# Royal Caribbean Cancellation Policy? When planning a dream vacation with Royal Caribbean, it’s important to understand the cancellation policy before you book. If you have questions or need help with your booking, you can call **844-807-7245** for assistance. Cruise vacations involve multiple moving parts—airfare, excursions, beverage packages, and the cruise fare itself. Knowing the cancellation terms in advance helps you avoid unexpected costs and gives you peace of mind if your plans change. Royal Caribbean’s cancellation rules depend on the length of your cruise, the type of fare you purchase, and how close you are to the sailing date. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the policy so you can make informed decisions. --- ### How the Cancellation Policy Works Royal Caribbean uses a structured system that determines how much money you’ll get back if you cancel. The percentage of your refund depends on two main factors: 1. **Cruise duration** – Short cruises have slightly different timelines than long voyages. 2. **Days before sailing** – The closer you are to departure, the higher the penalty. In addition, the type of fare you booked—refundable or non-refundable deposit—makes a major difference. --- ### Cancellation Schedule for 1–4 Night Cruises For short cruises, including holiday sailings, the cancellation policy is straightforward: * **75 days or more before sailing:** No penalty, except for non-refundable deposits. * **74 to 61 days before sailing:** A 50% cancellation fee applies. * **60 to 31 days before sailing:** A 75% cancellation fee applies. * **30 days or less before sailing:** 100% penalty; no refund available. This means if you’re sailing on a quick getaway, you should decide at least two and a half months before departure if you want to cancel without losing most of your money. --- ### Cancellation Schedule for 5–14 Night Cruises For standard vacations ranging from one to two weeks, Royal Caribbean requires more advance notice: * **90 days or more before sailing:** No cancellation fee, except for non-refundable deposits. * **89 to 75 days before sailing:** A 25% penalty applies. * **74 to 61 days before sailing:** A 50% penalty applies. * **60 to 31 days before sailing:** A 75% penalty applies. * **30 days or less before sailing:** 100% penalty; no refund. If you are booking a Caribbean escape or a Mediterranean adventure, keep the 90-day cutoff in mind. Once you cross that threshold, cancellation costs escalate quickly. --- ### Cancellation Schedule for Cruises 15 Nights or Longer For extended voyages such as transatlantic sailings, Panama Canal itineraries, or world cruise segments, the timelines are even stricter: * **120 days or more before sailing:** No penalty, except for non-refundable deposits. * **119 to 61 days before sailing:** A 25% penalty applies. * **60 to 41 days before sailing:** A 50% penalty applies. * **40 to 25 days before sailing:** A 75% penalty applies. * **24 days or less before sailing:** 100% penalty; no refund. Because these itineraries are longer and more complex, Royal Caribbean requires more commitment from guests well in advance. --- ### Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Deposit Fares When booking, you’ll often see two fare options: * **Refundable deposit fares** – These allow more flexibility. If you cancel early enough, you’ll typically get your deposit back. They tend to cost slightly more but give you peace of mind. * **Non-refundable deposit fares** – These come with a lower upfront cost but are less flexible. Even if you cancel far in advance, the deposit itself is not returned. In some cases, you may be able to apply the deposit to a different cruise, but fees may apply. If you value flexibility, it’s worth paying a bit extra for the refundable option. --- ### Final Payment Deadlines Royal Caribbean requires full payment of your cruise by a certain date prior to departure: * **1–4 night cruises:** Final payment is due 75 days before sailing. * **5–14 night cruises:** Final payment is due 90 days before sailing. * **15 nights or longer:** Final payment is due 120 days before sailing. If you miss this deadline, your reservation may be canceled, and you could lose your deposit or more. --- ### Other Cancellation Considerations * **Excursions and Add-Ons:** Many onboard extras, such as beverage packages or shore excursions, can be canceled up to 48 hours before sailing for a full refund. Once onboard, refunds are typically issued as onboard credit, minus any portion already used. * **Travel Protection:** Royal Caribbean offers an optional protection plan. This may cover you in cases where the standard cancellation policy would normally apply penalties, providing either cash refunds or future cruise credits depending on the reason for cancellation. * **Changes Instead of Cancellations:** If you simply want to switch dates or ships, different fees may apply. For non-refundable deposits, you may also be charged a change fee on top of losing the deposit. * **Cruise Line Cancellations:** If Royal Caribbean cancels or delays your sailing significantly, they generally offer guests a choice between a full refund and a future cruise credit. --- ### Tips for Travelers 1. **Decide early.** The earlier you know you need to cancel, the more money you’ll save. 2. **Know your fare type.** Double-check whether you booked a refundable or non-refundable deposit. 3. **Protect your trip.** Consider buying travel insurance or Royal Caribbean’s own protection plan. 4. **Track payment dates.** Put final payment deadlines on your calendar so you don’t miss them. 5. **Plan add-ons carefully.** Since many extras are easier to cancel than the cruise itself, book them only when you’re confident you’ll travel. --- ### Final Thoughts Royal Caribbean’s cancellation policy is designed to give travelers flexibility when plans change, while also protecting the cruise line from last-minute dropouts. The key takeaways are simple: the farther you are from your sailing date, the easier it is to cancel with little or no penalty. As you get closer, the penalties increase sharply. Choosing refundable deposits, paying attention to final payment deadlines, and considering travel protection are the best ways to safeguard your vacation investment.