No-Show Fees at Sea: Why Royal Caribbean and NCL Are Now Charging

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Imagine looking forward to a special dinner at a popular specialty restaurant on your cruise ship, only to find many tables empty at the end of the evening because guests simply didn't show up. This is a well-known issue that costs cruise lines money and prevents other passengers who would have loved to dine there from getting a seat. That's why Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) have now introduced a new policy: if you don't show up for a reservation or cancel too late, you'll be charged a fee.

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The introduction of these "no-show fees" is one of the biggest changes in the cruise industry in 2025. Both companies aim to better utilize the limited spots in their popular restaurants. Instead of relying on guests' absolute flexibility, they are now adapting the revenue management concept, which is well-established in the airline and hotel industries.

RCI was the first of the two to implement the new policy on September 1, 2025. They have opted for a tiered fee structure that varies by restaurant.

  • For most specialty restaurants, a fee of $25 per person is charged.
  • In particularly exclusive venues like Royal Railway or the Chef's Table, the fee increases to $50 per person.
  • To avoid the fee, reservations must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance.

Important: Certain guests, such as those in Star Class Suites or those who have booked a Dining Package, are exempt from this rule. This is intended to make these premium offerings even more appealing.

Shortly after RCI, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) followed suit. However, their approach is much more relaxed and better aligns with their "Freestyle Cruising" concept.

  • NCL charges a flat fee of $10 per person at their specialty restaurants.
  • The cancellation window is much shorter, at just two hours before the reservation.
  • They even offer a small grace period of 15 minutes after the scheduled reservation time before the table is released.

This is a clear sign that NCL wants to address the no-show issue without compromising its philosophy of on-board spontaneity.

The different approaches of Royal Caribbean and NCL show how two major cruise lines are solving the same problem. RCI is using a stricter, value-oriented strategy to maximize efficiency. NCL, on the other hand, is taking a more flexible path that continues to position the brand as a provider of freedom and hassle-free vacations. However, both paths have the same goal: to improve restaurant occupancy and optimize the dining experience for all passengers.

It is highly likely that this trend will catch on and that other cruise lines will soon follow. For travelers, this means we should plan our on-board restaurant bookings a bit more mindfully in the future to avoid unnecessary fees.