Yes — in most cases you can move your Royal Caribbean cruise to a different date. But whether it’s easy, cheap, or even possible without restrictions depends on a handful of things: the fare type you bought, how far in advance you request the change, whether you booked through a travel agent, and if any promotional credits or protections apply. Read this guide and you’ll know exactly how to move your cruise, how much it might cost, and — most importantly — how to do it with the least stress and expense.
Life changes. Work shifts, weddings get scheduled, kids’ exams move, and sometimes a better sail date appears with a lower price or a friend suddenly available. Moving your cruise date can be a huge relief — but many travelers hit three big problems:
Surprise fees — Change fees, fare differences, and new taxes can add up if you don’t plan.
Availability traps — The exact cabin or category you want might not be available on the new date.
Logistics fallout — Flights, hotels, transfers can be more expensive to adjust than the cruise change itself.
Understanding these issues and following a clear, tactical plan turns the process from stressful to strategic.
Save money by avoiding unnecessary fees and using credits or promotions.
Maintain or improve your cabin and onboard perks.
Keep loyalty benefits intact and avoid losing group or promotional advantages.
Rebook with confidence: clear steps, scripts, and checklists included.
Beat the FOMO: act at the right time so sought-after cabins and group bookings aren’t lost.
Now let’s get tactical.
Short version: yes, but…
If you purchased a flexible or refundable fare, changing dates is often simpler and cheaper.
If you bought a deeply discounted/non-refundable fare, change fees could be higher or changes not permitted.
If Royal Caribbean itself cancels or alters a sailing, they typically offer no-fee rebooking options or refunds.
If you used a travel agent, your agent may manage the change but could charge a service fee.
If you have Future Cruise Credit (FCC) from a previous cancellation, you can usually apply it toward a new date — sometimes covering fees or fare differences.
Estimate the cost and value quickly with this checklist:
Can I change? — Check fare rules and agent terms.
How much will the change cost? — Add: change fees + fare difference + new taxes/port fees + agent fees.
Is the new date worth the hit? — Compare total cost to canceling and rebooking a fresh reservation.
Are there non-monetary benefits? — Better weather, a friend joining, improved itinerary, or a special event making the new date more valuable.
If the total cost to change < value gained (financial or experience), move the date.
Before you call or click, gather:
Booking confirmation number(s)
Full guest names (as on the booking)
Current sail date and desired new date(s)
Cabin category (interior, oceanview, balcony, suite)
Any Future Cruise Credit numbers or vouchers
Travel insurance policy number (if any)
Open your booking confirmation email or the Royal Caribbean online account. Look for words like “non-refundable,” “change fee applies,” or “transfer allowed.” This tells you whether you can change online or must call.
Use Royal Caribbean’s site or your travel agent to confirm cabin availability and the advertised fare for the new date.
Note whether the new date shows higher, similar, or lower fares for your cabin category.
Use this formula:
Total Change Cost = (Change Fee per guest × number of guests) + Fare Difference (if new date is pricier) + Taxes and Port Fees + Agent Service Fee (if applicable)
If the new date is cheaper, ask whether Royal Caribbean issues a credit, refund, or onboard credit after deducting fees.
Apply any Future Cruise Credits (FCC) you have. They often reduce or eliminate cash outlay.
Check your travel insurance — some policies reimburse for covered reasons.
If Royal Caribbean made a schedule change, ask for a fee waiver.
Online: Quick for straightforward changes allowed by fare rules.
Phone: Better when credits, packages, or complex adjustments are involved.
Travel agent: Best if you booked through one — they can negotiate and often hold inventory temporarily.
Use the script below (copy/paste):
“Hello, my booking number is [XXXX]. I’d like to move my cruise from [current date] to [new date]. Please confirm the change fee, any fare difference, and how my Future Cruise Credit (if any) will be applied. Also confirm whether my cabin category and pre-purchased packages will transfer.”
Ask the agent to itemize charges and to email the new itinerary and invoice immediately.
