Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, brands under Royal Caribbean Group, will implement new cancellation policies for North America sailings starting October 11, 2026. The updates include removal of penalty tiers, consolidation of penalty periods, earlier final payment deadlines, and automatic penalties for third and fourth guests.
Changes to Royal Caribbean Cancellation Penalties
Royal Caribbean will eliminate its 25% cancellation penalty tier for all sailing lengths as of October 11, 2026. Cancellation penalties for cruises lasting one to four nights remain unchanged. Final payments for 10- to 14-night sailings are now due 120 days before sailing, moved up from the previous 90-day deadline. For example, canceling a
7-night cruise 75 days before sailing will now incur a 50% penalty under the new policy.
Celebrity Cruises Simplifies Penalty Structures
Celebrity Cruises will consolidate its cancellation penalty tiers from three to two. For sailings lasting one to five nights, the penalty period starts 75 days before sailing instead of 90 days for five-night cruises. Cruises lasting six nights or longer enter the penalty period 120 days prior to departure. Bookings made before October 11, 2026, retain original cancellation terms; new reservations or changes after this date follow the new policy.
Automatic Penalties for Additional Guests
Starting October 11, 2026, both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will charge cancellation penalties
automatically for third and fourth guests on reservations. Previously, these penalties were often waived. This change increases cancellation costs for families booking multiple guests on a cruise.
Industry Perspective and Traveler Guidance
Amy Post, co-owner of Postcard Travel Planning, said, “These are policy updates we will be sure to brief our clients on, especially since the third and fourth guest will also be penalized where that fee was waived before.” She explained that tightening cancellation policies is necessary due to growing cruise demand, preventing inventory from being tied up and enabling better customer service and cabin selection.
Post stated, “Moving final payment deadlines up and enforcing stricter cancellation policies helps cruise lines give proper customer service and better cabin selection for all cruisers.”
Cruisers with bookings or changes dated after October
11, 2026, should review updated cancellation policies carefully. Reservations made prior to that date retain original penalty schedules and payment deadlines. New sailings opening for booking on September 29, 2026—including Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, and transpacific routes—will follow the new policies.
