Where to Cancel Your Royal Caribbean Cruise
You can cancel your Royal Caribbean cruise through your online account on the Royal Caribbean website. Log in to your account, find your booking under "My Reservations," and look for a cancellation or modification option. The exact button or link name changes occasionally, but it will be near your booking details.
If you booked through a travel agent rather than directly with Royal Caribbean, you must contact that agent to cancel — Royal Caribbean's website will not let you cancel a third-party booking. Check your confirmation email to see who issued your reservation. Cancelling through the website only works if you booked directly with Royal Caribbean or through their app.
Royal Caribbean also allows cancellation by phone at 1-866-562-7625, but the online method is faster and gives you an when ready confirmation number. You can cancel online at any time of day without waiting for customer service hours.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Royal Caribbean account, find your booking under "My Reservations," and select the cancellation option next to your cruise details.
- If you booked through a travel agent, contact that agent directly — Royal Caribbean's website cannot cancel third-party bookings.
- Cancellation refunds depend on how far in advance you cancel and your specific fare type; some fares are non-refundable or have penalties.
- You will receive a confirmation number when ready after cancelling online, and Royal Caribbean will send a follow-up email with refund details within one business day.
- If you cannot find the cancellation option in your account, call Royal Caribbean's customer service line rather than attempting to cancel through email.
Steps to Cancel Through Your Royal Caribbean Account
Start by going to www.royalcaribbean.com and clicking "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password associated with your booking. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it before you proceed.
Once you are logged in, look for "My Reservations" or "Manage My Booking" — the exact label varies by page layout. Click on it and you will see a list of all your upcoming cruises. Find the cruise you want to cancel and click on it to open the full booking details. You should see options to modify or cancel the reservation. Select the cancellation option.
Royal Caribbean will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may ask why you are cancelling. You do not have to provide a reason, but the form may require you to select from a dropdown list. After you confirm, you will receive a cancellation confirmation number on screen. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have questions about your refund later.
Understanding Refund Amounts and Timing
Your refund depends on your fare type and how many days before your cruise departure you cancel. Royal Caribbean publishes its cancellation policy on the booking confirmation email you received when you first reserved. The policy shows what percentage of your payment you will receive back based on the cancellation date.
Some fares are non-refundable, meaning you will receive a future cruise credit instead of money back. Other fares allow a full refund if you cancel more than 75 days before departure, but charge a penalty if you cancel closer to the sail date. A few premium fares offer refunds with no penalty at any time. Check your original confirmation email or log into your account to see which fare type you purchased.
Refunds are processed to the original payment method — the credit card or account you used to book. Processing takes 7 to 14 business days after Royal Caribbean receives your cancellation. You will see the refund appear as a credit on your card statement, not as a separate deposit. If you paid by check or bank transfer, the refund will arrive by mail.
What Happens If You Cannot Find the Cancellation Option
If you log in and do not see a cancellation button or link, your booking may be locked because the cruise is departing very soon — usually within 7 days. Royal Caribbean does not allow online cancellation for cruises that are about to sail. You must call customer service at 1-866-562-7625 to cancel a cruise departing within one week.
Another reason the cancellation option may not appear is if your account is linked to a different email address than the one you are using to log in. Check your confirmation email to see which email address the booking is under, and log in using that address instead.
If you have tried both of these steps and still cannot find the option, contact Royal Caribbean's customer service line. Have your confirmation number ready. A representative can cancel the cruise for you over the phone and explain your refund in detail.
Cancelling a Booking Made Through a Travel Agent
If a travel agent booked your cruise, Royal Caribbean's website will not show a cancellation option for that reservation. You must contact the travel agent directly — they hold the booking in their system and must process the cancellation on their end. Find the agent's contact information on your confirmation email or receipt.
When you contact the agent, have your confirmation number ready. The agent will cancel the booking and handle the refund according to Royal Caribbean's policy and the agent's own terms. Some travel agents charge a cancellation fee on top of any Royal Caribbean penalty, so ask about this before you confirm the cancellation.
If you cannot reach your travel agent or the agency has closed, call Royal Caribbean directly. Explain that you booked through an agent and ask for help. Royal Caribbean can sometimes cancel the reservation if you provide proof that you own the booking, such as a copy of the confirmation email.
What to Do After You Cancel
Save your cancellation confirmation number and the confirmation email Royal Caribbean sends you. Keep these documents for at least one year in case you need to dispute a refund or answer questions about the cancellation later.
If you received a future cruise credit instead of a refund, Royal Caribbean will email you the credit certificate. This certificate has an expiration date — usually two years from the original cruise date. You can use the credit to book a new cruise on the Royal Caribbean website or by phone. The credit is non-transferable and cannot be converted back to cash.
Check your credit card or bank account after 7 to 14 business days to confirm the refund arrived. If it does not appear, contact Royal Caribbean with your cancellation confirmation number and ask them to trace the refund. Keep a record of the date you cancelled and the date you checked for the refund in case you need to file a dispute with your credit card company.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cancelling
Do not assume that cancelling your cruise automatically cancels any add-ons you purchased, such as beverage packages, specialty dining, or shore excursions. Some add-ons cancel automatically when you cancel the cruise, but others do not. Log back into your account after you cancel and check whether any charges remain. If they do, contact Royal Caribbean to remove them.
Do not cancel by email unless Royal Caribbean's customer service specifically instructs you to do so. Email cancellations are slower and harder to track. The online method or a phone call creates an when ready record and confirmation number.
Do not wait until the last minute to cancel if you know you cannot go. The closer you get to the departure date, the smaller your refund will be. Cancelling 60 days in advance is almost always better than cancelling 30 days in advance, even if you are not yet certain you will not go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my cruise and get a refund if I am sick or have a family emergency?
Royal Caribbean's standard cancellation policy applies regardless of the reason. However, if you have travel insurance that covers cancellation for medical reasons or emergencies, you may be able to file a claim with the insurance company to recover money that Royal Caribbean does not refund. Check your insurance policy to see what situations it covers.
What if I cancel but then want to rebook the same cruise?
You can rebook the same cruise when ready after cancelling, but the price may have changed. If the price has gone down, you will pay the lower price. If it has gone up, you will pay the higher price. Rebooking does not lock you into the original price you paid.
Do I lose my deposit if I cancel?
It depends on your fare type and how far in advance you cancel. Some fares allow you to cancel and receive your full deposit back if you cancel more than 75 days before departure. Other fares charge a deposit penalty even if you cancel early. Check your confirmation email to see your specific cancellation terms.
Can someone else cancel my cruise if I give them permission?
No. Only the person whose name is on the booking can cancel it online. If you want someone else to handle the cancellation, you can call Royal Caribbean and authorize them to speak with a representative on your behalf, but you will need to be present on the call to confirm your identity.
What if my cruise was cancelled by Royal Caribbean, not by me?
If Royal Caribbean cancels your cruise, they will contact you by email and phone with information about your refund or rebooking options. You do not need to cancel on your end. Follow the instructions in Royal Caribbean's notice to choose whether you want a refund or a future cruise credit.