Yes, Princess Cruises is currently allowing passengers to cancel their cruise bookings. However, canceling a reservation does not automatically mean you will receive a full refund. The amount you may get back depends on factors such as when you cancel, the length of your cruise, the date your booking was made, your fare conditions, and whether you purchased Princess Vacation Protection.
Princess Cruises has different cancellation schedules for different bookings. In particular, Princess updated its cancellation terms for certain bookings made on or after September 2, 2026. This means travelers should not rely on older articles or cancellation charts found online without checking the terms attached to their own reservation.
If you are thinking about canceling a Princess cruise, the safest approach is to review your booking confirmation and the cancellation terms that apply to that specific reservation.
Yes. Princess Cruises' current published terms allow passengers to cancel a cruise before departure, but applicable cancellation charges may be deducted according to the relevant cancellation schedule. Princess states that cancellation fees depend on the timing of the cancellation and the length of the sailing.
The important point is that being allowed to cancel and receiving a full refund are two different things.
For example, a passenger who cancels well before departure may face a smaller charge or lose only the applicable deposit, while someone canceling close to departure may be charged up to 100% under the standard policy.
Your booking confirmation is particularly important because Princess advises booked guests to review the cancellation schedule and final-payment terms shown with their reservation.
For bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, Princess publishes separate schedules based on cruise length.
For cruises of up to 44 days, the current schedule is:
Time Before DepartureCancellation Fee
120 days or moreDeposit
113 to 119 days25%
91 to 112 days50%
61 to 90 days75%
60 days or less100%
Princess states that final payment for these cruises is due 120 days before departure under this schedule. The applicable calculation can include the total cruise price and certain packages or pre-purchased items as defined in the terms.
Longer voyages have a different schedule:
Time Before DepartureCancellation Fee
321 days or moreDeposit
121 to 320 daysDeposit
113 to 120 days30%
61 to 112 days50%
60 days or less100%
For these longer cruises, Princess says final payment is due 120 days before departure. An additional deposit schedule may also apply to cruises of 45 days or more.
This is an important detail for people who booked their cruise earlier.
Princess' published terms also contain cancellation schedules for bookings made before September 2, 2026. For example, for certain cruises of 1 to 13 days, the schedule can include a deposit at 90 days or more before departure, followed by 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% cancellation charges as the departure date gets closer.
Because multiple schedules can apply, the date of booking alone should not be used to calculate a refund. The cruise length, departure date, fare conditions, and applicable contract should also be checked.
A full refund is not normally guaranteed when you voluntarily cancel.
The standard policy establishes cancellation fees based on the applicable schedule. Princess also states that some specially priced promotions may have deposits that are completely non-refundable from the time of payment. In those situations, the deposit may not be returned when the passenger cancels.
This is why it is important to check whether your booking has:
Yes, certain Princess Vacation Protection options can provide additional cancellation protection.
Princess currently offers Cancellation Protection for eligible guests in certain markets. According to Princess, this protection can waive cancellation fees when the guest cancels for any reason, provided Princess receives notice at least 72 hours before midnight on the scheduled departure date from the embarkation port. Different timing rules can apply to hotel packages, cruisetours, or other arrangements.
Cancellation Protection is a non-insurance cancellation-fee waiver. It is different from travel insurance and does not provide the same type of coverage as an insurance policy. Princess also states that the product is unavailable to residents of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Princess also offers Platinum Protection in eligible markets.
According to Princess, Platinum Protection can provide cancellation-fee reimbursement for qualifying reasons and may provide future cruise credit for certain other cancellations. It also includes travel insurance benefits for eligible customers, subject to the plan's terms, conditions, exclusions, and geographic eligibility.
Travelers should read the plan documents rather than assuming every reason for cancellation will result in a cash refund.
The answer depends on the circumstances and the protection attached to your booking.
A standard voluntary cancellation is generally governed by the normal cancellation schedule. However, Princess Vacation Protection may provide benefits for qualifying situations, depending on the plan.
Princess describes examples that may be covered under Platinum Protection, including certain illnesses or injuries, family emergencies, travel delays that cause a guest to miss a cruise, and baggage-related problems. Coverage is subject to the applicable policy terms.
A separate travel insurance policy may also provide benefits, but its coverage depends on the insurer and policy wording.
This is different from a passenger choosing to cancel.
Princess states that when Princess cancels a cruise, or when a cruise is delayed for more than three calendar days and the guest does not accept an alternative cruise or choose to travel on the delayed voyage, the passenger may be entitled to a refund under the conditions described in Princess' nonperformance policy.
The refund can include cruise fare and certain charges paid to Princess for the affected cruise, including applicable government fees and taxes and other qualifying charges.
Passengers should follow the refund instructions provided with the cancellation or delay notice and contact Princess or their travel advisor when required.
The cancellation process depends on how you booked.
