A cruise vacation is often the highlight of a traveler’s year — a well-deserved escape filled with ocean breezes, exotic destinations, and all the comfort Princess Cruises is known for. However, unexpected events sometimes derail even the best-laid travel plans. You might miss your Princess Cruise departure due to delayed flights, illness, family emergencies, or traffic jams on the way to the port. When this happens, the first question travelers ask is: “Do I get a refund if I miss my Princess Cruise?”
The answer isn’t always straightforward. Whether or not you receive a refund depends on several factors — including when and why you missed the ship, the type of fare you purchased, and whether you have travel insurance. Let’s explore Princess Cruises’ refund and cancellation policies in detail and understand your best options if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Princess Cruises, like most major cruise lines, has a specific policy for cancellations, no-shows, and missed departures. The key principle is timing — the closer you are to your departure date, the smaller your refund will be. Once the cruise departs, missing the ship typically counts as a “no-show”, and refunds are usually not available.
When a passenger fails to board the ship at embarkation, Princess Cruises categorizes it as a non-refundable no-show. This means that in most cases, you lose the entire amount you paid for the cruise, unless your fare conditions or travel insurance offer exceptions.
That said, there are a few important nuances and special cases that might work in your favor.
The no-show policy is the foundation of Princess Cruises’ stance on missed departures. If a guest does not check in at the port before the ship’s scheduled departure and has not officially canceled the reservation prior to sailing, the company treats that booking as a no-show.
In such cases:
No refund is issued for the cruise fare.
Port taxes and fees may sometimes be refundable, depending on the port and the method of payment.
Pre-paid packages, such as drink plans, shore excursions, or spa services, are generally not refunded unless specifically noted.
It’s important to understand that Princess Cruises reserves your cabin and onboard services in advance, and those costs are non-recoverable for the cruise line once the ship sails. Therefore, unless there’s an exceptional reason, missing the ship usually results in forfeiting the fare.
One of the most common reasons travelers miss their cruise is a delayed or canceled flight. Many passengers fly into their port city on the same day the ship departs, not realizing how risky that can be.
If your flight is delayed or canceled and you miss your embarkation, Princess Cruises does not provide an automatic refund. The company views this as a missed connection that’s beyond its control. However, there are steps you can take:
If you know you’ll miss embarkation, call Princess Cruises or your travel agent as soon as possible. Sometimes, the cruise line can help you catch up to the next port, though you’ll be responsible for travel costs. Depending on circumstances, they might assist with logistics, but it’s not guaranteed.
If you purchased Princess Vacation Protection or third-party travel insurance, you may be eligible for a refund or reimbursement under “trip interruption” coverage. This typically applies when you miss the ship due to reasons like flight delays, accidents, or covered emergencies.
Princess Cruises offers EZAir, their in-house flight booking system. When you book flights through EZAir, you get added protection. If your flight is delayed and you miss the ship, Princess will assist in getting you to the next port — sometimes covering the cost or offering reduced rates. This is one of the safest ways to travel when cruising.
Life happens. Medical emergencies, family crises, or accidents can occur unexpectedly right before your cruise. In such cases, Princess Cruises reviews refund requests based on their standard cancellation policy or through insurance coverage.
Without insurance, missing the ship because of a personal emergency usually still counts as a no-show. However, with valid documentation — such as a doctor’s note, hospital report, or death certificate (for family emergencies) — Princess may make exceptions at their discretion, especially if the cruise was canceled before departure.
Still, the best protection remains Princess Vacation Protection or another comprehensive travel insurance plan, as these often reimburse you for last-minute cancellations due to covered reasons.
Princess Cruises offers its own travel insurance called the Princess Vacation Protection Plan. This plan provides several benefits that can make a huge difference if you miss your cruise or must cancel unexpectedly.
Here’s what’s typically covered:
Trip Cancellation: If you cancel your trip before departure for a covered reason (like illness, injury, or death in the family), you can receive up to 100% reimbursement of your prepaid costs.
Trip Interruption: If you miss the ship or need to end your trip early due to a covered reason, you may get reimbursed for missed portions and extra costs to rejoin the cruise.
Trip Delay: Reimbursement for extra hotel, meal, and transportation expenses if your departure is delayed due to weather, airline issues, or other covered reasons.
Baggage Loss/Delay and Medical Coverage: Added protection for unexpected travel issues or medical emergencies.
In addition to these insurance benefits, the Princess Vacation Protection Plan includes a “Cancel For Any Reason” credit feature, which gives you a future cruise credit (FCC) even if you cancel for non-covered reasons, such as changing your mind or missing your flight. The credit can be up to 75% of your non-refundable fare — a valuable backup if things go wrong.
Sometimes, you might make it onboard but miss a shore excursion or a port stop because of delays or personal plans. In such cases, refund eligibility depends on who organized the activity:
Princess-organized excursions: If the ship cancels a tour due to weather or operational reasons, Princess typically provides a full refund.
Guest no-shows for excursions: If you miss your booked tour due to oversleeping, being late, or personal reasons, the cost is non-refundable.
Independent tours: If you booked an excursion through an outside vendor, Princess has no control over refunds — you must deal directly with the provider.
So, while missing the entire cruise is a major financial loss, smaller missed experiences onboard follow similar non-refundable guidelines unless Princess cancels the activity themselves.
If you miss embarkation but still want to take your cruise, you might be able to rejoin the ship at the next port of call. Princess Cruises occasionally allows this, but you must coordinate with their team and comply with immigration and security regulations.
