Royal Caribbean lets you cancel anytime, but what you get back depends on when you cancel and what type of fare you booked
You can cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise at any point before your departure date. The amount of money Royal Caribbean returns to you—called a refund or onboard credit—depends on three things: how far in advance you cancel, which fare type you purchased, and whether Royal Caribbean has changed the itinerary or ship. The company does not charge a cancellation fee itself, but the refund you receive shrinks as your sail date approaches.
Royal Caribbean's cancellation policy is built into your booking confirmation. You can find the exact refund terms by logging into your account on royalcaribbean.com, opening your reservation, and looking at the "Cancellation Policy" section. That section tells you the dollar amount or percentage you will receive if you cancel on any given date.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount is determined by your fare type and how many days before departure you cancel, not by Royal Caribbean's choice.
- You cancel through your Royal Caribbean account online or by calling 1-866-562-7625, and the process takes a few minutes.
- If Royal Caribbean changes your itinerary or ship, you can cancel for a full refund regardless of how close your sail date is.
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically arrive within 7 to 14 business days after cancellation is processed.
- Travel insurance purchased separately from Royal Caribbean may cover cancellation costs if you cancel for a covered reason.
How to cancel online or by phone
The fastest way to cancel is through your Royal Caribbean account. Go to royalcaribbean.com, sign in, select your reservation, and look for a "Cancel Cruise" or "Manage My Booking" button. Follow the prompts, confirm your cancellation, and you will receive an email confirmation with a cancellation reference number.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call Royal Caribbean's customer service at 1-866-562-7625. Have your booking confirmation number ready. A representative will walk you through the cancellation, confirm your refund amount, and send you a written confirmation by email. Phone lines are typically open 8 a.m. to midnight Eastern time, seven days a week.
Do not contact your travel agent to cancel unless you booked through an agency—if you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, canceling through the website or phone line is faster and avoids confusion about who processes the refund.
Understanding refund amounts by fare type
Royal Caribbean offers several fare types, and each has its own cancellation schedule. A standard fare typically refunds a percentage of your cruise cost on a sliding scale: full refund if you cancel far in advance (often 75+ days before departure), then smaller percentages as you get closer. A flexible fare or premium fare usually offers better refund terms—sometimes a full refund even closer to your sail date. A non-refundable fare or sale fare may refund little or nothing if you cancel within a certain window.
Your confirmation email lists your fare type. If you are unsure which one you have, log into your account, open your reservation, and the fare type appears near the price breakdown. The cancellation policy section below that shows the exact refund percentage for each date range leading up to your departure.
Royal Caribbean occasionally runs promotions that let you change your cruise date for free or rebook on a different ship at no extra cost, instead of canceling outright. If you are considering canceling, check your confirmation email and your account for any "change your cruise" offers that may explore to you.
When Royal Caribbean gives you a full refund
You are may have access to to a full refund regardless of your fare type or how close your sail date is if Royal Caribbean makes certain changes to your cruise. These include canceling the cruise entirely, changing the ship to a significantly smaller or older vessel, removing a port from your itinerary, or substantially changing your departure or arrival time.
If Royal Caribbean makes a change, the company notifies you by email and gives you the option to accept the change, rebook on a different cruise, or cancel for a full refund. You have a set number of days (usually 14 to 30 days, depending on the change) to make your choice. If you do nothing, Royal Caribbean assumes you accept the change.
A change in port order—for example, visiting ports in a different sequence—is not usually considered a substantial change, so it would not automatically trigger a full refund. If you are unsure whether a change Royal Caribbean made qualifies, call customer service and ask.
What happens to deposits and payments
When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you typically pay a deposit upfront and the balance closer to your departure date. If you cancel before the balance is due, you receive a refund of your deposit according to your cancellation policy. If you have already paid the full balance, your refund includes the entire amount you paid, minus any non-refundable portions spelled out in your policy.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method—the credit card, debit card, or bank account you used to book. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on that card's statement. If you paid by bank transfer, the refund goes back to that bank account. Refunds typically post within 7 to 14 business days after Royal Caribbean processes your cancellation, though some banks take longer to display the credit.
If you paid through a travel agent, the refund goes to the agent first, and the agent then refunds you according to their own policies. This can take longer, so contact your agent directly to confirm the timeline.
Travel insurance and cancellation protection
Royal Caribbean sells its own cancellation protection product called Royal Caribbean Cruise Protection, which you can add when you book. This covers your cruise cost if you cancel for certain reasons—illness, injury, death of a family member, or job loss, for example—even if your standard cancellation policy would refund little or nothing.
You can also purchase travel insurance from a third-party provider before your cruise. These policies vary widely in what they cover and what they cost. Some cover cancellation for any reason; others cover only specific events. Read the policy details carefully to understand what triggers a refund and whether there are exclusions—for example, many policies do not cover cancellation due to pre-existing medical conditions unless you purchase the insurance within a certain number of days of your initial cruise deposit.
If you cancel for a reason covered by your insurance, you file a claim with the insurance company, not with Royal Caribbean. Keep your cancellation confirmation and any documentation of the reason you canceled (medical records, death certificate, job termination letter) to support your claim.
What to do after you cancel
After you cancel, save your cancellation confirmation email and reference number. If your refund does not appear within 14 business days, contact Royal Caribbean with this information and ask them to investigate.
If you paid for add-ons—beverage packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, or cabin upgrades—those charges are usually refunded according to the same policy as your cruise fare. Check your cancellation confirmation to see whether these items are listed separately and what refund you will receive for each.
If you booked flights, hotel stays, or car rentals separately to connect with your cruise, those bookings are not affected by your cruise cancellation. You will need to cancel those reservations separately through the airline, hotel, or rental company if you no longer need them. Some may have their own cancellation fees or non-refundable portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I cancel less than 30 days before my cruise?
It depends on your fare type. Non-refundable and sale fares may refund nothing or only a small percentage if you cancel within 30 days. Flexible and premium fares often refund more. Check your cancellation policy in your account to see the exact amount for your booking.
What if I want to change my cruise date instead of canceling?
You can rebook on a different cruise date without a change fee if you do so before your original sail date. Log into your account, select "Manage My Booking," and choose "Change Cruise." If the new cruise costs more, you pay the difference; if it costs less, Royal Caribbean may issue onboard credit for the difference instead of a refund.
Do I lose my money if Royal Caribbean cancels the cruise?
No. If Royal Caribbean cancels your cruise, you receive a full refund of all payments, or you can rebook on another cruise at no extra cost. Royal Caribbean rarely cancels cruises, but it has done so for severe weather, mechanical issues, or other emergencies.
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Royal Caribbean processes cancellations within a few business days, and the refund is then sent to your original payment method. Most refunds appear within 7 to 14 business days, but your bank or credit card company may take additional time to post the credit to your account.
Can I cancel if I am sick or injured before my cruise?
You can cancel anytime, but your refund depends on your fare type and how close your sail date is. If you purchased Royal Caribbean Cruise Protection or travel insurance, you may be able to recover more of your cost by filing a claim for the illness or injury instead of relying on your standard cancellation policy.