Here Are the Standard Cancellation Policies for Each Major Cruise Line

by Dori Saltzman / September 30, 2022

two cruise ships docked next to each other

Cruise line cancellation policies are as varied as the cruise lines themselves. Some cruise lines let clients cancel up to three months before sailing with no penalty. Others charge an administrative fee for a cancellation from the minute a cruise has been booked.

One universal truth does apply, though: the more expensive or longer the cruise, the less time people have to cancel their sailing with the least penalty.

To help advisors quickly and easily identify the cancellation policy for ocean-going cruise lines, Travel Market Report has rounded up each line’s standard policy.

This roundup does not include any special promotions that require either a non-refundable deposit or a non-refundable fare. Additionally, unless noted otherwise, cancellation charges are person.

American Cruise Lines
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

91 days or more | $250 per person (unless cancelled within 24 hours of booking)
90-46 days | 50% + $250 per person
45 days or less | 100% + $250 per person

Azamara
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

121+ days | $75 per person
120-91 days | 25% of booked fare
90-61 days | 50% of booked fare
60-31 days | 75% of booked fare
30 days or less | 100% of booked fare

Atlas Ocean Voyages
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Deposit-91 days (Deposit – 121 days for Antarctica sailings) | $250 per person
90-76 days (120-76 days for Antarctica sailings) | 50% cancellation fee
75-46 days (same for Antarctica sailings) | 75% cancellation fee
45 days or less (same for Antarctica sailings) | 100% cancellation fee

Carnival Cruise Line Cancellation Policy
Photo: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock.com

Carnival Cruise Line
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Final payment – 56 days | Deposit amount
55-30 days | 50% of booked fare (or standard deposit, whichever is greater)
29-15 days | 75% of booked fare (or standard deposit, whichever is greater)
14 days or less | 100% of booked fare

COVID-19 Exception: If you, your family members living with you in the same household or a travel companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise booking due to testing positive for COVID-19 within seven days of embarkation, you and those traveling companions assigned to the same stateroom are entitled to an FCC for the amount paid to Carnival. To qualify for the FCC, you are required to notify Carnival within 24 hours or receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. Results must be presented to Carnival in an “acceptable” format – ie, a laboratory test record, digital certificate or healthcare record that indicates your full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken, test result stating “POSITIVE” and laboratory, testing site, and/or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results and photographs of at-home test results are not acceptable.

Celebrity Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For 1 to 4 Night Cruises (including holiday sailings)

74-61 days | 50% of total price
60-31 days | 75% of total price
30 days or less | 100% of total price

For cruises of 5 nights or longer (including holiday sailings & cruise/tours)

89-75 days | 25% of total price
74-61 days | 50% of total price
60-31 days | 75% of total price
30 days or less | 100% of total price

COVID-19 Exception: For cruises departing through November 30, 2022, Celebrity will provide a 100% refund (or FCC) for any guest and their traveling party, if any test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days prior to embarkation. To qualify for a refund or FCC, the person who has tested positive must present a verified positive test in a form acceptable to Celebrity.

Celestyal Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For 2022 Cruises

89-30 days | full deposit
29 days or less | 100% (minus port and service charges)

For 2023 Cruises

90 days or more | $60 per stateroom
89-30 days | full deposit
29 days or less | 100% (minus port and service charges)

Cunard
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For voyages of 30 nights or less on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing through February 23, 2023 (including World Voyage segments

89-61 days | 40% of full fare
60-31 days | 50% of full fare
30-15 days | 75% of full fare
14 days or less | 100% of full fare

For all other cruises or voyages of 30 nights or less on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing after February 23, 2023

129-90 days | 25% or deposit amount
89-61 days | 40% of full fare
60-31 days | 50% of full fare
30-15 days | 75% of full fare
14 days or less | 100% of full fare

For voyages of 31 nights or longer on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing through February 2023 (including World Voyages & World Voyage segments)

89-64 days | 50% of full fare
63-43 days | 75% of full fare
42 days or less | 100% of full fare

For all other cruises or voyages of 30 nights or less on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, departing after February 23, 2023

150-120 days | 20% or deposit amount
119-91 days | 40% of full fare
90-64 days | 50% of full fare
63-43 days | 75% of full fare
42 days or less | 100% of full fare

Disney Cruise Line
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For sailings that depart on or before March 31, 2023)
Cruises of 1 to 5 nights (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

