Royal Caribbean Cruise Change Policy 2026
Last reviewed against the cancellation terms published on royalcaribbean.com.
Reviewed by Jack Martin, Senior Process Associate at AirFiesta. About AirFiesta
The Royal Caribbean cruise change policy has no single change fee. What you pay depends on your deposit type, the length of your cruise and how close the sailing is. Cancel by your final payment date and you owe nothing apart from a non-refundable deposit. After that the charge steps up from 25% to 100% of the total price. Changing a sailing date or ship goes through Royal Caribbean or your travel advisor, and fees apply on non-refundable deposit bookings.
Quick facts (as of 2 October 2026)
- Before final payment
- No cancellation charge, apart from any non-refundable deposit.
- Final payment due
- 75 days before sailing for 1 to 4 nights, 90 days for 5 to 14 nights, 120 days for 15 nights or more.
- After final payment
- Cancellation costs 25%, 50%, 75% then 100% of the total price as sailing approaches.
- Within 30 days
- 100% of the price is charged. Taxes, fees and fuel supplement are still refunded.
- New schedule
- Some Alaska, Hawaii, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Pacific Coastal bookings made from 29 September 2026 have no 25% tier.
- Changing a booking
- Through Royal Caribbean Consumer Outreach or your travel advisor. Fees apply on non-refundable deposit bookings.
Booked directly with Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean manages your booking. Contact its Consumer Outreach team through royalcaribbean.com to change your ship or sail date, and manage payments from your reservation online.
Go to Royal CaribbeanBooked with AirFiesta?
Send us the request and we take it up with Royal Caribbean. Any AirFiesta service fee is confirmed before we act and listed apart from the cruise line's charges.
Booked through another travel advisor? Royal Caribbean tells guests in that position to contact the advisor for any change.
How Royal Caribbean's rules tighten as sailing nears
Under the Royal Caribbean cruise change policy, time matters more than the ticket type. The closer you get to sailing, the less flexibility you keep. Here is how a typical booking moves through four stages.
- Before final payment
Cancel with no charge apart from any non-refundable deposit. Date and ship changes are possible, with change fees on non-refundable deposit bookings.
- Early penalty window
Cancelling costs 25% of the total price on longer cruises, or 50% on shorter ones.
- Late window
74 to 31 days before sailing costs 50% and then 75% of the total price.
- 30 days or less
100% of the total price is charged, with no refund apart from taxes, fees and fuel supplement.
Final payment is also the date after which guest changes can force the whole cruise to be repriced, so treat it as your real deadline.
Royal Caribbean cancellation charges by cruise length
These are the charges on Royal Caribbean's own page for standard bookings made in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Each percentage is of the total cruise price, and the no-charge rows exclude any non-refundable deposit.
| Days before sailing | 1 to 4 nights | 5 to 14 nights | 15+ nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 days or more | No charge | No charge | No charge |
| 119 to 90 days | No charge | No charge | 25% |
| 89 to 75 days | No charge | 25% | 25% |
| 74 to 61 days | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| 60 to 31 days | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| 30 days or less | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Holiday sailings are included in these ranges. Charges vary for single occupancy, for third, fourth or higher guests, and for groups. Bookings made outside the US, Canada and Puerto Rico may follow a different policy.
New Royal Caribbean cancellation schedule (from 29 September 2026)
Royal Caribbean has introduced a revised schedule for some bookings. It applies to reservations created on or after 29 September 2026 for Alaska, Hawaii, Transpacific, Panama Canal or Pacific Coastal sailings that depart on or after 11 April 2028. The 25% tier is removed, and the charge jumps straight to 50%.
- 1 to 4 nights: unchanged from the table above.
- 5 to 9 nights: no charge at 90 days or more; 89 to 61 days costs 50%; then 75% and 100% as before.
- 10 nights or longer: no charge at 120 days or more; 119 to 61 days costs 50%; then 75% and 100% as before.
Check which schedule your reservation falls under before you plan a cancellation, because the date you booked and the itinerary decide it.
Refundable and non-refundable deposits
Some fare programs ask for a non-refundable deposit when you book. Royal Caribbean states that this deposit is never refunded once paid. If you cancel before final payment, the full deposit is kept and any other payments are returned. Change fees also apply to these bookings, but the policy page does not list the amount, so ask before you commit. Bookings with a refundable deposit have been reported to allow changes without an extra charge before final payment, which is why some travellers pay a little more for the flexibility.
Example (illustrative figures): You book a 7-night cruise for $2,400 and cancel 80 days before sailing.
On the standard schedule the charge is 25%, which is $600, and your taxes, fees and fuel supplement are refunded. Cancel at 91 days instead and there is no charge, apart from any non-refundable deposit you paid.
How to change your Royal Caribbean cruise
Booked directly
To change your ship or sail date, contact Royal Caribbean's Consumer Outreach team. A representative makes the change, applies any qualifying fee and takes payment if it is due. You can find the contact page from royalcaribbean.com.
Booked through a travel advisor
Contact the advisor. Royal Caribbean states that advisor bookings can be moved to another advisor or to a direct booking up until final payment, but not after.
