If you need to cancel a Norwegian Cruise Line reservation, one of the first questions you may have is whether you will receive all your money back. The answer is sometimes, but not in every situation.
Norwegian Cruise Line's refund depends on several factors, including when you cancel, the type of reservation, the applicable cancellation schedule, whether you purchased travel protection, and whether Norwegian canceled or significantly changed your cruise.
NCL's current terms show that cancellation fees can increase as the sailing date approaches. For many standard cruise reservations, cancellations made sufficiently far in advance may avoid a cancellation fee, while cancellations closer to departure can result in substantial penalties or a 100% cancellation fee.
Understanding these rules before canceling can help you determine whether you qualify for a full refund, a partial refund, a future cruise credit, or no refund.
Yes, Norwegian Cruise Line can provide a full refund in certain circumstances, but it does not automatically provide a full refund for every cancellation.
For example, NCL's terms include situations where a guest may receive a refund because NCL cancels a cruise or makes a qualifying significant change. For cruises departing from a U.S. port, NCL's current nonperformance policy states that if NCL cancels the cruise, or delays it for more than three calendar days, and the guest does not accept an alternative cruise or choose to travel on the delayed cruise, the guest may be entitled to a refund of the applicable cruise fare and qualifying charges.
If you voluntarily cancel your cruise, however, the refund depends largely on the applicable cancellation schedule.
One of the most important factors is how far in advance you cancel.
NCL's current cancellation schedule for many cruise fares lists cancellation fees that increase as the departure date gets closer. Under the schedule currently published in NCL's terms:
Time before departureCancellation fee for many standard cruise categories
120–91 days0%
90–61 days25%
60–31 days50%
30 days or less100%
The Haven, Suites and Garden Villas can have a different schedule, with cancellation penalties beginning earlier. NCL also notes that cancellation policies can vary and are subject to change.
This means a cancellation made during the no-fee period may qualify for a refund of eligible amounts paid, subject to the specific terms of the reservation.
A cancellation by NCL is different from a passenger-initiated cancellation.
If NCL cancels a cruise departing from a U.S. port, its current nonperformance policy provides for a refund when the stated conditions are met and the guest declines an alternative cruise or elects not to travel on a qualifying delayed cruise.
The refund can include cruise fare and certain charges for accommodations, services and facilities associated with the canceled or qualifying delayed cruise.
A major change to a cruise itinerary may create different refund rights depending on the circumstances and applicable terms.
NCL's terms for certain markets provide for full or partial refunds in situations involving significant itinerary changes when the guest does not accept available alternatives. The precise rights can depend on the booking's terms and the country or region where the cruise was purchased.
Because refund rights can vary by market, review the terms attached to your reservation rather than assuming every itinerary change automatically qualifies for a full cash refund.
There are several situations in which a full refund may not be available.
The closer you get to departure, the higher the cancellation fee can become.
Under NCL's current published schedule for many standard cruise categories, a cancellation within 30 days of departure can result in a 100% cancellation fee. That means the cruise fare subject to the fee may be non-refundable.
Simply failing to board is not the same as properly canceling a cruise.
NCL's terms state that no refunds are provided for cruise no-shows.
If you know that you cannot travel, contact NCL or your travel advisor as soon as possible rather than simply missing embarkation.
NCL's terms also state that refunds are generally not provided when a passenger interrupts or cancels their cruise after the cruise has commenced, except where the applicable contract or law provides otherwise.
For this reason, do not assume that unused cruise days automatically result in a proportional refund.
Whether your deposit is refundable depends on the timing of cancellation and the specific promotion or booking terms.
NCL states that cancellation charges may be assessed depending on when the cruise is canceled and directs guests to its cancellation fee schedule for the applicable rules.
Special promotional fares can also have additional restrictions. NCL's published terms note that certain Buy One Get One promotions can make deposit payments non-refundable from the time of booking.
Therefore, do not assume that every NCL deposit is automatically refundable.
Travel protection can provide additional financial protection, but it does not mean every cancellation automatically receives a 100% cash refund.
NCL says guests who purchase NorwegianCare or BookSafe may be eligible for up to 100% cash-back for qualified reasons that cause them to cancel. If the reason is not covered and a claim is denied, certain plans may instead provide a future cruise credit based on the applicable non-refundable cancellation charges.
The actual benefit depends on the plan purchased, the reason for cancellation, and the applicable terms and conditions.
