Can the tour operator change my itinerary or hotel after booking?

How the answer differs across 5 jurisdictions

The Short Answer

Yes, but only under strict conditions: changes must be 'material', offered in writing no later than 20 days before departure, and you may reject them and cancel without penalty.

8%
Max pre-agreed price increase
20 days
Deadline to offer changes
No after start
Changes banned post-departure
Equal quality
Ersatzreise requirement
The Short Answer

If your tour operator changed your itinerary last minute, they must notify you immediately and offer a suitable alternative or full refund — unless the change is minor and doesn’t significantly affect your holiday.

Full refund
Right to
Immediate notic
Required
s. 18
Relevant section
1995 Act
Governing law
European UnionFull article
The Short Answer

Yes, you may cancel and get a full refund if your cruise itinerary is significantly changed, as this is considered a 'major modification' under EU law.

14 days
Notice period for major changes
100%
Refund entitlement
7 days
Refund deadline
EU 2015/2302
Applicable regulation
South KoreaFull article
The Short Answer

A travel agency in South Korea cannot unilaterally change a confirmed itinerary without your consent — doing so breaches the Travel Industry Act and entitles you to cancellation, refund, or compensation.

7 days
Refund deadline
100%
Full refund right
30 days
Compensation cap
Article 28
Travel Industry Act
AustraliaFull article
The Short Answer

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.

ACL s.18
Misleading conduct
ACL s.29
False representations
30 days
Refund timeframe
$10M+
Penalties for breaches

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Not 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: June 2026.