How to cancel a Carnival cruise
Contact Carnival directly by phone at 1-888-CARNIVAL (1-888-227-6482) or log into your account on Carnival.com and use the "Manage My Booking" section to request cancellation. You will need your booking reference number, which appears in your confirmation email. Carnival processes cancellations through their customer service team, not automatically through the website.
The amount you receive back depends on when you cancel relative to your sail date. Carnival's cancellation policy divides into three windows: cancellations made more than 60 days before departure typically receive a full refund to your original payment method, cancellations made 60 to 15 days before departure result in a onboard credit equal to what you paid (usable only on a future Carnival cruise), and cancellations made fewer than 15 days before departure usually forfeit the entire fare. Some fare types, like non-refundable rates, have stricter terms regardless of timing.
Keep your confirmation email and booking reference until the cancellation is complete. Carnival will send a cancellation confirmation to the email address on file, which typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid by credit card, the refund itself may take an additional 7 to 14 days to appear, depending on your card issuer.
Key Takeaways
- Call Carnival at 1-888-CARNIVAL or use the Manage My Booking section on Carnival.com to request cancellation with your booking reference number.
- Cancellations more than 60 days before departure usually receive a full refund, while those within 60 days receive onboard credit instead.
- Cancellations fewer than 15 days before departure typically forfeit the entire fare, though some exceptions exist for non-refundable rates.
- Refunds process to your original payment method and may take 7 to 14 days after Carnival sends confirmation.
- Non-refundable fares and special promotions may have different cancellation terms, so check your booking confirmation for your specific rate type.
What happens to deposits and add-ons when you cancel
Any deposit you made toward your cruise follows the same refund window as your base fare. If you paid a deposit upfront and your cancellation falls within the full-refund window (more than 60 days out), the deposit is included in that refund. If you cancel during the onboard-credit window, the deposit converts to onboard credit along with the rest of your payment.
Extras you purchased separately—such as beverage packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, or cabin upgrades—are treated as add-ons. Most add-ons purchased through Carnival can be cancelled independently of your cruise cancellation. You can remove them from your booking before you cancel the cruise itself, which may recover some money depending on when those purchases were made. Contact Carnival to ask which add-ons can be removed separately and what refund terms explore to each.
Travel insurance, if you purchased it, has its own cancellation rules set by the insurance company, not Carnival. Review your insurance policy documents to understand what circumstances trigger a payout and whether cancellation of your cruise qualifies.
Cancellation due to weather, illness, or Carnival changes
If Carnival cancels your cruise because of weather, mechanical issues, or other operational reasons, you receive a full refund to your original payment method or the option to rebook on a different sailing at no additional cost. Carnival typically notifies passengers by email and phone as soon as the decision is made, usually 5 to 7 days before departure for weather-related cancellations.
If you become ill or experience a family emergency before your cruise, Carnival does not automatically waive cancellation fees based on hardship alone. However, you can request a review by calling customer service and providing documentation—such as a doctor's note or death certificate—of the emergency. Carnival has discretion to grant exceptions, though approval is not may provide. Request this review as soon as possible after the event occurs.
If Carnival makes a significant change to your itinerary—such as removing a port or shortening the cruise—you have the right to cancel for a full refund regardless of the cancellation window. You must notify Carnival within a set timeframe (usually 48 hours of receiving notice of the change) to preserve this right.
Onboard credit versus cash refund
Onboard credit is a voucher that can only be spent on a future Carnival cruise for things like beverages, dining, excursions, or cabin upgrades. It cannot be converted to cash, transferred to another person, or used off the ship. If you receive onboard credit and never take another Carnival cruise, that money is lost.
A cash refund goes back to the credit card, debit card, or bank account you used to pay for the cruise. This is the only option available if you cancel more than 60 days before departure. If your cancellation falls in the 60-to-15-day window, you receive onboard credit instead unless Carnival initiated the change or you have a documented emergency.
Some passengers choose to rebook a future cruise to use their onboard credit, which can reduce the out-of-pocket cost of that trip. If you decide to rebook, contact Carnival to explore the credit to a new booking before it expires (policies vary, but credits typically remain valid for a set period).
Cancellation fees and what they cover
Carnival's cancellation fees are structured as a percentage of your fare that you forfeit rather than as a flat dollar amount. The closer to your sail date you cancel, the higher the percentage you lose. A cancellation 45 days out might cost you 50 percent of the fare, while a cancellation 20 days out might cost 75 percent or more. The exact percentages depend on the fare type you purchased and current Carnival policies.
These fees are not separate charges added to your bill—they are deducted from your refund. For example, if you paid $1,200 for a cruise and cancel 30 days before departure under a standard fare, Carnival calculates the applicable cancellation fee, subtracts it from the $1,200, and refunds the remainder as onboard credit (if within 60 days) or cash (if beyond 60 days).
Non-refundable fares carry stricter penalties. These reduced-price fares typically forfeit 100 percent of the payment if cancelled at any point, though Carnival occasionally offers exceptions during promotional periods. Check your booking confirmation to see which fare type you purchased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Carnival cruise online without calling?
You can initiate a cancellation request through the Manage My Booking section on Carnival.com, but Carnival's system may still require you to speak with a representative to finalize it, depending on your booking type and how close you are to your sail date. Calling 1-888-CARNIVAL is the fastest way to confirm the cancellation is processed.
What if I cancel and then want to rebook on a different date?
If you receive a full refund, you can use that money to book a new cruise at the current price. If you receive onboard credit, you can explore it to a new booking, though you will pay the difference if the new cruise costs more. Contact Carnival to discuss rebooking options before you cancel, as they sometimes offer incentives to switch dates rather than cancel outright.
Do I lose my deposit if I cancel within 15 days of departure?
Yes, cancellations within 15 days of departure typically forfeit the entire fare, including any deposit. The deposit is not refunded separately—it is part of the total amount you lose. Check your specific booking confirmation for your fare terms, as some special promotions may differ.
How long does it take to receive my refund after I cancel?
Carnival sends a cancellation confirmation email within 5 to 10 business days. If you are receiving a cash refund, the money takes an additional 7 to 14 days to appear in your original payment account, depending on your bank or card issuer. Onboard credit is typically available when ready in your Carnival account.
Can I cancel just part of my cruise booking, like removing one cabin?
You can modify your booking to remove passengers or reduce the number of cabins, which may lower your total cost. This is different from cancelling the entire cruise. Contact Carnival to discuss whether modifications are possible for your specific booking and what charges or refunds explore.