Royal Caribbean will modify its cancellation policy for all new cruise and CruiseTour bookings made on or after October 11, 2026, eliminating the 25% cancellation penalty tier for cruises lasting five to 14 nights. This change removes the lower penalty period, consolidating cancellation fees to higher amounts within similar time frames.
Changes to Cancellation Penalties for Five to Nine Night Cruises
For cruises lasting five to nine nights booked after October 11, 2026, the cancellation penalty will be 50% for cancellations made 89 to 61 days before departure. Previously, cancellations made between 89 and 75 days incurred a 25% penalty, increasing to 50% only from 74 to 61 days prior.
This adjustment doubles the penalty within the 75 to 89 day window, affecting travelers who cancel during this period.
Separate Schedule and Earlier Penalties for Cruises of Ten Nights or Longer
Royal Caribbean is introducing a distinct cancellation schedule for cruises lasting 10 nights or more. Under the new policy, the 50% cancellation penalty will commence 119 days before departure, compared to the current 89-day threshold for cruises of 10 to 14 nights. This change requires travelers on extended cruises to commit to their plans significantly earlier.
Unchanged Rules for Short Cruises and Existing Bookings
Cruises lasting one to four nights will maintain existing cancellation terms. Under current and continuing policy, cancellations 75 or more days before departure generally incur
no penalty beyond nonrefundable deposits, with a 50% penalty from 74 to 61 days, 75% from 60 to 31 days, and full nonrefundable fare within 30 days. Existing bookings made before October 11, 2026, will be governed by the prior cancellation schedule, except certain voyages noted below.
Higher Fees Impact and Specific Route Exceptions
For example, canceling a $4,000 five-night cruise 80 days before sailing would have incurred a $1,000 penalty under the previous system. After the policy change, cancellation fees for the same timing increase to $2,000, doubling the costs for passengers in that window.
Certain voyages in Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Panama Canal, and Transpacific
regions departing on or after April 11, 2028, and booked from September 29, 2026, are already subject to the new cancellation policy. This early application precedes the October 2026 implementation for all other bookings.
Royal Caribbean states the revision aims to streamline, consolidate, and simplify its North American cancellation penalty structure, although this entails higher penalties for some cancellation periods and earlier penalty triggers for long cruises.
