cheap cruises cancellation policy

COVID-19 Cruise Cancellation Policies

• » View More Cruise Lines
• Australia & New Zealand
• Canada & New England
• Mediterranean
• Northern Europe
• Western Europe
• Panama Canal
• South America
• South Pacific
• Cruise Tours
• Galapagos Cruises
• Middle East
• Pacific Coast
• River Cruises
• Transatlantic Cruises
• World Cruises
• » All Cruise Destinations

Cruises From

• Africa, India & Middle East
• Australia & South Pacific
• Latin America
• USA & Canada
• Vacation Interests
• Destination Weddings
• Family Vacations
• Gay & Lesbian Travel
• Group Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Luxury Cruises
• Senior Citizen Travel
• Singles Cruises
• Career Discounts
• Firefighter Discounts
• Military Travel Deals
• Police Discounts
• Land Travel Types
• Vacation Packages
• Transportation
• Car, Bus & Rail
• Cruise Shore Excursions
• Travel Insurance
• Transfer Your Booking To Us
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Port Directions
• Cruise Registration
• » More Resources

Advanced Cruise Search

What's a Cruise Tour?

A cruise vacation combined with a land package!

The ability to search and book a Cruise Tour online is coming soon!

In the meanwhile, check out our Cruise Tours page or contact us.

If you'd prefer not to fill out this form, feel free to contact us using any of the following options:

Toll Free Phone: 1-866-214-7447 (U.S. & Canada)

Local Phone: 732-970-9142

International Phone: 001-732-970-9142

E-mail: [email protected]

*Our $100 per reservation agency cancellation fee is being waived for new reservations made from March 10, 2020 until further notice. This waiver is temporary only, and is subject to expire without advanced warning.

The details of the cancellation policies listed above are valid as of the "LAST UPDATED" date shown in their terms, and are subject to change at any time by the vendor without prior notice. We advise to check directly with the cruise line to verify the most up-to-date policy, and reserve the right to correct errors or changes if the policy has been amended since the "LAST UPDATED" date reflected in the terms above. Offers are only valid based on the terms and conditions that are set forth in each particular offer's terms listed when you click for further information (by following the links provided). Offers are subject to availability and are subject to change or end without advanced notice. For complete terms and conditions click on the offers above. We reserve the right to correct errors. Certain restrictions apply to each offer.

Find the Best Travel Deals!

• Cruise Destinations
• Alaska Cruises
• Australia Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises
• Bermuda Cruises
• Canada Cruises
• Caribbean Cruises
• Hawaii Cruises
• Mediterranean Cruises
• Mexico Cruises
• Panama Cruises
• South America Cruises
• Bayonne, NJ
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Galveston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Port Canaveral, FL
• San Diego, CA
• San Juan, PR
• Seattle, WA
• Vancouver, BC
• » All Departure Ports
• Cruise Lines
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• » All Cruise Lines

Popular Pages

• Cruise Clubs
• Cruise Finder
• Sell Cruises From Home
• Transfer Bookings to Us
• Customer Service
• Cruise FAQs
• Cruise Reviews

Check us out!

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Standard Policy for Guest Cancellations, Refunds & Final Payment

Learn about our standard cancellation policy and refund schedule.

In the case that you need to cancel your cruise vacation, you may be charged a fee based on the standard Princess Cruises cancellation policy. The amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Use the charts below to determine your refund.

If you’ve already purchased  Princess Vacation Protection † , your refunds for covered cancellation reasons will continue to be governed by Princess Vacation Protection. Please review the plan coverage, conditions and exclusions for full details. We highly recommend that guests purchase Princess Vacation Protection – not only does it provide some peace of mind for unexpected cancellations, it also offers partial reimbursements for trip delays or interruptions, lost or damaged baggage and medical coverage.

†Princess Vacation Protection is available to residents of the U.S. and Canada (except New York, British Columbia, Quebec and Puerto Rico). Guests in other regions may have alternative coverage options and can refer to our  FAQs  for additional information.

Refund Schedules & Final Payment Due Date

For booked guests, please review your booking confirmation email which contains the cancellation schedule and final payment terms that apply to you. For full details and booking conditions, please also refer to the  passage contract .

Since a cancellation by you likely means a diminished opportunity to sell space on other cruises/cruisetours, the cancellation fees in the schedules below apply regardless of whether Your space is resold. You hereby agree that losses sustained by us in the event of Your cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify, and that the fees set forth in our cancellation policy represent a fair and reasonable assessment as liquidated damages. The amount of cancellation fee varies based on length of sailing for cruise/cruisetour and timing of cancellation for cruise/cruisetour and Cruise Plus package, as illustrated in the schedules below.

CANCELLATION POLICY EXCEPTION(S): A. If You have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Your deposit under any circumstance if you cancel Your booking.

B. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Your Cruise or Cruisetour fare if You cancel Your booking.

Shore Excursion Cancellation Policy: For complete details on the terms and conditions governing Shore Excursions, please review Carrier’s  Excursion Terms & Conditions .

Cruise Cancellations & Refunds FAQs

How do I cancel? For bookings made directly with Princess Cruises, please visit the  Customer Support and Information page . For all other bookings, please contact your travel advisor.

How much will I be refunded? If you cancel, your refund amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Please view the charts above to determine your refund eligibility.

What is the time window for cancelling? While you can cancel your cruise at any time, your refund amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Please view the charts above to determine your refund eligibility.

When will I receive my refund if I cancel? We want you to know that we hear you and understand your frustration with the time it is taking to receive your refund. We are now refunding millions of dollars per week and are actively working through our back log. Our reservation and payment systems were not designed to handle this volume of refunds in a short period of time, and it is taking longer than we wanted. As we respect our guest’s money and time, we have increased the number of team members supporting this enormous effort and have made modifications to our systems. Thank you for your patience in these extraordinary circumstances. The latest updates regarding refunds can be viewed on our  Notices & Advisories page .

Am I eligible for cruise credit if I cancel? The standard Princess cancellation policy does not grant cruise credit, but residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding New York, British Columbia ,  Puerto Rico and Quebec) may be eligible with Princess Vacation Protection.

How do I purchase cruise vacation protection if I may need to cancel? We highly recommend that you purchase vacation protection to offer some peace of mind and help you make the most of your trip.  Princess Vacation Protection  is available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (not including New York, Puerto Rico and Quebec). It can be purchased at the time of booking or up until the final payment by visiting  Cruise Personalizer . You can also call your travel advisor or visit the  Customer Support and Information page . You are considered enrolled as soon as the cost plan has been paid. Please review the terms, conditions and exclusions of the plan by visiting our  Princess Vacation Protection page  and clicking on your state-specific plan documentation. Unsure if cruise insurance is worth it?  Read about the benefits of Princess Vacation Protection . Guests in other regions may have alternative coverage options and they should refer to our  FAQs  for additional information.

What will be refunded if I cancel? If you’ve pre-paid for shore excursions or onboard purchases, you will receive a full refund. The Princess Cruises refund policy states that you will also receive money back on taxes, fees, port expenses, transfers and surcharges. You may also receive a refund for part of your cruise fare depending on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Read our  Passage Contract  to learn more about refunds.

Exceptions If you cancel, you will not receive a refund or cruise credit for the deposit or fare or your cruise/cruisetour if you have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit or fare is 100% non-refundable. To learn more about Princess cancellation policy exceptions, please read the  Passage Contract .

What is Princess cancels my cruise and I do not accept an alternate cruise or if Princess delays my cruise for more than 3 calendar days and I choose not to travel on a delayed cruise? Details are contained in our  Nonperformance of Cruise: Refund Policy and Instructions .

You May Also Like

More flexibility & options.

Learn all about our flexible booking options and sailing with peace of mind.

Find Cruises & Cruisetours

We make it easy for you to choose a cruise. Decide where to go, when, how long, everything—the choice is yours!

The Onboard Experience

Hot spots and cool escapes, blissful pursuits and play days—come see what’s aboard a Princess® ship.

Cruise Cancellation Policies: What to Know

By Elissa Garay

While cruise company–initiated cancellations were once relatively rare (owed to few-and-far-between culprits like severe weather, ship mechanical failures, or company bankruptcies), it's a scenario that’s now, in the age of coronavirus, playing out more persistently.

Companies have cruise cancellation policies in place for refunds or postponements if your trip has been canceled—as many have. If your trip hasn’t been canceled but you’d like to opt out of an upcoming booking, know that many cruise lines have adopted significantly more relaxed cancellation and rebooking policies . Here’s everything you need to know about special cruise cancellation policies in place during the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as standard cancellation policies to expect at other times.

Cruise cancellations and coronavirus

Many cruise lines—including major players like Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity —have temporarily suspended operations worldwide in response to coronavirus-related risks and restrictions. All companies have discontinued ocean-going departures from U.S. ports until at least April 11. “As you can imagine, the situation is rapidly changing day to day, and even hour by hour,” says Erika Richter, senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), a trade association.

Given the situation’s fluidity, travelers booked on sailings over the next few months should anticipate the possibility of a last-minute cancellation by the cruise line. In those cases, your cruise line or travel agent will contact you directly regarding compensation, in the form of either a full refund or future cruise credit.

If the cruise line hasn’t canceled your trip but you’d like to change it, know that many lines have temporarily replaced their standard cancellation or postponement penalties with more flexible policies. Specific terms and conditions vary by company, but most lines will now allow you to get a full cruise credit toward a future sailing date with no penalty; fewer lines are offering cash refunds.

“It’s worth noting that some lines are incentivizing the decision to rebook by offering some additional perks in the form of onboard credit —so you could be getting some added value if you decide to rebook your cruise,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of leading cruise review site Cruise Critic. If you go this route, Cruise Critic advises waiting a few weeks to do so, since lines are now overwhelmed with handling current cancellations and getting passengers returned safely to port from in-progress sailings. The site also advises patience, noting that refunds could take up to 90 days or more to be issued.

For sailings that are farther out, you don’t need to rush to a decision. These relaxed policies—many of which allow cancellations up to 48 hours in advance of departure—allow you to take a wait-and-see approach. Just be sure to review your cruise line’s fine print before reaching any decisions. “If the line ends up canceling off your cruise as part of their suspending service, you could have more leeway in terms of compensation and a refund offering,” McDaniel says. “But that will vary by line and circumstance.”

Richter also suggests employing the services of a trusted travel specialist who can help navigate your cruise cancellation policy and advocate with the company on your behalf. “There are so many unknowns right now as this situation progresses,” she says. “For travelers who are committed to sticking with their future voyage, staying informed is the most important step to take.”

Standard cruise cancellation policies

Keep in mind that these relaxed policies are only temporarily in place. Previously, cruise lines had been considerably more restrictive with their cancellation and modification rules—for instance, you might expect to lose at least part of your payment if canceling within 90 days of your departure, and if you canceled within a few weeks of a voyage, you might lose all of it.

Before coronavirus struck, reasons for cruise cancellations had been significantly more limited in scope. One possible scenario was extreme weather. While cruise lines can usually preemptively reroute ships in the face of approaching hurricanes or other significant weather events, alternate arrangements are not always achievable. In September, for instance, Hurricane Dorian forced several cruise lines to cancel scheduled sailings out of Floridian ports.

Other times, unforeseen mechanical or technical issues can mean a ship is unsafe to sail, as was the case for three of Carnival Vista’s sailings from Galveston last summer , which were canceled due to a malfunction with the ship's maximum cruising speed capabilities.

In these circumstances, travelers can expect the option of a full refund or a replacement booking on an alternate sailing. Some lines may take it a step further still and reimburse the cost of any travel arrangements made (like non-refundable flights or hotel bookings), as well as offer additional vouchers for discounted or upgraded future sailings.

While the particulars of individual cruise line contracts vary, most lines we contacted stated that such policies are typically determined on a case-by-case basis. All major lines adhere to the Cruise Line International Association's Passenger Bill of Rights , which explicitly outlines that guests are entitled to a refund for cancellations due to mechanical failures. But, notably, weather-related instances are considered a force majeure and not outright covered; in those instances, compensation would be at the discretion of the cruise company. "Be sure to contact your travel agent if you used one," McDaniel says. A trusted specialist, with clout and industry connections, can be your best advocate for negotiating with the cruise line.

How travel insurance can help

Obtaining independent travel insurance is generally a good idea, especially for cruises. It can help cover your investment in the case of a cancellation or unplanned change on your end, while additionally tacking on extra coverages like international medical insurance, trip interruption or delay benefits, and medical evacuation options. Not only will insurance recoup your fare in the event of cancellation, but also flights, hotels, and other prepaid travel expenditures that the cruise line might not reimburse.

When it comes to the current coronavirus outbreak, however, standard policies are no longer covering pandemic-related claims. For that, you’ll need to upgrade to a pricier and more comprehensive cancel for any reason policy to help ensure some degree of travel protection. Read our story, All Your Questions About Cruise Travel Insurance, Answered , for more details.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Cruise Cancellation Policies Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Everything You Need To Know

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

343 Published Articles 49 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3120 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Carnival Cruise Line  

Celebrity cruise line, costa cruises, crystal cruises, disney cruise line, holland america, msc cruises, national geographic/lindblad expeditions, norwegian cruises, princess cruises, regent seven seas cruises, royal caribbean, viking cruises, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

It’s an unprecedented time in our society right now, with the spread of COVID-19 affecting all aspects of daily life. And unfortunately, the virus pandemic is also putting a lot of travel plans on hold.

The cruise industry has been hit hard since halting operations in 2020.

There’s a lot of information out there, and we wanted to make understanding these updates easier for you. This post includes all of the cruise cancellation policies in a single place, so you can easily find the information that’s important to you.

Since this is a fluid situation, these policies are subject to change, and we’ll be updating this piece on an ongoing basis to make sure you have the most up-to-date information out there.

Cruise Cancellation Policies Due to COVID-19

The following Azamara sailings have been canceled:

• Select Azamara Journey sailings through May 2022 have been canceled
• Select South America and Antarctica itineraries have been canceled through February 2022

All sailings booked by January 31, 2022, scheduled to depart by April 30, 2022, are included in the Cruise With Confidence program. This gives you the ability to cancel your cruise with at least 48 hours’ notice and you’ll receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit that can be applied to any cruise booked by April 30, 2022, scheduled to sail by December 31, 2022.

Cancellation Policy Due to COVID-19

If you’re scheduled to sail with Azamara on a canceled cruise, you have 3 choices in regards to a refund:

• Receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit that can be applied to any sailing through December 31, 2022, or within 1 year of the original sailing date, whichever is later. Any prepaid amenities or packages will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. Guests who chose the “Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit” option aren’t eligible for the 125% credit option.
• Request a 100% refund to the original form of payment . You should receive a refund within 45 days of submitting your request.
• You can keep the destination the same and “lift and shift” your cruise if your new cruise is within 4 weeks of your originally scheduled departure date.

How To Cancel an Azamara Cruise

To request a refund or the 125% Future Cruise Credit or to cancel your cruise, click here .

For Azamara’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Currently, there are no blanket cancellations for Carnival cruises.

Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been permanently retired. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination were also sent to long-term storage with no timeline for their return.

Carnival hasn’t published an updated policy regarding canceled cruises, but according to crowdsourced data, a full refund or a future cruise credit plus onboard credit is being offered.

How To Cancel a Carnival Cruise

You can check the status of your sailing and request a refund or cruise credit for your Carnival cruise affected by COVID-19 here .

For Carnival’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

The following cruises have been canceled:

• Celebrity Infinity sailings have been canceled through 2022.
• Any other canceled sailings can be found here

If your cruise was canceled by Celebrity due to COVID-19, you’ll have 2 choices in regards to a refund:

• Receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit
• Request a 100% refund to the original form of payment.

If you have a Future Cruise Credit, the value that represents 100% of the fare paid on the original booking has no expiration date. If you also received a bonus 25% Future Cruise Credit, that amount will expire on the original expiration date or 12/31/22, whichever is later.

How To Cancel a Celebrity Cruise

To request a refund for your canceled cruise instead of the 125% Future Cruise Credit, fill out this form .

For Celebrity’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Currently, there are no blanket cancellations for Costa Cruises.

For Costa’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

There are currently no blanket cancellations for Crystal Cruises.

Guests who were booked on a canceled cruise will be contacted with rebooking and compensation options.

For Crystal’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Hot Tip: If you’re feeling sick or showing signs of fever or respiratory illness, don’t go on a cruise . Most cruise lines are conducting pre-embarkation health screenings and you could be denied boarding. If you’re not sure what to do, contact the cruise line for more guidance.

The following sailings have been canceled:

• Queen Victoria departures through April 29, 2022 (select Queen Victoria sailings will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth — these will be transferred automatically and guests should receive a new booking reference)
• Queen Elizabeth originally scheduled departures through May 17, 2022, have been canceled; new cruise itineraries will be replacing the originally scheduled cruises
• Any cruise that has a stop in a Canadian port has been canceled through February 2022

If your cruise was canceled, you’ll receive a 125% future cruise credit of the deposit and 100% future cruise credit of any additional money paid that you can use on any sailing booked by September 30, 2022.

