Royal Caribbean will implement a new cancellation policy for bookings made on or after October 11, 2026, removing the 25% cancellation penalty tier for cruises lasting five to 14 nights.
Increased Penalties for Five-to-Nine Night Cruises
Under the current system, cancellations 89 to 75 days before departure on cruises lasting five to 14 nights incur a 25% penalty, rising to 50% from 74 to 61 days. Beginning October 11, 2026, Royal Caribbean will apply a 50% cancellation penalty from 89 through 61 days before departure for cruises lasting five to nine nights booked after this date. This eliminates the 25% penalty window that previously applied 75
to 89 days before departure, effectively doubling penalties during that timeframe. For example, cancelling a $4,000 five-night cruise 80 days before departure will increase the penalty from $1,000 to $2,000.
New Cancellation Schedule for Longer Cruises
Cruises lasting 10 nights or more will follow a separate cancellation policy starting October 11, 2026. The 50% cancellation penalty for these extended cruises will begin 119 days before departure, advancing the penalty start date by approximately one month compared to the current policy. Currently, 10-to-14-night cruises fall under the broader five-to-14-night category, with penalties starting 89 days prior to sailing.
Unchanged Policies for Shorter Cruises and Existing Bookings
Royal Caribbean will maintain the current cancellation schedule for
cruises lasting one to four nights. No cancellation fee applies if canceled more than 75 days before departure. Penalties remain 50% from 74 to 61 days, 75% from 60 to 31 days, and a full penalty within 30 days of departure. Passengers with bookings made before October 11, 2026, generally retain their original cancellation terms.
Early Application for Select North American Voyages
Certain North American routes, including Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Panama Canal, and Transpacific voyages departing on or after April 11, 2028, booked from September 29, 2026 onwards, are already subject to the new cancellation policy.
Travelers Should Review Policy Changes Carefully
Royal Caribbean stated the changes aim to streamline, consolidate, and
simplify cancellation penalties across its North American operations. Travelers booking cruises on or after the effective date should carefully review deadlines, as penalties for cancellations could be significantly higher, especially on cruises lasting five nights or more.
