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If you need to cancel a Royal Caribbean International cruise, the amount you receive back depends on several factors, including your fare type, cruise length, how far in advance you cancel, and whether your booking contains a nonrefundable deposit.
Royal Caribbean does not have one universal refund amount for every booking. Its cancellation charges are generally based on the number of days remaining before sailing, while specific rules can vary according to the guest’s country of residence and the booking conditions that apply.
In some circumstances, a cancellation may result in a refund to the original payment method. In others, part or all of the amount may be retained as a cancellation charge, or a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) may be issued under applicable terms.
This guide explains how the Royal Caribbean refund policy works, what happens to nonrefundable deposits, how cancellation timing affects your refund, and what you should know before cancelling a reservation.
Here are the main points to understand:
Refund eligibility depends on your booking and fare conditions.
Cancellation charges generally increase as the sailing date approaches.
Some fares require a nonrefundable deposit.
Cancelling after the cruise has started generally does not qualify for a refund.
No-shows generally do not qualify for a refund.
Certain separately purchased products, such as dining packages, beverage packages, excursions, and other services, can have their own cancellation terms.
If a refund is due, Royal Caribbean states that online cancellation refunds can take approximately 7–10 business days to process back to the original payment method.
Some cancellations may result in a Future Cruise Credit rather than cash, depending on the applicable terms.
Travel-agent bookings may involve additional cancellation conditions or fees imposed by the agency.
Royal Caribbean calculates cancellation charges according to the applicable booking conditions.
For many bookings, the closer you get to the sailing date, the larger the cancellation charge becomes. This means cancelling well before departure can result in a smaller penalty than cancelling shortly before the cruise.
The exact schedule is not identical worldwide. Royal Caribbean publishes different cancellation terms for different markets, so passengers should use the conditions applicable to their booking rather than relying on a general cancellation chart found elsewhere.
For example, Royal Caribbean's published terms for certain U.S. bookings specify cancellation charges that increase as the departure date approaches. The applicable Guest Terms and Conditions should always be checked for the specific reservation.
Not necessarily.
A full refund depends on the cancellation terms applicable to your booking and how early you cancel.
If your booking is cancelled during a period when no cancellation charge applies, you may be entitled to receive eligible amounts back. However, nonrefundable deposits and certain other charges may not be returned.
Once a cancellation-charge period begins, Royal Caribbean can retain the applicable percentage or amount according to the terms of the booking.
For example, Royal Caribbean's published Australian cancellation information for certain 1–5 night cruises states:
| Cancellation timing | Published cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| 75 days or more before the cruise | No charge, except applicable nonrefundable deposit |
| 74–61 days | 50% of total price |
| 60–31 days | 75% of total price |
| 30 days or less | 100% of total price |
This table is an example of one market's published rules, not a universal cancellation schedule for every Royal Caribbean passenger.
A nonrefundable deposit is important because it generally cannot be returned as cash simply because you cancel your cruise.
Royal Caribbean states that certain fare programs require a nonrefundable deposit at the time of booking. Under those conditions, the deposit is not refundable after it has been paid.
This means you should check the fare conditions before making a booking if flexibility is important to you.
A cheaper fare with a nonrefundable deposit may have different cancellation consequences from a fare with a refundable deposit.
In some applicable programs and circumstances, Royal Caribbean may issue a Future Cruise Credit instead of returning the nonrefundable deposit as cash.
For example, Royal Caribbean's published terms for its Nonrefundable Deposit Program state that, when an eligible booking is cancelled before the final payment due date, an FCC may be issued for the deposit paid minus a $100 USD per-person service fee. Those terms also state that the FCC has a 12-month expiration period and is nontransferable and nonrefundable.
However, these conditions are program-specific. Do not assume that every nonrefundable deposit automatically converts to an FCC.
Cancellation timing is one of the most important factors.
Royal Caribbean generally uses a graduated cancellation structure. As the sailing date approaches, cancellation charges can become higher.
The practical lesson is simple: check the cancellation terms before cancelling, particularly if your departure date is approaching.
A guest who cancels several weeks or months before departure can have a very different refund outcome from someone cancelling shortly before sailing.
The exact deadlines depend on the booking conditions that apply to the cruise.
Generally, cancelling after the cruise has begun does not result in a refund.
Royal Caribbean's U.S. Guest Terms state that cancellation after the cruise has started, early disembarkation for any reason, and no-shows are generally without refund, compensation, or liability from the carrier.
This is important if you are considering leaving the ship early because of a personal change of plans.
Before travelling, consider whether your travel insurance provides any applicable coverage for an interruption.
Generally, no.
If you simply fail to board your Royal Caribbean cruise without cancelling according to the applicable terms, you should not expect a refund.