For Cunard’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

There aren’t any current blanket cancellations on Disney Cruise Line.

How To Cancel a Disney Cruise

If you booked your Disney cruise with a travel agent, contact the agent. If you booked directly with Disney, you can call 866-325-6685 or 407-566-7797  to cancel your reservation.

For the latest Disney Cruise Line travel information including COVID-19, click here .

Holland America has made the following schedule changes:

• Cruises departing March and April 2022 on Noordam will be moved to March and April 2023
• Cruises on Oosterdam will resume on May 1, 2022
• Cruises on Westerdam will resume on May 8, 2022
• Cruises in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Antarctica are canceled until May 2022

Guests booked on a cruise that has been canceled will be rescheduled on a later cruise, or a refund can be requested.

For Holland America’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Hot Tip: When you’re ready to book a cruise, check out these websites to find great deals .

There are currently no blanket cancellations for MSC Cruises.

If you were booked on a sailing that has been canceled, you have 3 options for a refund:

• Receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit automatically.
• Move your cruise to any ship/any sailing immediately.
• If you would prefer a 100% refund to the original form of payment you can request one by calling 866-420-3584.

For MSC’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

All bookings made by September 30, 2021, for departures through March 31, 2022, can be canceled at least 14 days before departure for a 100% future cruise credit.

For National Geographic/Lindblad’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

The following Norwegian cruises have been canceled:

• Norwegian Sky sailings through February 25, 2022
• Pride of America sailings through February 26, 2022
• Norwegian Jade sailings through March 3, 2022
• Norwegian Star sailings through March 19, 2022
• Norwegian Sun sailings through April 19, 2022
• Norwegian Spirit sailings through April 23, 2022

Passengers booked on newly canceled cruises will receive an automatic refund and a bonus Future Cruise Certificate.

For Norwegian’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

The following Princess sailings have been canceled:

• Coral Princess Australia and New Zealand cruises departing January 27, 2022, through March 7, 2022
• Royal Princess Australian sailings through March 9, 2022
• Discovery Princess departures from Los Angeles through March 20, 2022
• Emerald Princess Australia and New Zealand sailings through March 2022
• Caribbean Princess sailings from March to May 2022
• Island Princess sailings through April 4, 2022, and sailings from Fort Lauderdale through April 17, 2022
• Diamond Princess cruises in Antarctica and South America through April 5, 2022
• Sapphire Princess Australian sailings through April 8, 2022
• Crown Princess cruises leaving from the West Coast through April 29, 2022, and the May 2, 2022 departure
• Sapphire Princess cruise departing April 29, 2022
• Select Regal Princess Mediterranean cruises departing April 30, 2022, and July 2022
• Select Coral Princess cruises departing from Australia through August 2022
• Sapphire Princess cruises leaving from the West Coast from September 24, 2022, through November 7, 2022

All Sun Princess, Sea Princess, and Pacific Princess sailings have been canceled as these ships have been sold. All sailings on Golden Princess and Star Princess have also been canceled as these ships have been transferred to sister company P&O Cruises Australia.

Refund policies vary based on your specific cruise, but you’ll most likely receive a 100% future cruise credit or a full refund.

How To Cancel a Princess Cruise

To request a refund instead of a Future Cruise Credit, click here .

For Princess Cruise’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

There are currently no blanket cancellation policies for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

How To Cancel a Regent Seven Seas Cruise

To cancel your cruise contact your travel agent or call Regent Seven Seas directly:

• U.S./Canada: 844-4REGENT (844-473-4368) or 954-776-6123
• United Kingdom: 02380 682280
• Europe: +44 2380 682140
• Australia/New Zealand/Asia Pacific: 1-300-455-200
• Latin America/Brazil: 0800 400-3132 or +1 954-940-7586

For Regent Seven Seas’ full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

• Symphony of the Seas sailings through January 28, 2022
• Jewel of the Seas sailings through February 19, 2022
• Vision of the Seas sailings through March 6, 2022
• Voyager of the Seas sailings through April 23, 2022
• Serenade of the Seas sailings through April 25, 2022
• Radiance of the Seas sailings through April 28, 2022
• Rhapsody of the Seas sailings through May 22, 2022

If you were scheduled on a Royal Caribbean cruise that was canceled, you can receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit that can be used by May 31, 2022, for any cruise through December 31, 2022, or 1 year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.

Alternatively, for sailings through April 30, 2022, you can “lift and shift” your cruise itinerary to be rebooked the following year (this maintains the original pricing and any promotions used).

If you’d prefer a cash refund, you can request it by submitting a form here . Refunds will be issued within 45 days of the request submission.

Cruise With Confidence Future Cruise Credit

The Cruise with Confidence policy applies to any cruise booked by January 31, 2022, scheduled to sail through May 31, 2022. If you cancel at least 48 hours before the sail date you’ll be eligible for a 100% Future Cruise Credit that can be applied to any cruise booked by May 31, 2022, with a departure date through December 31, 2022, or 1 year from the originally scheduled departure date, whichever is later.

How To Cancel a Royal Caribbean Cruise

If you booked with a travel agent, contact your travel agent to cancel. If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, you can call 866-562-7625 to cancel or click here .

For Royal Caribbean’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

There are no current blanket cancellations by Seabourn.

Guests who were scheduled on a canceled cruise have 2 options for a refund:

• Receive a 125% refund in the form of a future cruise credit, which is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and must be used by December 31, 2022.
• Receive a 100% refund back to the original form of payment.

How To Cancel a Seabourn Cruise

If your cruise has been canceled, you should receive information directly from Seabourn on how to proceed or you can email [email protected] .

For Seabourn’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Silversea Cruises has canceled the following voyages:

• Silver Dawn: all departures through March 17, 2022
• Silver Wind: all departures through May 27, 2022

Guests who were scheduled on a canceled cruise will receive a 100% refund in the form of a future cruise credit  that can be applied to any cruise within 2 years of issuance.

For Silversea’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Currently, all Viking cruises are sailing as scheduled.

How To Cancel a Viking Cruise

To cancel your Viking cruise contact your travel agent or Viking directly at 833-900-0951.

For Viking’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

It’s a stressful time for everyone and having to cancel or postpone a vacation is never fun.

The important thing to remember is that everything will get back to normal at some point! Until then, stay safe and have fun planning your next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i cancel my upcoming cruise.

Each cruise line has a different method to cancel your cruise and request a refund or cruise credit. Most have an online form to submit in lieu of calling.

Should I take the future cruise credit or get a refund?

This is a personal choice, but taking the future cruise credit is usually more valuable. Most cruise lines will let you use the credit on any sailing through 2022, so there will be plenty of opportunities to use it. If, however, you’re in a tight financial spot due to the current situation, it may make more sense to take the refund.

What's the best insurance policy for a cruise?

Many credit cards come with travel insurance built-in, and there are also additional policies you can buy to protect you. Check out these posts for some guidance:

• Guide to Credit Card Insurance
• Introduction to Travel Insurance
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Will cruises be cancelled in 2022?

While many cruises have resumed operations, there are definitely still cancellations going into the first half of 2022. The spread of the Omicron variant has sparked a new wave of cruise cancellations and passengers can expect additional cancellations to pop up throughout the year.

Was this page helpful?

About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Search Travel Market Report

• Packaged Travel
• Hotels & Resorts
• Destinations
• Retail Strategies
• Niche & Luxury
• Training & Resources
• Brian Israel
• Briana Bonfiglio
• Dan McCarthy
• Dori Saltzman
• Jennifer Arango
• Kelly Fontenelle
• Keri-Anne Slevin
• Louis Intreglia
• Sarah Milner
• Tom McCarthy

Here Are the Standard Cancellation Policies for Each Major Cruise Line

Cruise line cancellation policies are as varied as the cruise lines themselves. Some cruise lines let clients cancel up to three months before sailing with no penalty. Others charge an administrative fee for a cancellation from the minute a cruise has been booked.

One universal truth does apply, though: the more expensive or longer the cruise, the less time people have to cancel their sailing with the least penalty.

To help advisors quickly and easily identify the cancellation policy for ocean-going cruise lines, Travel Market Report has rounded up each line’s standard policy.

This roundup does not include any special promotions that require either a non-refundable deposit or a non-refundable fare. Additionally, unless noted otherwise, cancellation charges are person.

In this article: American Cruise Lines | Azamara | Atlas Ocean Voyages | Carnival Cruise Line | Celebrity Cruises | Celestyal Cruises | Cunard | Disney Cruise Line | Holland America Line | Lindblad Expeditions | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line | Oceania Cruises | Paul Gauguin Cruises & Ponant | Princess Cruises | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Scenic | Seabourn | Silversea Cruises | UnCruise Adventures | Viking | Virgin Voyages | Windstar Cruises

American Cruise Lines Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

• 91 days or more | $250 per person (unless cancelled within 24 hours of booking)
• 90-46 days | 50% + $250 per person
• 45 days or less | 100% + $250 per person

Azamara Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

• 121+ days | $75 per person
• 120-91 days | 25% of booked fare
• 90-61 days | 50% of booked fare
• 60-31 days | 75% of booked fare
• 30 days or less | 100% of booked fare

Atlas Ocean Voyages Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

• Deposit-91 days (Deposit – 121 days for Antarctica sailings) | $250 per person
• 90-76 days (120-76 days for Antarctica sailings) | 50% cancellation fee
• 75-46 days (same for Antarctica sailings) | 75% cancellation fee
• 45 days or less (same for Antarctica sailings) | 100% cancellation fee

Carnival Cruise Line Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

• Final payment – 56 days | Deposit amount
• 55-30 days | 50% of booked fare (or standard deposit, whichever is greater)
• 29-15 days | 75% of booked fare (or standard deposit, whichever is greater)
• 14 days or less | 100% of booked fare

COVID-19 Exception : If you, your family members living with you in the same household or a travel companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise booking due to testing positive for COVID-19 within seven days of embarkation, you and those traveling companions assigned to the same stateroom are entitled to an FCC for the amount paid to Carnival. To qualify for the FCC, you are required to notify Carnival within 24 hours or receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. Results must be presented to Carnival in an “acceptable” format – ie, a laboratory test record, digital certificate or healthcare record that indicates your full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken, test result stating “POSITIVE” and laboratory, testing site, and/or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results and photographs of at-home test results are not acceptable.

Celebrity Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For 1 to 4 Night Cruises (including holiday sailings)

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

For cruises of 5 nights or longer (including holiday sailings & cruise/tours)

• 89-75 days | 25% of total price

COVID-19 Exception : For cruises departing through November 30, 2022, Celebrity will provide a 100% refund (or FCC) for any guest and their traveling party, if any test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days prior to embarkation. To qualify for a refund or FCC, the person who has tested positive must present a verified positive test in a form acceptable to Celebrity.

Celestyal Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For 2022 Cruises

• 89-30 days | full deposit
• 29 days or less | 100% (minus port and service charges)

For 2023 Cruises

• 90 days or more | $60 per stateroom

Cunard Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For voyages of 30 nights or less on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing through February 23, 2023 (including World Voyage segments

• 89-61 days | 40% of full fare
• 60-31 days | 50% of full fare
• 30-15 days | 75% of full fare
• 14 days or less | 100% of full fare

For all other cruises or voyages of 30 nights or less on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing after February 23, 2023

• 129-90 days | 25% or deposit amount

For voyages of 31 nights or longer on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing through February 2023 (including World Voyages & World Voyage segments)

• 89-64 days | 50% of full fare
• 63-43 days | 75% of full fare
• 42 days or less | 100% of full fare
• 150-120 days | 20% or deposit amount
• 119-91 days | 40% of full fare
• 90-64 days | 50% of full fare

Disney Cruise Line Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For sailings that depart on or before March 31, 2023) Cruises of 1 to 5 nights (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

• 59-45 days | full deposits
• 44-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
• 29-15 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
• 14 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Cruises of 6 nights or more (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

• 59-56 days | full deposits
• 55-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest

Suites and Concierge Staterooms

• 60 days or more | full deposits
• 59-56 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
• 55-30 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
• 29 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

For sailings that depart after March 31, 2023 Cruises of 1 to 5 nights (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

• 89-45 days | full deposits
• 119-56 days | full deposits
• 90 days or more | full deposits
• 89-56 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest

Holland America Line Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Voyages Up to 6 Nights

• 75-57 days | Full deposits
• 56-29 days | 50% of gross fare
• 28-16 days | 75% of gross fare
• 15 days or less | 100% of gross fare

Grand World, Grand Voyages, Segments of Grand World or Grand Voyages, 28+ Day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas, Tales of the South Pacific, Amazon Explorer, Incan Empires (including segments), 30+ Day Transatlantic Voyages (including segments)

• 120-91 days | Full deposits
• 90-76 days | 60% of gross fare
• 75 days or less | 100% of gross fare

All Other Voyages of 7 Nights or Longer

• 90-76 days | Full deposits
• 75-61 days | 50% of gross fare
• 60-31 days | 75% of gross fare
• 30 days or less | 100% of gross fare

COVID-19 Exceptions: All cruises booked through September 30, 2022 that depart through December 31, 2022 can be canceled up to 30 days before departure through Holland America’s “Worry Free Promise” policy and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any non-refundable cancellation fees, with the remainder of what was paid for the cruise refunded to the original form of payment. Additionally, on these cruises a guest may cancel up to sailing date if they test positive for COVID-19 and receive the same remuneration.

Lindblad Expeditions Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For Departures through December 31, 2023 (National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, Delfin, The Jahan, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, and Sea Cloud)

• 120 days or more | $350 (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
• 119-90 days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
• 89-60 days | 25% of trip cost
• 59-45 days | 50% of trip cost
• 44 days or less | 100% of trip cost

For Departures Starting January 1, 2024 (National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, Delfin, The Jahan, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, and Sea Cloud)

• 120 or more days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
• 119-90 days | 50% of trip cost
• 89 days or less | 100% of trip cost

For Departures through March 31, 2024 (National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Resolution)

• 180 days or more | $750 (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
• 179-120 days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
• 119-90 days | 25% of trip cost
• 89-60 days | 50% of trip cost
• 59 days or less | 100% of trips cost

For Departures Starting April 1, 2024

• 120 days or more | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)

MSC Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Cruises of 4 Nights or Less

• 74-51 days | Deposit
• 50-31 days | 50% penalty
• 30-16 days | 75% penalty
• 15 days or less | 100% penalty

Cruises of 5 to 14 Nights

• 89-61 days | Deposit
• 60-46 days | 50% penalty
• 45-16 days | 75% penalty

Cruises of 15 Nights or Longer

• 109-61 days | Deposit

MSC Yacht Club Cruises of 4 Nights or Less

• 51 days or more | Deposit

MSC Yacht Club Cruises of 5 Nights or Longer

• 61 days or more | Deposit

World Cruise 2023

• 60 days or more | 15% penalty
• 59-10 days | 75% penalty
• 9 days or less | 100% penalty

COVID-19 Exception: If a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days, the denied passenger is entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the amount the passenger paid to MSC. Subject to passenger providing verification satisfactory to MSC.

Norwegian Cruise Line Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

The Haven Suites, Suites, Garden Villas and Holiday Sailings

• 119-106 days | 25% of booked fare
• 105-91 days | 50% of booked fare
• 90-61 days | 75% of booked fare
• 60 days or less | 100%

1 to 6 Day Sailings (Club Balcony Suites and Below)

• 119-91 days | 25% of booked fare
• 30 days or less | 100%

Sailings of 7 Days or More (Club Balcony Suites and Below)

COVID-19 Exception: If a guest, family member or travel companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of embarkation, each is entitled to a FCC for the amount paid to NCL. To qualify for the FCC, guest must present a verified positive test result in a form acceptable to NCL.

Oceania Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

1 to 14 Day Cruises

• 120-91 days | $250 per person (may be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation for travel any time)
• 120-91 days for Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites | 10% of the cruise fare
• 90-76 days | 25% of cruise fare
• 75-61 days | 50% of cruise fare
• 60-31 days | 75% of cruise fare
• 30 days or less | 100% of cruise fare

Cruises of 15 Days or Longer (except Around the World or World Odyssey Cruises)

• 180-151 days | $250 per person (may be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation for travel any time)
• 180-151 days for Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites | 10% of the cruise fare
• 150-121 days | 25% of cruise fare
• 120-91 days | 50% of cruise fare
• 90-61 days | 75% of cruise fare
• 60 days or less | 100% of cruise fare

For Around the World and World Odyssey Cruises

• 181 days or more | $500 per person
• 180-151 days | 25% of cruise fare
• 150-121 days | 50% of cruise fare
• 120-91 days | 75% of cruise fare
• Less than 90 days | 100% of cruise fare

Paul Gauguin Cruises & Ponant Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

• 15 days past deposit-181 days | $250 per cruise
• 180-91 days | 25% of the total amount
• 91 days or less | 100% of full fare

COVID-19 Exception: For a cancellation due to a positive COVID-19 test within 30 days prior to departure, Ponant will offer to transfer all funds without penalty to a different departure or provide a Future Cruise Credit worth 100% of all funds paid, valid for travel within 24 months from the original sail date.

