancelled your new booking, but could be transferred to another Azamara sailing or converted to a future cruise credit.
  • You should have received a confirmation email from Azamara showing your deposit amount, the new sailing details, and the terms of your rebooking.

How the deposit was applied to your new booking

Once you submitted your deposit to Azamara, it was held against the total price of your new cruise. When your final payment was due — typically 60 to 90 days before your new sailing — the deposit amount was subtracted from what you owed. You then paid the remaining balance to complete the reservation.

If you received a future cruise credit instead of rebooking immediately, the deposit was credited to that account. You could then use it toward any Azamara sailing within the validity period, which Azamara typically set at one to three years from the date the credit was issued.

What happens if you need to cancel or change your booking

Cancellation terms depended on how far in advance you cancelled and what Azamara's policy stated at the time. If you cancelled before a certain deadline — usually 60 to 90 days before your new sailing — you might have received a refund of payments made after the deposit, but the deposit itself was forfeited. Cancellations made closer to the sailing date typically resulted in losing the entire payment.

If you wanted to move your booking to a different Azamara sailing instead of cancelling, you could usually transfer your deposit and remaining balance to the new date without penalty, provided the new cruise was of equal or greater value. If the new cruise cost less, Azamara might have issued a credit for the difference rather than a refund.

Finding your deposit confirmation and payment records

Azamara sent a confirmation email when your deposit was received. This email included your booking reference number, the deposit amount, the new sailing date and ship name, and the final payment due date. Check your email inbox and spam folder for messages from Azamara or Royal Caribbean (which processes Azamara bookings).

You can also log into your Azamara account on their website using your booking reference and last name. Your account dashboard shows all deposits paid, the current balance owed, and the final payment deadline. If you cannot locate your confirmation or access your account, contact Azamara's customer service directly with your booking reference number.

Deposit amounts and what they covered

The deposit covered only your place on the new sailing. It did not include taxes, fees, or port charges, which were added to your final bill. Onboard expenses — drinks, dining, excursions — were separate and billed to your account during or after the cruise.

If you had paid for add-ons with your original New Horizon booking — such as beverage packages, cabin upgrades, or shore excursions — those were handled separately. Azamara either transferred them to your new sailing or issued a credit, depending on availability and your request. You should have received a separate communication about how each add-on was handled.

If your deposit was paid by credit card or bank transfer

Most passengers paid their Azamara deposit by credit card through the Azamara website or by phone with a customer service agent. Some paid by bank transfer or check. The payment method affected how a refund would be processed if one was issued.

Credit card deposits were refunded to the same card used to pay. Bank transfers were refunded to the same account. If your card or account has changed since you paid the deposit, contact Azamara before cancelling to update your payment information, so any refund reaches the correct account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my deposit back if I don't want to cruise anymore?

No. Azamara's policy treats the deposit as non-refundable once it is received. You can transfer it to a different sailing or convert it to a future cruise credit that you can use within the validity period, but you cannot receive cash back.

What if I paid a deposit but never received a confirmation email?

Log into your Azamara account using your booking reference number and last name. Your account will show all payments received. If the deposit appears there but you have no email, contact Azamara customer service with your booking reference. They can resend your confirmation or verify the payment status.

Does the deposit cover taxes and port fees?

No. The deposit covers only the base cruise fare. Taxes, government fees, and port charges are added separately and due with your final payment. These amounts vary by sailing and destination.

Can I transfer my deposit to someone else's booking?

Typically, no. The deposit is tied to your name and booking reference. However, if you want to add a travel companion to your cabin, contact Azamara to discuss options. Some cruise lines allow deposits to be applied to group bookings, but this is handled case by case.

What if my new sailing is cancelled too?

If Azamara cancels your rebooked sailing, you have the same options as before: rebook on another ship, receive a future cruise credit, or request a refund. Your deposit would be applied to whichever option you choose, or refunded if you opt out entirely.