If you booked with AirFiesta
- Use the at the bottom of the page, or email support@airfiesta.com with your AirFiesta booking reference.
- We check your deposit type and how far you are from sailing, then reply with the options and any cruise line charge as a separate line.
- You approve, we contact Royal Caribbean, and the confirmation reaches you by email.
Change your Royal Caribbean sail date or ship
A date change is effectively a rebooking, so the new sailing is priced at its current fare and the change fee, where one applies, is added. The best time to do it is before final payment, when cancelling is also free. Once you are inside the penalty window, ask for the cost of a change and of a cancellation side by side, because a change fee can be far smaller than a cancellation charge. Add-ons you bought separately, such as packages, are handled under their own terms and may not move with the booking.
Royal Caribbean name change and guest changes
Every guest name must match their passport. Corrections and guest swaps are possible, and one industry report says a swap is allowed without a price change even after final payment. By contrast, adding or removing a guest after final payment can mean the whole cruise is repriced. Make guest changes before final payment where you can, and confirm any swap in writing with Royal Caribbean or your advisor before you rely on it.
Cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise and get your refund
Cancellation notices are effective when Royal Caribbean receives them, so send yours early and keep proof. Your Royal Caribbean refund goes back to the credit card you paid with, or to your travel advisor if they took the payment. Any applicable taxes, fees or fuel supplement are refunded. If you booked a CruiseTour and drop the tour while keeping the cruise, a separate charge applies if you convert within 42 days of the tour segment starting. Air, hotel, excursions, extras and Travel Protection follow their own cancellation terms.
Missed sailing and no-show
On a cruise, a no-show is the most expensive outcome. Cancelling after the cruise has begun, leaving early for any reason, or not showing up is without refund, compensation or liability on Royal Caribbean's part. If you may not make embarkation, act early.
- Cancel or change before final payment if there is any doubt, since that costs the least.
- Contact Royal Caribbean at once if you are delayed on the way to the port.
- Check your travel insurance for covered reasons before you cancel or miss the ship.
- Tell us if you booked with AirFiesta. Call or message us as early as you can.
If Royal Caribbean cancels or delays your cruise
If Royal Caribbean cancels a voyage, or delays embarkation by three days or more and you choose not to sail on the delayed or a substitute voyage, you can take a refund or a future cruise credit. It usually issues the credit automatically, but you can ask for a refund instead within six months of the cancellation or scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier. This does not apply to chartered sailings, where you must contact the reseller that sold you the cruise.
Common mistakes with cruise bookings
- Treating a cruise like a flight. There is no free change after final payment.
- Missing the final payment date. It is the point where charges begin.
- Forgetting the non-refundable deposit. It is kept even on an early cancellation.
- Assuming one schedule fits all. The newer schedule applies to some bookings only.
- Skipping travel insurance. A late cancellation can cost the full price.
Final payment: the date that matters most
Final payment is the point where a cruise stops being flexible. On Royal Caribbean's standard schedule it falls 75 days before sailing for 1 to 4 night cruises, 90 days for 5 to 14 nights, and 120 days for cruises of 15 nights or longer. Cancelling on or before that date carries no charge apart from a non-refundable deposit. Cancelling after it starts the percentage charges in the table above.
Because of that, the best moment to decide whether you can really go is a few weeks before final payment, not after it. Put the date in your calendar when you book, and ask your advisor or Royal Caribbean to confirm it for your sailing, since the newer schedule moves some boundaries.
Change or cancel: which costs less?
Inside the penalty window, a change and a cancellation can be priced very differently. A change fee on a non-refundable deposit booking is usually far smaller than a 50% or 75% cancellation charge, although the new sailing is priced at its current fare. Ask for both quotes in writing before you decide, and compare them with what you would pay to rebook later.
Checklist before you contact Royal Caribbean
- Find your reservation number, sail date, ship and number of nights.
- Note your deposit type and the amount already paid.
- Check whether your booking was created before or after 29 September 2026.
- Decide whether you want a new date, a new ship, or to cancel.
- Ask for the charge in writing and keep a copy.
Related guides: British Airways holiday packages, Southwest vacation packages, Dubai holidays with Emirates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Royal Caribbean charge a cruise change fee?
It depends on your deposit type. Royal Caribbean says change fees apply to bookings with a non-refundable deposit. Amounts are not listed on its policy page, so ask its Consumer Outreach team, or your travel advisor, before you confirm. Bookings with a refundable deposit have been reported to change at no extra charge before final payment.
How do I change my Royal Caribbean sailing date or ship?
If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, contact its Consumer Outreach team, who will make the change and apply any qualifying fees. If you booked through a travel advisor or agency, contact them instead. If you booked with AirFiesta, our team handles it with Royal Caribbean.
How much does it cost to cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Nothing, apart from any non-refundable deposit, if you cancel by your final payment date. After that the charge rises in steps of 25%, 50%, 75% and then 100% of the total price, depending on how close the sailing is and how long the cruise is.
When is Royal Caribbean final payment due?