Princess Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Sailings of up to 24 days (including World Cruise segments)

• 75-89 days | 25% of total charges
• 61-74 days | 50% of total charges
• 31-60 days | 75% of total charges
• 30 days or less | 100% of total charges

Sailings of 25 days or more (including Full World Cruise & World Cruise Segments)

• 113-119 days | deposit amount (30% of total charges for World Cruises)
• 61-112 days | 50% of total charges
• 60 days or less | 100% of total charges

COVID-19 Exception: If a guest, family member living in the same household or traveling companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of embarkation, all are entitled to an FCC for the amount paid to Princess Cruises. To qualify for the FCC, guest must present verified positive test result in a form acceptable to Princess Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Cruises of 14 Nights or Less

• Deposit-121 days | Suite category RS – 25% of fare | Suite category MS-H – $100 per person ($100 fee may be converted into a FCC redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation date, for travel any time)
• 120-91 days | Suite category RS – 50% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 15% of fare
• 90-61 days | Suite category RS – 75% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 50% of fare
• 60-31 days | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 75% of fare
• 30 days or less | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 100% of fare

Cruises of 14 Nights or Longer

• Deposit-151 days | Suite category RS – 25% of fare | Suite category MS-H – $100 per person ($100 fee may be converted into a FCC redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation date, for travel any time)
• 150-121 days | Suite category RS – 50% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 15% of fare
• 120-91 days | Suite category RS – 75% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 50% of fare
• 90-76 days | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 75% of fare
• 75 days or less | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 100% of fare

2025 World Cruise

• Deposit-181 days | 10% of fare in suite categories MS-HS
• 180-151 days | 25% of fare
• 150-121 days | 50% of fare
• 120-91 days | 75% of fare
• 90 days or less | 100% of fare

Seven Seas Grandeur Inaugural Season (Nov. 25, 2023 – June 21, 2024)

• Deposit-151 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 25% of fare | Suite category A-H – $100
• 150-121 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 50% of fare | Suite category A-H – 15% of fare
• 120-91 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 75% of fare | Suite category A-H – 50% of fare
• 90-76 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 100% of fare | Suite category A-H – 75% of fare
• 75 days or less | Suite categories RS-SS – 100% of fare | Suite category A-H – 100% of fare

Cancellation Calculator

Did you know that cancelling your existing cruise vacation and rebooking it at current rates could be saving you money? Our cancellation calculator will help you identify these opportunities in 3 easy steps.

• Identify good price drops on our website.
• Read our in-deep article about cancellation and rebooking
• Use our constantly updated cancellation calculator to find your cancel fees and see if you could save money.
• See your savings at a glance.

How to Save Money By Canceling Your Cruise

If you find a better deal on your cruise fare after booking, you may think that there’s no hope of saving the money already paid. However, according to a new analysis by leading digital cruise advisor Cruisewatch, there is still a potential to save a significant amount of money.

Why You May Want to Cancel – and Rebook

Recent research by Cruisewatch.com, a cruise advisor known for its innovative price prediction, has shown that prices on cruises can drop significantly as the departure date nears. “Most cruisers tend to book their trips four to six months in advance,” explains Markus Stumpe, CEO of Cruisewatch, “but it could be very beneficial for them to cancel and then rebook their cruise at fares reduced up to 71%.” This is particularly true if the chosen cruise offers less-strict fee structures.

Cruise Line’s Cancellation Fees

Generally, cruise lines break down into three cancellation categories: soft, moderate, and strict.

Lines like Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Star Clippers, offer “softer” fees, and may charge only a 25% cancellation fee on average at least 30 days before departure.

Moderate lines, including Viking Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruise Line, Hurtigruten Cruise Lines, Cunard, Crystal Cruises, SeaDream, Princess Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line, offer a little more wiggle room, though they also charge about 90% for cancellations occurring within 30 days of departure. However, cancellation fees average only 15% 90 days or more before departure.

Strict lines, on the other hand, like Oceania Cruises, Ponant, Azamara Club Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn tend to offer little or no refunds unless you cancel at least 120 days in advance. Within the last 60 days you normally have to pay a 100% fee.

How to Save Money

To illustrate the potential savings, take this possible real-world situation: Someone books his/her dream cruise on Celebrity Eclipse 150 days before departure and pays a total of $5,000. Forty days before departure, this person sees an offer on the same ship with a savings of 40%. At this time the cancellation fee on Celebrity is 20%, so the person opts to rebook and saves $1,000.

Cruise Cancellation Fee by cruisewatch.com

What You Should Know About Cancellation Fees

Cancellation fee structures for most cruise lines are often very strict and difficult to understand, and multiple factors influence each policy. The length of the cruise, how far in advance you’re able to cancel, destination, cabin type, or cruise category can all contribute to the final cancellation fee. Booking special deals may mean higher cancellation fees. In most cases, deposits paid are also non-refundable. Often you will also need to draft a formal written document in order to cancel the cruise.

Alternatives to Consider Before Canceling Your Cruise

If the cancellation fees are prohibitive, there may be alternatives for recouping the difference in prices. Some cruise lines offer onboard credit as reimbursement for price differences, or offer significant upgrades where available.

Concrete Fee Cancellation Calculator

The best way to determine whether it’s worth it to cancel and rebook your cruise is to take a closer look at your cruise line’s cancellation policy. However, if you’re still in the planning stages, you are likely still comparing prices, policies, and packages. This time-consuming process is a must for those seeking the best deals, but using innovative new online tools can help save time in the short term, and money long-term.

Use this link www.cruisewatch.com/cancellation.php to see your fees and rebooking options at a glance.

Cruises This Summer Up To 10% Cheaper Than Last Year

An extensive study from cruise price monitoring service CruiseWatch.com found stable average prices for interior cabins and price reductions between 6% for balcony cabins and up to 10% for oceanview staterooms. The bad news: suites are getting more expensive with an average increase of 2% on all watched cruises. And the price changes are highly variable per line.

The website compared price changes for 4.383 cruises in 2016, departing in the summer period of May to September, with 4.884 sailings leaving in the same period this year. To get comparable data, the study then compared the price per day at a locked in fixed point on May 1 st  for both years.

Average Cruise Price For Summer Per Cabin

Stable cruise prices for interior cabins

Interior cabins show a mostly stable trend. The amount of price discounts (compared to the initially published price) also was stable. Interior cabins traded around 94% of the initial price both years. There are markedly differences on a line by line basis, though. The top three lines increasing prices were Azamara with an average increase per day of a whopping 24%, Costa with +22% and Disney with +11%. Amongst the lines dropping prices where Celebrity Cruises (-13%), Holland America (-10%) and Princess Cruises (-10%).

Highest cruise price drops for oceanview cabins

Oveanview cabins showed the most visible decline in average. While these porthole cabins traded slightly above initial price last year, lines were giving an average of 7% discount this year. However, this again was highly variable by cruise line. This time Norwegian Cruise Line leads the camp of lines raising prices with an increase of +27% on average, followed by Costa (+24%) and Azamara (+19%). Regent Seven Seas lowered their prices by 26% followed by Holland American (-16%) and Royal Caribbean (-10%).

Balcony staterooms are cheaper than cruises last year

Balcony cabins also saw price reductions, going from $358 to $336. This reduction mostly came from lowered initial prices, as the number of price drops is mostly unchanged versus last year. Azamara (+33%), Costa (+18%) and NCL (+16%) are again raising prices significantly, while Holland America (-20%), Regent Seven Seas (-20%) and Royal Caribbean (-15%) are reducing.

Suites are getting more expensive over time

Lastly, on suites the prices remained mostly stable with a slight upward notion, increasing to $629 per day versus $615 last year. Viking, Azamara and Crystal Cruises are the top price increasers. Regent Seven Seas, MSC Cruises and Holland America are reducing their prices. Due to highly variable cabins and limited inventory, this category is the most difficult to draw valid conclusions from.

Britta Bernhard, founder of CruiseWatch.com said: “Our study shows that there are still good savings to be found for a summer cruise vacation this year. While some lines raise prices across the board, other are reducing. This might be a good year to utilize some next generation cruise price drop services on the web to identify the best deals.”.

Next generation cruise search with Cruisewatch.com

The search engine Cruisewatch.com offers consumers free price drop monitoring. The website processes massive amounts of data using intuitive software that will help consumers find the perfect cruise: at the right time, at the best price. Users can receive automatic alerts when prices are reduced or when good deals are on the horizon. A price forecast is built into the website. “Cruise lines invest massive amounts of resources into revenue optimization. We are leveling the playing field and offering consumers up-to-date technology to make the right decisions,” says Cruisewatch.com’s co-founder.

We live up to our motto… RIGHT CRUISE. RIGHT TIME. RIGHT PRICE.

Further analysis:

You can find more valuable resources on our website. For instance, have you ever wondered if it is cheaper to go on a cruise than to have a stay-at-home vacation? You can find the answer  here . Consumers often wonder how far in advance to book their cruises. We answered that question in this  blog post . Surprisingly, there is one day of the week when you can find the best prices on cruise tickets. Find out which day it is by reading this  post . You are interested in getting up to 65% cruise price reduction by choosing the right cruise line? See more . And click here to know when to book which cruise line.

See all current price drops per cabin type over here:

Should You Book Your Cruise Early Or Wait To Get The Best Cruise Deals?

Ever wondered what is the best time to book? We did, and looked at more than 4 million price changes to find out. According to our new comprehensive study, there are many factors at play when it comes to price. The cruise line, the actual cruise, and the time you book. During 2016 we analyzed 3,000 cruises on a cabin level. And focussed especially on how many days before departure the best prices could be found.

Continue reading “Should You Book Your Cruise Early Or Wait To Get The Best Cruise Deals?”

How to Get A 65% Cruise Price Reduction

Have you ever dreamed of boarding a ship bound for the perfect destination? Now imagine how you would feel about that same trip after finding a cruise price reduction of 65%. It isn’t just a dream anymore. Thanks to the innovative team at Cruisewatch.com, you can find a cruise price reduction to nearly any destination.

Our site, a cutting-edge search engine that matches customers with cruises, recently released a report showing that the average cruise price reduction is 16%. The same report indicates that shoppers can find discounts of as much as 65%, if they use the right booking tool.

We regularly publish cruise evaluations, but have gone the extra mile to prepare an analysis of all cruises for the year. This analysis uses more than 6,000,000 data points to evaluate the average and maximum price reductions each cruise company has offered during a booking period.

Minimum and Maximum Cruise Price Reduction per Cruise Line

The results are astonishing! The cruise companies use extremely different pricing strategies. Cruise companies can be divided into two groups. The first group has very flexible prices, while the other group offers more stable pricing. The cruise lines with flexible pricing quickly react to changing market situations. This flexibility allows them to balance supply and demand easily. It also allows them to offer great cruise price reductions! The cruise lines with the more steady pricing model prioritize stable and reliable fares. This pricing model prevents them from offering large price reductions on their cruises.

“The biggest savings are achieved by automatically observing price changes, then making a prediction as to whether a price increase or reduction is likely,” says Nina Stumpe, a cruise enthusiast and co-founder of Cruisewatch.com. Stumpe went on to say, “This information must be immediately made available to the end customer via modern alert functions so that they can decide on a booking. This is how cruise search works today!”

On average, consumers can see 16% savings over initial pricing. Savvy consumers can see up to a 65% cruise price reduction on select trips.

Holland America Line leads the group with very flexible prices. Holland America offers an average 23% savings over the initial price. Fortunately, sharp bargain hunters can find a near 60% cruise price reduction. Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Seabourn are other cruise lines that are pursuing a similar pricing strategy.

Carnival Cruise Line heads the group that pursues a more stable pricing model. Other major cruise lines like Costa and MSC also use a more stable pricing model, but occasionally offer last minute discounts. Carnival Cruise Line offers an average 13% savings, but will offer a cruise price reduction of 32% at times. Ponant, a smaller cruise line, frequently offers discounted cabins, but tends to wait until shortly before departure to offer a cruise price reduction.

“Our data shows that cruise prices fluctuate with cruise lines that officially claim to not offer discounts. Frequently, these lines will not offer certain cabin categories at a discount, but will make less expensive cabin categories available. The result is virtually the same for consumers,” explains Stumpe. “That is why it is important to monitor and keep track of price changes. It can help you save huge amounts of money.”

Next generation cruise search with Cruisewatch

We offer consumers free price drop monitoring. Our website processes massive amounts of data using intuitive software that will help consumers find the perfect cruise: at the right time, at the best price. Users can receive automatic alerts when prices are reduced or when good deals are on the horizon. A price forecast is built into the website. “Cruise lines invest massive amounts of resources into revenue optimization. We are leveling the playing field and offering consumers up-to-date technology to make the right decisions,” says Cruisewatch’s co-founder. We are doing this to honor our motto: RIGHT CRUISE. RIGHT TIME. RIGHT PRICE.

You can find more valuable resources on our website. For instance, have you ever wondered if it is cheaper to go on a cruise than to have a stay-at-home vacation? You can find the answer here . Consumers often wonder how far in advance to book their cruises. We answered that question in this blog post . Surprisingly, there is one day of the week when you can find the best prices on cruise tickets. Find out which day it is by reading this post .

Why you should always book a cruise five weeks before it sails

A study by cruisewatch.com, a next-generation cruise search engine with an innovative decision support system, finds prices for cruise sailings are cheapest five weeks before setting sail.

Have you ever experienced checking cruise prices and finding they are high and then upon checking again later prices have decreased? The biggest factor you should consider in saving money is to determine the right moment when to book a cruise, says cruisewatch.com. Based on an elaborate study that considered more than 25,000 cruise sailings , cruise prices drop the lowest five weeks before departure.

Average Historic Pricing

The best discounts can be found in the weeks prior to sailing, with average reductions of 4 percent for interior and ocean-view cabins. But that is just the average. Not fully sold sailings can be discounted up to 40 percent.

“If you’re flexible regarding the cruise sailing, ship, or departure date, you can save big money by booking short term. But you can only choose between the last unsold rooms. If you are keen to get a special category, especially a suite, you should book your cruise early,” explains Nina Stumpe, a cruise enthusiast and cofounder of cruisewatch.com.

Prices get more dynamic short term; more expensive cabins have less or no price reductions

“Cruiseline’s prices are steered mainly during the last 100 days before departure. During this ‘hot phase,’ the biggest price decreases take place, especially for interior and ocean-view cabins. Interestingly the balcony staterooms, which are more expensive, are reduced less, and suites don’t get any discounts,” Nina says.

Why you should always book a cruise on Thursdays

You might want to consider what day of the week to search for cruises, says cruisewatch.com, a search engine for cruise price drop. According to an elaborate study that took into consideration more than 600,000 data points, cruise prices drop lowest in the middle of the week with Thursday seeing most discounts.

Continue reading “Why you should always book a cruise on Thursdays”

Going on a cruise cheaper than living in these US cities

Ocean Princess

According to a recent study by the next generation cruise search engine CruiseWatch it is actually cheaper to cruise continuously for an entire year than to pay rent and live in the US . That is, at least, if you live in these  cities or regions . Continue reading “Going on a cruise cheaper than living in these US cities”

Living on a cruise ship cheaper than living in this Pensylvania city

According to a recent study by the next generation cruise search engine CruiseWatch it is actually cheaper to cruise continuously for an entire year than to pay rent and live in  Pensylvania . That is, at least, if you live in this  PA city . Continue reading “Living on a cruise ship cheaper than living in this Pensylvania city”

Living on a cruise ship cheaper than living in New York City

Crown Princess

According to a recent study by the next generation cruise search engine CruiseWatch it is actually cheaper to cruise continuously for an entire year than to pay rent and live in  New York City . Continue reading “Living on a cruise ship cheaper than living in New York City”

Cruise Price Monitoring

Monitoring price drops, latest price updates, top cruise ships.

• Best Large Cruise Ship We read through 180.000 reviews to find the best large cruise ships for you. See results
• Crew / Passenger Ratio Ever wondered which ships boasts the most crew per passenger? We did the math. See results

Most read content

• test-relaunch

• Revised Cancellation Policies

Cruise Search

Special cruise offers, royal caribbean.