Contact Princess and provide notice of cancellation. Princess' published terms state that cancellations can be made by telephone or through an approved reservation system, with written confirmation required where applicable.
Before contacting Princess, have your booking information available, including:
Ask the representative to explain the cancellation charge and the amount, if any, that will be refunded.
Contact the travel advisor who made the booking. Princess states that refunds are made through the original payment source or travel advisor, depending on how the reservation was booked.
Do not assume that speaking with a third party automatically cancels the Princess reservation. Make sure the cancellation has actually been submitted and confirmed.
Yes, cancellation may still be possible close to departure, but the financial consequences can be significant.
Under the current standard schedule for many bookings, cancellations made 60 days or less before departure can result in a 100% cancellation fee. For some longer or older bookings, different schedules may apply.
This means a passenger should not wait until the final days simply because cancellation is technically still available.
If you have Cancellation Protection or another eligible protection product, the result may be different, subject to its terms and deadlines.
The standard Princess cancellation policy does not automatically provide future cruise credit simply because a passenger voluntarily cancels.
Princess explains that Future Cruise Credits can be issued for various reasons, including certain cruise cancellations, and that specific protection products may provide future cruise credit in particular situations.
Future Cruise Credit is different from a cash refund. Princess describes FCC as a type of credit that can be applied toward eligible future Princess purchases according to its terms.
Therefore, do not assume that a canceled reservation will automatically turn into an FCC.
Not always.
Princess' terms state that the cancellation fee can initially be the deposit, unless the guest has upgraded to a refundable deposit or another exception applies. Special promotions can also make deposits completely non-refundable.
The exact deposit conditions should be checked in the original booking confirmation.
This is especially important when comparing cruises based on a low promotional deposit. A smaller upfront payment does not necessarily mean the deposit is refundable.
Changing a reservation may not always avoid cancellation charges.
Princess states that certain changes, including departure date changes, can be treated as reservation cancellations and may therefore be subject to cancellation fees. Name changes may also require approval and may not always be possible.
Before requesting a change, ask Princess or your travel advisor whether the proposed change will trigger cancellation penalties.
Before you cancel, review these details carefully:
The applicable cancellation schedule may differ depending on when your reservation was made.
Princess uses different cancellation schedules for shorter and longer voyages.
The closer you get to departure, the higher the standard cancellation charge can become.
Determine whether your deposit is refundable, non-refundable, or connected to a special promotion.
Check whether you purchased Princess Cancellation Protection, Platinum Protection, or another insurance policy.
Air and hotel arrangements may follow separate cancellation conditions. Princess' own EZair program, for example, has separate rules depending on the type and timing of the flight booking.
The confirmation documents are one of the most useful sources for determining which cancellation terms apply to your reservation. Princess specifically advises booked guests to review their confirmation for cancellation and final-payment details.
Yes. Princess Cruises currently allows guests to cancel cruise reservations, but cancellation charges may apply depending on the booking terms, sailing length, and how close the cancellation is to departure.
You may receive a refund, but the amount depends on the applicable cancellation schedule and your booking conditions. A full refund is not guaranteed for voluntary cancellations.
Cancellation can generally still be requested close to departure, but standard cancellation fees can reach 100%. Your specific booking terms should be checked before canceling.
Princess' Cancellation Protection provides a cancellation-fee waiver for any reason when its requirements are met, including the applicable 72-hour notification deadline. It is not travel insurance and is subject to eligibility and plan terms.
Not automatically under the standard cancellation policy. Future Cruise Credit may be available in specific circumstances or through applicable protection products.
When Princess cancels a cruise, different refund provisions apply. Under Princess' nonperformance policy, eligible guests may receive a refund when the required conditions are met.
No. You may still be able to cancel the reservation, but the non-refundable deposit or applicable cancellation fee may not be returned.
A departure-date change can be treated as a reservation cancellation and may be subject to cancellation fees. Check the terms before making the change.
Start with your Princess booking confirmation and then compare it with the applicable Princess cancellation policy and passage contract. Princess specifically directs booked guests to their confirmation for the cancellation schedule and final-payment terms.
No. Princess describes Cancellation Protection as a non-insurance cancellation-fee waiver. Platinum Protection combines cancellation-related benefits with travel insurance and other services for eligible customers.
Princess Cruises is currently allowing cancellations, but the refund you receive depends on the specific terms of your reservation. The most important factors are your booking date, cruise length, departure date, deposit type, fare restrictions, and any protection or insurance you purchased.
For bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, Princess has published updated cancellation schedules, including higher penalties as departure approaches. For many cruises of up to 44 days, cancellations made 60 days or less before departure can be subject to a 100% cancellation fee. Longer cruises use a separate schedule.
The best way to avoid an unexpected loss is to check your booking confirmation before canceling and ask Princess or your travel advisor to state the applicable cancellation fee and expected refund. If you purchased Princess Vacation Protection, review its terms as well because the protection can significantly change how cancellation costs are handled.
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