59-45 days | full deposits
44-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
29-15 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
14 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Cruises of 6 nights or more (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

59-56 days | full deposits
55-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
29-15 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
14 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Suites and Concierge Staterooms

60 days or more | full deposits
59-56 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
55-30 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
29 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

For sailings that depart after March 31, 2023
Cruises of 1 to 5 nights (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

89-45 days | full deposits
44-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
29-15 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
14 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Cruises of 6 nights or more (excluding suites and concierge staterooms)

119-56 days | full deposits
55-30 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
29-15 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
14 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Suites and Concierge Staterooms

90 days or more | full deposits
89-56 days | 50% of vacation fare per guest
55-30 days | 75% of vacation fare per guest
29 days or less | 100% of vacation fare

Holland America Line
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Voyages Up to 6 Nights

75-57 days | Full deposits
56-29 days | 50% of gross fare
28-16 days | 75% of gross fare
15 days or less | 100% of gross fare

Grand World, Grand Voyages, Segments of Grand World or Grand Voyages, 28+ Day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas, Tales of the South Pacific, Amazon Explorer, Incan Empires (including segments), 30+ Day Transatlantic Voyages (including segments)

120-91 days | Full deposits
90-76 days | 60% of gross fare
75 days or less | 100% of gross fare

All Other Voyages of 7 Nights or Longer

90-76 days | Full deposits
75-61 days | 50% of gross fare
60-31 days | 75% of gross fare
30 days or less | 100% of gross fare

COVID-19 Exceptions: All cruises booked through September 30, 2022 that depart through December 31, 2022 can be canceled up to 30 days before departure through Holland America’s “Worry Free Promise” policy and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any non-refundable cancellation fees, with the remainder of what was paid for the cruise refunded to the original form of payment. Additionally, on these cruises a guest may cancel up to sailing date if they test positive for COVID-19 and receive the same remuneration.

Lindblad Expeditions
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

For Departures through December 31, 2023 (National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, Delfin, The Jahan, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, and Sea Cloud)

120 days or more | $350 (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
119-90 days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
89-60 days | 25% of trip cost
59-45 days | 50% of trip cost
44 days or less | 100% of trip cost

For Departures Starting January 1, 2024 (National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, Delfin, The Jahan, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, and Sea Cloud)

120 or more days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
119-90 days | 50% of trip cost
89 days or less | 100% of trip cost

For Departures through March 31, 2024 (National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Resolution)

180 days or more | $750 (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
179-120 days | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
119-90 days | 25% of trip cost
89-60 days | 50% of trip cost
59 days or less | 100% of trips cost

For Departures Starting April 1, 2024

120 days or more | Advance payment cost (will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, which may be applied towards final payment on any future booking, no expiration date)
119-90 days | 50% of trip cost
89 days or less | 100% of trip cost

MSC Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Cruises of 4 Nights or Less

74-51 days | Deposit
50-31 days | 50% penalty
30-16 days | 75% penalty
15 days or less | 100% penalty

Cruises of 5 to 14 Nights

89-61 days | Deposit
60-46 days | 50% penalty
45-16 days | 75% penalty
15 days or less | 100% penalty

Cruises of 15 Nights or Longer

109-61 days | Deposit
60-46 days | 50% penalty
45-16 days | 75% penalty
15 days or less | 100% penalty

MSC Yacht Club Cruises of 4 Nights or Less

51 days or more | Deposit
50-31 days | 50% penalty
30-16 days | 75% penalty
15 days or less | 100% penalty

MSC Yacht Club Cruises of 5 Nights or Longer

61 days or more | Deposit
60-46 days | 50% penalty
45-16 days | 75% penalty
15 days or less | 100% penalty

World Cruise 2023

60 days or more | 15% penalty
59-10 days | 75% penalty
9 days or less | 100% penalty

COVID-19 Exception: If a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days, the denied passenger is entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the amount the passenger paid to MSC. Subject to passenger providing verification satisfactory to MSC.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancellation Policy
Photo: Matt Bannister / Shutterstock.com

Norwegian Cruise Line
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

The Haven Suites, Suites, Garden Villas and Holiday Sailings

119-106 days | 25% of booked fare
105-91 days | 50% of booked fare
90-61 days | 75% of booked fare
60 days or less | 100%

1 to 6 Day Sailings (Club Balcony Suites and Below)

119-91 days | 25% of booked fare
90-61 days | 50% of booked fare
60-31 days | 75% of booked fare
30 days or less | 100%

Sailings of 7 Days or More (Club Balcony Suites and Below)

119-91 days | 25% of booked fare
90-61 days | 50% of booked fare
60-31 days | 75% of booked fare
30 days or less | 100%

COVID-19 Exception: If a guest, family member or travel companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of embarkation, each is entitled to a FCC for the amount paid to NCL. To qualify for the FCC, guest must present a verified positive test result in a form acceptable to NCL.

