Travel plans can change unexpectedly — work commitments, family events, health reasons, or even shifting travel preferences can make your original cruise date less convenient. If you’ve booked with Princess Cruises, you might be wondering, “Can I move my Princess Cruises cruise to a different date?”
The good news is — yes, you can usually move or change your Princess Cruises sailing date, but the process depends on when you make the request, the fare type you booked under, and the cruise’s specific terms and conditions.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand how Princess Cruises’ date-change process works, what fees you might incur, and how to rebook your cruise for a more suitable date with minimal hassle.
Princess Cruises, a leading premium cruise line, has built a reputation for offering flexibility to travelers. Over the years, especially after the pandemic, Princess Cruises updated its booking and cancellation policies to make travel planning easier and stress-free.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a loyal Princess guest, it’s important to know that not all fares offer the same level of flexibility. Some promotional fares or early-bird discounts may have stricter conditions, while flexible fares and “Princess Plus” or “Princess Premier” packages tend to offer greater rebooking freedom.
Before requesting a date change, review the fare terms on your booking confirmation or log in to your Princess Cruises account to see the available options.
In most cases, yes, you can change your Princess Cruises sailing date, but with certain rules. The possibility depends on the following factors:
How far in advance you’re requesting the change
Changes made several months before the sailing are typically easier and less costly.
Closer to departure, cancellation penalties or rebooking fees may apply.
Type of fare or promotion
Fully refundable fares often allow you to cancel or change dates with minimal fees.
Non-refundable deposits or promotional fares may restrict changes or require payment of a penalty.
Availability on your preferred new date
You can only move your cruise if space is available on the desired sailing. If not, you may need to choose a nearby date or different itinerary.
Booking channel
If you booked directly with Princess Cruises, you can request changes online or through customer service.
If you booked through a travel agent, all changes must be handled by the agent.
Here’s a step-by-step process to help you move your Princess Cruises cruise to another date smoothly:
Log into your Princess Cruises account or open your booking confirmation email. Check your current sailing date, itinerary, fare type, and cancellation policy. This information determines whether your booking can be changed or needs to be cancelled and rebooked.
Each fare type comes with its own rules. For example:
Refundable Fares: Usually allow date changes before final payment deadline without penalties.
Non-Refundable Fares: May require forfeiting your deposit if you cancel or move the cruise after booking.
If you’re unsure which fare type you booked, Princess Cruises’ support or your travel advisor can clarify.
Princess Cruises’ final payment date varies based on itinerary length. For most sailings:
75–90 days before departure is the final payment deadline for standard cruises.
For longer or special voyages, the deadline may extend up to 120 days.
If you’re before the final payment date, it’s much easier to shift your cruise date — often without any penalty. After that deadline, cancellation and rebooking rules apply.
Once you’ve reviewed your options, reach out to the appropriate contact channel:
Direct bookings: Call Princess Cruises’ customer service or use the “Manage Booking” option online.
Travel agent bookings: Contact your travel advisor directly.
Explain that you’d like to move your sailing to a different date. Be ready with possible alternate dates or itineraries to speed up the process.
If your new cruise date falls under a higher-priced sailing season or a different cabin category, you’ll need to pay the fare difference. However, if your new date costs less, you may receive a partial refund or credit (depending on fare rules).
Once the date change is approved, Princess Cruises will issue a new booking confirmation and itinerary with the updated sailing date. Double-check all details — including stateroom type, travel insurance, and excursions — to ensure everything matches your new travel plans.
If you’ve already made your final payment and now want to move your Princess Cruises date, the process becomes trickier. Typically, after the final payment date, cancellations and rebookings are treated under the Princess Cruises cancellation policy, meaning fees may apply.
Here’s how it usually works:
More than 60 days before sailing: You may lose your deposit if non-refundable.
45–59 days: Around 50% cancellation fee may apply.
15–44 days: Up to 75% of the fare may be forfeited.
Within 14 days: 100% cancellation fee is typical.
However, in special cases such as medical emergencies, bereavement, or extenuating travel restrictions, Princess Cruises might offer Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) instead of a full loss, allowing you to rebook for a later date.
If you’ve cancelled or rescheduled a cruise before, you may have Future Cruise Credit (FCC) on your account. This credit can be used to rebook another sailing within a specific time period, usually one or two years from the date of issue.
When you decide to move your cruise:
Choose your new sailing.
Apply the FCC toward the fare.
Pay any remaining balance if the new fare is higher.
Princess Cruises often allows you to combine FCC with ongoing promotions, making it easier to secure a good deal when shifting your trip.
There’s a subtle but important difference between changing your cruise date and cancelling and rebooking.
Date Change: Usually done before final payment, when you simply shift your reservation to another available date on a similar itinerary. Minimal to no fees.
Cancellation and Rebooking: After final payment or under restricted fares, you may need to cancel the existing booking, pay penalties, and then create a new reservation.
Understanding which applies to your situation will help you avoid unnecessary charges.
Sometimes travelers not only want to move the date but also change the destination — for instance, switching from an Alaska cruise to a Caribbean voyage.
In most cases, Princess Cruises treats this as a cancellation and new booking, especially if it involves a completely different itinerary or departure region.
However, if both itineraries belong to the same sailing series (for example, two Alaska departures a week apart), you might be allowed to transfer without a full cancellation. Always confirm with Princess Cruises’ customer service for your specific case.
