What happens when you cancel depends on when you cancel and which cruise line you booked with
Most cruise lines will refund your money if you cancel, but the amount you get back shrinks the closer you get to your departure date. A cancellation 120 days before departure might return 100 percent of what you paid. A cancellation 30 days before departure might return 50 percent. A cancellation two weeks before departure often returns nothing. The exact timeline and refund percentages are set by each cruise line in their cancellation policy, which is part of your booking confirmation.
If you cancel for a reason covered by travel insurance — illness, death in the family, job loss, or certain weather events — you may recover money even after the cruise line's important date has passed. Without insurance, you are generally bound by the cruise line's policy, not by what feels fair.
The key to getting money back is understanding your specific cruise line's policy before you need it, and knowing whether travel insurance is still available to you.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise lines refund a percentage of your fare based on how many days before departure you cancel, with refunds dropping to zero in the final two weeks before departure.
- Your cancellation policy is printed in your booking confirmation and varies by cruise line — Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian each have different timelines and percentages.
- Travel insurance can cover cancellations for medical emergencies, death, or job loss even after the cruise line stops refunding, but you must buy it at or shortly after booking.
- If the cruise line cancels the sailing due to weather or mechanical failure, you receive a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise at no extra cost.
- Cancellations made by phone or through the cruise line's website are processed the same way; there is no advantage to calling instead of using the website.
Standard cancellation policies by cruise line
Carnival typically refunds 100 percent if you cancel more than 75 days before departure, 50 percent between 75 and 15 days out, and nothing within 15 days. Royal Caribbean refunds 100 percent if you cancel more than 120 days out, 50 percent between 120 and 30 days out, and nothing within 30 days. Disney Cruise Line refunds 100 percent up to 75 days before departure and nothing after. Norwegian Cruise Line refunds 100 percent up to 120 days out, 50 percent between 120 and 30 days out, and nothing within 30 days.
These are the standard policies for most sailings. Promotional fares, last-minute bookings, and sailings during peak season sometimes have stricter terms. Your booking confirmation email lists the exact policy for your specific cruise. If you cannot find it, log into your cruise line account or call the cruise line directly — they will tell you the cancellation important date and refund percentage for your sailing.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method, usually within 7 to 14 days after the cruise line processes your cancellation. If you paid by credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement. If you paid by check or bank transfer, the refund is mailed or transferred back to your account.
How travel insurance changes what you can recover
Travel insurance covers cancellations for reasons the cruise line does not — medical emergencies, death of a family member, job loss, or certain weather events that affect your ability to travel. If you buy insurance within 14 days of your initial cruise deposit, it typically covers pre-existing medical conditions as well. After that window, pre-existing conditions are usually excluded.
Insurance costs between 5 and 10 percent of your total cruise fare, depending on your age and the length of the cruise. A $2,000 cruise might cost $100 to $200 to insure. If you cancel for a covered reason after the cruise line's refund important date has passed, the insurance company reimburses you for the full amount you paid, minus any deductible (usually $250 to $500).
You cannot buy insurance after you have already decided to cancel. It must be purchased at booking or within a few days of booking. If you are unsure whether you will be able to travel, buying insurance is cheaper than losing your entire fare later.
What to do if the cruise line cancels the sailing
If the cruise line cancels the sailing — due to weather, mechanical failure, or lack of bookings — you are may have access to to a full refund of everything you paid, or a credit toward a future cruise of equal value with no additional charge. You do not have to accept the credit; you can request the refund instead. The cruise line must offer both options.
Cruise line cancellations are rare but happen most often during hurricane season (June through November in the Atlantic and Caribbean) or when a ship requires unexpected repairs. If your sailing is cancelled, the cruise line notifies you by email and phone, usually at least two weeks before departure. You then have a set window — often 30 days — to choose between a refund and a future cruise credit.
If you have already paid for flights, hotels, or activities related to the cruise, the cruise line refund does not cover those. Travel insurance will, if the policy includes trip cancellation coverage. This is another reason to buy insurance if you are booking flights or hotels before the cruise.
Cancellations within two weeks of departure
If you cancel within 14 days of departure, most cruise lines refund nothing. Your money is gone unless you have travel insurance or the cruise line cancels the sailing. This is the hardest important date to work with, and it is why understanding your policy before you book matters.
Some cruise lines offer a small exception: if you cancel due to a medical emergency and can provide a doctor's letter, they may issue a credit toward a future cruise instead of keeping your money. This is not a refund, but it is better than losing the fare entirely. Call the cruise line's customer service line and ask whether a medical exception is possible for your situation.
If you are within two weeks of departure and considering cancellation, check whether your travel insurance policy covers your reason for cancelling. If it does, file a claim with the insurance company when ready — they have their own important date, and waiting makes the claim harder to process.
How to cancel your cruise
You can cancel through the cruise line's website, by phone, or in person at a travel agency if you booked through one. The method does not change the refund amount or timeline — you will receive the same percentage back regardless of how you cancel.
Cancelling online is fastest. Log into your cruise line account, find your booking, and look for a "cancel reservation" or "modify booking" option. You will be asked to confirm your cancellation and may see a summary of what you will receive back. The cancellation is usually processed within 24 hours.
If you prefer to cancel by phone, call the cruise line's main customer service number (listed on your booking confirmation). Have your booking reference number ready. The agent will confirm your cancellation and tell you when the refund will appear. If you booked through a travel agency, you can cancel through them instead, though the timeline may be slightly longer.
What happens to onboard credits and add-ons
If you purchased onboard credits, beverage packages, shore excursions, or cabin upgrades as part of your booking, these are usually refunded at the same percentage as your base fare. If your cruise line refunds 50 percent of your fare, you receive 50 percent of what you paid for add-ons as well.
Some add-ons — like specialty dining packages or spa credits — have their own cancellation policies that may be stricter than the base fare policy. Check your booking confirmation to see the terms for each add-on. If you are unsure, call the cruise line and ask what percentage of each add-on you will recover if you cancel on a specific date.
Onboard credits issued by the cruise line (sometimes given as a booking incentive or as compensation for a problem during a previous cruise) are usually non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel, you lose them. This is another reason to review your full booking before cancelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel one week before the cruise?
No, not from the cruise line. Most cruise lines refund nothing if you cancel within 14 days of departure. Travel insurance will cover this if you bought it at booking and your reason for cancelling is covered — medical emergency, death in the family, or job loss. Without insurance, you lose your entire fare.
What if I paid through a travel agency instead of directly with the cruise line?
The refund amount is the same, but the timeline may be longer. The travel agency processes your cancellation with the cruise line, then issues your refund. This can add 5 to 10 days to the process. Call your travel agency to start the cancellation, and ask them when you can expect the refund.
Can I transfer my cruise booking to someone else instead of cancelling?
Most cruise lines allow you to transfer your booking to another person at no extra charge, as long as you do it before a set important date (usually 75 to 120 days before departure). The new person must provide their name and passport information. This is a good option if you cannot travel but do not want to lose your money.
Do I lose my money if the cruise line changes the itinerary?
No. If the cruise line changes the ports or dates significantly, you can cancel and receive a full refund, even if you are within the normal cancellation important date. What counts as "significant" varies by cruise line, so call and ask whether your specific itinerary change qualifies.
What if I am sick right before the cruise — can I cancel without losing money?
The cruise line will not refund you based on illness alone. However, travel insurance will cover medical cancellations if you bought the policy at booking. You will need a doctor's note stating that you are medically unable to travel. File the claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.