• 60% OFF 2nd Guest + Kids Sail FREE + Instant Savings + FREE GRATUITIES or Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Norwegian Cruise Line

• 50% OFF Cruises + Take All FREE + BOGO Airfare + Up to $1,700 Cash Back

Holland America

• Up to 45% OFF + Up to $1,000 Onboard Crerdit + 50% Reduced Deposit + 3rd & 4th Guests FREE

Princess Cruises

• Up to 35% OFF + 3rd & 4th Guest FREE + Up to $1,785 Onboard Credit

Celebrity Cruises

• Up to 75% OFF 2nd Guest + FREE Amenities Included: FREE Beverage Package + Basic Wi-Fi + Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Featured Cruise Deals

Other cruise options.

• Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Land Tour Deals
• View Golf Vacations
• Shop by Destination
• Shop by Cruise Line
• Cruise From Port Near You
• Holiday Sailings
• Luxury Cruises

• Cruise with Confidence

Healthy Sail Protocols

In light of recent global health concerns cruise lines are taking a number of different steps to ensure the safety of all guests and crew. In addition to closely following the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention a number of other measures designed to improve safety have been instituted.

Many cruise lines will initially be requiring all guests and crew to obtain the Covid-19 vaccination at least two weeks prior to boarding in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Most cruise lines have established protocols as they relate to vaccination / testing requirements, onboard social distancing, enhanced air filtration, upgraded medical facilities, vaccinating and crew testing, enhanced boarding and disembarkation processes, enhanced cleaning protocols, dining protocols and more. All of these enhancements will allow them to provide a safe and comfortable cruise environment.

Please select from the cruise lines below to see links to their most updated health & Safety protocols and vaccine requirements.

• HEALTHY SAIL PROTOCOLS

AmaWaterways

• Updated Travel Advisory
• Health and Safety Protocols
• Travel Entry Requirements

American Cruise Line

American queen steamboat company.

• Safe Cruise

Avalon Waterways

• Pre-trip Health Screening Information

Azamara Cruises

• Onboard Health Protocols

Carnival Cruise Line

• COVID-19 Guest Protocols
• Healthy at Sea Protocols
• Country Travel Requirements
• Healthy at Sea FAQs

Celestyal Cruises

• Covid-19 FAQs
• Pre-Departure Requirements

Costa Cruises

• Health & Safety Protocols

Crystal Cruises

• Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement
• Health & Safety Hub

Cunard Cruises

• Sail with Confindence

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line Important Travel Information

Emerald Waterways

Holland america line, msc cruises.

• Health & Safety Measures
• SailSafe Protocols

Oceania Cruises

• SailSafe Health and Safety Program
• Cruise Health

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Healthy Sail Center

Scenic Cruises

• Health & Safety Updates

Uniworld Cruises

Viking cruises.

• Covid-19 Policies and Procedures

Windstar Cruises

Virgin voyages.

• Before you Sail

NOTICE: For U.S. cruises and guests: Prior to sailing, please consult all applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel advisories, warnings, or recommendations relating to cruise travel, at www.cdc.gov/travel/notices . If a certain threshold level of covid-19 is detected onboard the ship during your voyage, the voyage will end immediately, the ship will return to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed. For cruises and guests worldwide: Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER SAVINGS

• Forgot Password?

Often cruise lines offer special rates that cannot be displayed to the general public. By registering with Cruise.com you will be able to view these special rates and offers.

Register with Cruise.com to get access to:

• Exclusive Rates
• Special Amenities

Login to Your Account

There was an error! Please re-enter your credentials and try submitting the form again.

Reset Your Password

Please enter the email associated with your account so that we may send you a link to reset your password.

An email was sent to the address provided with instructions on how to reset your password.

Oops! There was an error with the email you provided.

Celebrity Cruises' Cancellation Policy

What is Celebrity's cruise or Cruisetour cancellation and refund policy?

The cancellation charge policies set forth below vary for single occupancy or for the third, fourth or higher occupants in a stateroom or for groups. Policies may differ if you booked with a travel advisor or agency. Please contact your advisor or our Customer Care team if you have questions additional to the below.

Select fare programs require the payment at the time of booking of a nonrefundable deposit. That deposit amount shall not be refunded at any time after it has been paid. Change fees will apply to bookings for which the deposit is nonrefundable.

Cancellation of Cruise or CruiseTour. Cruises that are cancelled prior to the sail date, and CruiseTours that are cancelled prior to the first day of the CruiseTour, may be subject to a cancellation charge. The amount of the cancellation charge shall be determined as shown in the table below and shall vary depending on how far in advance of the sail date (or first day of theCruiseTour) the Operator receives notice of cancellation.

For Cruises Booked Before April 16, 2018

For 1 TO 4 NIGHT CRUISES IF CANCELLATION IS MADE (including Holiday Sailings) CANCELLATION CHARGE (Per person)

75+ days No charges (except for Non-refundable Deposit amounts)

74 to 43 day Deposit amount

42 to 29 days 50% of total price

28 to 15 days 75% of total price

14 days or less 100% of total price - No refund

For 5 NIGHT CRUISES OR LONGER IF CANCELLATION IS MADE (including Holiday Sailings and Cruisetours) CANCELLATION CHARGE (Per person)

90+ days No charges

89 to 75 days Deposit Amount

56 to 29 Days 50% of total price

For Cruises Booked On or After April 16, 2018

FOR 1 TO 4 NIGHT CRUISES (including Holiday sailings) CANCELLATION CHARGE (Per Person)

75+ days No charges

74 to 61 days 50% of total price

60 to 31 days 75% of total price

30 days or less 100% of total price - No refund

FOR 5 NIGHTS OR LONGER CRUISES (including Holiday Sailings and Cruisetours) CANCELLATION CHARGE (Per Person)

89 to 75 days 25% of total price

In the event of a cancellation of a Cruise or CruiseTour, any applicable Taxes/Fees or Fuel Supplement charges shall be refunded. For bookings made outside of the United States and Canada, a different cancellation policy may apply. Contact your local office or travel agency for details.

Cancellation notices are effective when received by the Operator.

For Passengers who have booked a CruiseTour and desire to cancel their tour portion while retaining the Cruise, refunds of the CruiseTour Fare (including any applicable supplement charges) shall be made in accordance with the following cancellation policy. Guests who convert their CruiseTours to a cruise only booking within forty-two (42) days of the start date of the tour segment of the CruiseTour will be subject to a cancellation charge. The amount of that charge varies depending on the location of the CruiseTour and/or its length. For the specific amount of the charge, visit Our FAQ section.

The cancellation charge policies set forth above vary for single occupancy or for the third, fourth or higher occupants in a stateroom or for groups. Consult your travel agency or call Celebrity for further details.

Cancellation by the Passenger after the Cruise or CruiseTour has begun, early disembarkation of the Passenger for any reason, including pursuant to any provision of this Ticket Contract, or “no-shows” shall be without refund, compensation, or liability on the part of the Carrier whatsoever.

If Carrier received payment via credit card, the refund will be made to that credit card. If Carrier received payment from your travel agent, the refund will be provided back to that travel agent.

Carrier reserves the right to offer promotional cruise fares or other offers that may modify the cancellation policies set forth above.

For cancellations of air flights, hotel stays, transfer services, shore excursions, pre-purchased amenities, CruiseCare, pre-booked services (such as spa, photography or wedding services) and pre-booked arrangements such as specialty dining, see the applicable terms and conditions for any applicable cancellation charges.

Cancellation of Cruise For Australian and New Zealand Residents

The following cancellation charges will then apply to your cruise. Standard Cruises & Cruisetours (Cruise Portion Only).

Days Prior to Cruise Departure and cancellation Charges:

151 or more days: deposit is refundable except in the case of non- refundable deposit promotions and airfares

150-71 days: loss of deposit

70-46 days: 25% of fare*

45-31 days: 50% of fare*

30-15 days: 75% of fare*

14 days or less: 100% of fare

Cancellation of Cruise for UK & Ireland Residents

For cancellations received, the following cancellations charges will apply:

5 days or less before departure 100%

6 to 14 days before departure 90%

15 - 28 days before departure 75%

29 - 69 days before departure 50%

70 days or more before departure deposit only (including any increased deposit amount for any ’advanced purchase’ flight tickets.

Please be advised that if your booking was made prior to 01/07/2021, the final payment is due 57 days prior to the start of your cruise.

Please be advised that the minimum cancellation charge will always be the loss of deposit including any increased deposit amount if you have purchased advance purchase air fares. Please note that any amendment or transfer fees will also be charged when a booking is cancelled.

Chat or call our Customer Service team

Is cruise/vacation cancellation protection available?

Yes, US guests may purchase cruise cancellation protections through CruiseCare®, a partnership with AON.

Find out more about what we offer and how to purchase:

Canadian residents

How can I request a refund if my cruise is cancelled?

If Celebrity Cruises cancels a voyage or delays embarkation by three (3) days or more and you elect not to sail on the delayed voyage or a substitute voyage we offer, you may obtain a refund or a future cruise credit (FCC). Although our practice is to issue a future cruise credit automatically, you may instead submit your request for a refund by contacting us. Refund requests must be made within six (6) months of the date the cruise was cancelled or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier.

Please note this policy does not apply to guests booked on chartered sailings. If you were booked on a chartered sailing that was canceled or embarkation was delayed by three (3) or more days, and you wish to inquire about refunds or future credits, you must contact the third party reseller that sold you the cruise.

Return to Top

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

Cruise Line Reviewer

Cruise Cancellation Policies: What To Know

Once upon a time, cruise line-initiated cancellations were uncommon (due to isolated causes such as bad weather, ship mechanical difficulties, or company bankruptcies), but in today’s age of coronavirus, this scenario is occurring more frequently than it ever has before.

If your cruise has been canceled, as many have been, the company may offer you a refund or the option to postpone your trip. These options are outlined in the company’s cancellation policy. If your trip hasn’t been canceled, but you’d still prefer to back out of a prospective ticket, you should be aware that the cancellation and rebooking procedures of many cruise companies have been substantially more permissive in recent years. Here is all the information you need to know about the particular cancellation policies that are in place for cruises during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the usual cancellation policies that you can anticipate at other times.

Cruise cancellations and coronavirus

In reaction to the hazards and restrictions associated with the coronavirus, a number of cruise lines, including big companies such as Princess, Norwegian , and Celebrity, have temporarily ceased operations across the globe. To the best of our knowledge, all shipping companies have suspended ocean-going departures from ports in the United States until at least April 11. Erika Richter, senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), a trade organisation, says, “As you can guess, the situation is constantly changing day to day, and even hour by hour.”

Given the fluid nature of the situation, passengers who have reservations for cruises departing within the next few months should be prepared for the chance that the cruise line would cancel their trips at the eleventh hour. In such a scenario, a representative from either your cruise line or travel agent will get in touch with you directly to discuss compensation. This may take the shape of a complete refund or a credit against a future voyage.

Be aware that many cruise lines have temporarily replaced their regular cancellation or postponement penalties with more flexible policies. If the cruise line hasn’t cancelled your trip but you’d still like to reschedule it, this is something you should know. Although the terms and conditions of each company are different, the majority of cruise lines now let passengers acquire a full cruise credit that can be used to a future sailing date at no additional cost; however, fewer companies are granting cash refunds.

According to Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the leading cruise review website Cruise Critic, “It’s worth noting that some lines are incentivizing the decision to rebook by offering some additional perks in the form of onboard credit—so you could be getting some added value if you decide to rebook your cruise.” “It’s worth noting that some lines are incentivizing the decision to rebook by offering some additional perks in the form If you choose to take this route, Cruise Critic recommends that you wait a few weeks before making your reservation, as cruise lines are now struggling to handle the current cancellations and get passengers returned safely to port from sailings that are still in process. Additionally, the website encourages users to have patience by mentioning that the processing of refunds may take up to ninety days or perhaps longer.

You don’t have to make a snap choice when it comes to sailings that are further in the future. You are able to take a wait-and-see approach because of these lenient policies, many of which permit cancellations up to 48 hours before the scheduled departure time. Before making any decisions, you should make it a point to read over the terms and conditions of your cruise company. According to McDaniel, “if the line ends up cancelling off your cruise as part of their suspending service, you could have more leeway in terms of compensation and a refund offering.” If the company ends up cancelling off your cruise as part of their suspending service. “However, that depends on the particulars of the line and the circumstance.”

Richter also recommends making use of the services of a reliable travel professional who will assist you in understanding the terms of your cruise’s cancellation policy and will argue on your behalf with the cruise line. She is quoted as saying, “There are so many unknowns right now as this situation continues to develop.” “Staying informed is the most critical step to take for travellers who are dedicated to remaining with their future journey,” says one travel expert.

Standard cruise cancellation policies

Remember that these more lax regulations will only be in effect for the foreseeable future. In the past, cruise lines had considerably more stringent policies regarding the cancellation and modification of reservations. For instance, if you cancelled your trip less than ninety days before it was scheduled to depart, you could anticipate losing at least a portion of your payment, and if you cancelled your trip less than a few weeks before it was scheduled to depart, you could lose the entire amount.

Before the outbreak of the coronavirus, the causes for cruise cancellations had a far more circumscribed range of possible outcomes. The occurrence of very severe weather was one of the possibilities. It is not always possible to make alternative plans, despite the fact that cruise lines are typically able to reroute ships in advance in the case that a hurricane or another large weather event is heading in their direction. In September, for instance, Hurricane Dorian compelled a number of cruise lines to cancel their regularly scheduled departures from ports in the state of Florida.

Other times, unforeseen mechanical or technical concerns can mean a ship is hazardous to sail. This was the case with three of Carnival Vista’s sailings from Galveston during the summer of 2017, which were cancelled owing to a glitch with the ship’s maximum cruising speed capabilities.

Under these conditions, passengers might anticipate the possibility of receiving a full refund or having their reservation replaced with one for an alternative sailing. Some cruise lines may go even farther by offering to reimburse the money spent on any travel arrangements that were made (such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel reservations), in addition to providing additional vouchers that can be used for reduced or upgraded future cruises.

Although the specifics of individual cruise line contracts might vary widely, the vast majority of cruise lines that we spoke with confirmed that such rules are normally decided on a case-by-case basis. Every major cruise line adheres to the Passenger Bill of Rights established by the Cruise Line International Association. This document explains in clear language that passengers are entitled to a reimbursement in the event that their trip is cancelled due to a problem with the ship’s machinery. However, it is important to note that incidents that are caused by the weather are regarded as a force majeure and are not automatically covered; in these cases, the cruise line would decide whether or not to provide compensation. “Be sure to contact your travel agent if you used one,” McDaniel warns. When it comes to bargaining with the cruise line, having a reliable professional on your side who also has clout and connections in the business can be your best advocate.

How having travel insurance might be of assistance

Getting independent travel insurance is recommended as a best practise for all types of trips, but especially for cruises. It can assist cover your investment in the event that you have to cancel your trip or make an unforeseen adjustment, in addition to providing other coverages such as overseas medical insurance, trip interruption or delay benefits, and medical evacuation choices. In the event that your cruise is cancelled, travel insurance will not only reimburse you for the cost of your trip, but it will also reimburse you for any flights, hotels, or other pre-paid travel expenses that you incurred.

Standard policies, on the other hand, do not cover pandemic-related claims at this time due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. To accomplish this, you will need to invest in a more expensive and all-encompassing cancel for any reason coverage in order to guarantee at least some level of safety throughout your trip.

Similar Posts

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts In Mexico 2022

Mexico has long been regarded as one of the world’s best places to take a holiday with one’s family, and for good reason. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to Riviera Maya, a resort town on the Pacific coast, or the Baja California peninsula, the beaches will blow your mind no matter where you go…

Holland America Maasdam Ship Review

As I prepared to embark on a long trip through the Alaskan wilderness with Holland America, the ship Maasdam, the proverb “What’s old is new again” came to me. My most recent time on board one of their ships, which was the smallest in their fleet, was in 2012, and it was for a trip…

Packing For A Cruise

If you’re anything like me, you’ll look for any reason to convince yourself that you’re getting away on vacation. Any time there is a holiday coming up, I usually start making lists and packing a week or more in ahead. One of the advantages of taking a cruise rather than flying is that you are…

Tip on a cruise

Whether it’s your first cruise or your 50th, there are always new cruise tips to learn as you take your trip. We’ve put together 107 amazing cruise tips, secrets, and freebies for you to enjoy. 107 Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Tricks Header This list varies from relatively small tips to make your cruise a…

How To Book A Cruise With Points and Miles

When it comes to selecting the perfect cruise for your holiday, one must always keep their spending limit in mind. However, were you aware that miles and points may be redeemed for more than just free flights and hotels? You can use them to schedule a sailing, and you can even earn miles on one…

Cruising From New York To New England and Canada – Part 2

Following our departure from New York City, we set sail on the magnificent Anthem of the Seas, bound for Boston, Maine, and Nova Scotia in Canada. Read more here to learn about the first leg of our journey, which took place in New York and included a tour of the Anthem of the Seas. Boston,…

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Summary of New Cruise Line Cancellation Policies

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines' Cruise with Comfort plan states that for new and existing bookings on cruises departing 3/9/2020 through 10/31/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive cruise vouchers equal to 100% of the amounts paid to be used for travel before 12/31/2021. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the voucher. To see a list of American Cruise Lines sailings, click here .

