Yes, you can cancel a cruise, but the refund depends on when you cancel and your cruise line's policy

Most cruise lines allow you to cancel your booking at any time before the ship departs. However, the money you get back shrinks as your departure date gets closer. Cancel far in advance and you may receive a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise. Cancel within 30 days of departure and you will likely lose most or all of your deposit. Some cruise lines are stricter than others, and some sailings have non-refundable fares that cannot be cancelled for money back under any circumstance.

The cancellation policy is printed in your booking confirmation and on the cruise line's website. You do not need to contact the cruise line to learn your policy — you can look it up yourself using your booking reference number. Knowing your specific important date and refund amount before you decide to cancel will save you time and frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellation refunds are based on how many days remain before your cruise departs, with refunds shrinking as the departure date approaches.
  • Your cruise line's cancellation policy is listed in your booking confirmation and online — you can look it up without calling customer service.
  • Some fares are sold as non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for a refund, though you may be able to rebook for a future date instead.
  • Cancelling through your travel agent (if you booked through one) is often faster than cancelling directly with the cruise line.
  • Travel insurance purchased at the time of booking may cover cancellation costs if you cancel for a covered reason like illness or job loss.

How cancellation refunds are calculated by days until departure

Cruise lines use a tiered refund schedule based on how far in advance you cancel. A typical schedule looks like this: if you cancel more than 75 days before departure, you receive a full refund or a credit equal to your full payment. If you cancel 60 to 75 days before departure, you lose your deposit (usually $50 to $200 per person) but get the rest back. If you cancel 30 to 59 days before departure, you lose 50 percent of the cruise fare. If you cancel fewer than 30 days before departure, you lose 100 percent of the fare.

These numbers vary by cruise line and by the specific fare you purchased. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney Cruise Line each have their own schedules. Some lines offer steeper penalties for cancellations within 14 days. Check your booking confirmation or the cruise line's website to see the exact refund schedule for your sailing.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method — the credit card or account you used to book. Processing takes 7 to 14 business days after the cruise line receives your cancellation request, though some lines take longer during peak booking seasons.

Non-refundable fares and when you cannot get money back

Many cruise lines now offer discounted fares labeled as "non-refundable" or "final sale." If you purchase one of these fares, you cannot cancel and receive a refund under any circumstance, even if you cancel months in advance. You can usually rebook the same cruise for a different date at no additional cost, or you can explore the fare toward a different sailing, but you will not receive cash back.

Non-refundable fares are typically 10 to 20 percent cheaper than refundable fares on the same sailing. Before you book, read the fare description carefully to see whether it says "refundable" or "non-refundable." If you are unsure, contact the cruise line or your travel agent before completing the purchase.

How to cancel your cruise booking

If you booked directly with the cruise line, log into your account on their website using your booking reference number and password. Most cruise lines have a "manage my booking" or "my reservations" section where you can request a cancellation. Fill out the cancellation form and submit it. You will receive a confirmation email with your refund amount and processing timeline.

If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent directly rather than the cruise line. Travel agents can process cancellations faster and can sometimes negotiate with the cruise line on your behalf if there are extenuating circumstances. If you booked through a third-party website like Costco Travel or AAA, follow that organization's cancellation process — do not contact the cruise line directly.

You can also cancel by phone. Call the cruise line's customer service number during business hours. Have your booking reference number ready. The representative will confirm your cancellation policy, calculate your refund, and process the cancellation on the spot. Phone cancellations are processed when ready, though the refund itself still takes 7 to 14 business days to appear in your account.

Travel insurance and cancellation for medical or financial reasons

If you purchased travel insurance when you booked your cruise, you may be able to cancel and recover your money even if your cruise line's policy would normally deny a refund. Travel insurance covers cancellations due to illness, injury, death of a family member, job loss, and other unexpected events — but only if the reason for cancellation is listed in your policy and occurs before you cancel.

To use travel insurance, you must file a claim with the insurance company, not with the cruise line. The claim process requires documentation: a doctor's note for illness, a death certificate for a death, a termination letter for job loss, and so on. Processing takes 30 to 60 days. Travel insurance does not cover cancellations due to change of mind, financial hardship you knew about when you booked, or pre-existing medical conditions (unless you purchased a waiver).

If you did not purchase insurance when you booked, you cannot buy it now and use it to cover a cancellation that has already happened. Insurance must be purchased within 14 days of your initial cruise deposit to cover pre-existing conditions, and it must be purchased before the reason for cancellation occurs.

What happens if you cancel close to your departure date

If you cancel within 14 days of departure, expect to lose your entire fare. Some cruise lines will not process cancellations fewer than 7 days before departure and will require you to call customer service instead of using the website. If you cancel after the ship has departed, you will not receive a refund under any circumstance.

If you are cancelling because of a medical emergency or death in the family, contact the cruise line by phone when ready. Explain the situation to a supervisor. Some cruise lines will issue a future cruise credit (a voucher for a later sailing) even when their policy would normally deny a refund, though this is not may provide. Having documentation — a hospital discharge summary, a death notice, or a doctor's letter — strengthens your case.

Rebooking instead of cancelling for a refund

If you want to keep your cruise vacation but cannot go on your scheduled date, you can rebook for a different sailing instead of cancelling. Most cruise lines allow you to rebook at no additional cost if you rebook before your original departure date. If the new sailing costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, some lines credit the difference toward onboard purchases, while others do not refund the overage.

Rebooking is often a better option than cancelling if you are close to your departure date, because you keep your money in the cruise line's system rather than waiting for a refund to process. You also avoid losing money to the cancellation penalty. Ask the cruise line whether rebooking is available for your specific sailing and fare type before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my cruise and get a refund if I just changed my mind?

Yes, you can cancel for any reason, but your refund depends on your cruise line's cancellation policy and how many days remain before departure. If you cancel far in advance, you will receive most or all of your money back. If you cancel close to departure, you will lose a large portion of your fare. Check your booking confirmation to see the exact refund schedule for your sailing.

What if I cancel but the cruise line says I have a non-refundable fare?

Non-refundable fares cannot be cancelled for cash refunds. However, you can usually rebook the same cruise for a different date at no additional cost, or explore your fare toward a different sailing. Contact the cruise line to discuss your rebooking options.

How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?

The cruise line processes your cancellation request when ready (or within one business day if you cancel by phone), but the refund itself takes 7 to 14 business days to appear in your original payment method. Some cruise lines take longer during busy seasons. Contact customer service if your refund has not arrived after 14 days.

Can I cancel my cruise if I am sick right before departure?

Yes, you can cancel at any time, but you will likely lose your entire fare if you cancel within 14 days of departure. If you purchased travel insurance that covers illness, file a claim with the insurance company and provide a doctor's note. If you did not purchase insurance, contact the cruise line's customer service supervisor to explain your situation — some lines issue future cruise credits for medical emergencies even when their policy would normally deny a refund.

Should I cancel through my travel agent or directly with the cruise line?

If you booked through a travel agent, cancel through the agent. Travel agents can process cancellations faster and may be able to help if there are complications. If you booked directly with the cruise line or through a third-party website, cancel directly with that organization.