Royal Caribbean will implement a revised cancellation policy for new bookings starting October 11, 2026. The update removes the 25% penalty tier previously applied for cancellations 89 to 75 days before departure on cruises lasting between five and 14 nights.
Under the new schedule, guests canceling cruises lasting five to nine nights between 89 and 61 days prior to sailing will face a 50% cancellation fee, doubling the prior penalty from 25% for cancellations made 75 to 89 days before departure. This eliminates the lower 25% penalty period entirely.
The cruise line created a distinct cancellation timeline for voyages lasting
10 nights or longer. For these extended itineraries, the 50% cancellation penalty now begins 119 days before departure, advancing the penalty window by 30 days compared to the previous start at 89 days for cruises of 10 to 14 nights.
Cruises lasting one to four nights will maintain the existing cancellation terms: no penalty for cancellations made 75 or more days in advance besides a nonrefundable deposit, 50% fee from 74 to 61 days prior, 75% from 60 to 31 days, and full nonrefundable fare within 30 days. Selected Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Panama Canal and Transpacific sailings departing on
or after April 11, 2028, and booked from September 29, 2026, already follow the updated policy.
Passengers booking on or after October 11, 2026 should carefully review these new cancellation deadlines as the penalty increases could result in substantially higher fees, especially for medium-length cruises. For example, a $4,000 fare cancelled 80 days before departure would see the charge rise from $1,000 to $2,000 under the new policy.
Royal Caribbean stated these changes aim to “streamline, consolidate, and simplify” the cancellation penalty structure for North American customers. Existing bookings before October 11, 2026 are unaffected and will adhere to the
terms in place at the time of booking.