Royal Caribbean's Guest Terms specifically state that no-shows are generally without refund or compensation.
For this reason, contacting Royal Caribbean or your travel advisor as soon as you know you cannot travel is preferable to simply not appearing at the terminal.
If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, you can cancel through your online Guest Account when the option is available.
Royal Caribbean says guests can:
Sign in to their Guest Account.
Open Manage Reservation.
Select the applicable reservation.
Follow the cancellation instructions.
Review the refund information before completing the cancellation.
Royal Caribbean's cancellation FAQ says that, when a refund applies, guests should allow approximately 7–10 business days for the refund to be processed back to the original payment method.
If your cruise was booked through a travel agent, contact the agency to cancel.
Royal Caribbean's booking conditions state that when a booking has been made through a travel agent, Royal Caribbean generally requires the agency to provide the written cancellation. The agency may also have its own cancellation fees or terms.
Therefore, check both:
Royal Caribbean's applicable booking conditions
Your travel agency's terms and fees
For cancellations made through the online process where a refund applies, Royal Caribbean states that you should allow 7–10 business days for the refund to be processed back to the original payment method.
The time it takes for the money to actually appear in your account can also depend on your bank or card issuer.
If you have waited beyond the applicable processing period and cannot see the refund, check your payment account and then contact Royal Caribbean or your travel advisor.
When a refund is owed, Royal Caribbean generally returns the money according to the original payment arrangement.
Its U.S. Guest Terms state that when payment was made by credit card and a refund is owed, the refund will be made to that credit card. When payment was made through a travel agent, the refund is provided to the travel agent.
This is one reason it is useful to keep your original booking and payment records.
A Future Cruise Credit, commonly called an FCC, is a credit that can be applied toward an eligible future Royal Caribbean cruise.
An FCC is different from a cash refund.
Royal Caribbean explains that an FCC can be entered during the payment process when making a new booking. It can also be applied to certain existing reservations by contacting Royal Caribbean or the travel advisor who made the booking.
The terms attached to an FCC can vary, including its expiration date and eligible uses, so always read the instructions supplied with your specific credit.
Yes, when the FCC's terms permit it.
Royal Caribbean says guests can apply an FCC to a new Royal Caribbean cruise during checkout by entering the credit number at the payment stage.
If you have an existing reservation, Royal Caribbean also provides a process for applying eligible credits toward remaining payments.
Not necessarily.
An FCC is subject to its own terms and is not automatically exchangeable for cash.
For example, Royal Caribbean's Nonrefundable Deposit Program terms state that the applicable FCC is nontransferable, nonrefundable, and not redeemable for another form of compensation, credit, or cash.
Always check the specific terms attached to the credit you received.
The situation is different when the cruise is cancelled by Royal Caribbean rather than by the guest.
Royal Caribbean's U.S. Guest Terms state that when the carrier cancels a cruise before boarding, the guest's remedy can include a refund or Future Cruise Credit for the cancelled cruise or CruiseTour's value, subject to the applicable terms.
The options available can depend on the reason for cancellation and the specific terms governing the reservation.
If Royal Caribbean cancels your sailing, carefully review the communication it sends because it should explain the options and applicable deadlines.
A major change to a booked holiday can trigger different rights under the booking conditions that apply to your reservation.
Royal Caribbean's booking conditions for certain markets describe significant changes and state that, where applicable, guests may be offered choices such as accepting the changed arrangements, selecting an alternative holiday, or cancelling and receiving a refund of amounts paid.
The definition of a significant change and the remedies available depend on the applicable booking conditions and local law.
Therefore, do not assume that every itinerary change automatically qualifies for a full refund.
Cruise cancellation and individual onboard or pre-cruise purchases can have separate refund rules.
Royal Caribbean states that cancellations involving air arrangements, shore excursions, tours, hotels, restaurants, attractions, travel insurance, spa services, photography, weddings, specialty dining, and other pre-booked services are governed by their applicable terms.
For example, Royal Caribbean's global purchase terms state that refundable products, including refundable beverage and dining packages, may generally be eligible for a full refund when cancelled at least 48 hours before voyage departure through the applicable process. Products specifically designated as nonrefundable are not refundable under those terms.
Therefore, cancelling your cruise does not necessarily mean every separate purchase on the reservation is automatically refunded under the same rule.
Travel insurance is separate from Royal Caribbean's standard cancellation policy.
If Royal Caribbean's cancellation terms require you to pay a cancellation charge, travel insurance may provide coverage for certain covered reasons, depending on the policy.
However, insurance does not automatically guarantee reimbursement.
Before relying on insurance, check:
Covered cancellation reasons
Exclusions
Documentation requirements
Deductibles, if applicable
Trip interruption provisions
Claim deadlines
Whether the policy covers the specific expense
Royal Caribbean also states that insurance premiums may not be refundable when a booking is cancelled under certain booking conditions.
