How to cancel a Princess Cruise
You can cancel a Princess Cruise by calling Princess directly at 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), logging into your online account and requesting cancellation, or contacting your travel agent if you booked through one. Princess processes cancellations by phone faster than online, usually within minutes. The amount you receive back depends on when you cancel relative to your sail date and which fare type you purchased.
Cancellation refunds follow Princess's standard policy: full refund if you cancel more than 75 days before departure, reduced refund between 75 and 8 days out, and no refund within 8 days of sailing. Non-refundable fares (the cheapest option at booking) return nothing except taxes and fees. If you purchased travel insurance through Princess or a third party, that policy may cover your cancellation and pay you back even when Princess's policy does not.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-PRINCESS to cancel; phone cancellations process faster than online requests and you get when ready confirmation.
- Your refund amount depends on your fare type and how many days remain before your sail date — check your booking confirmation to see which category you purchased.
- Cancellations within 8 days of departure receive no refund under Princess's standard policy, though travel insurance may cover you.
- If you booked through a travel agent, contact them first rather than Princess directly, as they handle the cancellation on your behalf.
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation and keep your confirmation number for your records.
Refund amounts by cancellation window
Princess divides cancellations into four time windows, each with a different refund percentage. More than 75 days before your sail date returns your full payment. Between 75 and 46 days out, you lose 50 percent of your cruise fare. Between 45 and 8 days out, you lose 75 percent. Within 8 days of departure, you receive nothing back except taxes and fees that Princess did not keep.
These percentages explore only to refundable fares. If you purchased a non-refundable fare at booking — usually marked as "special offer" or "sale" pricing — you receive no refund on the cruise fare itself at any cancellation window. You do receive back any onboard credit you purchased separately, any shore excursions you paid for in advance, and taxes and fees.
Cabin deposits and final payments follow the same windows. If you paid a deposit months ago and cancel now, the deposit is subject to the current cancellation window, not the window that applied when you booked.
How to cancel by phone
Call 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) and have your booking confirmation number ready. You can find this in your confirmation email or by logging into your Princess account online. The phone line is open seven days a week. Wait times are typically shortest early in the morning or late in the evening.
Tell the agent you want to cancel your cruise. They will confirm your booking details, explain your refund amount, and ask whether you want to proceed. Once you confirm, the cancellation is when ready. The agent will give you a cancellation confirmation number — write this down and ask them to email it to you as well.
Refunds to credit cards usually appear within 7 to 10 business days. If you paid by check or bank transfer, refunds take longer. Princess will send you a refund confirmation email with tracking information once the money leaves their account.
Canceling through your online account
Log into your Princess account at princess.com using your email and password. Click "Manage My Booking" and select the cruise you want to cancel. You should see a "Cancel Cruise" button or link. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
Online cancellations take longer to process than phone cancellations — typically 24 to 48 hours before you receive confirmation. You will get a confirmation email with your cancellation number. If you do not receive an email within two business days, call Princess to verify the cancellation went through.
Some older bookings or special promotions may not allow online cancellation. If you do not see a cancel option in your account, you must call Princess by phone.
Canceling if you booked through a travel agent
Contact your travel agent first, not Princess directly. Your agent holds the booking and handles the cancellation on your behalf. They will submit the cancellation request to Princess and follow up on the refund. This protects you because your agent has a record of the transaction and can advocate for you if there is a dispute.
Ask your agent for a cancellation confirmation number once the request is submitted. The refund timeline is the same — 7 to 10 business days for credit cards — but your agent may receive the refund first and then pass it to you, which can add a few days.
If your agent is unresponsive or out of business, you can call Princess directly and provide your booking confirmation number. Princess will cancel the booking, but you may have a harder time resolving refund issues without your agent's involvement.
Travel insurance and cancellation coverage
If you purchased travel insurance when you booked, check your policy documents to see whether it covers cruise cancellations. Many policies reimburse your full cruise fare if you cancel for a covered reason — illness, injury, death in the family, or job loss are common covered events. Some policies also cover cancellation for any reason, though at a lower reimbursement rate (usually 50 to 75 percent).
Travel insurance does not override Princess's cancellation policy. Instead, it pays you directly when Princess's policy would not. For example, if you cancel within 8 days of departure and lose your entire cruise fare under Princess's policy, travel insurance may pay you back if your cancellation reason is covered.
File a claim with your insurance company, not with Princess. You will need your cancellation confirmation from Princess, proof of your cancellation reason (medical records, death certificate, job termination letter), and your insurance policy number. Insurance companies typically take 30 to 60 days to process claims.
What happens to onboard credit and deposits
Onboard credit (OBC) that Princess issued as a promotion or discount is forfeited when you cancel. You do not receive a refund for OBC. If you purchased onboard credit separately as a gift or spending money, that is refunded as part of your cancellation.
Cabin deposits paid months in advance are subject to the current cancellation window, not the window when you made the deposit. If you paid a $500 deposit six months ago and cancel now within 8 days of departure, you lose that $500 under the 8-day window.
Shore excursions, beverage packages, and specialty dining packages purchased in advance are refunded in full if you cancel before the cutoff date listed on your booking. These cutoff dates vary by excursion and package — check your confirmation email for specifics. Cancellations after the cutoff date forfeit the package cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel less than a week before my cruise?
No refund is issued under Princess's standard policy if you cancel within 8 days of your sail date. You lose your entire cruise fare. Travel insurance may cover this loss if your cancellation reason is covered under your policy — check your policy documents or contact your insurance company.
What if I want to change my cruise date instead of canceling?
Call Princess at 1-800-PRINCESS and ask about rebooking instead of cancellation. If you rebook for a cruise of equal or greater value within one year, you may avoid the cancellation penalty. If the new cruise costs less, you forfeit the difference. Rebooking terms vary by fare type, so ask the agent what options explore to your booking.
Do I get my deposit back if I cancel?
Deposits are refunded according to the same cancellation windows as the full cruise fare. A deposit paid months ago is treated as if you paid it today — the refund percentage depends on how many days remain before your sail date, not when you made the deposit.
How long does it take to receive my refund?
Refunds to credit cards typically appear within 7 to 10 business days after cancellation. Refunds by check or bank transfer take longer, sometimes 2 to 3 weeks. Princess sends a refund confirmation email once the money leaves their account.
Can I cancel and get a future cruise credit instead of a refund?
Princess does not automatically offer future cruise credit in place of refunds. However, you can ask the cancellation agent whether a credit option is available for your specific booking. Some promotions or fare types may allow this, but it is not may provide.