Cruising with Princess Cruises is one of the most memorable ways to explore the world — from Caribbean adventures to Alaskan voyages and Mediterranean escapades. But sometimes, unexpected plans, health issues, or personal emergencies can force travelers to cancel their cruise booking. In such cases, knowing the Princess Cruises cancellation fee and understanding the refund process can save you both money and stress.
Princess Cruises has a structured cancellation policy that depends mainly on the type of fare purchased, length of the cruise, and how far in advance the cancellation is made. The earlier you cancel, the smaller your penalty — and in some cases, you can even receive a full refund. Let’s explore this policy in full detail.
Every cruise line has its own terms and conditions regarding cancellations. Princess Cruises follows a tiered system based on the number of days prior to the sailing date when you decide to cancel. The closer the cancellation is to the departure date, the higher the cancellation fee.
The policy is designed to help the cruise line manage bookings, cabin assignments, and itinerary costs efficiently while also being fair to guests. The Princess Cruises cancellation policy applies to all sailings, though certain special promotions or world cruises may have different terms.
Before diving into the specific timeline and percentages, it’s important to know what factors influence your cancellation cost.
Type of fare booked:Princess Cruises offers various fare types like Standard Fare, Princess Plus, and Princess Premier. Some of these fares may include added flexibility or benefits under specific travel protection plans.
Cruise length and itinerary:A short 3-day Caribbean cruise may have a simpler cancellation schedule compared to a 30-day world voyage or an Alaska cruise tour that includes land and sea segments.
Date of cancellation:The number of days before departure is the most critical factor. Cancellations made well in advance often qualify for full refunds, whereas last-minute cancellations may result in forfeiture of the total fare.
Whether you purchased travel insurance:Princess Cruises offers its own travel protection plan, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate your cancellation loss in case of covered reasons such as medical emergencies or trip interruptions.
Here’s a detailed look at how Princess Cruises typically calculates cancellation fees based on the number of days before your cruise departure date. The exact timeline may vary depending on the cruise length, but the following structure applies to most sailings (excluding world cruises and special voyages).
For cruises 1 to 5 days in length (including 3-day and 4-day sailings):
60 days or more before departure: No cancellation fee. Full refund of all amounts paid.
59 to 45 days before departure: 50% of total fare is charged as a cancellation fee.
44 to 29 days before departure: 75% of total fare is charged.
28 days or less before departure: 100% of total fare is charged — no refund.
For cruises 6 to 29 days in length (most popular duration):
90 days or more before departure: Full refund, no penalty.
89 to 60 days before departure: Deposit amount forfeited as cancellation fee.
59 to 45 days before departure: 50% of the total fare charged.
44 to 29 days before departure: 75% of the fare charged.
28 days or less before departure: 100% fare forfeited.
For world cruises or extended voyages (30+ days):
120 days or more before departure: Full refund, no cancellation charge.
119 to 90 days before departure: Deposit amount forfeited.
89 to 60 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee applies.
59 to 30 days before departure: 75% of total fare charged.
29 days or less before departure: 100% fare forfeited, no refund.
It’s important to remember that the “deposit amount” typically ranges from 10% to 20% of your total cruise fare, depending on your itinerary and cabin category.
In certain cases, Princess Cruises offers discounted fares under non-refundable deposit programs. These fares often provide better upfront pricing but carry stricter cancellation conditions. If you cancel such a fare, the deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances — even if you cancel months before sailing.
Promotional deals or special rates under limited-time offers might also come with unique terms. Always read the fine print or ask your travel advisor about the specific cancellation rules before confirming your booking.
If you’ve booked your airfare or pre/post-hotel stays through Princess Cruises, separate cancellation policies may apply to those components.
Princess EZair flights:
If you cancel before the cruise’s final payment date, your airfare is fully refundable.
After the final payment date, the ticket may become non-refundable, depending on the airline’s policy.
Hotel and land tour packages:
These are generally refundable up to a certain date before the trip, but once the cancellation window closes, penalties can apply.
Always check your cruise summary invoice — it lists individual cancellation policies for each component booked through Princess Cruises.
If you’ve decided to cancel your cruise, it’s best to do it as soon as possible to minimize fees. You can cancel your reservation in the following ways:
Through your travel agent:If you booked via a travel agent, contact them directly. They will handle the cancellation on your behalf and confirm the refund amount or future cruise credit (FCC) details.
Online via Princess.com:Guests who booked directly through the Princess Cruises website can log into their account and navigate to “Manage Booking.” There, they can initiate the cancellation process.
By phone:You can call Princess Cruises’ customer service or the local office handling your booking. Always have your booking reference and passenger details ready for verification.
After submitting your cancellation request, you will receive an email confirmation. Refunds typically take up to 30 days to process, depending on your payment method and bank policies.
Princess Cruises offers two main types of refunds depending on your situation and the fare rules.
Cash Refund:If you cancel within the refundable period, you will receive your payment back in the original form used — typically to your credit card or bank account.
Future Cruise Credit (FCC):In some cases, instead of a cash refund, Princess Cruises may offer an FCC for the amount forfeited as a cancellation fee. This credit can be used toward a future cruise within a specified time frame (usually 12 to 24 months).
During global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Cruises frequently offered FCC options as a gesture of flexibility, allowing guests to rebook later without losing money.
Travel protection is the smartest way to secure your vacation investment. Princess Cruises offers an optional Princess Vacation Protection plan that covers various unexpected situations. This plan not only provides trip cancellation coverage but also includes interruption protection, emergency medical assistance, and baggage coverage.