Save the new confirmation email and any receipts.
If packages or perks (Wi-Fi, drink packages, specialty dining) need reapplying, confirm they are attached to the new booking.
Rebook flights, hotels, and transfers right away. Keep track of separate change fees for those services.
Cabins vanish fast for popular dates and itineraries — act early.
Seasonal price jumps: peak seasons (holidays, school breaks) see large fare increases if you wait.
Promotions expire: discounts, onboard credits, and perks appear in limited windows.
FCC expiration: many credits expire after a fixed period — don’t lose them.
If you see the cabin type you want at a reasonable price, lock it in. Missing the window often costs more than acting.
Change early — earlier equals lower likelihood of shortage and smaller fees.
Apply FCCs — these are often the cheapest way to cover fare differences.
Ask politely for waivers — if you have a good reason (medical, military, bereavement) and documentation, agents sometimes waive fees.
Book a similar cabin category — sometimes moving to a different ship or day but same category saves money.
Let the agent compare similar sailings — they can sometimes find an equal or cheaper cabin on a different ship on the same date.
Use trips that the cruise line altered — if Royal Caribbean changes a schedule, they usually offer rebooking options without fees.
Combine changes with upgrades — paying a small difference might get you a major upgrade — evaluate the trade-off.
Check airfare rules — sometimes moving flight dates is costlier than changing the cruise; consider rescheduling flights first to match a new cruise date before committing to the cruise change.
New confirmation — you should receive an email immediately. If not, request one before hanging up.
Packages — drink, specialty dining, Wi-Fi may automatically transfer if the booking remains intact; otherwise, reapply or repurchase.
Loyalty status — Crown & Anchor benefits typically transfer with the passenger, but check that points and perks remain.
Price drops — if the new date fares drop after you rebook, you may or may not be eligible for a price adjustment; ask and keep proof.
Refunds vs credits — cheaper new dates often produce FCCs or onboard credits, not always cash refunds.
Q1: Can I move my Royal Caribbean cruise to a different date for free?
A1: Sometimes — if Royal Caribbean cancels or changes the sailing, they often allow free rebooking. Otherwise, free changes are rare unless your fare was flexible or promotional terms specify no fee. You may also qualify for fee waivers in limited circumstances (medical, military, etc.).
Q2: How much does it cost to change the date?
A2: Costs vary: expect a per-person administrative fee, any fare difference if the new date is pricier, and additional taxes/port fees. If booked through a travel agent, factor in their service fees. Always get a written, itemized breakdown.
Q3: Can I change just one person’s date on a shared booking?
A3: Often yes, but it can be more complex depending on cabin pricing (some cabins price per cabin). Confirm with Royal Caribbean or your agent.
Q4: Will my onboard packages transfer to the new date?
A4: Generally yes, if the booking remains intact. If the change requires cancelling and rebooking, packages may need to be re-applied.
Q5: If I booked through a third-party site, can I still move the date?
A5: Yes, but you must follow the third party’s terms. Contact the site or agent first; they may handle the change for a fee.
Q6: What if I change to a date with a lower fare — do I get a refund?
A6: Usually Royal Caribbean applies credits (Future Cruise Credit or onboard credit) rather than issuing a cash refund, after deducting any change fee. Policies vary, so confirm before finalizing.
Q7: Does travel insurance cover change fees?
A7: Some policies cover trip changes for covered reasons (illness, jury duty). Check your policy details and claim process.
Q8: If the cruise line changes the itinerary, can I move without penalty?
A8: Yes — if Royal Caribbean makes a schedule or itinerary change that affects your booking, they typically offer options including rebooking without penalty or a refund.
Q9: How long do I have to make a change?
A9: As long as cabins are available — but earlier is better. Some fares restrict changes to a certain window before sailing.
Q10: Can I move to a different ship or itinerary altogether?
A10: Yes, but that’s essentially a new booking and will be priced accordingly; change fees may still apply depending on original booking terms.
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 Cruisefinderpro.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service