Azamara's Cruise with Confidence plan states that for existing bookings and for new sailings booked on or before 9/30/2020 and departing through 4/30/2022, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure or reschedule their booking for next year. Guests who cancel who are paid-in-full will receive a refund or a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) good toward voyages that depart through 4/30/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment date. To see a list of Azamara sailings, click here .

Carnival's flexible cancellation policy states that for existing bookings made on or before 3/10/2020 and departing through 9/30/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 30 days prior to the day of departure.   The portion of the cruise fare in penalty at the time of cancellation is given back to the customer as an FCC and the balance is refunded to the customer’s original form of payment. The (FCC) must be redeemed on a cruise within one year of the original sailing. Standard cancellation terms apply to all new bookings made after 3/10/2020. To see a list of Carnival sailings, click here .

Celebrity Cruises' Cruise with Confidence plan states that for existing bookings and for new sailings booked by 9/30/2020 and departing through 5/4/2022, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure or reschedule their booking for next year. Guests who cancel who are paid-in-full will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) good toward voyages that depart through 5/4/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment date. After the final payment date, customers who decline the Cruise with Confidence FCC are ineligible for a refund. To see a list of Celebrity sailings, click here .

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises' new cancellation policy states that for bookings made before 8/31/2020 on sailings departing by 8/31/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure and receive a 100% FCC which must be redeemed within one year of the issue date on sailings that depart before 11/20/2021. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC. To see a list of Costa sailings, click here .

The Crystal Confidence policy states that for bookings made by 7/31/2020 on any sailing departing in 2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 7 days prior to the day of departure. Guests who cancel will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for cruise monies paid. The FCC may be applied to cruises departing through the end of 2023. Additionally, Crystal's Voyage Assurance program states that for new and existing bookings on voyages from November 2020 through April 2021 aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, guests have the opportunity to cancel their cruise for a full refund within seven days of being notified of itinerary changes. Changes may include either embarkation or disembarkation port and/or alteration of more than 30% of the itinerary’s scheduled ports of call. To see a list of Crystal sailings, click here .

Cunard's Book with Confidence plan states that for cruises departing through 8/31/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure. Guests who cancel will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to the cancellation fees to be used through 12/31/2021 on any sailing departing through 3/31/2022. The remainder of the cruise fare paid will be issued as a refund to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment due date. Additionally, for new and existing bookings on cruises departing between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, Cunard has relaxed the final payment due date from 120 days to 60 days prior to sailing. To see a list of Cunard sailings, click here .

Disney Cruise Line's new cruise date flexibility policy states that for exisiting bookings and new bookings made before 8/31/2020 on sailings departing by 3/31/2021, guests may change their sail date up to 15 days prior to the day of departure to a future sail date departing prior to 4/1/2022. To see a list of Disney sailings,  click here .

Holland America

Holland America's Book with Confidence plan states that for new bookings made between 3/1/2020 and 8/31/2020 on cruises departing through 12/31/2021, guests may cancel their cruise up to 30 days prior to the day of departure. Guests who cancel will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to the cancellation fees to be used within 12 months of the issue date on any sailing through 12/31/2022. The remainder of the cruise fare paid will be issued as a refund to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment due date. To see a list of Holland America sailings, click here .

MSC Cruises

MSC's Cruise Assurance program states that for new and existing bookings on cruises departing on or before 10/31/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure. Guests will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used on any sailing departing on or before 12/31/2021. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Cruise Assurance program. To see a list of MSC Cruises sailings, click here .

Norwegian's Peace of Mind policy states that for new and existing bookings made by 7/31/2020 on cruises departing through 11/30/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure. Guests will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used within one year of the issue date on any sailing departing through 12/31/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment date or who decline the FCC provided by the Peace of Mind policy. To see a list of Norwegian Cruise Line sailings, click here .

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises' Travelers Assurance Program states that for new and existing bookings made through 7/31/2020 on voyages departing in 2020, 2021 or 2022, paid-in-full guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure. Guests will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used within one year of issue date on can cruise departing on or before 12/31/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Traveler’s Assurance program.

To see a list of Oceania Cruises sailings, click here .

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises' Travelers Assurance program states that for existing bookings on sailings departing between 8/1/2020 and 8/31/2020, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure or reschedule their booking for next year. Guests who cancel who are paid-in-full will receive a 110% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used before 12/31/2021 on cruises departing through 3/31/2022. For bookings on sailings that depart after 9/1/2020, guests may also reschedule their booking to another sailing free of charge, but it must be requested prior to the final payment date. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Travelers Assurance program.

To see a list of P&O Cruises sailings, click here .

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises' Worry-Free Booking policy states that for new bookings made on or after 3/27/2020 for sailings departing in 2021 and later, guests may cancel for a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid for 24 months from the original sailing date. For new bookings made for 2020 departures, guests can pay a reduced deposit of 10% (normally 25%) and may cancel up to 31 days prior to departure for an FCC or a refund. In the case of a refund, guests are subject to an additional administrative fee. To see a list of Paul Gauguin sailings, click here .

Ponant's Worry-Free Booking policy states that new bookings made on or after March 9, 2020 for travel on 2021 sailings and on, guests may cancel their cruise up to 90 days after confirmation and receive a refund or a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid for 24 months of the original sailing date. For new bookings made for 2020 departures, guests can pay a reduced deposit of 10% (normally 25%) and may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure and receive a refund or Future Cruise Credit (FCC). For any booking made between 29 days prior to sailing and sailing date, the cancellation penalty will amount to 100% of the booking value. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Worry-Free Booking policy. This includes the $250 administrative fee. To see a list of Ponant sailings, click here .

Princess Cruises' Cruise with Confidence program states that for cruises departing through 4/30/2021, guests may cancel their cruise up to 30 days prior to the day of departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for any cancellation fees and a refund of additional funds received to the original payment method. Additionally, Princess has relaxed their final payment due date for these sailings to 60 days prior to departure

To see a list of Princess Cruises sailings, click here .

Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions' Book with Confidence program states that for cruises departing between October 1 and December 31, 2020, guests may cancel within 90 days prior to the day of departure. Guests booked on cruises departing January 1, 2021 or later may cancel within 120 days prior to the day of departure.   Paid-in-full guests who cancel will receive a 120% Future Travel Refund Credit (FTRC) and guests who are not paid in full who cancel will receive a 100% FTRC. The FTRC may be used within 24 months of cancellation. Customers who decline the Book with Confidence FTRC are ineligible for a refund. To see a list of Quark sailings, click here .

The Regent Reassurance program states that for all new and existing reservations made by 5/18/2020 on cruises scheduled to depart on or before 12/31/2020, guests who have paid in full may cancel up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure. Guests will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which can be applied within one year of issue date on any sailing departing before 12/31/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Regent Reassurance program. Additionally, the Return with Regent program states that for all bookings made between 5/18/2020 and 7/31/2020 on cruises scheduled to depart by 12/31/2022, guests who have paid in full may cancel up to 15 days* prior to the day of departure and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) plus 50% reduced deposits* and $1,000 onboard credit (OBC) on their next sailing. *Guests sailing in the Regent Suite, or on a World Cruise or Grand Voyage, may cancel for any reason up to 65 days prior to the day of departure and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit. Reduced deposit not applicable to guests sailing in the Regent Suite, or on a World Cruise or Grand Voyage. To see a list of Regent sailings, click here .

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's Cruise with Confidence plan states that for existing bookings and for new sailings booked by 9/30/2020 and departing through 5/4/2022, guests may cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to the day of departure or reschedule their booking for next year. Guests who cancel who are paid-in-full will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be redeemed before 12/31/2021 or within 12 months of the original cancelled sail date (whichever is longer) on any cruise. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment date. After the final payment date, customers who decline the Cruise with Confidence FCC are ineligible for a refund.

To see a list of Royal Caribbean sailings, click here .

Scenic Cruises

Scenic's flexible cancellation policy states that for bookings on cruises scheduled to depart between 7/1/2020 and 12/31/2020, guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to the day of departure and receive a 100% Future Travel Credit (FTC) to be used on departures through 12/31/2022. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FTC. To see a list of Scenic Cruises sailings, click here .

Seabourn’s Book with Confidence plan states that for bookings made by 7/31/2020 and departing by 12/31/2021, guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to their cancellation fees. The remainder of the amount paid will be issued as a refund to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment due date. To see a list of Seabourn sailings,  click here .

Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel prior to the final payment date. After the final payment date, customers who decline the Cruise with Confidence FCC are ineligible for a refund. To see a list of Silversea Cruises sailings, click here .

Viking Cruises

Viking's Risk-Free Guarantee states that for any booking made between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020, guests may cancel up to 24 hours prior to the day of departure and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used within 24 months of issue date on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Risk-Free Guarantee program. To see a list of Viking Cruises sailings, click here .

Standard cancellation terms apply to guests who cancel but decline the FCC provided by the Traveler’s Assurance policy. The penalty amount assessed will be issued as an FCC and the remainder of the amount paid will be issued as a refund to the original form of payment. To see a list of Windstar Cruises sailings, click here .

Cancellation policy by cruise line

Cancellation policies by cruise line ( thanks for visiting — we are in the process of many updates).

Adventure Smith Explorations

A cancellation by the client must be made in writing. The date that AdventureSmith Explorations or its agents receive the letter determines the cancellation charge applicable. Cancellation fees are as follows:

Land and Internal Air Cancellations Fees per Person / Per Trip

• 91 days or more  day prior to departure;  50% of deposit
• 31-90 days or more  day prior to departure ; 50% of total tour cost
• 0-30     days or more  day prior to departure; 100% of total tour cost

THE CLIENT IS STRONGLY URGED TO OBTAIN TRAVEL INSURANCE AT THE TIME OF MAKING THE BOOKING.

AmaWaterways

In the event a participant must cancel travel, notice to us must be via email, which must include a return receipt and read notation, or other writing stating clearly and correctly each passenger’s name, ship name, start and end date of the cruise and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. If already issued, unused air tickets must be physically returned to us before they can be cancelled. Cancellation date is the date we receive the written cancellation notice and unused tickets. A name change or substitution of participant is also treated as a cancellation in that all cancellation charges apply.

Cancellation charges are per-person, based on the cancellation date, as follows: more than 121 days before departure: $200 loss of deposit; 120-90 days before departure: $400 loss of deposit; 89-60 days before departure: 35% of cruise or cruise tour price; 59-30 days before departure: 50% of cruise or cruise tour price; 29-07 days before departure: 80% of cruise or cruise tour price; 6 days or less before departure: 100% of cruise or cruise tour price.

Cancellation charges also apply to additional charges for upgrades, transfers and other pre-purchased services. Protection plan premiums are non-refundable. Additional cancellation fees apply for air tickets. After travel begins, there is no refund for unused services, or unused portions of cruise or cruise/tour.

American Cruise Lines

Passengers may cancel cruise reservations by sending a written request for cancellation to American Cruise Lines, Inc., 741 Boston Post Road, Suite 200, Guilford, CT 06437. Requests for cancellation should be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. In the event of cancellation, the total amount paid for fare, minus cancellation fees of $250 per passenger, will be promptly refunded based on the date of receipt by American Cruise Lines, Inc. of the written request for cancellation, in accordance with the following schedule:

•   91 days or more prior to departure date, 100% of amount paid for fare less fees;
•   more than 46 days, but less than 90 days prior to departure date, 50% of amount paid for fare less fees;
• 45 days or less prior to departure date, no refund will be made.

The cancellation fees of $250 per passenger may be applied as a discount toward fare for a future cruise reserved with American Cruise Lines, Inc. within one year of the cancellation date. Premiums paid for the American Cruise Lines Protection Plan are non-refundable. For cancellations relating to group bookings, passengers should refer to the group booking agreement for terms and conditions.

For peace of mind, American Cruise Lines, Inc. recommends passengers purchase travel insurance that allows for a refund of fare paid up to the departure date for the cruise.

American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines)

Guests who must cancel their voyage or any part of their vacation package for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject the cancellation fees as outlined below.  Please see the Travel Protection section from details on cancellation protection.

The American Queen Voyages reserves the right to cancel all reservations for which final payment is not received 90 days prior to the voyage Commencement Date.  All cancellations are subject to a $100 per person administrative fee.

Cancellation Policy

Alaskan Dream Cruises

Cancellation of confirmed reservations for any reason is subject to the following cancellation fee schedule:

• 90 days or more prior to departure date:  $250.00 per person
• 89 – 61 days prior to departure date:  $500.00 per person
• 60 – 31 days prior to departure date:  50% of full fare per person
• 30 – 0 days prior to departure date:  100% of full fare per person

Avalon Waterways

Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees: If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable cruise deposits plus your Flex-Air deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee and/or Intra-vacation air deposit plus Travel Protection payments will be retained. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

Standard Cancellation Fees:

• 90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments
• 59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments
• 29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

*Total price does not include Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees which are non-refundable after 24-hours from purchase and will be retained in addition to the above cancellation fees. Airfare taxes are refundable however.

Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.

Azamara Club Cruises

Refunds of the Cruise Fare or CruiseTour Fare (including any applicable supplement charges) for cancellations by Passenger made prior to sailing or, with respect to CruiseTours, cancellations made prior to the first day of the CruiseTour, shall be made in accordance with the following cancellation policy: Days Prior to Departure Date:

CANCELLATION CHARGE (per person)

• 91 days or more $25.00
• 90 to 60 days 20% of Cruise Fare (or Cruise Tour Fare) excluding taxes and fees
• 59 to 30 days 50% of Cruise Fare (or Cruise Tour Fare) excluding taxes and fees
• 29 to 15 days 75% of Cruise Fare (or Cruise Tour Fare) excluding taxes and fees
• 14 days or less 100% of Cruise Fare (or Cruise TourFare) excluding taxes and fees

Blount Small Ship Adventures (formerly ACCL )

All reservations are subject to a minimum $75 per person cancellation charge. Passengers may cancel subject to the charges listed below. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing by the passenger or travel agent prior to departure to be considered valid.

Cancellation fees per person from date of departure: 60 days or more = $75 59 days – 45 days = 25% of fare 44 days – 30 days = 50% of fare 29 days – 11 days = 75% of fare 10 days or less = 100% of fare

In addition, passengers will be charged all administration costs incurred by Blount Small Ship Adventures on behalf of passenger. Administration charges may be levied for ground or air portions or other services associated with voyage or special requests and changes. There shall be no right to any refund except as stated, and Blount Small Ship Adventures shall have no obligation or liability to passengers for cancellation and/or non-use of all or a portion of a voyage or other services, whether or not due to circumstances beyond passengers’ control. Once purchased, trip insurance is non-refundable. We strongly encourage all passengers to purchase trip insurance.

Captain Cook Cruises

Cancellation Policy strictly:

59-15days prior to sailing: 50%.

Under 15 days prior to sailing: 100%

Carnival Cruise Line

Cruise Cancellation Policy:

Length of Cruise    2, 3, 4, and 5 day cruises                                                          

Days Prior to Sailing; Departure Charge (Per Guest) Up to 61 days; None (except for Cruise-To-Nowhere and Early Saver Fares*)           

60 to 46 days; Deposit

45 to 30 days; Deposit or 50% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 29 to 15 days; Deposit or 75% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 14 days or less; 100% of Total Fare

6 Day or longer cruises (Including Alaska and Hawaii)

Up to 76 days; None (except for Early Saver Fares*) 75 to 56 days; Deposit

55 to 30 days; Deposit or 50% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 29 to 15 days; Deposit or 75% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 14 days or less; 100% of total Fare

Europe cruises, Panama Canal cruises & Transpacific cruises 7, 9, 12, 14 & 17 day.     

