Royal Caribbean Refund Policy
Last verified
www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/booking-cancellation-refund-policy
Policy changed on
New schedule for bookings from Oct 11, 2026; 15+ night fees now 25% at 119-75 days and 100% at 30 or less
We updated this page from Royal Caribbean's new policy text on royalcaribbean.com.
Rechecked : we reviewed the current policy text on royalcaribbean.com. How we verify
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How to Get a Refund — Step by Step
- 1Review 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.
- 2If 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.
- 3If you booked via a travel advisor, contact them for any booking changes or cancellations.
- 4To 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.
- 5For 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.
When You Can Get a Refund
- 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.
All Refund Methods
- 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.
Partial Refunds
- 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.
Additional Notes
- 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.
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What Redditors Are Saying
Passengers refunded money after Royal Caribbean cruise turns into 3-day burlesque party at sea
I could have had my cruise cancelled due to a refunding error that Royal Caribbean did. If you ever get an email that concerns you, always call to double check it is not an issue.
Posting this so you all can look out for it and it won't impact you. Watch your emails and call in if something does not look right. Also TLDR at bottom. \----------- I booked the cruise in July, and because the cruise takes place in September, we had to pay in full at time of booking. Shortly after
Royal Caribbean Played with my money and not refunding me what I am owed. They like to bullshit with people.
Royal Caribbean Refund Issues
Hi everyone, This is my first Reddit post, so I apologize for any mistakes. I wanted to share my experience on the Oasis of the Seas cruise from December 10 to December 17, 2023. Unfortunately, we encountered bad weather and a medical emergency during the return trip, causing our arrival time in Mia