You can cancel a Carnival cruise at any time before departure, but the refund you receive depends on when you cancel and what type of ticket you bought
Carnival allows cancellations up to your sail date. The amount you get back is not the full price you paid — it depends on how far in advance you cancel and whether you purchased a refundable or non-refundable fare. Cancellations made closer to the sail date result in smaller refunds or none at all. If you need to cancel, contact Carnival directly by phone or through your online account; they do not process cancellations through travel agents or third-party websites.
The refund schedule is the same for all Carnival ships and itineraries. Your booking confirmation shows which fare type you have, and that determines your refund percentage at each cancellation window. Understanding these windows before you cancel helps you know exactly what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellation refunds are based on your fare type and how many days before departure you cancel, with stricter penalties the closer you get to your sail date.
- Refundable fares return more money than non-refundable fares at every cancellation window, so check your booking confirmation to see which you purchased.
- You must contact Carnival directly — by phone at 1-800-CARNIVAL (1-800-227-6482) or through your Carnival Hub account — to start a cancellation.
- Carnival will issue refunds as a credit to your original payment method, though the time it takes varies by your bank or credit card company.
- Travel insurance purchased separately from Carnival may cover cancellation losses, but Carnival's own cancellation protection plan has its own terms and exclusions.
Refund amounts based on when you cancel
Carnival's refund schedule is tied to your sail date. The further away your cruise is, the more you recover if you cancel. The exact percentages depend on whether your fare is refundable or non-refundable — a distinction printed on your booking confirmation.
For non-refundable fares, cancellations made more than 75 days before departure typically return 50 percent of your cruise fare. Between 75 and 60 days out, you receive 25 percent. Between 60 and 15 days out, refunds drop to 10 percent. Within 15 days of departure, you receive nothing — the full amount is forfeited. For refundable fares, the percentages are higher at each window: 100 percent if you cancel more than 75 days out, 75 percent between 75 and 60 days, 50 percent between 60 and 15 days, and 25 percent within 15 days.
These percentages explore to the cruise fare itself. Taxes, fees, and onboard charges are handled separately and may have different refund rules. Port fees and government taxes are sometimes non-refundable regardless of fare type. Check your confirmation or ask Carnival directly about what is and is not refundable in your specific booking.
The difference between refundable and non-refundable fares
When you booked your cruise, Carnival offered you a choice of fare types, usually labeled as "Refundable" or "Non-Refundable" (sometimes called "Free at Sea" or other promotional names). The fare type you selected determines your refund percentage at each cancellation window. Refundable fares cost more upfront but return a larger percentage of your money if you cancel. Non-refundable fares are cheaper but penalize cancellations more heavily.
If you are unsure which you purchased, open your booking confirmation email or log into your Carnival Hub account — the fare type is listed there. You cannot change your fare type after booking, so if you bought non-refundable and now want more protection, your only option is to cancel and rebook at a refundable rate, though you will pay the price difference between the two fares.
How to cancel your Carnival cruise
Contact Carnival directly to start your cancellation. You have two main routes: phone or online through your account. Both methods are equally valid, and both give you an when ready confirmation number.
By phone: Call 1-800-CARNIVAL (1-800-227-6482). Have your booking confirmation number ready. A Carnival representative will confirm your reservation, explain your refund amount based on the current date, and process the cancellation. The call typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Carnival's phone lines are busiest in the morning and on weekdays; calling in the afternoon or early evening may mean shorter wait times.
Online: Log into your Carnival Hub account at carnival.com. Go to "Manage My Booking" and select your cruise. You should see a "Cancel Cruise" option. Click it and follow the prompts. The system will show you your refund amount before you confirm. Online cancellation is faster than calling and gives you an when ready confirmation number and email receipt.
Do not attempt to cancel through a travel agent or third-party booking site, even if you booked through one originally. Carnival processes all cancellations through its own system, and going through a middleman delays the process and can create confusion about refund status.
What happens to your refund after cancellation
Once Carnival processes your cancellation, the refund is issued to your original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or bank account you used to pay for the cruise. Carnival initiates the refund within a few business days, but the time it takes to appear in your account depends on your bank or credit card company, not Carnival. Most refunds show up within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take up to 30 days to post the credit.
If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement. If you paid by debit card or bank transfer, the money returns to that account. You will receive a cancellation confirmation email from Carnival that includes your refund amount and an estimated timeline. Keep this email for your records in case you need to follow up with your bank.
If your refund does not appear within 30 days, contact Carnival again with your cancellation confirmation number. They can verify the refund was sent and help you track it down if your bank is holding it for any reason.
Cancellation protection plans and travel insurance
Carnival offers its own Cruise Cancellation Protection plan, which you may have purchased when you booked. This plan covers your cruise fare if you cancel for covered reasons — illness, injury, death of a family member, or job loss. The plan does not cover cancellations for convenience or change of mind. If you bought this protection, your cancellation may be covered in full depending on the reason. Check your confirmation to see if you purchased it, and review the terms to understand what is and is not covered.
Separate travel insurance purchased from a third-party provider (not Carnival) may also cover cruise cancellation, depending on the policy. Some policies cover cancellation for any reason, while others cover only specific events. If you have travel insurance, contact your insurance company before canceling to understand what your policy covers and what documentation they need.
Carnival's cancellation protection and third-party travel insurance are different products with different rules. Having one does not automatically mean you have the other. Review your booking confirmation and any insurance documents you received to know what protection you actually have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my cruise and get a credit toward a future cruise instead of a refund?
Yes. When you cancel, Carnival offers you the choice of a refund to your original payment method or a credit toward a future cruise. The credit is usually for the full amount you paid, even if your refund percentage would be lower. If you think you might cruise again, the credit option is often better than accepting a partial refund. You have a set time window to use the credit — typically one to three years depending on when you booked.
What if I cancel less than 15 days before my cruise?
If you have a non-refundable fare, you receive no refund. If you have a refundable fare, you receive 25 percent of your cruise fare back. The only exception is if you purchased Carnival's Cancellation Protection plan and your reason for canceling is covered under that plan — in that case, you may recover more. Otherwise, canceling this close to departure means losing most or all of your money.
Do I lose my deposits if I cancel?
Deposits are part of your total cruise fare, so they are subject to the same refund schedule as the rest of your payment. If you cancel outside the refund window for your fare type, your deposit is not returned. If you cancel within a window that allows a refund, the deposit is included in the refund percentage.
Can someone else take my cruise if I cancel?
No. Cruise tickets are non-transferable — they are tied to the name on the booking. You cannot give your cruise to a friend or family member. Your only options are to cancel and receive a refund or credit, or to keep the booking and sail yourself. If you want someone else to go instead, you must cancel your booking and have them purchase their own ticket.
How long does the cancellation process take?
The cancellation itself takes minutes — either a phone call or a few clicks online. Carnival processes the cancellation within a few business days and sends you a confirmation email. The refund then goes to your bank or credit card company, which can take 5 to 30 days to post to your account depending on your financial institution.