Up to 91 days; None (except for Early   Saver Fares*) 90 to 56 days ; Deposit 55 to 30 days; Deposit or 50% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 29 to  15 days ; Deposit or 75% of Total Fare, whichever is greater 14 days or less; 100% of total Fare

Celebrity Cruises

Non Holiday Sailing

Days Prior to Departure Date: Days Prior to Departure Date:

For 1 TO 5 night Cruises; Cancellation charge

• 60 days or more; No charge
• 59 to 43 days ; Deposit amount less taxes and fees
• 42 to 29 days; 50% of total price less taxes and fees
• 28 to 15 days; 75% of total price less taxes and fees
• 14 days or less; No refund less taxes and fees

FOR 6 night or longer cruises; Cancellation charge

• 75 days or more; No charge
• 74 to 57 days; Deposit amount less taxes and fees
• 56 to 29 days; 50% of total price less taxes and fees

Holiday Sailings

For 1 TO 5 night Cruises        Cancellation charge

• 90 days or more; No charge
• 89 to 64 days; Deposit amount less taxes and fees
• 63 to 43 days; 50% of total price less taxes and fees
• 42 to 15 days; 75% of total price less taxes and fees

  FOR 6 night or longer cruises   Cancellation charge

• 42 to 22 days; 75% of total price less taxes and fees
• 21 days or less;No refund less taxes and fees

Costa Cruises

Notice of cancellations and requests for refund must be submitted in writing to: Costa Cruise Lines Inc, 200 South Park Road, Suite 200, Hollywood, FL 33021-8541. Cancellations may not be made by email. All documents (deposit receipt or passage tickets) issued by CCL must be returned before a refund can be processed. Cancellation charges, per person, will be assessed based on when cancellation notices are received as follows:

Non-Caribbean: 90 or more days prior to sailing: Full Refund 89 – 57 days prior to sailing: Deposit Amount 56 – 30 days prior to sailing: 50 percent of cruise fare 29 – 15 days prior to sailing: 75 percent of cruise fare 14 days or less prior to sailing: No refund (100 percent cancellation charge)

Caribbean: 76 or more days prior to sailing: Full Refund 75 – 57 days prior to sailing: Deposit Amount 56 – 30 days prior to sailing: 50 percent of cruise fare 29 – 15 days prior to sailing: 75 percent of cruise fare 14 days or less prior to sailing: No refund (100 percent cancellation charge)

World/Grand Cruises: 90 or more days prior to sailing: 15% of the cruise fare. 89 – 57 days prior to sailing: 25 percent of cruise 56 – 45 days prior to sailing: 50 percent of cruise fare 30 – 44 days prior to sailing: 75 percent of cruise fare 29 days or less prior to sailing: No refund (100 percent cancellation charge)

Guests must adhere to the cancellation and refund policy above. No refunds are made to persons who do not give proper notice of cancellation or fail to embark. No exceptions will be made on cancellation charges, so guests are advised to secure appropriate cancellation insurance through CCL or their travel agents.

A $50 administrative fee is charged for changes to bookings after documents have been issued.

Cancellation and administrative charges apply to both individual and group bookings.

Changes are subject to booking class availability.

Cunard Line

Note: Policies may vary for World Cruise voyages

CANCELLATION POLICY EXCEPTION. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of your voyage or Land & Sea Holiday fare if you cancel your booking.

Disney Cruise Line

Cruise Cancellation Fees:

CATEGORIES WITH RESTRICTIONS: Reservations for Inside, Outside or Verandah Categories with Restrictions are NONREFUNDABLE and NONTRANSFERABLE. A 100% cruise cancellation fee applies from time of payment.

Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark or Debark is U.S. Port

Cruises of 10 days or more and Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark and Debark is non-U.S. Port

Air Cancellation Fees:

Any changes or cancellations to your Disney Cruise Line air arrangements (including, but not limited to, sail date/air travel date changes and name changes/corrections) will result in cancellation fees assessed as follows:

All Flights within North America (Including Canada)

Any Flights outside North America

For: Individual bookings (1-5 passengers)

Cancellation policy –

•   Cancellations received up to 90 days prior to departure will be refunded in full except for a $250.00 per person service charge;
•   89-60 days prior to departure, the full deposit will be forfeited,
• 59-0 days prior to departure, the entire cruise rate is forfeited.

Cancellation policy for Holiday weeks (April 1-8, Dec 23-30, Dec 30-06 Jan) –

•   Cancellations received up to 180 days prior to departure will be refunded in full except for a $250.00 per person service charge;
• 179-120 days prior to departure, $500 per person will be forfeited,
• 119 to 90 days prior to departure, the full deposit will be forfeited,
• 89-0 days prior to departure, the entire cruise rate is forfeited.

For: Small group bookings (3 or more cabins excluding charter)

Cancellation policy (for 6 or more passengers excluding exclusive charter) –

• Cancellations received up to 180 days prior to departure will be refunded in full except for a $250.00 per person service charge;
• 179-120 days prior to departure – Can cancel 1 cabin with a penalty of $250 per person, additional cabins released are subject to penalty charge of $500.00 per person.
• 119-90 days prior to departure – Can cancel 1 cabin with a penalty of $250 per person, additional cabins released are subject to a penalty of $1000.00 per person
• 89-60 days prior to departure – Can cancel 1 cabin with a penalty of $500 per person, additional cabins released are subject to a penalty of $1000 per person.
• 59-0 days prior to departure – full penalty for any cancellation

For: Full exclusive charter for all weeks

Cancellations received in writing up until 180 days prior to departure will be refunded in full except for $1500.00 service charge for seasonal and peak weeks or $3000 for holiday weeks

• 179-150 days prior to departure, cancellation incurs penalty of 100% first deposit,
• 149-120 days prior to departure, cancellation incurs penalty of 100% first deposit and 50% of second deposit.
• 119-60 days prior to departure (119-90 days on holiday weeks), cancellation incurs penalty of 100% of the first and second deposits.
•   59-0 days of departure (90-0 days on holiday weeks) cancellation incurs full penalty

Emerald Waterways

European Waterways

For individual bookings:

• More than 120 days prior to departure and subsequent to payment of the deposit, an administrative fee of $350 per passenger shall be retained,
• From 120-91 days prior to departure – the full deposit shall be retained,
• 90 days prior to departure to day of departure, or in the event of failure to embark – 100% of total fare shall be retained.

For charter bookings:

Charter deposits are non refundable,

• More than 180 days prior to departure deposits may be applied toward individual bookings on the same Vessel subject to a $350 surcharge per passenger,
• 180-121 days prior to departure – the full deposit shall be retained.
• 120 days prior to departure to day of departure, or in the event of failure to embark – 100% of total fare shall be retained.

No refunds will be given in the event of interruption or cancellation of the cruise by the Passenger after the start of travel, nor for unused portions of any package or cruise, nor for any unused sightseeing tours or meals. The Operator will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of the cruise week.

Farah Nile Cruises

• From 30 to 22 days prior to arrival, 25% from the cruise full rate will be charged as a cancellation fees.
• From 21 to 15 days prior to arrival, 50% from the cruise full rate will be charged as a cancellation fees.
• From 14 days till day of check in, 100% from the cruise full rate will be charged as a cancellation fees.
• · No show on the day of check in, 100% from the cruise full rate will be charged as a cancellation fees.

Festiva Sailing Vacations

– A 25% of the total charter price is required for bookings made outside of 6 months of departure. – A 50% deposits is required on promotionally priced bookings made outside of 6 months of departure. – A 50% deposit is required for reservations inside 6 months of departure. – Balance of charter amount is due 90 days prior to departure. – A 100% deposit is required for reservations made inside 90 days of departure.

– Cancellations within 24 hours of the time the reservation is made there is no penalty. – Cancellations up to and including 90 days of departure will pay a $300 cancellation fee/ cabin. – Cancellations 89 days up to and including 60 days of departure date will forfeit 50% of charter price. – Cancellations inside 60 days of departure date will forfeit the entire charter amount.

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

You may cancel your cruise holiday, subject to notice to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in writing and payment of a cancellation fee in accordance with the following scale:

The effective date of cancellation is the date of receipt by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines of written notice to cancel.

GAP Adventures

Any cancellation by a Client must be made in writing and be acknowledged by the Company in writing. The date on which the request to cancel is received by the Company or its Agents will determine the cancellation fees applicable.

  Cancellation for Tours and Independent Tours: The cancellation fees are expressed hereafter as a percentage of the total tour price, excluding insurance.

• Cancellation 60 days or more before departure: Lifetime Deposit held by the Company.
• Cancellation 59-30 days before departure: 50% of cost of services booked, Lifetime Deposit held by the Company.
• Cancellation less than 30 days before departure: 100% of cost of services booked, Lifetime Deposit held by the Company.
•   Made trips may vary in cancellation policy from that detailed in this clause, and will be detailed at time of booking.

Cancellation for Expedition Trips: The cancellation fees are expressed hereafter as a percentage of the total tour price, excluding insurance.

•   Cancellation 90 days or more before departure: Lifetime Deposit held by the Company
• Cancellation 89-60 days before departure: 50% of the cost of services booked, Lifetime Deposit held by the Company
• Cancellation less than 60 days before departure: 100% of cost of services booked, Lifetime Deposit held by the Company

Hapag Lloyd Cruises

The Passenger may cancel the travel contract at any time prior the start of the cruise. For evidentiary reasons, it is recommended that notices of cancellation be given in writing. The notice will become effective on the date on which it is received by Hapag-Lloyd or, as the case may be, by the travel agency that made the original booking. In the event of cancellation by the Passenger, Hapag-Lloyd shall have the right to charge the following flat-rate cancellation fees to cover travel preparations made and any expenses:

• 210 days or more before the start of the cruise: US$65 per person
•   from 209th to 150th day before the start of the cruise:5% of the fare (provided this is not less than 50 Euros per person)
• from 149th to 90th day before the start of the cruise: 10% of the fare
• from 89th to 45th day before the start of the cruise: 20% of the fare
• from 44th to 30th day before the start of the cruise: 50% of the fare
• from 29th to 10th day before the start of the cruise:75% of the fare
• from 9th to 1st day before the start of the cruise: 90% of the fare.
• In case of no show or cancellation of the cruise on the departure day 95% of the fare.

Hebridean Island Cruises

  Holland America Line (HAL)

Cancellation fees apply to the entire cruise booking, including cruise fare, air add-ons, ground transfers, pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel and tour packages. Guests who cancel within the dates shown below for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following per-person cancellation fees:

Grand World; Grand Voyages; any Segment of a Grand World or Grand Voyage; 28+ day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas; Incan Empires; Amazon Explorer; 30+ day Europe Transatlantic or any segment of a 30+ day Europe Transatlantic sailing; and 2013 Rotterdam Far East

120–91 days before commencing travel: an amount equal to deposit requirement; 90–76 days before commencing travel: 60% of gross fare; 75 days or less before commencing travel: 100% of gross fare.

All Holiday; Australia/New Zealand; South Pacific; Asia (Including 2014 RT Far East); Prinsendam Europe; South America/Antarctica sailings; and Rotterdam Caribbean

90–64 days before commencing travel: an amount equal to deposit requirement; 63–43 days before commencing travel: 50% of gross fare; 42–22 days before commencing travel: 75% of gross fare. 21 days or less before commencing travel: 100% of gross fare.

Caribbean (except Rotterdam); Panama Canal; Mexico; Canada & New England; Pacific Coastal; Pacific Northwest; Alaska and Alaska CruiseTours; Europe (except Prinsendam Europe, 30+ day Transatlantic and segments of 30+ day Transatlantic) and 27-day or less Hawaii sailings

75–57 days before commencing travel: an amount equal to deposit requirement; 56–29 days before commencing travel: 50% of gross fare; 28–16 days before commencing travel: 75% of gross fare; 15 days or less before commencing travel: 100% of gross fare.

Hurtigruten

There is no refund on online bookings which cost less than $1,340. Cancellation fees are calculated according to the following schedule for all other bookings:

Imperial River Cruises

Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Quotes and travel insurance are available from our website, which has a direct link to AccessAmerica insurance company. All requests for cancellations and refunds must be made in writing to Imperial River Cruises, signed by the local cruise director and received by Imperial River Cruises in the US, within 30 days after the end of the cruise. Refund requests for absences, missed sightseeing, meals or other unused services are not granted. The following fees will apply:

• Cancellation received 90 or more days prior to departure – $350
• Cancellation received 90-31 days prior to departure – 50% of the cruise price
• Cancellation received less than 31 days prior to departure or failure to take the cruise – no refund.

Island Cruises

Cancellation charges are based on how many days before your booked departure we receive your cancellation notice, and reflect a percentage of the total cost of your booking, not including your insurance premium. If you arranged insurance with another provider, please refer to your insurance provider for details of your cover.

Lindblad Expeditions

*$150 will be refunded in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate.

This cancellation policy applies to expeditions as well as pre- or post- extensions with the exception of Denali.

The effective date of a cancellation will be the date on which your cancellation notice is received. Note: Airline cancellation policies vary by carrier, as well as the type of fare used to issue your ticket.

Any revisions you make within the cancellation penalty period, such as departure date or choice of voyage, are subject to cancellation fees.

Cancellation policy for certain longer voyages and Holiday departures may vary due to high demand for these voyages. Group cancellation policies vary.

MSC Cruises

The Passenger may cancel the Contract at any time prior to commencement of the Voyage by giving notice in writing to MSC Cruises.

Cancellation requests must be received in writing directly to MSC Cruises no less than 76 days prior to sailing date for a full refund. Requests received less than 76 days will be subject to the following charges:

• Reservations cancelled from 75 to 46 days prior to sailing — the cancellation charge is equal to the deposit amount.
• Reservations cancelled from 45 to 16 days prior to sailing – the cancellation charge is equal to 50% of the total fares, excluding taxes.
• Reservations cancelled 15 days or less prior to sailing – the cancellation charge is equal to 100% of the total fares, excluding taxes.

No refund will be permitted if a guest terminates his/her cruise after embarkation or while the cruise is in progress. Cruise contracts are non – transferable. Name changes and cruise date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to the above cancellation fees. Cancellation charges are assessed on the total fares, which include cruise fare, air-add-on, hotel packages, shore excursions and any other additional service arranged through MSC Cruises.

All pre-purchased MSC Cruises services, packages, and excursions cancelled once onboard are subject to up to 100% penalty.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Cancellation fees for cruise, air, land and other charges will follow the schedule below and apply to all guests on the reservation. Cancellation fees for air, land and other add-on charges will apply even if the reservation is not canceled in full. Gateway changes for air and name changes for cruise, air, land and other add-ons are considered cancellations. Cancellations must be telephoned to our Reservations Department by your travel agent. Depending on when the cruise is canceled, cancellation charges will be assessed as stated on the Cancellation Fee Schedule.

No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by any passenger after commencement of the cruise. Requests for refunds must be in writing to NCL. Cruise tickets, air tickets, transfer coupons and/or vacation package vouchers must be returned before a refund can be made. Refund processing time is about 3-4 weeks. Air tickets issued by our Air/Sea Department for passengers on our Air/Sea programs are refundable only to Norwegian Cruise Line. Group passenger policies may differ. NCL’s Payment and Cancellation Policy is subject to change without notice.

• Reservations that are not paid in full by the final payment due date are subject to cancellation and in the event a reservation is canceled, a cancellation fee will apply
• No refunds will be given on any cruise for no-shows
• No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by any passenger after commencement of the cruise.
• Name changes and departure date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to the above cancellation fees.
• Requests for refunds must be in writing to NCL. Cruise tickets, air tickets, transfer coupons and/or vacation package vouchers must be returned before a refund can be made. Refund processing time is about 3 to 4 weeks. Air tickets issued by our Air/Sea Department for passengers on our Air/Sea programs are refundable only to Norwegian Cruise Line. Group passenger policies may differ. NCL’s Payment and Cancellation Policy is subject to change without notice.
• No refunds will be given for any missed days of a Land Package.
• Cancellation fees for air, land and other add-on charges will apply even if the reservation is not cancelled in full.
• Gateway changes, flight date changes and name substitutions are considered cancellations, and air cancellation fees will apply. Additionally, spelling corrections may be considered cancellations.
• Name substitutions and departure date changes for cruise, land and other add-ons are considered cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.
• Cancellation fees will begin immediately once money has been applied to the reservation.
• Once payment is applied, the reservation is subject to cancellation fees according to the below schedule.

*or deposit, whichever is higher

Oceania Cruises

You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation of any kind or credit for cancellation except as provided. Cancellation penalties will apply when the entire Cruise booking is cancelled and applies to all travel, products and/or services purchased, including Cruise, airfare and land arrangements. Cancellation charges are imposed regardless of resale of the Cruise, hotel or air components. We highly recommend that Guests purchase vacation protection insurance.

 The following cancellation penalties apply to cruises of 1 to 14days in length:

• 120 -91 days or more prior to departure $100 pp Administration Fee
• 90 –76days prior to departure 25% of Cruise Fare(plus any Optional facilities and Services Fees incurred)
• 75–61days prior to departure 50% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)
• 60–31 days prior to departure 75% of Cruise Fare(plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)
• 30–0 days prior to departure 100% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)

The following applies to cruises of 15days in length or more:

• 180 –151 days prior to departure $100 pp Administration Fee
• 150 –121 days prior to departure25% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)
• 120 -91 days prior to departure50% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)
•   90-61days prior to departure75% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional Facilities and Services Fees incurred)
• 60–0 days prior to departure100% of Cruise Fare (plus any Optional   Facilities and Services Fees incurred)

·          A 100% cancellation fee will be imposed as indicated above for nonappearance at the port of Cruise embarkation at the scheduled time of departure, or the absence of written notice. The Administration Fee may be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation and for travel any time.