However, this comes with responsibilities:
You’ll have to cover all additional travel costs, such as flights, hotels, or ground transport.
You might need special documentation or port clearance.
Depending on your travel insurance, these costs could be reimbursable under trip interruption benefits.
This option helps salvage your vacation, even though you won’t receive a refund for missed days.
Many guests prepay for packages, such as beverage plans, internet, or onboard credit. What happens to these if you miss your cruise?
Drink Packages, Wi-Fi, Specialty Dining: Generally non-refundable after departure.
Port Fees and Taxes: Occasionally refundable since they are only applied if you actually sail.
Onboard Credit (OBC): Promotional onboard credits expire with the sailing and are non-refundable.
Shore Excursions: If booked through Princess and the cruise is missed entirely, most prepaid excursions are refunded to your original payment method.
While these smaller refunds won’t recover the full cost of the cruise, it’s worth checking your booking summary or calling Princess customer service to ensure eligible refunds are processed.
Sometimes, the cruise itself is canceled due to operational issues, mechanical problems, or global events (like weather disruptions or health emergencies). In those cases, Princess Cruises provides full refunds or future cruise credits to affected guests.
This policy only applies when the cancellation is initiated by the cruise line. If the passenger misses embarkation on their own, standard no-show rules apply instead.
If you believe you’re eligible for a refund after missing your cruise, here’s the process:
Contact Princess Cruises or Your Travel AgentProvide details of your booking, reason for missing the cruise, and any documentation (like flight delay proof or medical records).
Submit an Insurance Claim (if applicable)If you purchased travel insurance, file a claim as soon as possible. You’ll need your receipts, booking confirmations, and evidence of the event (like airline communications).
Check Your Payment MethodRefunds are generally returned to the original payment method within a few weeks if approved.
Monitor for Future Cruise CreditsIf you have the Princess Vacation Protection “Cancel For Any Reason” feature, check your Princess account for a credit voucher usable toward a future sailing.
Being proactive is crucial — the sooner you notify Princess or your insurer, the better your chances of recouping part of your costs.
Since most missed cruises result in no refunds, prevention is key. Here are smart strategies to protect your travel investment:
Plan to arrive at least one day before embarkation. A pre-cruise hotel stay gives you a buffer against flight delays or traffic.
EZAir ensures Princess knows your flight details and can assist in case of disruptions. Alternatively, choose flexible airfares that can be changed without huge fees.
This is your financial safety net. Always buy comprehensive coverage that includes trip cancellation, interruption, and delay.
Ensure your passport, visas, and vaccination documents are ready well in advance. Denied boarding for missing paperwork counts as a no-show.
Store Princess Cruises’ emergency line and your travel agent’s number. Quick communication can sometimes save your trip.
To better understand refund possibilities, let’s look at a few hypothetical examples:
Ravi booked his cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean. His connecting flight was delayed, and he reached the port two hours after departure. Without insurance, he lost the entire fare. However, his port taxes were refunded automatically.
Lesson: Always fly in early or get insurance coverage.
Maria developed appendicitis two days before her Alaska cruise. She had the Princess Vacation Protection Plan. She canceled with a doctor’s note and received 100% reimbursement.
Lesson: Medical emergencies are covered under Princess’ insurance if properly documented.
Sanjay’s father was hospitalized while he was en route to the cruise port. He missed embarkation but had comprehensive third-party insurance. His insurer reimbursed him for missed days and paid for transport to join the cruise at the next port.
Lesson: A good insurance plan can save you from major financial loss.
Q1: Do I get any refund if I miss the ship on embarkation day?
Usually not. Missing embarkation counts as a no-show, and cruise fare is forfeited. Only port taxes may be refundable.
Q2: Can I board the ship at the next port?
Possibly, but you must coordinate with Princess and cover travel expenses yourself.
Q3: Will Princess Cruises help me reach the next port?
If you booked flights through EZAir, Princess might assist with rerouting. Otherwise, they can advise but not pay for transportation.
Q4: What happens if I miss the cruise due to illness?
With travel insurance, you may receive reimbursement. Without it, refunds are unlikely unless Princess approves an exception.
Q5: Can I get a future cruise credit instead of a refund?
If you have the Princess Vacation Protection Plan, you may receive a credit under the “Cancel For Any Reason” benefit.
Missing a cruise is heartbreaking — both emotionally and financially. That’s why travel insurance isn’t just an add-on; it’s an essential safeguard. The cost of insurance is usually between 5%–10% of your total trip price but can save you thousands in case of an emergency.
Comprehensive travel insurance covers:
Cancellations before departure
Missed ship due to flight delays
Emergency medical treatment abroad
Lost luggage or passports
Hotel and meal expenses during delays
Without it, the financial consequences of missing your cruise can be severe.
Missing your Princess Cruise is an unfortunate experience, and in most cases, refunds are not granted once the ship departs. However, by understanding the policies in advance, purchasing travel protection, and planning ahead, you can minimize your financial losses.
If you miss your cruise:
You will likely not get a cash refund for the fare.
Port taxes might be refundable.
Insurance or Princess Vacation Protection can help you recover part or all of the costs.
You may be able to rejoin the cruise at the next port at your expense.
Planning smartly — arriving early, securing insurance, and maintaining communication with Princess Cruises — ensures that even if the unexpected happens, your dream vacation won’t turn into a total loss.
Recent Guide
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
Quick Links
Cruise Types
© 2025 Cruisebookinghub.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service