Cruising with Princess Cruises is a dream for many travelers who want to experience the world in comfort, luxury, and style. However, life is unpredictable, and plans can change. Whether due to an emergency, work commitments, or a simple change of heart, passengers often find themselves wondering how much it costs to change a cruise date with Princess Cruises.
This guide will help you understand everything about Princess Cruises’ date change policies, potential fees, how the process works, and practical tips to minimize or even avoid extra costs when rescheduling your cruise.
When you book a voyage with Princess Cruises, you enter into a contract that includes terms related to payment, cancellation, and changes. These terms differ depending on several factors, such as:
The type of fare you selected (refundable or non-refundable)
How close you are to the sailing date
The type of cabin or suite you booked
Whether you booked directly with Princess Cruises or through a travel agent
Understanding the fare rules at the time of booking can help you make informed decisions if you later need to change your cruise date.
Yes, you can change your Princess Cruises sailing date, but certain conditions and fees apply. Princess Cruises allows passengers to modify their travel plans within specific time frames before departure. However, depending on when you request the change and the type of fare purchased, you may face:
A change fee or rebooking charge
A cancellation penalty
A fare difference between the old and new sailing
If the new cruise date costs more than your original booking, you’ll have to pay the difference in fare. If it costs less, you may receive a future cruise credit or partial refund, depending on your fare conditions.
The exact amount you’ll pay to change your Princess Cruises date depends on the timing of your change. The closer you are to the sailing date, the higher the penalty or change cost. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
More than 75 days before departure:Usually, there are no fees to change your sailing date if you booked a refundable fare. You’ll just pay or receive the difference in fare.
60–75 days before departure:A small administrative or rebooking fee may apply, typically ranging between $50–$100 per person, depending on the cruise length and destination.
30–59 days before departure:You may incur a cancellation penalty of 25% to 50% of the total cruise fare if you cancel and rebook. Some passengers choose to change the date instead of canceling entirely to minimize loss.
15–29 days before departure:Penalties often increase to 75% of the cruise fare. Changes may be treated as cancellations, depending on availability and fare type.
14 days or less before departure:At this stage, most cruise fares become non-refundable, and Princess Cruises may not allow date changes. If permitted, you’ll likely forfeit the full fare and must book a new cruise.
These figures are approximate and can vary depending on your itinerary and fare rules. Always review your specific booking confirmation or contact Princess Cruises for the exact terms of your ticket.
When booking with Princess Cruises, you’ll typically choose between a refundable deposit fare or a non-refundable deposit fare. The type you select has a major impact on your ability to change or cancel your cruise.
Refundable Deposit Fare:
You can change your cruise date without major penalties if done early.
The deposit is returned if you cancel before the final payment due date.
Changes after final payment may still incur fees.
Non-Refundable Deposit Fare:
Your deposit will not be refunded if you cancel or change your sailing.
Some or all of the deposit may be converted to a future cruise credit, depending on timing.
Changing your cruise date may trigger both a change fee and a fare difference payment.
If flexibility is important to you, always choose a refundable fare when booking your Princess Cruise.
If you have Princess Vacation Protection or a third-party travel insurance policy, you may be eligible for reimbursement or credits if you need to change your cruise due to covered reasons. Common covered reasons include:
Illness or injury to you or a family member
Work-related emergencies
Weather disruptions
Transportation delays
With travel insurance, you may not have to absorb the full cost of rebooking. However, not all reasons are covered, so it’s crucial to read your insurance policy’s fine print before assuming you’re protected.
Changing your Princess Cruise date is straightforward if you follow the right process. Here’s how to do it:
Check your booking details:Log in to your Princess Cruises account or locate your booking confirmation. Identify your fare type, final payment due date, and cancellation schedule.
Review the fare conditions:Before making any changes, read the fare rules. This tells you if you’ll incur a fee or penalty for changing the sailing date.
Contact Princess Cruises or your travel agent:If you booked directly with Princess Cruises, call their customer service line. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them to initiate the change.
Select your new cruise date:Choose a new sailing that fits your schedule. You’ll be informed of any fare differences and fees.
Pay any additional costs:If the new cruise costs more, you’ll need to pay the balance. If it costs less, Princess may issue you a future cruise credit.
Receive confirmation:Once your change is processed, you’ll get a new booking confirmation with updated details.
One of the most important aspects of cruise date changes is the final payment deadline. For Princess Cruises, the final payment is typically due:
90 days before sailing for most cruises
120 days before sailing for longer or specialty itineraries
Once your final payment has been made, the ability to change your cruise without penalties becomes very limited. Before making the final payment, check your schedule and confirm that your travel dates still work for you. Making changes before the final payment deadline can save you a significant amount of money.
