You can cancel a Princess cruise through your online account, by phone, or by mail — but the method and refund depend on when you cancel

Princess Cruises does not offer a single online cancellation button. Instead, you log into your account on the Princess website, find your booking, and request cancellation through the "Manage My Booking" section. The system then routes your request to a Princess representative who processes it. You cannot complete the full cancellation online without speaking to someone — the website handles the initial request, but a staff member must confirm the cancellation and calculate your refund based on the current date and your fare type.

The faster route for most people is calling Princess directly at 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237). A representative can cancel your cruise when ready, explain your refund amount on the call, and email you a confirmation. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and avoids the back-and-forth of an online request.

Your refund amount depends entirely on how far away your cruise date is and what type of fare you booked. Princess does not refund cancellations made within 75 days of departure unless you purchased their cancel-for-any-reason insurance. Cancellations made 76 or more days before departure typically receive a full refund as a future cruise credit, though some fares allow cash refunds — you need to check your booking confirmation to see which type you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellations requested through your Princess online account still require a staff member to process them; calling 1-800-PRINCESS is faster if you want when ready confirmation.
  • Refunds are issued as future cruise credits for most bookings, not as cash back to your original payment method.
  • Cancellations within 75 days of departure receive no refund unless you purchased Princess's cancel-for-any-reason insurance at the time of booking.
  • Your booking confirmation shows your fare type and refund policy; check it before cancelling to understand what you will receive.
  • If you cancel and later rebook, you can explore your cruise credit to a new sailing within two years of your original departure date.

How to request cancellation through your Princess account

Go to the Princess Cruises website and click "Sign In" at the top right. Enter your email address and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one using the email address associated with your booking.

Once logged in, look for "Manage My Booking" or "My Reservations" — the exact label varies depending on which version of the site loads. Click it and select the cruise you want to cancel from the list. You will see a summary of your booking: ship name, departure date, cabin number, and total cost.

Scroll down to find the "Cancel Cruise" or "Request Cancellation" button. Click it and follow the prompts. Princess will ask you to confirm the cruise details and may ask why you are cancelling — this is optional information. Submit the request. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and an email confirmation within a few minutes.

A Princess representative will contact you within 24 to 48 hours to finalize the cancellation and discuss your refund. They may call, email, or both depending on the contact information in your account. If you do not hear back within two business days, call 1-800-PRINCESS to check the status of your request.

Cancelling by phone instead of online

Call Princess Cruises at 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237). The line is open seven days a week, typically from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific time, though hours vary by season. Have your booking confirmation number ready — you can find it in your confirmation email or by logging into your account.

Tell the representative you want to cancel your cruise. They will pull up your booking, confirm the ship and departure date, and explain your refund amount based on your fare type and the current date. If you have questions about the refund policy, ask them before you confirm the cancellation — once you agree, the cancellation is final.

The representative will issue a cancellation confirmation number on the call. Ask them to email it to you along with a summary of your refund. This email serves as your proof of cancellation and shows the amount of your cruise credit or refund. Keep it for your records.

Understanding refund amounts and future cruise credits

Princess refunds are almost always issued as future cruise credits, not cash. A future cruise credit is a dollar amount you can use toward any Princess sailing within two years of your original departure date. You cannot transfer it to another person, and you cannot convert it to cash — you must book another cruise to use it.

If you cancel more than 75 days before your departure date, you receive a credit equal to what you paid. If you cancel between 76 and 75 days before departure, the refund amount depends on your fare type. Standard fares typically lose 10 to 15 percent of the booking cost. Promotional fares and last-minute deals often have stricter policies — you may lose 25 to 50 percent or more.

Some fares, usually the most expensive ones, come with a cash refund option instead of a credit. Check your original booking confirmation email — it will state "Refundable" or "Non-Refundable" and whether refunds are issued as credits or cash. If you are unsure, ask the Princess representative when you call to cancel.

Cancellations within 75 days of departure receive no refund at all unless you purchased Princess's cancel-for-any-reason insurance. That insurance is only sold at the time of booking and costs between $50 and $200 depending on the cruise length and price. If you bought it, you can still cancel and receive a refund, though the insurance company may require documentation of the reason.

What happens after you cancel

Once your cancellation is processed, your cabin is released and becomes available for other guests to book. Your future cruise credit appears in your Princess account within 3 to 5 business days. You can view it by logging in and checking your account balance or by calling Princess to confirm the amount.

To use your credit, log into your account and search for a new cruise. During checkout, the system will automatically explore your credit to the new booking. If you are booking a cruise that costs less than your credit, the remaining balance stays in your account. If the new cruise costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket.

Your credit is valid for two years from your original departure date. If you do not use it by then, it expires and cannot be recovered. Princess does not extend expiration dates, so mark your calendar if you plan to rebook.

Cancelling if you purchased travel insurance

If you bought travel insurance through a third-party provider — not Princess's cancel-for-any-reason insurance — you may be able to recover some or all of your money depending on the reason for cancellation and the policy terms. Travel insurance typically covers illness, injury, death of a family member, and job loss, but not change of mind or financial hardship.

Contact your insurance provider directly with your policy number and claim details. They will tell you whether your cancellation reason is covered and what documentation they need. This process is separate from cancelling with Princess — you still need to cancel your cruise through Princess to release your cabin, but the insurance company handles the refund separately.

Keep your Princess cancellation confirmation and any supporting documents (medical records, death certificate, job termination letter) because the insurance company will ask for them. Processing a claim typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Common problems and how to fix them

If you cannot log into your Princess account, click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in page and follow the email reset instructions. If you do not receive the reset email within 10 minutes, check your spam folder. If the email never arrives, call Princess at 1-800-PRINCESS and ask them to reset your password or look up your booking using your last name and booking confirmation number.

If you submitted a cancellation request online but did not hear back within 48 hours, call Princess to confirm they received it. Occasionally requests get lost in their system, especially during peak booking seasons. A phone call takes five minutes and guarantees your cancellation is in the queue.

If you disagree with the refund amount, ask the representative to explain the calculation. They will show you the fare type, the cancellation date, and the policy that applies. If you believe there was an error, ask to speak with a supervisor. Princess rarely overrides refund policies, but supervisors can sometimes make exceptions for billing errors or system glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my cruise for free if I am sick?

No, unless you purchased cancel-for-any-reason insurance at the time of booking. Standard Princess refund policies do not cover illness. If you have travel insurance through a third party, check your policy — some plans cover medical cancellations, but you will need to provide a doctor's note or medical records to the insurance company.

What if I cancel but then want to rebook on the same ship and date?

You cannot rebook the exact same cruise after cancelling because your cabin will be sold to another guest. You can book a different cabin on the same ship if availability exists, or choose a different sailing. Your future cruise credit applies to any Princess cruise within two years.

Do I lose my deposit if I cancel?

Your deposit is part of your total booking cost. If you cancel more than 75 days before departure, you receive a credit for the full amount you paid, including the deposit. If you cancel closer to the departure date, the refund policy applies to the entire booking, not just the deposit.

Can someone else use my future cruise credit?

No. Future cruise credits are non-transferable and tied to the original booker's account. Only you can use the credit to book a new cruise. If you want someone else to take the cruise, you would need to book it under their name and pay the difference if the new cruise costs more than your credit.

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

If your refund is issued as a future cruise credit, it appears in your account within 3 to 5 business days. If you are may have access to to a cash refund, it takes 7 to 14 business days to process back to your original payment method, depending on your bank.