Norwegian Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean Refund Process

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Refunds for NCL-cancelled or delayed cruises (more than 3 calendar days) boarding at a US port apply if the passenger does not accept an alternative cruise or chooses not to travel on a delayed cruise.
• Cancellation fees follow a schedule based on the number of days before departure and begin immediately once money has been applied to the reservation.
• No refunds will be given for no-shows or in the event of interruption or cancellation by any passenger after the commencement of the cruise.
• Name changes and departure date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.
• Failure to produce an original, notarized parental/guardian consent letter for minors may result in boarding being denied with no refund provided.
• The air deposit made under the Air Choice Program is non-refundable; cancelling a Restricted Air flight at any time costs the full cost of the flight.
• Reservations not paid in full by the final payment due date are subject to cancellation and a cancellation fee.

Royal Caribbean

• Cancellation charges are determined by how far in advance of the sail date (or first day of the CruiseTour) Royal Caribbean receives notice of cancellation.
• Refunds and penalties for cancellation depend on the type of fare purchased, the length of the cruise, the booking date, and how long before the cruise the cancellation is made.
• If a non-refundable deposit fare was selected, the deposit amount will not be refunded at any time after it has been paid, and change fees will apply.
• Cancellation by the guest after the cruise or CruiseTour has begun, early disembarkation for any reason, or 'no-shows' shall be without refund, compensation, or liability.
• For cancellations of air flights, hotel stays, transfer services, shore excursions, pre-purchased amenities, and other pre-booked services, applicable terms and conditions and cancellation charges apply.
• Any applicable taxes/fees and fuel supplement charges are refunded upon cancellation of a Cruise or CruiseTour.
• Refund requests for sailings cancelled or delayed 3+ days by Royal Caribbean must be made within six (6) months of the cancellation date or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• For NCL-cancelled or delayed cruises, submit a refund request using the Case Submission Form on or before the 90th calendar day after the original scheduled embarkation.
• Submit required documentation including a copy of the boarding pass/documents, proof of payment (including amount), and a copy of the cancellation or delay notice (if booked directly with NCL).
• If booked through a travel advisor, they may complete the form and submit the required documentation.
• For general cancellations, requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to Norwegian Cruise Line.
• Cruise tickets, air tickets, transfer coupons and/or vacation package vouchers must be returned before a refund can be made.
• Cancellations must be telephoned to the Reservations Department by your travel agent.
• To cancel a shore excursion, return the tour ticket to the Shore Excursion Desk and advise the staff of the cancellation.

Royal Caribbean

• Review the terms of the booking and cancellation policies, as refunds and penalties depend on the type of fare purchased, cruise length, booking date and timing of cancellation.
• If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean and need to change your original ship and/or sail date, contact the Consumer Outreach team (reservations: (866) 562-7625); change fees apply.
• If you booked via a travel advisor, contact them for any booking changes or cancellations.
• To cancel existing orders for pre-cruise products like Shore Excursions, Beverage Packages, Specialty Dining, and Spa services, use 'My Royal Cruise' or contact 1-800-398-9819 for Pre-Cruise Planning Assistance.
• For specialty dining reservations, cancellations must be made on the My Royal Cruise website at least 24 hours before your reservation time to avoid a fee.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• If NCL cancels or delays your US-port cruise and you decline an alternative, refund of cruise fare and charges for accommodations, services and facilities (including port fees, taxes and other ancillary charges).
• NCL may offer an alternative such as a future cruise credit, which guests are free to decline.
• Shore excursion refunds are credited to the guest's onboard account.

Royal Caribbean

• If payment was received via credit card, the refund will be made to that credit card.
• If payment was received from a travel advisor, the refund will be provided back to that travel advisor.
• If Royal Caribbean cancels a voyage or delays embarkation by 3 days or more, a future cruise credit is issued automatically, but you can request a refund instead.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Cancellation fees are assessed as a percentage of the cruise fare, meaning partial refunds may be issued depending on the timing of the cancellation relative to the departure date.
• Cancellation fees for air, land, and other add-on charges may apply even if the reservation is not canceled in full.

Royal Caribbean

• Bookings created on or after October 11, 2026: 1–4 nights: 50% of total price charged at 74–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days; 5–9 nights: 50% at 89–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days; 10 nights or longer: 50% at 119–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days.
• Bookings created before October 11, 2026: 1–4 nights: 50% at 74–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days; 5–14 nights: 25% at 89–75 days, 50% at 74–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days; 15 nights or longer: 25% at 119–75 days, 50% at 74–61 days, 75% at 60–31 days.
• If a non-refundable deposit cancellation occurs outside of final payment, the full deposit amount will be held as a penalty, but any additional payments made will be refunded.
• Any applicable taxes/fees and fuel supplement charges will be refunded.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• NCL will review refund requests and respond. If NCL determines a guest is entitled to a refund, their response may include an offer of an alternative (e.g., a future cruise credit), which the guest is free to decline.

Royal Caribbean

Not available

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Norwegian Cruise Line's Payment and Cancellation Policy is subject to change without notice.
• Group passenger policies may differ from individual bookings.
• Air tickets issued by Norwegian Cruise Line's Air/Sea Department are refundable only to Norwegian Cruise Line.
• No refunds will be given for any missed days of a Land Package.
• Shore excursions cancelled less than 48 hours before arrival in the port are non-refundable; some tours have different cancellation fees.
• Failure to provide the correct complete legal name prior to final payment will result in a non-refundable change fee of $150 USD.
• For assistance, guests may contact Norwegian Cruise Line at 866-234-7350 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to Midnight Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time).

Royal Caribbean

• These terms apply only to bookings made in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico; other countries have their own terms.
• The newer schedule also applies to Alaska, Hawaii, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Pacific Coastal sailings departing on or after April 11, 2028 that were booked on or after September 29, 2026.
• Cancellation charges vary for single occupancy, third and fourth occupants in a stateroom, and groups.
• Royal Caribbean reserves the right to offer promotional cruise fares or other offers that may modify the stated cancellation policies.
• Guests on chartered sailings must contact the third-party reseller about refunds for cancelled or delayed sailings.