For example, NCL's travel-protection information says NorwegianCare and BookSafe products have different benefits, and some situations may result in a percentage-based future cruise credit rather than a cash refund.
The treatment of taxes, fees and other charges can differ from the treatment of the cruise fare.
NCL's terms should be reviewed for the specific booking because cancellation fees may apply to cruise fares and certain add-ons separately. NCL's current terms also explain that cancellation fees can apply to air, land and other add-on charges even when the entire reservation is not canceled.
Do not calculate your expected refund simply by subtracting a cancellation percentage from the total amount you paid. Your invoice may contain different components with different cancellation rules.
Refund processing time can depend on the type of refund and the applicable terms.
NCL's published terms state that certain refund requests are processed in approximately three to four weeks.
For a cruise canceled or delayed under NCL's U.S. nonperformance policy, the process is different. The current terms state that eligible guests must submit a refund request within the specified period and that NCL may take up to 180 days to respond to the claim.
Therefore, the time you should expect depends on why the refund is being issued.
The process depends on how you booked and why you are requesting the refund.
Contact Norwegian Cruise Line and follow its instructions for canceling the reservation or submitting a refund request.
Have the following information ready:
For special refund claims related to a canceled or qualifying delayed cruise, NCL's current U.S. terms require supporting documentation such as proof of payment and applicable cruise documents.
Contact the travel advisor who made the booking.
NCL's terms recognize that travel advisors may handle cancellation and refund requests for bookings made through them. For certain claims, NCL specifically allows the travel advisor to submit the required documentation on the guest's behalf.
A refund and a future cruise credit are not the same thing.
A cash refund returns eligible money according to the applicable payment method and refund rules.
A future cruise credit gives you credit that can be applied toward a future reservation under the conditions attached to that credit.
NCL's travel-protection information illustrates this distinction: when a cancellation reason is not covered, eligible guests may receive a future cruise credit rather than cash, depending on the protection plan.
Before accepting a credit, read its terms carefully so you understand expiration dates, restrictions and how it can be used.
Before submitting a cancellation request, review:
This matters because canceling a cruise does not necessarily mean every component of a vacation package follows the same refund rules.
If you are considering canceling, timing is critical.
If your reservation is still within a no-fee cancellation period, canceling before the deadline can preserve your eligibility for a refund under the applicable terms.
Your confirmation can show the booking type, payment information and other details needed to determine which rules apply.
If you purchased NorwegianCare, BookSafe or another qualifying travel-protection product, check whether your reason for cancellation is covered before canceling.
If you purchased airfare, hotels, transfers or other extras through NCL, ask how each component will be treated. NCL states that cancellation fees can apply separately to air, land and other add-ons.
Not in every case. A full refund may be available when you cancel during an applicable no-penalty period or when a qualifying NCL cancellation or significant change gives you a refund right. Later cancellations can be subject to substantial fees, including a 100% cancellation fee.
You may be able to receive a full refund if your cancellation falls within the applicable no-fee period and your fare does not have special restrictions. Check the cancellation schedule for your specific booking before canceling.
Generally, no. NCL's terms state that no refunds are provided for cruise no-shows.
If NCL cancels a cruise, refund rights can be different from a voluntary passenger cancellation. For qualifying cruises departing from a U.S. port, NCL's current policy provides for a refund under specified circumstances when the guest declines an alternative or does not wish to travel on a qualifying delayed cruise.
It can in certain covered circumstances, depending on the protection plan and claim. NCL says NorwegianCare and BookSafe customers may be eligible for up to 100% cash-back for qualified cancellation reasons, while some denied or non-covered claims may result in future cruise credit instead.
NCL's published terms indicate that certain refunds take approximately three to four weeks to process. Special claims under its U.S. nonperformance policy can follow a substantially longer review process.
So, does Norwegian Cruise Line provide full refunds? The answer is yes in qualifying circumstances, but a full refund is not guaranteed whenever a passenger cancels.
The most important factors are when you cancel, what type of reservation you purchased, whether special fare restrictions apply, whether you have travel protection, and whether NCL itself canceled or significantly changed the cruise.
If you are considering cancellation, check the applicable NCL cancellation schedule before taking action. Canceling early can make a major difference, while waiting until close to departure can result in significant or complete cancellation penalties. If NCL canceled or substantially changed your cruise, review the specific refund rights that apply to your sailing rather than treating it as a normal voluntary cancellation.
Because NCL policies can change and may vary by market and booking type, the terms attached to your reservation should be treated as the final reference for your specific situation.
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