Under the standard schedule it is 75 days before sailing for 1 to 4 night cruises, 90 days for 5 to 14 nights, and 120 days for 15 nights or longer. A newer schedule applies to some bookings, with 90 days for 5 to 9 nights and 120 days for 10 nights or longer.
What is a non-refundable deposit?
Some fare programs require a non-refundable deposit at booking. It is never refunded once paid. If you cancel before final payment, the full deposit is kept and any other payments are refunded.
Can I cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise within 30 days of sailing for a refund?
No. Within 30 days the cancellation charge is 100% of the total price. Applicable taxes, fees and fuel supplement charges are still refunded.
Are taxes and fees refunded when I cancel?
Yes. Royal Caribbean says any applicable taxes, fees or fuel supplement charges are refunded when a cruise or CruiseTour is cancelled.
Is there a new Royal Caribbean cancellation policy?
Yes, for some bookings. Reservations created on or after 29 September 2026 for Alaska, Hawaii, Transpacific, Panama Canal or Pacific Coastal sailings departing on or after 11 April 2028 follow a schedule without the 25% tier. For 5 to 9 nights, 89 to 61 days before sailing costs 50%, and for 10 nights or longer, 119 to 61 days costs 50%.
Can I change the name on a Royal Caribbean booking?
Corrections and guest swaps are possible, and one report says a name swap is allowed after final payment without a price change. Adding or removing a guest after final payment can mean repricing the whole booking. Names must match each guest's passport, so confirm with Royal Caribbean or your advisor.
What is the Royal Caribbean no-show policy for a missed ship?
A no-show, or cancelling after the cruise has begun, is without refund or compensation from Royal Caribbean. If you are running late, contact the cruise line immediately. Travel insurance may help, depending on the policy.
What if Royal Caribbean cancels my cruise or has a delayed sailing?
If it cancels a voyage, or delays embarkation by three days or more and you decline the delayed or substitute sailing, you can take a refund or a future cruise credit. A credit is usually issued automatically. Refund requests must be made within six months.
Where does my refund go?
To the credit card you paid with. If your payment came from a travel advisor, the refund goes back to that advisor.
Does the same cancellation policy apply outside the US?
Not necessarily. The terms on Royal Caribbean's page apply to bookings made in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Guests booking from other countries should check their local site or ask their travel advisor.
Do flights, hotels and excursions follow the same rules?
No. Air, hotel stays, transfers, shore excursions, pre-purchased extras, Royal Caribbean Travel Protection and pre-booked services each have their own terms and cancellation charges.
Do single occupancy or third and fourth guests change the charges?
Yes. Royal Caribbean says the charges vary for single occupancy, for the third, fourth or higher guests in a stateroom, and for groups. Ask your travel advisor or Royal Caribbean for the exact figures.
I booked through a travel advisor. Can I move to booking direct?
Royal Caribbean states that advisor bookings can be transferred to another advisor or to a direct booking up until final payment. Ask before final payment if you want to switch.
Should I buy Royal Caribbean travel insurance for a cruise?
It is worth considering, because cancellation charges can reach 100% of the price. Whether it pays depends on the reason you cancel and the policy terms, so read the covered reasons before you buy.
How do I cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise?
If you booked directly, contact Royal Caribbean; if you booked through a travel advisor, contact them. Cancellation notices are effective when Royal Caribbean receives them, and the charge depends on how many days remain before sailing and how long the cruise is.
What is the Royal Caribbean refund policy?
Refunds follow the cancellation schedule: nothing is charged before final payment apart from a non-refundable deposit, then 25% to 100% of the price as sailing approaches. Taxes, fees and fuel supplement are refunded, and money goes back to your card or your travel advisor.
Can I change my Royal Caribbean cruise to a different date?
Yes. Contact Royal Caribbean's Consumer Outreach team, or your travel advisor, to change the sail date. A representative applies any qualifying change fee, which is common on non-refundable deposit bookings, and collects payment if it is due.
Can I switch to a different Royal Caribbean ship?
Yes, a ship change is handled the same way as a date change, through Consumer Outreach or your advisor. The new sailing is priced at its current fare, and any change fee is added.
What is the Royal Caribbean future cruise credit?
If Royal Caribbean cancels a voyage, or delays embarkation by three days or more and you decline the replacement sailing, you can receive a future cruise credit. It is usually issued automatically, and you can instead ask for a refund within six months.
Does Royal Caribbean refund my deposit if I cancel?
A non-refundable deposit is never refunded once paid, and the full amount is kept if you cancel. Bookings with a refundable deposit have been reported to allow a full refund if you cancel before final payment.
Can I rebook a Royal Caribbean cruise after cancelling?
Yes, but a new booking is priced at the fare available at the time, and the cancellation charge on the old booking still applies. Ask for the cost of a change and of a cancel-and-rebook side by side before deciding.
How do I contact Royal Caribbean Consumer Outreach about a change?
Use the contact page on royalcaribbean.com. If you booked through a travel advisor, contact them instead, and if you booked with AirFiesta, our team will take it up with Royal Caribbean.