Oceania Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

1 to 14 Day Cruises

120-91 days | $250 per person (may be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation for travel any time)
120-91 days for Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites | 10% of the cruise fare
90-76 days | 25% of cruise fare
75-61 days | 50% of cruise fare
60-31 days | 75% of cruise fare
30 days or less | 100% of cruise fare

Cruises of 15 Days or Longer (except Around the World or World Odyssey Cruises)

180-151 days | $250 per person (may be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation for travel any time)
180-151 days for Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites | 10% of the cruise fare
150-121 days | 25% of cruise fare
120-91 days | 50% of cruise fare
90-61 days | 75% of cruise fare
60 days or less | 100% of cruise fare

For Around the World and World Odyssey Cruises

181 days or more | $500 per person
180-151 days | 25% of cruise fare
150-121 days | 50% of cruise fare
120-91 days | 75% of cruise fare
Less than 90 days | 100% of cruise fare

Paul Gauguin Cruises & Ponant
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

15 days past deposit-181 days | $250 per cruise
180-91 days | 25% of the total amount
91 days or less | 100% of full fare

COVID-19 Exception: For a cancellation due to a positive COVID-19 test within 30 days prior to departure, Ponant will offer to transfer all funds without penalty to a different departure or provide a Future Cruise Credit worth 100% of all funds paid, valid for travel within 24 months from the original sail date.

Princess Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Sailings of 5 Days or Less

74-45 days | deposit
44-29 days | 50% of total charges
28-15 days | 75% of total charges
14 days or less | 100% of all charges

Sailings of 6 to 24 Days (including World Cruise Segments)

89-57 days | deposit
56-29 days | 50% of total charges
28-15 days | 75% of total charges
14 days or less | 100% of total charges

Sailings of 25 Days or More (including Full World Cruise & World Cruise Segments)

119-90 days | deposit
89-64 days | 50% of total charges
63-43 days | 75% of total charges
42 days or less | 100% of total charges

COVID-19 Exception: If a guest, family member living in the same household or traveling companion assigned to the same stateroom cancels a cruise due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of embarkation, all are entitled to an FCC for the amount paid to Princess Cruises. To qualify for the FCC, guest must present verified positive test result in a form acceptable to Princess Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Charge

Cruises of 14 Nights or Less

Deposit-121 days | Suite category RS – 25% of fare | Suite category MS-H – $100 per person ($100 fee may be converted into a FCC redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation date, for travel any time)
120-91 days | Suite category RS – 50% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 15% of fare
90-61 days | Suite category RS – 75% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 50% of fare
60-31 days | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 75% of fare
30 days or less | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 100% of fare

Cruises of 14 Nights or Longer

Deposit-151 days | Suite category RS – 25% of fare | Suite category MS-H – $100 per person ($100 fee may be converted into a FCC redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation date, for travel any time)
150-121 days | Suite category RS – 50% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 15% of fare
120-91 days | Suite category RS – 75% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 50% of fare
90-76 days | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 75% of fare
75 days or less | Suite category RS – 100% of fare | Suite category MS-H – 100% of fare

2025 World Cruise

Deposit-181 days | 10% of fare in suite categories MS-HS
180-151 days | 25% of fare
150-121 days | 50% of fare
120-91 days | 75% of fare
90 days or less | 100% of fare

Seven Seas Grandeur Inaugural Season (Nov. 25, 2023 – June 21, 2024)

Deposit-151 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 25% of fare | Suite category A-H – $100
150-121 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 50% of fare | Suite category A-H – 15% of fare
120-91 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 75% of fare | Suite category A-H – 50% of fare
90-76 days | Suite categories RS-SS – 100% of fare | Suite category A-H – 75% of fare
75 days or less | Suite categories RS-SS – 100% of fare | Suite category A-H – 100% of fare