Royal Caribbean has offered specific cancellation-protection products in certain markets, but availability and terms vary.
For example, Royal Caribbean's Cruise Covered terms in Australia describe an optional protection product that can allow eligible guests to cancel for any reason up to five days before sailing and receive 90% of the applicable cruise cancellation fee as a Future Cruise Credit. The terms also state that the product is available only in specified markets and under particular eligibility conditions.
This should not be confused with a universal Royal Caribbean refund policy. Guests should verify whether such a product is available for their booking and read its specific terms before purchasing.
Before cancelling, check these details:
Royal Caribbean publishes different booking and cancellation conditions for different markets.
A cancellation schedule shown on a U.S. website may not apply to a guest whose booking is governed by terms for another country.
Some fare programs have refundable deposits, while others use nonrefundable deposits.
The fare conditions shown when you booked are important when determining what can be returned.
Cancellation charges can differ depending on the number of nights in the cruise.
The cancellation date can significantly affect the amount retained by Royal Caribbean.
A travel agency may impose separate fees under its own terms.
Flights, hotels, excursions, dining, beverage packages, insurance, and other services may have separate cancellation conditions.
Suppose a traveler has a cruise booking with a fare that becomes subject to cancellation charges as the sailing date approaches.
If the traveler cancels early enough, the applicable cancellation charge may be low or zero, apart from any nonrefundable amount.
If the same traveler waits until a later cancellation period, a larger percentage of the booking may be retained.
If the traveler waits until the final cancellation period, the cancellation charge can reach the full applicable cruise price under some published schedules.
This is why the exact booking terms matter more than a generic statement such as "Royal Caribbean offers refunds."
Use this checklist before submitting a cancellation:
Check your cruise confirmation.
Identify your fare type.
Check whether your deposit is refundable.
Confirm your country-specific cancellation terms.
Check how many days remain before sailing.
Review any travel-agent cancellation fee.
Review separately purchased flights and hotels.
Check shore excursion cancellation terms.
Check dining and beverage package terms.
Check travel insurance conditions.
Determine whether an FCC may be issued instead of cash.
Save your cancellation confirmation.
Keep records of the original payment.
Taking a few minutes to check these details can prevent confusion about the amount you are expected to receive.
Not always. Your refund depends on the fare, applicable cancellation terms, cancellation date, cruise length, country-specific conditions, and any nonrefundable amounts.
Generally, a nonrefundable deposit is not returned as cash. In certain eligible programs, Royal Caribbean may issue a Future Cruise Credit under specified conditions.
Royal Caribbean says refunds resulting from eligible online cancellations should generally be allowed 7–10 business days for processing back to the original payment method.
Yes. Royal Caribbean says guests can sign in to their Guest Account, access Manage Reservation, and follow the cancellation process when online cancellation is available.
Generally, no. Royal Caribbean's U.S. Guest Terms state that no-shows generally receive no refund, compensation, or credit.
Generally, early disembarkation does not qualify for a refund under the standard terms. Specific circumstances and applicable law can affect the outcome.
A Future Cruise Credit is a credit that can be applied toward an eligible future Royal Caribbean cruise rather than being returned as cash. Its individual terms determine how and when it can be used.
Eligible FCCs can be applied toward new Royal Caribbean bookings, and Royal Caribbean provides instructions for applying them during checkout.
Not automatically under the cruise cancellation rule. Shore excursions and other additional products can have separate cancellation terms, so check the conditions for each purchase.
Some products are refundable and some are not. Royal Caribbean's global purchase terms state that eligible refundable beverage and dining packages may generally be cancelled at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund, subject to the applicable terms.
Depending on the applicable Guest Terms and the circumstances, Royal Caribbean may provide a refund or Future Cruise Credit for the cancelled cruise or CruiseTour.
Yes. Royal Caribbean's booking conditions note that travel-agent bookings may be subject to additional cancellation fees imposed by the agency. Check the agency's terms as well as Royal Caribbean's conditions.
Royal Caribbean International's refund policy is not a single fixed rule that applies equally to every cruise. The amount you receive after cancelling depends primarily on your booking conditions, fare type, country-specific terms, cruise length, and how close the cancellation is to the sailing date.
Nonrefundable deposits require particular attention because they generally cannot be returned as cash. In some eligible circumstances, a Future Cruise Credit may be available instead. Separately purchased items such as excursions, dining, beverage packages, flights, hotels, and insurance can also have their own cancellation rules.
Before cancelling, review the terms attached to your specific reservation and confirm the refund or credit amount. If you booked through a travel advisor, contact the advisor as well. This is the safest way to understand what Royal Caribbean's refund policy means for your particular cruise.
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