If you cancel for a covered reason such as:
Illness or injury of you or a family member
Death in the family
Jury duty
Natural disasters affecting your home or travel route
Job loss or sudden work conflicts
You may be eligible for reimbursement up to 100% of your cruise fare.
Moreover, if you need to cancel for a non-covered reason (for example, you simply changed your mind), Princess may offer a future cruise credit instead of a full cash refund, depending on the terms of your protection plan.
This plan adds a small percentage to your cruise fare but provides significant peace of mind.
Once your cruise has begun, you cannot receive a refund for unused days or missed ports unless the cruise line cancels or changes the itinerary for operational reasons.
However, if you must leave the ship mid-journey due to medical emergencies or other covered reasons, your travel insurance may reimburse part of your unused fare under trip interruption benefits.
Let’s look at a few hypothetical examples to help you better understand how the Princess Cruises cancellation fee works.
Example 1: 7-day Caribbean cruise
Total fare: ₹2,00,000
Deposit: ₹30,000
Cancellation 80 days before sailing: Only the deposit is forfeited. Refund = ₹1,70,000.
Example 2: 10-day Alaska cruise
Total fare: ₹3,00,000
Cancellation 40 days before sailing: 50% penalty applies. Refund = ₹1,50,000.
Example 3: 15-day world voyage segment
Total fare: ₹5,00,000
Cancellation 20 days before departure: 100% fare forfeited. No refund available.
These examples illustrate why it’s always beneficial to cancel early or invest in travel protection coverage.
For group bookings, cancellation policies can differ slightly. Travel agencies or group leaders often have their own deposit and payment structures that work alongside Princess Cruises’ main policy. Typically, group bookings have separate deadlines for deposit refunds and name changes.
It’s advisable for group travelers to communicate directly with the travel organizer to understand the precise terms before cancelling.
Princess Cruises allows name corrections or substitutions before the final payment deadline in most cases, though an administrative fee may apply. However, after the final payment date, replacing one passenger with another may be treated as a full cancellation and rebooking, leading to cancellation fees.
So if someone in your party cannot travel, it’s better to make changes early to avoid penalties.
World cruises and grand voyages, which often last from 60 to 120 days, have stricter cancellation terms due to their scale and logistics. For these sailings, the cancellation schedule begins as early as 120 days prior to departure.
Since these trips involve complex planning, extended hotel stays, and onboard arrangements, the deposit amounts and penalties tend to be higher. Purchasing a comprehensive travel protection plan is highly recommended for such long voyages.
After you cancel your Princess Cruise, you may wonder how long it takes to receive your money back. Typically, the refund timeline depends on:
Your original payment method
Whether you booked directly or through a travel agent
The bank or credit card issuer’s processing speed
In general:
Credit card refunds take 10–30 business days.
Bank transfers may take up to 6 weeks.
Future Cruise Credits (FCC) are usually issued within 14 days.
You can track your refund status by logging into your Princess Cruises account or contacting customer service.
Here are a few practical strategies to avoid or reduce Princess Cruises cancellation fees:
Book flexible fares: Choose fares that include refundable deposits or added flexibility.
Purchase travel protection: A small cost upfront can save you thousands if your trip is canceled unexpectedly.
Cancel early: The earlier you cancel, the smaller your penalty.
Consider rebooking instead of canceling: Sometimes Princess allows guests to apply their deposit toward another sailing instead of forfeiting it.
Communicate with your travel advisor: They can guide you through the best way to handle changes or cancellations to minimize losses.
1. Can I cancel my Princess Cruise for any reason?
Yes, you can cancel at any time before sailing, but fees depend on how close the cancellation is to your departure date.
2. Will I get my deposit back if I cancel?
If you cancel before the penalty period begins, your deposit is refundable. Once you enter the cancellation window, the deposit is usually forfeited.
3. What if Princess Cruises cancels the voyage?
If the cruise line cancels a sailing due to weather, technical, or operational reasons, passengers are generally offered a full refund or a future cruise credit.
4. Are taxes and port fees refunded after cancellation?
Yes, taxes and port fees are usually refunded even if the cruise fare is forfeited.
5. How can I avoid losing money if I cancel last minute?
Purchasing Princess Vacation Protection or comprehensive travel insurance is the best way to avoid financial loss in case of last-minute cancellations.
Booking a cruise vacation involves a significant financial commitment. Understanding the Princess Cruises cancellation policy ensures you’re not caught off guard if your plans change.
Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway or a 90-day world cruise, being aware of timelines, deposits, and refund conditions allows you to make smart, informed decisions.
Having clarity on cancellation fees also helps travelers plan better, choose flexible fare options, and consider travel protection coverage right from the start — all of which contribute to a more confident and stress-free cruise planning experience.
The Princess Cruises cancellation fee depends on how far in advance you cancel, the length of your voyage, and whether you purchased travel protection. While early cancellations often result in minimal penalties, last-minute cancellations can lead to forfeiting your full fare.
To safeguard your cruise investment, always review your booking confirmation, understand the deposit terms, and consider adding Princess Vacation Protection. Doing so ensures that if unexpected events force you to change plans, you’ll have financial coverage and flexibility to rebook your dream voyage later.
In summary, the key to avoiding hefty cancellation fees is timing, preparation, and protection. The more you know before you book, the more confidently you can cruise — with peace of mind that your investment is secure no matter what happens.
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