What is the cancellation policy for a cruise?

Below is the list of cancellation policies of major cruise lines that you should be aware of whenever you plan to embark on a journey.

1 - Costa Cruises

A tiered ticket system used by Costa Cruises, with one bracket for Basic Value fares and another for Comfort categories, is used to determine the cancellation penalty. Modifications from air/sea packages to cruise-only, as well as name changes for more than one passenger, are deemed rebooking, and a cancellation fee is charged.

All Basic Fares: (Excluding Full World Cruises and Segments)

• 90 days or longer before sailing: 15% of the fare
• 89–57 days: 25%
• 56–30 days: 50%
• 29–15 days: 75%
• 14 days or less: 100%

All Comfort Categories: (Excluding Full World Cruises and Segments)

• 89–57 days before sailing: Deposit
• 56–30 days: 50% 
• 29–15 days: 75%
• 14 days or less: 100%

Full World Cruises and World Cruise Segments:

• 90 days or longer before sailing: 15%(deposit)
• 89–57 days: 25%
• 56–45 days: 50%
• 44–30 days: 75%
• 29 days or less: 100%

2 - Celebrity Cruises

Cruises canceled before their sail date and Cruise tours canceled before the first day of the Cruise tour may incur a cancellation fee. Any related taxes/fees or fuel supplementary charges will be refunded in the event of a cancellation.

Cruises that are 1 to 4 nights long

• 75 days or longer: No charges (except for non-refundable deposit amounts)
• 74-43 days: Deposit amount
• 42-29 days: 50% of the total price
• 28-15 days: 75% of the total price
• 14 days or less: 100% of the total price (no refund)

Cruises that are 5 nights or longer

• 90 days or longer: No charges
• 89-75 days: Deposit amount
• 56-29 days: 50% of the total price
• 28-15 days: 75% of the total price
• 14 days or less: 100$ of the total price

Also Read: What is the tipping policy on a cruise ship?

3 - Carnival Cruise Line

The cancellation policies of Carnival apply to the cruise as well as any other associated travel purchases made through the line, such as transfers, basic airfare, and pre/post-cruise packages. 

Cruises that are 2 to 5 nights long (Alaska, Europe, Transatlantic, and Panama Canal cruises, as well as Pack & Go rates, are excluded)

• 75–56 days before sailing: Deposit
• 55–30 days: Deposit or 50% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 29–15 days: Deposit or 75% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 14 days or less: 100% of the total price

Cruises that are 6 nights or longer (Alaska, Europe, Transatlantic, and Panama Canal cruises, as well as Pack & Go rates, are included)

• 90–56 days before sailing: Deposit
• 55–30 days: Deposit or 50% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 29–15 days: Deposit or 75% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 14 days or less: 100% of the total price

4 - Cunard Cruise Line

Cunard cruise line charges a certain percentage of fare as a cancellation fee which can vary depending on the time of cancellation. There is also a cancellation fee for airfare, hotel stays, pre-and post-trip packages, and shore excursions.

Cruises that are 30 nights or less

• 120-91 days: Deposit or 25% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 90-61 days: 40% of the total price
• 60-31 days: 50% of the total price
• 30-15 days: 75% of the total price
• 14 days or less: 100% of the total price

Cruises that are 30 nights or longer

• 150-121 days: Deposit or 30% of the total price (whichever is higher)
• 120-91 days: 40% of the total price
• 90-64 days: 50% of the total price
• 63-43 days: 75% of the total price
• 42 days or less: 100% of the total price

5 - Royal Caribbean International

Cruises canceled before the departure date and cruise tours canceled prior to the initial day of the cruise tour could be subjected to a cancellation fee.

Cruises that are 4 nights or less

• 74-61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60-31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: 100% of the total price

Cruises that are 5 nights or longer

• 89-75 days: 25% of the total price
• 74-61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60-31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: 100% of the total price