The following applies to the cancellation of the Optional Facilities and Services listed below:

• Pre-/Post-Cruise Hotel Packages / Within 45 days of cruise departure / 100% fee
• Pre-/Post-Cruise Land Packages / Within 60 days of cruise departure / 100% fee
• Overland Tours/Within 45 days of cruise departure / 100% fee
• A La Carte Shore Excursions / Within 36 hours of tour departure / 100% fee
• Unlimited Passport & Your World Packages/On or after embarkation day/100% fee
• Executive Collections/Within 36 hours of tour departure/100% fee
• Regular and Private Transfers / Within 4 days of transfer date / 100% fee
• Visa Packages / Within 30 days of cruise departure/100% fee

Pandaw River Cruises

Cancellations for all or any part of the trip will not be effective until received in writing in the offices of Pandaw Cruises. Should you have to cancel, the following terms will apply:

·          Up till 60 days prior to departure your deposit.

·          From 60 days till departure, including no show, late arrival or early return, all monies paid to Pandaw Cruises.

Note: All deposits are non refundable.

Paul Gauguin

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS The following cancellation charges will apply to any cancellation by guests:

DATE OF CANCELLATION CHARGE 121 days or more prior to Departure Date:. . . . . Administrative Fee of $100 per person 120 – 91 Days Prior to Departure Date:. . . . . . .10% of Full Fare per person 90 – 61 Days Prior to Departure Date:. . . . . . . .20% of Full Fare per person 60 – 31 Days Prior to Departure Date:. . . . . . . .50% of Full Fare per person 30 – 0 Days Prior to Departure Date:. . . . . . . . 100% of Full Fare per person

For this purpose, “Departure Date” means the date the sea, air/sea or air/sea/land program first departs and “Full Fare” means the full cost of any cruise, hotel or air component purchased from PGS or PGPS. Some components may have different refund and/or cancellation policies and penalties and, if so, these will explained at time of booking.

Pearl Seas Cruises

Trip cancellation insurance is recommended and available, and allows for a full refund up to the sailing date. Certain restrictions apply. For information on insurance, contact Pearl Seas Cruises. Otherwise, cancellations, except for groups of 12 or more, are accepted with full refund, except for an administration fee, of any payments made if written cancellation is received in Guilford, CT, more than 91 days prior to sailing.

• Cancellations received in writing 90 days or closer to sailing, but more than 46 days prior to sailing, will receive a 50 percent refund of any payments made.
• Cancellations received 45 days or less prior to sailing will receive no refund.
• Pearl Seas Cruises must receive cancellations at its offices in Guilford, CT, in writing.

Written cancellations should be sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Trip cancellation insurance premiums are not refundable. All cancellations will be charged an administration fee of $175.00 per person.

P & O Cruises

You may cancel your booking at any time by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 0843 374 0111 (if you have booked directly with P&O Cruises) or by contacting your travel agent. A cancellation charge will apply – the amount of which is dependent on when you cancel your booking.

• From date of booking until 91 days prior to departure the cancellation charge is the deposit you have paid. It may be possible for you to transfer your booking to another cruise holiday at this stage.
• From 90 days to 57 days prior to departure (or 90 to 42 days for World Cruise & Alaska bookings), the cancellation charge is 50% of your booking fare.
• From 56 days to 42 days prior to departure, the cancellation charge is 60% of your booking fare.
• From 41 days to 16 days prior to departure, the cancellation charge is 75% of your booking fare.
• From 15 days to 6 days prior to departure, the cancellation charge is 90% of your booking fare.
• Less than 6 days prior to departure (for fly-cruises, departure day is the date of the flight departure) or failure to embark, the cancellation charge is 100% of your booking fare.

Should you incur cancellation charges, you may be able to claim these back from your travel insurance company depending on your circumstances and your level of cover. Please check with your insurer for full details. You should always ensure that you have adequate travel insurance when you have made your booking so that you are covered for such eventualities.

P & O Cruises Australia

Days Prior to departure / Cancellation charges

• 181 days or more / Full Refund**
• 180-76 days / Deposit Amount
• 75-43 days / 25% of total fare
• 42-15 days / 50% of total fare
• 14 days or less / 100% of total fare

All cancellations must be in writing. The following cancellation penalties are also applicable to any hotel and/or air bookings and ground services

For all programs except expedition cruises in Antartica, Falkland Islands and South Georgia:

Days Prior to Sailing;   Departure Charge (Per Guest)

• More than 45 days ; EUR 150 per person
• 45-31 days; 50% per person of full fare
• 30-21 days ; 75% per person of full fare
• Less than 21 days ; 100% of full fare

For expedition cruises in Antartica, Falkland Islands, and South Georgia on Le Boreal and L’Austral

Days Prior to Sailing; Departure Charge (Per Guest)

• More than 90 days ; EUR 150 per person
• 90-61 days ; 25% per person of full fare
• 60-46 days ; 50% per person of full fare
• 45-31 days ; 75% per person of full fare
• Less than 30 days ; 100% of full fare

Poseidon Expeditions(formerly Expedition Cruises)

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellations received

180 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less an administrative fee of $1000 per person. If cancellation is received between 179 days and 120 days, the deposit is forfeited. If cancellation occurs less than 120 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. To protect the traveler’s investment, we recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance

Princess Cruises

You are required to pay a cancellation fee (including 3rd and 4th berths) if you cancel Your Cruise, Cruisetour or Cruise Plus package. Cancellation fees are based on the fare paid, excluding Government fees & taxes, transfers, fuel supplement(s), surcharges, shore & land excursions and most pre-purchased gift(s) and/or special service(s). You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit except as otherwise provided in this Section. Any refunds will be made directly to the method of payment you used at the time of booking or your travel agent and you must receive your refund directly from these sources. You may cancel by telephone or electronic advice via a Carrier-approved Computer Reservation System, provided Carrier immediately receives written confirmation of cancellation. In such case cancellation shall be deemed effective as of the close of business Pacific Standard Time on the date you communicated such cancellation.

The amount of cancellation fee varies based on length of sailing for cruise/cruisetour and timing of cancellation for cruise/cruisetour and Cruise Plus package, as illustrated in the schedules below.

CANCELLATION POLICY EXCEPTION(S): 1. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of your deposit under any circumstance if you cancel your booking. 2. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Your Cruise or Cruisetour fare if you cancel your booking.

Regent Seven Seas

Cancellation Policy:

The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure. For all air-inclusive cruise or cruisetour packages cancelled after receipt of the airline ticket, refunds will only be processed after the return of the airline ticket. The following charges will apply to cancellations received as follows:

Cruises 14Nights or Less

·          From date of deposit to 121 days prior to vacation date: $200 per booking administration fee. This admin fee will be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation and for travel any time.

• 120-91 days prior to vacation date:15% of cruise fare per person
• 90-61 days prior to vacation date:50% of cruise fare per person
• 60-31 days prior to vacation date:75% of cruise fare per person
• 30-0 days prior to vacation date:100% of cruise fare per person

Cruises 15 Nights or Greater

·          From date of deposit to 151 days prior to vacation date : $200 per booking administration fee. This admin fee will be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation and for travel any time.

• 150-121 days prior to vacation date: 15% of cruise fare per person
• 120-91 days prior to vacation date:50% of cruise fare per person
•   90-76 days prior to vacation date:75% of cruise fare per person
• 75-0 days prior to vacation date:100% of cruise fare per person

Cancellation of Ancillary Items

• Pre-and Post -Cruise Hotel Packages Within 60days prior to departure 100% fee
• Pre-and Post -Cruise Land Packages Within 60 days prior to departure100% fee
• Pre-Bookable Adventures Ashore Within 45 days prior to departure100% fee
• Shore Excursions Within 36 hours of tour departure100% fee
• Private Transfers4 days prior to transfer100% fee
• Private Cars & Vans Within 36 hours to departure100% fee
• Visa Packages Within 60 days prior to departure100% fee
• Airfare Within 60 days prior to departure100% fee
• Air Deviation Fee When requested100% fee
• Air Supplemental Freon payment of fee100% fee
• Free Luxury Hotel Package Within 60 days prior to departure100% fee

Royal Caribbean International (RCI)

You will get a full refund if you notify at least 75 days prior to your sailing date (60 days for 3 & 4-night cruises or 90 days for holiday sailings). Consult the chart below to determine cancellation charges applicable later.

Note: No refunds will be made if you do not show up for your cruise or if you interrupt or cancel your vacation once it has begun.

When calculating the days prior to sailing, the day of sailing should not be considered as one of the days. The day of sailing is considered the first day of the cruise, therefore, the penalty period will commence one day prior to the day of sailing.

The cancellation policy applies when reserving with our US Office only. Guests should contact their local Royal Caribbean International Office or Travel Agent for full details of applicable cancellation policies.

Effective August 1, 2010, new reservations will fall under the following cancellation schedule:

* Or deposit amount, whichever is greater. ** Holiday sailings are defined as sailings that occur over Christmas and/or New Year’s Day.

Reservations created prior to August 1, 2010 for all sailings will fall under the following cancellation schedule as follows:

Scenic Cruises

90 days and over/Loss of deposit

89-60 days/35% of tour price

59-30 days/50% of tour price

Less than 30 days/100% of tour price

Cancellation notices must be issued to Scenic in writing during office hours. A cancellation notice will not be accepted by Scenic until it is received in writing. You may also be liable to pay cancellation fees to airlines and other third parties. Any changes to your tour departure date or name changes will be deemed a cancellation and the applicable cancellation fees will apply

Sea Cloud Cruises

You may cancel your trip in writing at any time prior to commencement of travel.

Your cancellation notice shall become effective on the date received.

If one of the parties cancels the contract or if you do not start the journey, SCC may demand reasonable compensation for arrangements it has made in conjunction with the trip and for its expenses, even if SCC has not yet confirmed the trip or if you fail to begin the journey.

Flat rate claim to reimbursement consist of a processing fee of EUR 25.00 per person for cancellation of a reserved trip up to 150 days prior to commencement of travel. The following annulment fees shall arise in the event of later cancellation:

• 25% of the tour price for cancellation 149 – 50 days prior to commencement of travel;
• 35% of the tour price for cancellation 49 – 22 days prior to commencement of travel;
• 55% of the tour price for cancellation 21 – 15 days prior to commencement of travel;
• 80% of the tour price for cancellation 14 days or less prior to commencement of travel;
•   90% of the tour price for cancellation on the same day as the commencement of travel or failure to appear.

Costs that the service provider charges to SCC, e.g., empty bed fee charged by a hotel for cancellation at short notice or special fees for cruises shall be additionally invoiced in the event that individual or group trips are annulled. The traveler is free to prove to SCC that SCC has no loss or that the loss is less than the aforementioned flat rate. In this case the lower proven loss will be applied in place of the flat. SCC reserves the right to charge reimbursement fees beyond the flat rates mentioned above. In this case SCC has to verify and prove the loss, taking any expenses that have been saved and/or any other potential uses for the travel services into consideration

If a cancellation occurs, the following cancellation fees will be assessed:

Cruises of 31-days or less:

Cruises of 32-days or more:.

The above cancellation fees apply when either the entire booking, or any portion of a booking is cancelled or transferred to an alternative sailing, and shall apply to all travel including cruise, airfare, and land arrangements. If only non-cruise components are cancelled, the guest will be responsible for any cancellation fees imposed by the airlines, other transportation carriers, tour and ground operators or hotel properties.

Cancellation Policy Exception

If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of your gross fare if you cancel your booking.

SeaDream Yacht Club

Cancellation by Guest – Standard Cancellation Policy & Fees.

• More than 120 days prior to sailing = US $ 50 per booking
• 120 – 91 days = US $ 200 per person
• 90 – 46 days = 25%
• 45 – 31 days = 50%
• 30 days or less = 100% None appearance/no written notice = 100%

Semester at Sea

All cancellations or transfers must be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed by the participant.  All funds received on a participant’s account are refundable until the 90-day payment due date for the voyage. Cancellations following the 90-day payment due date will automatically result in forfeiture of the cabin deposit regardless of name change or cabin resale, and the following fees will apply:

• Cancellation up to and including 90 days prior to the voyage – full refund to participant
• If cancelled 89-60 days prior to voyage – 25% of program fee
• If cancelled 59-45 days prior to voyage – 50% of program fee
• If cancelled 44-31 days prior to voyage – 75% of program fee
• If cancelled 30 days prior to the voyage and after 100% of program fee

After departure, no refund will be made to participants who withdraw from the program for personal reasons, student conduct code or honor code expulsion, or a reoccurrence of a medical or psychological illness that had been diagnosed prior to sailing.

If the participant leaves the voyage for documented medical reasons arising after embarkation and during the first 25 days of a Spring/Fall semester (15 days for Summer) semester, he/she may be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the program fee. No refund of any kind is made after the first 25 days of a Spring/Fall semester (15 days for Summer).

If a participant’s departure or dismissal from the program requires a return or reduction of applicable federal or institutional aid or loans, he/she is responsible for the program fees that were covered by these funds.

If you find it necessary to cancel your reservation or any component thereof, you or your travel professional are required to contact the Silversea Reservations Department by telephone as well as submit your cancellation in writing. If your cancellation request is received more than 120 days prior to your initial sailing date, a $200 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged per booking. This administrative fee may be converted to a future cruise credit valid for travel within 12 months from the date of the cancelled voyage.

Cruise cancellation requests received within 120 days of the initial sailing date will be subject to the following charges, regardless of suite resale:

• 120 – 91 days prior to the initial sailing date: 15% of the total cruise fare per person
• 90 – 46 days prior to the initial sailing date: 50% of the total cruise fare per person
• 45 – 31 days prior to the initial sailing date: 75% of the total cruise fare per person
• 30 – 0 days prior to the initial sailing date or non-appearance at the time of sailing: 100% of the total cruise fare per person

Note: Terms and Conditions for a Silversea World Cruise and its individual voyage segments may vary

Star Clippers

For full refund of cruise fare, notice of cancellation must be in writing and received by Star Clippers no later than 120 days prior to sailing.   If a cancellation occurs, the following charges will be assessed:

•   119-75 days prior to departure-$400 per person
• 74-60 days prior to departure-50% of cruise fare
• 59-30 days prior to departure-75% of cruise fare
• 29 days or less prior to departure-no refund

No refunds will be made to passengers who do not board the ship or passengers who cancel after the start of the cruise

Star Cruises

In case of cancellation by the Guest after a reservation has been made, Guest may cancel by telephone or electronic advice via a Carrier approved computer reservation system, provided that written notice of the cancellation must immediately be given to and received by Carrier. Upon cancellation of any reservation by the Guest, or by Carrier for non payment or late payment of Fare, written confirmation will be sent to Guest and a cancellation charge will be payable to Carrier as set out below. The following cancellation policy applies with respect to cruise fare, cruise tour fare, air add-ons, non-commissionable Fare, shore side excursions, and pre-cruise and post-cruise package charges (“Total Charges”): For Home Port Vessel(s)

Cruise length 6 days or more / Cancellation Charges (per person)

• 45-30 days prior departure / 25% of Full Fare
• 29-15 days prior departure / 50% of Full Fare
• 14-08 days prior departure / 75% of Full Fare
• 07 days or less / 100% of Full Fare
• NoShow / No Written Notice / 100% of Full Fare

Cruise length 5 days or less / Cancellation Charges (per person)

• 45-14days prior departure / 25% of Full Fare
• 13-08 days prior departure / 50% of Full Fare
• 07days or less / 100% of Full Fare

 Note: Subject to change by Carrier from time to time

Tauck River Cruising

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection will incur cancellation penalties as follows:

• 60 days or more before departure-$600 per person
•   59-30 days before departure-50% of cost of cruise, per person
• 29-1 day before departure-Loss of 100% of cost of cruise

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office

Un-Cruise Adventures (formerly Innersea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises)

Guests who cancel their cruise for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees. Please refer to the Travel Insurance section for details on cancellation penalty protection.

  Individuals:

Private Charter:

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Cancellation Notice Received Before Tour Start Date / Cancellation Charges per person                                       

90 days or more / $200 nonrefundable deposit 89 – 90 days / 35% of the fare** 59 – 30 days / 50% of the fare** Less than 30 days / 100% of the fare** No Show / 100% of the fare**

**Fare is defined as the cost of any cruise, land, or air element purchased from Uniworld. Port charges are fully refundable if they have been paid prior to cancelling your trip.

