Royal Caribbean is changing its North America cruise cancellation policy effective Oct. 11, 2026, revising penalty windows for many sailings of five nights or longer.
According to Royal Caribbean Blog, the cruise line is eliminating its 25% cancellation-penalty tier for all cruise lengths. For cruises lasting five to nine nights, travelers who cancel 89 to 61 days before embarkation will now forfeit 50% of the total price, rather than moving through a 25% tier. The new 10-night-and-longer category carries a 50% penalty for cancellations made 119 to 61 days before embarkation.
The updated structure replaces the former five- to 14-night and 15-night-plus groupings with two categories: five to nine nights and 10 nights or more. On both of those categories, cancellations 60 to 31 days before departure carry a 75% penalty, while cancellations 30 days or less before embarkation receive no refund. Nonrefundable deposit amounts remain excluded from the no-charge cancellation periods.
Short cruises of one to four nights, including holiday sailings, are not changing. They remain penalty-free at least 75 days before embarkation, excluding nonrefundable deposits; the penalty is 50% from 74 to 61 days out, 75% from 60 to 31 days out, and 100% within 30 days.
The changes also affect final-payment timing for 10- to 14-night cruises. Final payment on those sailings will be due 120 days before embarkation, rather than the 90-day deadline that applied under the former five- to 14-night category. Royal Caribbean Blog reported that new Alaska, Pacific Coastal and Transpacific sailings for 2028, released for booking Sept. 29, 2026, are subject to the revised policy.
Royal Caribbean will also automatically apply applicable cancellation fees for third and fourth guests through its reservation system, rather than waiving them. Guests who booked directly with the cruise line can cancel by contacting Royal Caribbean; those who used a travel agent or another booking site must cancel through that provider.