If you need to cancel or change your Princess Cruise date, you might receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) instead of losing your money entirely. FCCs are credits that can be applied to a future Princess cruise, typically within 12 to 24 months of issuance.
For instance, if you cancel a cruise and receive an FCC, you can later apply it toward the fare of a new sailing without losing the entire value of your original payment. This option is particularly useful for travelers who need to postpone their trips rather than cancel them outright.
Princess Cruises sometimes makes exceptions to its change policy in cases such as:
Medical emergencies
Severe weather conditions or natural disasters
Government travel restrictions
Cruise cancellations initiated by Princess Cruises
In such cases, the cruise line may allow you to rebook without penalties or offer a full refund or FCC. During global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Cruises offered flexible change policies, waiving most rebooking fees.
Though those pandemic-era policies are no longer in effect, Princess occasionally provides “Book with Confidence” or “Risk-Free Booking” promotions that allow changes up to a certain date with no penalty.
Many travelers book cruises during sales or special promotions, such as “Princess Plus” or “Princess Premier” packages. These deals often come with added benefits like Wi-Fi, drinks, or gratuities included in the fare.
However, these promotional fares can sometimes have stricter change rules. For example:
You may lose the promotional benefits if you move to a non-promotional sailing.
Fare differences may apply if the offer has expired.
Changing to a later date could void your original discount.
Always check the terms of the promotional offer before requesting a change.
Changing your cruise date doesn’t always have to be expensive. Here are some insider tips to help you minimize costs:
Book a refundable fare:This provides the greatest flexibility if you think you might need to reschedule.
Make changes early:The earlier you modify your booking, the less likely you are to incur heavy penalties.
Purchase travel insurance:It’s a small investment that can save you hundreds or even thousands if your plans change unexpectedly.
Use a professional travel agent:Experienced cruise agents often have direct contacts within Princess Cruises and can negotiate or advise on the best way to modify your booking.
Look for flexible booking promotions:Princess occasionally offers flexibility programs that allow you to change sailings without fees. Keep an eye out for these deals.
Avoid non-refundable fares if uncertain:The small savings you get upfront might not be worth the risk of losing your entire deposit later.
Contact Princess directly if your reason is valid:If your change is due to a medical or family emergency, Princess Cruises’ customer service may offer a goodwill adjustment or credit.
Let’s look at a few hypothetical examples to see how Princess Cruises’ change costs might play out.
Scenario 1: Changing Early (90 days before sailing)You booked a 7-night Caribbean cruise costing $2,000 per person with a refundable fare. You call Princess Cruises 90 days before departure to switch to a different sailing.
Fee: None
Fare difference: $100 more per person
Total paid: $2,100 per person
Scenario 2: Changing 45 days before sailingYou have a 10-night Mediterranean cruise for $3,000 per person (non-refundable fare). You need to reschedule due to work.
Change treated as cancellation
Penalty: 50% of fare ($1,500 per person)
Future Cruise Credit issued: $1,500
You’ll pay fare difference on your next booking
Scenario 3: Last-minute change (10 days before sailing)You booked a 5-night Alaska cruise for $1,200 per person. You fall ill and can’t travel.
Cruise is within 14-day no-change window
Fare forfeited entirely unless covered by travel insurance
If insured, may receive 75–100% reimbursement depending on coverage
These examples show why timing is critical when requesting a date change.
Before you decide to change your cruise date, evaluate the following factors:
Availability: Your preferred new sailing may be full or more expensive.
Promotions: Discounts or packages from your original booking might not transfer.
Cabin type: You may lose your preferred stateroom category if you change dates late.
Flights and transfers: If you booked airfare through Princess Cruises, changing your cruise may also affect flight schedules and costs.
Onboard credits or perks: Some offers are tied to specific sailing dates and may not carry over.
If you need to initiate a date change, you can contact Princess Cruises directly through:
Phone: Use the customer service number listed on your booking confirmation.
Online: Log in to your My Princess account to view and manage reservations.
Travel Agent: If you booked through a travel advisor, they can handle the change for you.
Always keep your booking number and payment details ready before calling.
Changing a cruise date with Princess Cruises is possible, but the cost depends on when and how you make the change. Early modifications—especially before the final payment deadline—are typically free or involve minimal fare differences. However, as the sailing date approaches, rebooking becomes more restrictive and expensive.
By booking refundable fares, reviewing your terms before final payment, and investing in travel insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that if your plans change, your dream cruise doesn’t have to be canceled—just postponed.
So, while the cost to change a Princess Cruises sailing date can range anywhere from $0 to nearly the full fare, careful planning, early action, and understanding the cruise line’s policies can help you save money and reschedule with ease.
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