Planning a cruise vacation with Princess Cruises can be an exciting experience. However, sometimes plans change due to personal emergencies, health concerns, or unexpected circumstances. Understanding the Princess Cruises cancellation policy before booking can save travelers from confusion and financial loss.
Princess Cruises offers flexible cancellation terms that depend on the type of fare purchased, the length of the voyage, and how far in advance you cancel. Whether you’ve booked a short Caribbean getaway or a long voyage through Alaska, knowing how the cancellation and refund system works is crucial.
This article provides a complete breakdown of the Princess Cruises cancellation policy, including refund eligibility, cancellation penalties, and how to use future cruise credits. It also explains how you can modify or reschedule your booking if you don’t wish to cancel entirely.
Princess Cruises is one of the world’s most recognized cruise lines, operating under the Carnival Corporation. Known for its luxurious ships and wide range of itineraries, the cruise line sails to destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific.
When you book a voyage with Princess Cruises, you agree to specific booking and cancellation terms that define how refunds and cancellations are handled. These terms vary depending on the cruise duration and the fare type, such as standard fare, non-refundable deposit fare, or special promotion fares.
The Princess Cruises cancellation policy depends on several key factors:
Cruise Length and Destination: Longer voyages or world cruises often have stricter cancellation timelines compared to shorter sailings.
Type of Fare Purchased: Some promotional or discounted fares may have non-refundable deposits or limited flexibility.
Time Before Departure: The closer you get to your sailing date, the higher the cancellation fee.
Booking Channel: Whether you booked directly with Princess Cruises or through a travel agent may influence how the cancellation is processed.
Travel Insurance: If you purchased Princess Vacation Protection or third-party travel insurance, your refund options may improve.
For most standard Princess Cruises fares, the cancellation fee is determined by how far in advance you cancel before the sailing date. Below is the general schedule for cruise cancellations:
90 days or more before departure: Full refund of the cruise fare (minus any non-refundable deposits).
89 to 75 days before departure: You may lose your deposit, usually ranging from 10% to 20% of the fare.
74 to 60 days before departure: Cancellation fee may be around 25% of the total fare.
59 to 45 days before departure: Cancellation fee increases to approximately 50%.
44 to 29 days before departure: Around 75% of the fare is charged as a penalty.
28 days or less before departure: No refund; 100% cancellation penalty applies.
This schedule can vary slightly depending on the voyage duration and destination. For example, world cruises or long sailings over 30 days might have earlier cutoff dates.
If you’re booking a world cruise or a voyage lasting more than 30 days, Princess Cruises usually requires earlier cancellation notice.
120 days or more before departure: Full refund except for non-refundable deposits.
119 to 90 days before departure: 10–25% cancellation penalty.
89 to 60 days before departure: 50% cancellation penalty.
59 to 30 days before departure: 75% cancellation penalty.
29 days or less before departure: No refund.
This extended timeline allows Princess Cruises to manage cabin allocations and onboard resources effectively for longer itineraries.
In recent years, Princess Cruises has introduced non-refundable deposit fares as part of promotional pricing. These fares often offer a lower upfront cost but come with restrictions.
If you cancel a non-refundable deposit fare, the deposit amount will not be returned. However, in most cases, the deposit can be converted into a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that can be used for a future booking within a specified period.
Always check your fare terms carefully before booking because non-refundable deposits are clearly marked in the booking confirmation.
When a passenger cancels their cruise, Princess Cruises may offer a refund or a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) depending on the fare type and the timing of the cancellation.
Refunds:Refunds are processed to the original form of payment, such as credit card or bank transfer. Refund timelines can vary, but generally, you can expect the amount within 30–60 days after cancellation.
Future Cruise Credit (FCC):In some cases, especially when you cancel within penalty periods or when a voyage is canceled by the cruise line, you may receive a Future Cruise Credit. This credit can be used toward another sailing within a certain timeframe (usually within 12 to 24 months).
FCCs are applied to your Captain’s Circle account and can be used when booking online or through your travel agent. However, FCCs are non-transferable and non-refundable, so they must be used by the same passenger.
The refund policy is designed to return eligible amounts based on the cancellation timing. For refundable fares, Princess Cruises refunds include the base fare, taxes, port fees, and government charges. However, certain components are non-refundable:
Travel protection plan premiums
Prepaid gratuities (depending on the time of cancellation)
Onboard credit or promotional offers
Non-refundable deposits (for special fares)
Refunds are typically processed back to the original method of payment, but if you’ve used multiple payment methods (e.g., gift cards, future cruise credit, and credit card), the refund may be distributed accordingly.
If you decide to cancel your cruise, there are several methods available:
Through Your Travel Agent:If you booked via a travel agent, contact them directly to process the cancellation. They will manage all communication with Princess Cruises and ensure that the refund or FCC is handled correctly.
Directly Through Princess Cruises:For bookings made directly through the Princess Cruises website or customer service, you can cancel by logging into your account on the official site or by calling the Princess Cruises reservations department.
