# Can I cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise without penalty?

The planning of the cruise is pretty much an exciting one, but with the unexpected changes, it needs a proper [Royal Caribbean Cancellation Policy](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise). As there are under certain conditions. The cruise has a well-structured policy to help you determine whether you qualify for a complete refund or if the penalties are applicable or not. Breaking down the many rules can help you make smart choices and decisions, and can also help you avoid unnecessary charges.

# The [Royal Caribbean’s Cancellation Policy ](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise)

The cancellation policy of the cruise is based on a couple of days and on the length of your cruise. Here, you should know that the earlier you cancel, the better chances of avoiding the many penalties. The cruises here are categorised by duration: short cruises that are 1 to 4 nights, standard cruises that are 5 nights or longer, and holiday sailings, each with its own cancellation timelines.

In general, cancelling in advance, that is, before the final payment due date, enables you to get your deposit back without penalty, provided your fare type is quite refundable. So, after you have passed the deadline, the cancellation fees increase as the sailing date approaches.

# What is the Royal Caribbean Cruise cancellation process?

The [Royal Caribbean Cruise cancellation process](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise) is a straightforward process, but know that the timings here have a significant role in making all the differences for the refunds and penalties. So, in case you have booked your cruise online or through Royal Caribbean, then you can cancel the booking by logging into the My Royal Caribbean account online or just by calling the customer care service department.

While cancelling the booked ticket, you need to have handy the reservation number and passenger details. Therefore, after submitting a request, Royal Caribbean will then validate the cancellation according to the date that they receive the request for cancellation and not according to the sailing date. This is one of the main points to consider because the cancellation fees will be charged based on the proximity of the cancellation date to the day of departure of the cruise. And in case you cancel, prior to the final payment due date, then you will receive a full refund of your deposit, but not when you have booked a non-refundable fare.

And in case you cancel before the final payment due date, then you become eligible for a complete refund of your deposit, unless you booked a non-refundable fare. And after the final payment date, the cancellation penalties are applied, and the refunds may be partial or can be replaced with the Future Cruise Credit (FCC), depending on the fare type.

# The Many Tips To Avoid Cancellation Polices

To maximise the flexibility and reduce risks, you can make the most of the cancellation. Just follow the many tips, they are as follows:-

* Avoid the non-refundable deposit fares if your plans are uncertain.
* Cancel before the final payment date whenever possible.
* From time to time, Royal Caribbean updates its policy.
* Keep all the cancellation confirmations and documentation together.
* Keep track of the time by which you decide to cancel your tickets.

[Royal Caribbean’s Refund Policy](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise) details the conditions and timing for receiving a refund after cruise cancellation, which differs depending on the fare type and timing. If you cancel prior to the date on which the final payment is due, you usually have the right to receive a ull refund of your deposit or any payments made, as long as you did not book a non-refundable fare.

As soon as the final payment date is over, standard cancellation penalties take effect. Royal Caribbean imposes higher fees the nearer you are to the sailing date when you cancel, and in numerous situations, you may lose part or all of your cruise fare. At this point, it is still possible to get a refund for port fees and taxes, but cruise fare is often nonrefundable.

For reservations made with promotional or non-refundable deposit fares, you typically will not receive a cash refund, even if you cancel in advance. Rather, Royal Caribbean might provide a Future Cruise Credit (FCC)—a credit applicable to a future cruise within a designated validity timeframe.

Although time taken to process refunds varies, in case one is eligible to receive a refund, it will be refunded back to the means of payment in a few days of business..

## Cancelling the Cruise Due to Medical/Personal Emergencies

The[ Royal Caribbean Cruise](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise) does not automatically waive the cancellation penalties due to injury, illness, or personal emergencies. However, the guests can purchase travel insurance that may be well-covered. A comprehensive cruise insurance policy can reimburse you for the non-refundable expenses when you cancel for covered reasons, such as:-

* Family Emergencies
* Medical Emergencies
* Severe Weather or travel disruptions.

## The Customer Care Departments

There are many options through the [Royal Caribbean Customer Service](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise)** [phone]** Department that can be reached out to.

* To book, cancel, or get information about the itinerary, the most direct and easy way is to have a phone call with Royal Caribbean. They have a special telephone number, which can assist with general inquiries and making changes to reservations.

* When you booked via a travel agent or third-party site, the first step to take is usually to call your agent, as he or she should have access to your booking details and can speak directly to Royal Caribbean on your behalf.

* Guests of Royal Caribbean are also provided with a guest services desk on board in each ship, where you can meet the staff face to face to help you with anything regarding the ship, like food, medical assistance, and so on.

In general, Royal Caribbean has been able to provide diverse customer service channels as per their preference. Select the most convenient alternative of referring to the customer care team of the cruise line.

# Key Note

The [Royal Caribbean Cancellation Policy](https://www.cruisesfares.com/blogs/how-to-cancel-royal-caribbean-cruise) is easy to follow and process at the same time. The most important thing to understand here is that the earlier you cancel, the more likely you are to get the refund on the original payment account. As the Royal Caribbean Cruises polices are time-based, here the guests who plan on time can enjoy flexibility and peace of mind as well. Always go through the cancellation rules at the time of booking to make sure that you are fully prepared, in case you cannot continue the trip.