Travelers may be weighing whether they want to proceed with their cruise plans or postpone them, as COVID-19 cases surge with the highly transmissible omicron variant. 

If you go, there could be changes to your itinerary, including port stops and more onboard restrictions when it comes to masks and vaccination requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid cruise travel and advises travelers to get a booster shot if eligible, spokesperson Dave Daigle told USA TODAY Thursday.

If you decide to cancel, here are some things to consider. 

Options for canceling cruises vary by line, and canceling doesn't always mean a full refund. It may mean a cruise credit. Some lines are stricter than others, while some have more flexible options as a result of the pandemic. 

►Canceling a cruise: Should you cancel your cruise as COVID-19 surges? It comes down to personal choice

► COVID-19 on cruise ships: CDC investigates Royal Caribbean, Carnival denied port entry, MSC had 28 cases on board

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group's "Cruise with Confidence" program has been in place since March 2020 and applies to flagship line Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, Lyan Sierra-Caro, spokesperson for the cruise line, told USA TODAY on Wednesday.

"It allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before their departure – for any reason at all – and get 100% of the value back in a future cruise credit that they can use towards any sailing," Sierra-Caro said.

If passengers test positive for the coronavirus before the cruise is set to depart, they can get a 100% fare refund.

►Royal Caribbean COVID-19 news: Royal Caribbean halts bookings for cruises departing through early January

Carnival Cruise Line cancellation policy

Carnival Cruise Line warned passengers scheduled to cruise through Jan. 14 in an email obtained by USA TODAY that itinerary changes may happen as a result of omicron's spread and said no refunds would be issued for missed port stops beyond pre-purchased excursions. 

"We recognize that given the circumstances, some of our guests may want to consider sailing at a different time," the cruise line said, noting that passengers should contact the company, their travel agent or planner to rebook or cancel for a full refund.

The line has had options in place for passengers affected by COVID-19 who need to cancel.

►Cruise COVID-19 policies: Carnival Cruise Line updates onboard mask requirements as omicron spreads

Holland America Line cancellation policy

Holland America Line, a Carnival cruise line, has a "flexible" cancellation policy in place for cruises booked by Feb. 28 for ships departing through April 30.

"You can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure and automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit with our Flexible Cancellation," the cruise line said on its website. "Additionally, you may cancel up to your sailing date if you test positive for COVID-19 and will also receive a Future Cruise Credit."

Princess Cruises cancellation policy

Princess Cruises, another Carnival line, has its own "Book with Confidence" policy.

"We don't think finances should affect decisions about your health, so if you feel ill and need to change your plans, we'll protect your cruise investment," the cruise line said on its website.

As part of its policy, passengers can cancel up to 30 days before sailing and receive cancellation fees as a cruise credit on voyages departing through April 30 and bookings made through Feb. 28.

Within 30 days of sailing, the cruise line has options under its "COVID-19 Protection Program" for passengers who may be affected by COVID-19. 

Norwegian Cruise Line cancellation policy

Norwegian Cruise Line has a "Peace of Mind" policy for pandemic bookings.

For cruises departing through March, passengers can cancel up to 61 days before sailing for a full refund, including fees. 

MSC Cruises cancellation policy

For bookings made through March 31 for MSC cruises through March 31, 2023, passengers can change their cruise up to 48 hours before departure.

"They can move their money to another cruise that sails on or before March 31, 2023 (any ship, any sail date without penalty)," Stephen Schuler, vice president of communications for MSC, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. "The only exception to this is guests booked on MSC World Cruise or World Cruise segments."

Disney Cruise Line cancellation policy

Through Sept. 30, Disney Cruise Line has relaxed its cancellation fee schedule. 

"The cancellation fee schedule has been temporarily relaxed from beginning as early as 119 days prior to sailing to beginning 59 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in non-Suite and non-Concierge categories," Disney said on its website. 

For passengers who booked in the Suite and Concierge categories on Disney ships and for passengers who are booked to sail on Disney Wish's maiden voyage scheduled to depart June 9, cancellation fees "in excess of the deposit amount will temporarily begin at 59 days prior to sailing."

Some other reservations, such as those for "Inside, Outside and Verandah Categories with Restrictions," remain nonrefundable and nontransferable, according to Disney.

Check your cruise line's cancellation policy

If you're nervous about getting on a ship and want to cancel or postpone your trip, check your cruise line's website for cancellation policies, call customer service or your travel agent.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruise cancellation, refund policies vary and may have changed in COVID

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