AustraliaA cruise ship company advertised one itinerary but changed it without refund. What can I do?
You may be entitled to a refund or compensation under the Australian Consumer Law if the cruise company changed your itinerary without consent and the change was significant.
What the Law Says
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) protects consumers when businesses make false or misleading claims about services — including advertised cruise itineraries.
If a cruise company advertised a specific itinerary (e.g., ports of call, duration, inclusions) and then changed it significantly without your agreement, this may breach the ACL. Such changes could amount to misleading or deceptive conduct, or false representations about the nature or characteristics of the service.
Under section 18 of the ACL, a business must not engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive. Section 29 prohibits false or misleading representations about the standard, quality, or origin of services.
If the change substantially affects the value or enjoyment of the cruise — for example, skipping multiple advertised destinations or downgrading accommodation — it may also constitute a failure to supply the service as agreed, potentially entitling you to a remedy such as a refund, replacement, or compensation.
Statutory TextA person must not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive.
— Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2, s. 18 — Misleading or deceptive conduct
Statutory TextA person must not, in trade or commerce, make a false or misleading representation about the standard, quality, value or grade of any goods or services.
— Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2, s. 29(1)(a) — False or misleading representations
What to Do
Contact the cruise company in writing to request a full or partial refund, quoting the ACL and specifying how the change affected your booking.
Keep copies of all advertising material (website screenshots, brochures, emails) showing the original itinerary.
If unresolved, lodge a complaint with the ACCC or your state/territory consumer affairs agency.
Consider applying to your local tribunal (e.g., NCAT, VCAT) for a refund if the amount is within their jurisdictional limit (usually up to $40,000–$100,000 depending on the state).
Sources
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South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.