Many cruisers prepay for extras like:
Beverage packages
Shore excursions
Specialty dining reservations
Internet packages
If you move your sailing to a new date:
These prepaid items are generally refunded to your original payment method or credited to your new booking.
However, excursions tied to a specific port or date must be rebooked manually.
Always verify that all your add-ons have transferred successfully to your new reservation to avoid confusion during boarding.
Yes, but with limitations. Princess Cruises allows guests to move their booking once without penalty (subject to fare rules). If you continue to reschedule multiple times, administrative or rebooking fees may apply.
Additionally, each new change is subject to availability, pricing at the time of change, and promotional conditions.
To avoid complications, it’s best to finalize your new date carefully and make all necessary changes in one go.
If you made your reservation through a travel agent, Princess Cruises will only process changes through that agent. You cannot directly modify the booking online or via Princess customer service.
Your agent will handle all communication with the cruise line, check available alternatives, and inform you about any applicable fees or credits.
Working with a travel agent can actually be beneficial — they often have access to exclusive promotions and may help you rebook without losing money.
Moving your Princess Cruises trip doesn’t have to be stressful or costly. Follow these smart tips to minimize fees and get the most value from your rebooking:
Change early. The earlier you request a change, the more flexible options you’ll have and the fewer penalties you’ll face.
Book refundable fares. If your plans are uncertain, always choose refundable or flexible fares even if they cost slightly more upfront.
Consider travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance can cover non-refundable deposits and help you recover costs if you must reschedule unexpectedly.
Monitor price differences. Sometimes your new date might have lower fares. Ask for any price protection or onboard credit options if rates drop after rebooking.
Track your Future Cruise Credit (FCC). Ensure your FCC doesn’t expire and is applied correctly during rebooking.
Stay updated on Princess Cruises’ policies. The cruise line occasionally updates its “Book with Confidence” program or rebooking rules, so always check the latest terms.
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Cruises introduced the “Book with Confidence” policy to give travelers more flexibility.
While this program’s details may evolve, it generally allows guests to:
Cancel or move their sailing up to a certain period before departure without penalty.
Receive a Future Cruise Credit for rebooking.
Even though some of these pandemic-era policies have expired, Princess still maintains a traveler-friendly approach. It’s worth asking if your booking qualifies under any current flexible options.
Princess Cruises understands that sometimes emergencies happen. If you need to postpone your sailing due to:
Medical issues (with doctor’s note)
Family bereavement
Unexpected travel restrictions or natural disasters
You may be able to move your cruise without losing your deposit, especially if you provide supporting documentation.
The cruise line evaluates each case individually, and customer service is often sympathetic to genuine circumstances.
Changing the passenger name or transferring your booking to another traveler is not the same as changing dates. However, Princess Cruises does allow limited name changes before the final payment date, subject to administrative fees.
If your goal is to let someone else take your spot rather than move the sailing date, discuss this specifically with Princess Cruises or your agent to understand your options.
Typically, once you request a date change and confirm the new sailing, the process is completed within 2–5 business days.
You’ll receive a new booking number and confirmation via email. If you paid with Future Cruise Credit or have onboard credits, these are usually updated automatically in your new booking.
Unfortunately, once you’ve completed the online check-in or your boarding documents have been issued, it’s generally too late to change the date.
At that stage, cancellation penalties apply, and the only option may be to forfeit the booking or file an insurance claim if applicable.
If your cruise booking includes Princess EZair flights, you’ll need to adjust your air travel as well. EZair provides both flexible and restricted fare options:
Flexible EZair fares: Allow changes without penalty before final payment.
Restricted EZair fares: May not be changeable or refundable.
When moving your cruise date, coordinate both cruise and flight adjustments at the same time to avoid schedule conflicts or additional costs.
If your original Princess Cruises voyage was cancelled by the cruise line (due to operational reasons or itinerary changes), Princess will generally:
Offer a full refund, or
Provide a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) with bonus value for rebooking.
You can then use that FCC to book a new sailing on a date that works for you — often with priority selection or special discounts.
Yes, if you booked directly with Princess Cruises, you can manage your booking and request changes online. If your booking type doesn’t allow self-service changes, contact customer service.
It depends on your fare type and timing. Before final payment, changes are often free. After final payment, cancellation penalties or fare differences may apply.
Yes. You can move your cruise to any available future date as long as the sailing is open for booking and you comply with the fare’s rebooking rules.
Name changes are allowed in limited cases before final payment, with an administrative fee. After that, it may not be permitted.
Most onboard credits transfer to your new booking if the change is handled properly. Always confirm during rebooking.
So, can you move your Princess Cruises cruise to a different date? Absolutely — with a few conditions. Princess Cruises offers travelers flexibility to modify their sailing date, particularly if changes are made early or under flexible fare types.
The key is understanding your booking terms, payment deadlines, and applicable policies. Whether you need to shift your trip for convenience or unexpected life events, Princess Cruises provides multiple ways — from direct date changes to Future Cruise Credits — to help you adjust your plans without losing your investment.
When in doubt, contact Princess Cruises or your travel agent well ahead of time. With clear communication and timely action, you can easily move your cruise to a new date and continue looking forward to your dream vacation on the high seas.
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