Via Cruise Personalizer:You can access the “Cruise Personalizer” section of the Princess website, where you can review your booking and submit cancellation requests if allowed.
Always ensure you receive a written confirmation of the cancellation and any refund or FCC details.
If you don’t want to cancel completely, Princess Cruises allows you to reschedule or modify your booking in many cases. Depending on the fare rules, you may transfer your booking to a new sailing date without heavy penalties, especially if you are still outside the final payment period.
When modifying your booking:
If your new cruise costs more, you’ll need to pay the difference.
If the new cruise is cheaper, you might receive a refund or FCC for the difference, depending on the fare conditions.
Some promotional fares may restrict changes, so always review the “Change and Cancellation” terms at the time of booking.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from cancellation penalties is by purchasing Princess Vacation Protection, the cruise line’s official travel insurance program.
This plan covers cancellation for reasons such as illness, family emergencies, job loss, or unexpected travel restrictions. Depending on the coverage level, you may receive a cash refund or future cruise credit if you cancel for a covered reason.
Key benefits of Princess Vacation Protection include:
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
Medical and emergency evacuation insurance
Baggage loss and delay protection
“Cancel for Any Reason” credit (usually 75% of non-refundable cost in FCC)
While optional, this plan provides peace of mind, especially for long or expensive cruises.
Sometimes, Princess Cruises itself may need to cancel or reschedule a sailing. This can happen due to weather conditions, mechanical issues, port closures, or global events (like the pandemic).
In such cases, Princess Cruises generally offers:
A full refund of all paid amounts, or
A Future Cruise Credit (FCC) with an additional bonus value as compensation
Passengers are typically notified via email, phone, or through their travel agent. You can choose whether to accept the FCC or request a full refund.
It’s important to note that Princess Cruises is not responsible for additional costs such as airfare or hotel reservations unless you booked them directly through the cruise line’s air or hotel program.
If you fail to check in on the sailing day without prior cancellation, you are considered a no-show. In this situation, 100% of the fare is forfeited, and no refund or FCC is issued.
To avoid this, always inform Princess Cruises or your travel agent as soon as you know you cannot travel.
If you decide to leave the ship early or skip a portion of your voyage, Princess Cruises does not provide partial refunds for unused days, meals, or onboard services. However, if early disembarkation is due to a medical emergency or other covered reason, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement through travel insurance.
Refunds typically take 30 to 60 business days from the date of cancellation. During high-volume periods or global disruptions, processing times may extend slightly.
Refunds are credited to the original payment method. If you used multiple payment methods, the refund is divided accordingly. For example:
Payments made by credit card are refunded to the same card.
FCCs applied to a booking will be reinstated as FCCs.
Gift card payments are refunded back to the gift card balance.
Days Before SailingCancellation Fee (Standard Fare)
90+ daysNo fee (full refund)
89–75 daysDeposit amount forfeited
74–60 days25% of total fare
59–45 days50% of total fare
44–29 days75% of total fare
28 days or less100% of total fare (no refund)
For world cruises and longer voyages, add approximately 30 extra days to the timeline.
Book refundable fares if you anticipate any changes.
Cancel early — at least 90 days before sailing.
Purchase Princess Vacation Protection for flexibility.
Use FCC wisely — always check expiration dates.
Communicate through official channels to ensure proper recordkeeping.
1. Can I cancel my Princess Cruise after final payment?Yes, but you may incur cancellation penalties depending on how close it is to the sailing date. The closer the cancellation, the higher the fee.
2. Will I get a refund for my deposit?Deposits are refundable only if you cancel before the penalty period begins, unless you booked a non-refundable fare.
3. What happens if Princess cancels my cruise?You’ll be offered either a full refund or a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), sometimes with added bonus value.
4. Can I transfer my Future Cruise Credit to someone else?No, FCCs are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger.
5. How long do I have to use my Future Cruise Credit?Typically, FCCs must be used within 12 to 24 months from the issue date, but check your confirmation email for details.
6. What if I cancel due to illness or emergency?If you have Princess Vacation Protection or other travel insurance, you may qualify for a refund or FCC depending on the policy.
7. Are prepaid shore excursions refundable?Yes, if canceled before sailing or before the excursion deadline (usually 48 hours before port arrival).
The Princess Cruises cancellation policy offers a structured and transparent approach to handling changes in travel plans. By understanding the cancellation timelines, refund rules, and future cruise credit options, travelers can make informed decisions without financial stress.
The most important thing to remember is timing—canceling early ensures maximum refund eligibility. Additionally, purchasing travel insurance or Princess Vacation Protection adds an extra layer of security, safeguarding your travel investment.
Whether you’re booking a short Caribbean escape or a long world cruise, reading the fare conditions carefully before confirming your reservation can prevent misunderstandings later. Princess Cruises aims to balance flexibility for passengers with the operational needs of cruise management, resulting in a fair and consistent policy for all guests.
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