Cancellation Policy: Should you need to cancel your booking or any portion of it, your cancellation must be received in writing. It will be effective on the date of receipt. Cancellation charges, per person and based upon the date of cancellation, are as shown in the box above. These cancellation fees are in addition to any cancellation fees that might be levied by your travel agent. There is no refund for unused services or for unused portions of the trip. For true worry-free travel, please see the Travel Protection Plan section of this brochure or visit uniworld.com. The Travel Protection Plan premium is nonrefundable once paid to Uniworld.

Variety Cruises

For full refund of cruise fare, notice of cancellation must be in writing and received by Variety Cruises no later than sixty (60) days prior to sailing. If a cancellation occurs, the following charges will apply:

• 60-31 days prior to departure: 25% of cruise fare
• 30-16 days prior to departure:   50% of cruise fare
• 15 days or less prior to departure: No refund

Refunds will normally be made to the booking party. Variety Cruises can only be responsible for refunding amounts actually received. If cancellation fees are charged by pre/post hotels, or services suppliers they will be deducted from any refund made. No refunds will be made to passengers who do not board the ship or passengers who cancel after the start of the cruise. We recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

Viking River Cruises

For any cruise booking, whether under deposit, partially paid, or paid in full and air-inclusive packages paid in full, the following travel agent- or guest-requested situations are considered cancellations and penalties will apply as noted below: changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked guest(s); or changing to a promotional fare. All cancellations must be in writing. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be processed only after the return of airline ticket. The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure.

Cancellation received | Following charges will apply: 121 days or more | $100 per person 120-90 days | 15% of full fare 89-60 days | 35% of full fare 59-30 days | 50% of full fare 29-0 days | 100% of full fare

Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking.

Voyages of Discovery (formerly Discovery World Cruises)

Cancellation fees per person are as follows

• 121 or more days prior to departure, Refund of Deposit
• 120-91 days prior to departure   25% of the fare
• 90-61 days prior to departure,60% of the fare
• 60-0 days prior to departure, 100% of the fare

Windstar Cruises

A full refund (except for amounts paid for Cancellation Protection Plan) will be made for written cancellations received by Windstar Cruises at least 91 days prior to the date on which you are able to commence travel by any mode of transportation booked through Windstar Cruises (air, sea, or land). Guests who cancel after that date for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees:

• 90-60 days before commencing travel – $500/$750 (deposit);
• 59-30 days before commencing travel – 50% of gross fare;
• 29-0 days before commencing travel – 100% of gross fare.

Given that the resale of cancelled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell other space, these fees are due regardless of resale. Windstar Cruises can only be responsible for refunding amounts actually received by it. Travel agencies may impose their own cancellation fees. Agency fees of any nature are a matter to be decided on solely by the agency and guests. Windstar Cruises contracts are non-transferable. Name changes and departure date changes are considered reservation cancellations/re-bookings and are subject to cancellation fees. Changes require the prior approval of Windstar Cruises and may not always be possible.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

All Things Cruise is dedicated to the joy of travel. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises.

We would love to have you subscribe for travel updates, news and great offers directly from the cruise lines!

Protect Your Trip »

How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals

With the rising cost of hotels and airfare, cruises are still one of the most affordable ways to travel.

Getty Images

Cruising on a budget? There are many resources available for travelers looking to save money.

Cruising is back – in a big way – after all the turmoil and shutdowns in the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Cruise Lines International Association's 2023 State of the Cruise Industry report, the intent to cruise is higher now than it was in December 2019, before the pandemic. About 85% of travelers who have been on a cruise will cruise again, which is 6% higher than it was pre-COVID.

John Lovell, president of the Travel Leaders Group division of Internova Travel Group, tells us, "Cruising has roared back since the pandemic and the lifting of sailing restrictions. It's a true success story! That means that we will see (and are seeing) full ships, even more so than pre-pandemic." He adds, "While Caribbean cruises remain popular, travelers are embracing river cruises, expedition cruises, smaller ships and off-the-beaten-path ports. There really is a cruise for everyone."

CLIA's report also states that passenger volume for 2023 is projected to reach an astounding 31.5 million passengers – 106% of the volume in 2019. In addition, the cruise industry is seeing higher numbers of solo travelers and people with mobility challenges – and there are more Gen X and millennials booking cruise vacations.

Chris Gray Faust, the executive editor of Cruise Critic, says that cancellation policies have also returned to normal with cruise bookings back to pre-pandemic levels, particularly for mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line . You also probably won't find many deals on sailings in high season and on the most anticipated new ships .

With more demand for cruise travel – one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism – how can you find a last-minute cruise deal in 2023? Read on to find out how to book your dream cruise vacation for less.

When to find the best cruise deals

Scoring a great cruise deal depends on several factors, including the type of experience you're looking for ( adults-only or family-friendly , for example), the destination, the length of the sailing, the time of year and your flexibility to travel.

Lovell recommends booking early for the best pricing. "For many cruise lines, especially the expedition products and with some luxury lines, the best time to find deals is when they open new sailings," he says. "The cruises fill up quickly, so usually the best offer is the first offering in terms of pricing. Some of the larger cruise lines will have pricing and value-added promotions on sailings that still have open space about 100 days prior to sailing."

Summer 2023

If you're planning on traveling within the next few months, you may be able to score a last-minute cruise deal to some destinations, such as Alaska . According to Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, "There are still some great deals for the summer, especially in Alaska, which is particularly soft right now."

A representative from Priceline notes that the travel agency is also offering great deals for summer cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

When you're looking at pricing for cruises, be sure to compare fares that include the same costs, Levinstein advises. Some advertised fares that seem like an incredible deal don't include the port taxes and fees, which can substantially raise the price of your vacation.

Within 90 days of sailing

Gray Faust says the window for finding last-minute cruise deals is within 90 days of a sailing. "That three-month mark is when final deposits are due on a cruise, and historically the last point you could cancel your cruise without financial penalty," she says. "At that point, cruise lines try to fill those vacant cabins, usually in the form of slashed fares to entice people to book."

Levinstein agrees. "While the market has heated up, the closer-in the sailing the more likely you will find a bargain." He adds, "But as last-minute deals are based on how full a particular sailing on a particular ship might be at a given time, shopping around is often rewarded regardless of overall market conditions."

Fall or spring

You may find cheaper cruise fares if you're able to book a last-minute cruise departing in the spring or fall when most families with children in school can't travel. As such, cruise lines typically have more availability and lower pricing during these times.

Wave season

If you're willing to book a cruise during the promotional period known as "wave season" – which spans early January through the end of March – you may be able to find a last-minute cruise deal that fits your budget.

Hurricane season

Planning a last-minute cruise during hurricane season in the Caribbean and Mexico – from June 1 to Nov. 30 – is another option. These months coincide with the shoulder season in those regions, so it can be a great time to find cruise savings. If you do book a cruise during hurricane season, consider investing in a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation benefits. You'll also want to make sure that all of your prepaid and nonrefundable expenses are covered in the policy.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Early December

Levinstein says the first two weeks of December are also a great time to take a cruise. Early December is typically when families are preparing for the holidays at home or getting ready to travel at the end of the month for Christmas and New Year's, so it's an ideal time to go on a cruise for less.

Book a last-minute cruise deal on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

How to find last-minute cruise deals

Cruise line sites

If you're internet-savvy and don't mind perusing the cruise lines' websites individually, check out their advertised discounted fares, included amenities and special bonus exclusive offers. These special fares often include free upgrades, airfare and credit for onboard spending. The types and level of perks may increase depending on the stateroom category.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a number of Free at Sea offers. These deals include unlimited open bar, shore excursion credits, dining at specialty restaurants, complimentary Wi-Fi and discounted rates for the second guest. Third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom even get to sail for free with some deals.

In addition to the Free at Sea offers, Norwegian features CruiseFirst, a special bonus offer that essentially allows cruisers to earn free money. For example, if you purchase a $150 CruiseFirst certificate today for a six-day or longer voyage, it will double in value and you'll have $300 to spend on a cruise that you can take as early as 120 days from the purchase date. The certificates expire within three years.

If you're looking for reduced fares on a luxury cruise, it'll likely be more challenging to find a last-minute deal, with even lengthy – and expensive – world cruises selling out within hours. Levinstein explains this is because there's more demand than supply, when compared with the entry-level market.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Cruise deal aggregator sites

If you prefer to use cruise deal aggregator sites, you can find last-minute cruises across the industry all in one place. Simply sort your findings by the month you'd like to travel, the length of your intended trip and where you wish to cruise. These are some of the best resources for finding cruise discounts:

• Cruise Critic
• Tripadvisor
• Cruise Compete

"Some lines began steering away from last-minute fare drops a few years ago, so keep an eye out for value-add deals as well," Gray Faust says. "While you might not get a super cheap base fare, things like free gratuities, drink packages and/or shore excursions could actually save you even more than you'd save on a slashed price."

'Kids sail free' fares

Some cruise lines allow kids to sail free , greatly reducing the total price of and/or adding value to your cruise. MSC Cruises allows guests ages 17 and younger to cruise for free year-round when they're the third and fourth passengers in the same stateroom with their parents. If you're considering a family cruise, check out the other cruise lines that offer similar promotions where children sail free, including Holland America Line and Norwegian.

Book a family cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cruise line loyalty programs

Consider joining your preferred cruise line's loyalty and membership programs for free upgrades. These are some of the best options:

• Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP Club:  This program features up to 40% discounts off fares, up to $50 in onboard credits, access to exclusive deals and other perks. Carnival VIFP members receive a loyalty number and can watch their points and rewards accrue online.
• Viking Cruises ' Explorer Society:   Viking's program offers past cruisers travel credits to use on future voyages, as well as members-only cocktail parties on the ship. Members are also privy to new itineraries and limited-time offers.
• Princess Cruises ' Captain's Circle:  Benefits with the Captain's Circle are based on the number of cruises you've taken. Some perks include early access to new itineraries, discounts for the onboard retail shops and excursions, complimentary minibar setups, priority disembarkation, access to the Platinum and Elite lounges, complimentary wine tasting events, and more.
• Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards:  This tiered program allows cruisers to earn discounts on select Norwegian products and services, such as beverage packages and signature spa treatments. You also get priority check-in, an exclusive cocktail party while on board, laundry service and more.

Cruise deal aggregator loyalty programs

You can also find loyalty programs through sites such as Expedia. An Expedia Rewards membership is free and offers discounts on travel; depending on your level (Blue, Silver or Gold), there are additional perks and benefits. You also earn rewards points to use toward booking future trips.

"On the Expedia website and through nearly 300 Expedia Cruises retail locations across North America, Expedia offers Member Prices, saving travelers up to 10% on last-minute deals, along with exclusive promotions on a variety of cruises," a company spokesperson says. "Expedia also secures special rates in advance on the most popular itineraries and cruise lines through the Expedia Exclusive Staterooms program. Most of all, travelers can reach out to one of Expedia's Vacation Consultants who can help navigate the current environment, answer any questions and help find the best value on their ideal vacations."

Read:  The Best Travel Rewards Programs

Travel advisors

Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable travel advisor can make planning easier – and it's one of the best ways to find last-minute cruise deals. Advisors, especially those specializing in cruises, usually have unique access to perks and discounts for big savings with cruise lines that can further enhance the value of your vacation and/or lower the total price.

Lovell agrees with this tip. "Demand for cruising is very high. I would always recommend booking early and working with a travel advisor," he says. "While there are lots of new ships, they often fill up quickly since travelers are eager to try out the latest and greatest the cruise lines have to offer."

Some aggregator sites also have their own travel advisors to assist in your search. Head of Priceline Cruises Denise Bialek says, "We highly recommend calling one of our Priceline Cruise advisors, as they are the most knowledgeable about the best rate options, know how to combine promotions to get the best deal and will save you time navigating the plethora of cruise lines, cabin categories, pricing, port charges and more." She adds, "An advantage of booking with one of our Priceline Cruise advisors is access to all cruise line offers and loyalty perks, in addition to our many Priceline exclusive deals, all supported by 24/7 service."

Additionally, keep in mind that travel advisors have insight into additional restrictions and the condition of each cruise line.

All-inclusive cruises

Though it may seem counterintuitive, you may be able to score a better value by booking an all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) voyage than a budget cruise with a cheaper base fare. While these options are primarily in the luxury cruise line category, some fares are especially attractive thanks to included airfare costs, transfers to the ship, meals at all dining venues, premium wines and spirits, Wi-Fi access, and more.

When you book one of these cruises, you'll know the total cost upfront, and there won't be any unwanted surprises when you close out your shipboard account at the end of the cruise. Some of the traditional extras on noninclusive cruise lines – like bottled water, snacks, specialty coffee, gratuities or even beach equipment rentals on the line's private island – can add up quickly, diminishing the impact of your original fare savings. These are some of the all-inclusive cruise options:

• Viking Ocean Cruises:  On  Viking Ocean Cruises , travelers enjoy veranda staterooms; all meals (including alternative dining); beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; one complimentary excursion in every port; and more, all in the base fares.
• Silversea Cruises:  Silversea Cruises  boasts door-to-door all-inclusive fares that encompass private transfers, gourmet meals, butler service, beverages and at least one complimentary excursion in every port.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises:  Regent Seven Seas Cruises  offers two-for-one all-inclusive fares that also feature business class airfare on international flights, free two- or three-night land programs, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, free unlimited beverages and open bars, complimentary dining in specialty restaurants, unlimited Wi-Fi, shore excursions, prepaid gratuities, and more.

These lines also offer other discounts, and you may be able to combine them with exclusive offers that your travel advisor can access. Book an all-inclusive cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Short cruises

Three- to five-night cruises generally equate to instant savings since they have lower fares than voyages lasting a week or longer. You may also be able to drive to the port, saving on airfare and other travel expenses. If you sail from ports in Florida or Texas, you can visit destinations in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico; ports of call may include stops at private, cruise line-owned islands like Royal Caribbean International's Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

If you're in the northeast U.S., you can book a short sailing to Bermuda  aboard a few different lines. Bermuda sailings with Carnival Cruises depart from New York City and Norfolk, Virginia, while Royal Caribbean sails to the nearby island from New York City and Baltimore .

From Los Angeles , embark on four-night Royal Caribbean cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. With Celebrity Cruises , passengers can book six-night voyages that call on select California cities and Vancouver . The line also offers six-night, round-trip sailings from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Shorter itineraries are less expensive not only because of their length, but also because they typically don't use the cruise lines' newest, largest vessels. Still, some ships have been updated, including Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which underwent a $116 million amplification in 2020. Its upcoming itineraries make short trips between Miami and the Bahamas.

Repositioning cruises

Repositioning cruises are another option for booking a great cruise deal. The price on these voyages is less expensive since most of the days are spent at sea as the ships move from one region of the world to another. The itineraries are longer, so you'll need to have a flexible schedule for extended travel.

One of the pros of booking these cruises is that you'll get to see incredible destinations like Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Portugal, Spain and Italy – with considerable savings. If you enjoy spending time on board the ship and don't need a port of call to explore every day, then this may be a great cost-saving option to consider.

For example, Celebrity has a 16-night Mediterranean Passage Transatlantic sailing from Rome to Tampa, Florida , in November 2023. The sailing includes eight ports and nine sea days, with fares starting at $899 per person.

Want to plan a cruise? See the top cruises on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Email alerts

Sign up for email alerts to receive updates on discounted pricing through the cruise line websites, travel aggregators or your travel advisor. That way, you'll be the first to know about limited-time offers, last-minute deals or value-adds that may make the price just right.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts and traditional masted sailing ships. Most recently, she traveled on a small expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• How Much Does a Cruise Cost?
• The Trick to Finding Cheap Flights

Cheap Tropical Vacations

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Travel Tips , Budget Travel

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best east coast beaches.

April 19, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

Best Alaska Tours

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024

The Best Fredericksburg Wine Tours

The Best Personal Item Bags

Rachael Hood April 16, 2024

The 17 Best Costa Rica Tours

Lyn Mettler April 12, 2024

Princess Cruises' Star Princess ship delayed, 9 sailings canceled

Travelers will have to wait longer than planned to sail on Princess Cruises’ upcoming ship.

The delivery of Star Princess, which was set to debut next summer, will be pushed back by about two months. The cruise line said the delay was a “mutual” decision with shipbuilder Fincantieri.

“Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine inaugural sailings,” Princess said in a news release .

Guests whose cruises are impacted will be able to rebook on any Princess ship and, depending on which sailing they pick, receive future cruise and onboard credits. They will also be able to opt for a full refund of their fare instead.

“Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests,” Princess Cruises President John Padgett said in the release.

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

The ship’s new inaugural itineraries will include 11 and seven-day Mediterranean cruises on Oct. 4 and 15, 2025, respectively. Those will be followed by a two-week transatlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Oct. 22, 2025.

Those sailings will be available to book on April 30.

Star Princess will be the second in the line’s Sphere Class. Sister ship Sun Princess was also delayed ahead of its launch earlier this year, with Princess citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].