How to cancel a Norwegian Cruise Line booking
You can cancel a Norwegian Cruise Line booking by calling their reservations team at 1-866-NCL-CRUISE (1-866-625-2787) or logging into your account on Norwegian's website and selecting your reservation. You will need your booking reference number, which appears in your confirmation email. The cancellation takes effect when Norwegian receives and processes your request, not when you make the call.
Norwegian processes cancellations during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. If you call outside these hours, your request will be queued and processed the next business day. Cancellations made online through your account are processed when ready, though you may not see the refund reflected in your account for several business days.
The amount you receive back depends on when you cancel relative to your sail date and the fare type you purchased. Norwegian's cancellation policy changed in 2022 and varies by booking class and promotion used.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel by phone at 1-866-625-2787 or through your online account, and you will need your booking reference number from your confirmation email.
- Refunds depend on your cancellation date and fare type — full refunds are available up to a certain point before departure, but later cancellations may result in onboard credit only.
- Norwegian's cancellation important date are typically 14 to 75 days before departure, depending on the fare class you booked.
- If you cancel and receive onboard credit instead of a refund, that credit can be used toward a future cruise within one year.
- Travel insurance purchased separately from Norwegian may cover cancellation costs if your reason falls within the policy terms.
Cancellation important date and refund amounts by fare type
Norwegian uses four main fare classes: Freestyle, Freestyle Plus, Freestyle Premium, and Freestyle Suite. Each has a different cancellation important date and refund structure. Freestyle fares, the lowest-priced option, typically allow cancellation up to 14 days before departure with a full refund. Cancellations made between 14 and 7 days before departure result in onboard credit equal to what you paid. Cancellations within 7 days of departure are non-refundable.
Freestyle Plus and Freestyle Premium fares allow cancellation up to 75 days before departure with a full refund. Between 75 and 14 days before departure, you receive onboard credit. Within 14 days of departure, the booking is non-refundable. Freestyle Suite fares follow the same 75-day window for full refunds but extend the onboard credit period to within 7 days of departure.
Promotional fares and last-minute deals often have stricter cancellation terms. If you booked a heavily discounted rate or used a promotional code, your cancellation window may be shorter. Check your confirmation email or call Norwegian to confirm your specific fare type and cancellation important date before you cancel.
What happens to deposits and payments you have already made
Norwegian requires a deposit at booking, typically 15 percent of the cruise fare, with the balance due 75 days before departure. If you cancel before the final payment important date, you lose the deposit but may receive a refund of the balance depending on your fare type and cancellation date. If you have already paid in full and cancel, the refund calculation starts from your total paid amount, not the remaining balance.
Onboard credit is issued in the form of a certificate that can be applied to a future Norwegian cruise booked within one year of your original sail date. The credit covers the cruise fare only — it does not cover taxes, fees, or port charges on the new booking. If you do not use the credit within one year, it expires and cannot be transferred or refunded.
Cancellations due to illness, death, or emergency
Norwegian does not automatically waive cancellation fees for medical emergencies, death in the family, or other hardships. However, you can request a review of your cancellation by calling 1-866-625-2787 and explaining your situation. Norwegian's customer relations team may grant an exception and issue a full refund or extended onboard credit in cases of documented hardship, but this is not may provide.
If you purchased travel insurance through a third-party provider — not through Norwegian — your policy may cover cancellation costs if your reason meets the policy's definition of a covered event. Check your insurance documents for the claims process and important date. Most travel insurance requires you to file a claim within 90 days of cancellation.
Cancellations made through a travel agent
If you booked through a travel agent, you must contact that agent to cancel, not Norwegian directly. The agent will process the cancellation with Norwegian and handle the refund. Refund timelines may be longer because the money goes from Norwegian to the agent first, then from the agent to you. Ask your agent for a timeline when you request the cancellation.
Some travel agents charge a cancellation fee for processing the request, even though Norwegian does not. Confirm whether your agent charges a fee before you proceed. If you no longer have contact information for your agent, you can call Norwegian with your booking reference, and they will tell you which agency booked the cruise and provide contact details.
How long refunds take to appear in your account
Norwegian processes refunds to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days of cancellation. If you paid by credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement. If you paid by bank transfer or check, the refund is mailed to the address on file. During peak cancellation periods, processing may take longer.
If more than 10 business days have passed and you have not seen the refund, contact Norwegian at 1-866-625-2787 with your booking reference and the date you cancelled. Norwegian can confirm whether the refund was processed and provide a tracking reference if needed.
Changing your cruise instead of cancelling
If you want to keep your booking but change the sail date, ship, or destination, you can modify your reservation without cancelling. Log into your account on Norwegian's website or call 1-866-625-2787 to request a change. If the new cruise costs more than your original booking, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the difference is issued as onboard credit.
Changes made more than 75 days before your original sail date are usually free. Changes made closer to your sail date may incur a change fee, typically $50 to $100 per person, depending on how close you are to departure. Changing your cruise preserves your original deposit and avoids the cancellation penalties that explore if you cancel and rebook separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Norwegian cruise and get my money back if I am within 7 days of departure?
It depends on your fare type. Freestyle fares are non-refundable within 7 days of departure. Freestyle Plus and Premium fares may still receive onboard credit if you cancel within 14 days. Freestyle Suite fares allow cancellation within 7 days with onboard credit. Check your confirmation email to see which fare class you booked.
What is the difference between a refund and onboard credit?
A refund returns your money to your original payment method. Onboard credit is a certificate that can only be used toward the cruise fare on a future Norwegian cruise within one year. Onboard credit cannot be transferred, refunded as cash, or used for taxes and fees.
Do I lose my deposit if I cancel more than 75 days before my cruise?
No. If you booked a Freestyle Plus, Premium, or Suite fare and cancel more than 75 days before departure, you receive a full refund of all money paid, including your deposit. Freestyle fares allow full refunds only up to 14 days before departure.
Can I cancel my cruise if I already paid in full?
Yes. The refund amount is calculated based on your cancellation date and fare type, using the total amount you paid. The fact that you paid in full does not change the cancellation policy or the refund you receive.
What should I do if Norwegian's customer service will not process my cancellation?
Contact Norwegian's customer relations department at 1-866-625-2787 and ask to speak with a supervisor. Provide your booking reference and explain the issue. If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent first, as they may be able to resolve the issue faster than calling Norwegian directly.