Yes, you can cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise, but the refund depends on when you cancel and which fare type you booked

Royal Caribbean allows cancellations at any point before your cruise departs. However, you will not automatically get your money back in full. The amount you receive depends on three things: how far in advance you cancel, which fare category you purchased, and whether Royal Caribbean has a credit or refund policy in effect at the time of cancellation. Most cancellations made more than 75 days before departure receive a full refund or onboard credit. Cancellations made closer to the departure date typically result in forfeited deposits or partial refunds.

The cancellation policy changed significantly after 2020. Royal Caribbean now offers more flexible options than it did before the pandemic, including the ability to convert a cancellation into a future cruise credit without penalty in some cases. Understanding which policy applies to your booking is the first step.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellations made 75 or more days before departure usually result in a full refund or onboard credit, depending on your fare type.
  • Cancellations made 8 to 74 days before departure typically forfeit your deposit but may allow you to rebook on a different cruise.
  • Cancellations made fewer than 8 days before departure usually result in no refund, though you may receive onboard credit.
  • You must contact Royal Caribbean directly by phone or through your booking account to cancel—there is no online cancellation button.
  • Converting your booking to a future cruise credit often preserves more of your payment than requesting a cash refund.

Refund amounts by cancellation timing

Royal Caribbean's refund structure is based on how many days remain before your departure date. The company divides the cancellation window into three main periods, and your refund amount changes at each threshold.

If you cancel 75 or more days before departure, you receive a full refund of your deposit and any payments made. This applies to most fare types, including standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins. Suite guests and those who booked special promotions should verify their specific terms, as some packages have different rules.

If you cancel between 8 and 74 days before departure, your deposit is forfeited. However, you retain the right to rebook on a different Royal Caribbean cruise at the same price you originally paid, without additional fees. This means you lose the money you put down but can transfer your booking to another sailing.

If you cancel fewer than 8 days before departure, you forfeit your entire payment. In rare cases, Royal Caribbean may issue onboard credit equal to a portion of what you paid, but this is not may provide and depends on the specific circumstances and the fare type you purchased.

How to request a cancellation

You cannot cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise through the website or mobile app. You must contact the cruise line directly by phone or through your online account. Call Royal Caribbean's customer service line at 1-866-562-7625 (for guests in the United States). Have your booking confirmation number ready when you call.

If you prefer not to call, you can log into your Royal Caribbean account online, navigate to your booking, and look for a "Contact Us" or "Manage My Booking" option. Some account pages allow you to request a cancellation through a form, though phone contact is faster and gives you when ready confirmation of the cancellation date—which matters because refunds are calculated from the date Royal Caribbean receives your cancellation request, not the date you make it.

When you contact Royal Caribbean, ask the representative to confirm the cancellation date in writing. Request that they email you a cancellation confirmation that includes the date the cancellation was processed, your refund amount (if any), and the method by which the refund will be issued. Keep this email for your records.

Onboard credit versus cash refund

When you cancel, Royal Caribbean often offers you a choice: receive a cash refund or convert your payment into onboard credit (money to spend on a future cruise). The onboard credit is typically worth more than the cash refund amount. For example, if you paid $1,200 and are may have access to to a 50 percent refund, Royal Caribbean might offer you $600 in cash or $750 in onboard credit.

Onboard credit does not expire when ready, but it does have an expiration date—usually 18 months from the original cruise date. You can use it toward any Royal Caribbean sailing during that window. If you think you may take another cruise within that timeframe, onboard credit preserves more of your original payment.

If you choose the cash refund, the money is returned to the original payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). Refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days after Royal Caribbean processes your cancellation, though some credit card companies take additional time to post the credit to your account.

Special circumstances that may change your refund

Royal Caribbean occasionally suspends or modifies its cancellation policy in response to external events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company allowed cancellations up to 48 hours before departure with full refunds. While that specific policy is no longer in effect, Royal Caribbean may introduce similar flexibility if circumstances warrant it.

If your cruise is cancelled by Royal Caribbean (due to weather, mechanical issues, or other reasons), you are may have access to to a full refund or the option to rebook on a different sailing at no additional cost. This is different from a guest-initiated cancellation and is not subject to the standard cancellation fees.

Travel insurance purchased through a third party (not Royal Caribbean) may cover cancellation costs if you cancel for a covered reason, such as illness or a death in the family. Check your policy to see what circumstances may have access to. Royal Caribbean does not offer its own cancellation insurance, though it does sell trip protection plans that cover certain scenarios.

What happens to your cabin after cancellation

Once your cancellation is processed, your cabin is released back into Royal Caribbean's inventory and may be sold to another guest. You lose any cabin may provide or specific cabin assignment you had. If you rebook on a different cruise using onboard credit or a rebooking option, you will be assigned a new cabin, which may be in a different location or category than your original booking.

If you had paid extra for a specific cabin location (such as a cabin with a specific view or a higher deck), that upgrade fee is typically not refunded separately. It is treated as part of your overall payment and subject to the same cancellation policy as your base fare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Royal Caribbean cruise and get a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel 75 or more days before your departure date. Cancellations made closer to the departure date result in partial refunds or forfeited payments. The exact amount depends on how many days remain before your cruise departs.

What if I cancel but want to rebook on a different Royal Caribbean cruise?

If you cancel between 8 and 74 days before departure, you can rebook on a different cruise at the same price without additional fees. You lose your deposit but retain the value of your payment. Contact Royal Caribbean to discuss available dates and cabin options.

How long does it take to receive a refund after I cancel?

Cash refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days after Royal Caribbean processes your cancellation. The refund is returned to your original payment method. Credit card companies may take additional time to post the credit to your account.

Is onboard credit better than a cash refund?

Onboard credit is usually worth more than the equivalent cash refund. For example, you might receive $600 in cash but $750 in onboard credit. However, onboard credit expires in 18 months and can only be used on Royal Caribbean cruises. Choose based on whether you plan to cruise again within that timeframe.

What if Royal Caribbean cancels my cruise instead of me canceling?

If Royal Caribbean cancels your cruise, you receive a full refund or can rebook on a different sailing at no additional cost. This is different from a guest-initiated cancellation and is not subject to cancellation fees.