Royal Caribbean Makes Canceling a Cruise More Expensive

Canceling a Royal Caribbean cruise within the penalty window is about to get a lot more expensive for your clients.

Starting Oct. 11, 2026, the cruise line has updated its North American cancellation policy, eliminating the 25% penalty tier and replacing its cruise length categories in such a way that more cruisers will face steeper penalties for canceling.

“We’re simplifying our North American cancellation penalty structure by consolidating sailing length categories and streamlining penalty tiers,” Royal Caribbean wrote in a letter to travel advisors published by Royal Caribbean Blog.

As outlined in the letter, Royal Caribbean is eliminating the 25% cancellation tier for all sailing lengths. This means cruisers go from zero penalty outside of the final payment window directly to a 50% cancellation penalty. The timing of the penalty window varies by cruise length.)

Simultaneously, the current five- to 14-night and 15+ night categories are being replaced with five to nine nights and 10+ nights, putting more people in a higher cancellation tier more quickly than before.

The cancellation fees for cruises of four night or less remain the same as there already was no 25% tier. Here is the new policy:

5 to 9-Night Cruises

• 90 days or more: No penalty (Full refund)
• 89 to 61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60 to 31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: No refund

10+ Night Cruises

• 120 days or more: No charge
• 119 to 61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60 to 31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: No refund

The letter also advised that Royal Caribbean’s existing cancellation policy for third and fourth guests will now be automatically enforced via the reservation system, essentially eliminating the ability for Royal Caribbean to waive these cancellation fees.

The new cancellation policy applies to all new bookings starting Oct. 11, 2026, except for all 2028/29 Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, and Transpacific sailings that opened for sail on Sept. 29. These are immediately subject to the new cancellation policy.