Instant Cruise Refund Calculator — Know your Exact Refund Amount in 30 Seconds. Fast, FREE , and updated for every major cruise line . Don’t lose money on cruise cancellations.What penalties apply before you cancel.Use our free calculator to see your exact refund and penalty charges instantly.
The Carnival and Royal Caribbean refund policies are based on a strict tiered penalty schedule Use our Calculator to Get personalized report in 30 Seconds.
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Enter dates to determine the penalty tier.
Please select a cruise line, fare type, and duration above to view the policy schedule.
⚙️ 9-Step Cruise Cancellation Refund Calculator: Estimate Your Cash Back
(This text provides a comprehensive guide to quickly and accurately calculate the estimated cash refund and Future Cruise Credit (FCC) you will receive when canceling any major cruise line booking (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, etc.) based on your exact booking details.)
Step 1: Select Your Cruise Line
First, select the specific cruise line you booked (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess), as their penalty schedules are unique to each brand.
Step 2: Select Your Fare/Deposit Type
Choose whether your booking was made under a ‘Non-Refundable’ (NRD) or ‘Standard/Refundable’ deposit, as this dictates the initial deposit penalty.
Step 3: Enter Sailing Duration (Nights)
Input the number of nights for your voyage. Penalty tiers often shift based on the trip’s length (e.g., 5-night vs. 9-night cruises).
Step 4: Select Your Cabin Category
Choose your cabin category (Inside, Balcony, Suite). Suite bookings often have earlier final payment and cancellation deadlines.
Step 5: Enter Sailing Date
Input the scheduled departure date of your cruise. This is the crucial date used to calculate ‘Days Before Sailing’ against your cancellation date.
Step 6: Enter Date You Are Cancelling
Input the date you are officially canceling the booking. The time difference between the sailing date and this date determines your penalty percentage.
Step 7: Input Total Cruise Fare in USD
Enter the total dollar amount paid only for the cruise fare (excluding taxes/fees). This is the base figure the cancellation penalty is applied to.
Step 8: Select Payment Status
Indicate your payment status (Fully Paid, Monthly Installments, or Only Deposit). This helps determine how much of the penalized fare you have actually paid.
Step 9: Calculate and View Refund
Click ‘Calculate’ to instantly see the estimated cash refund, the exact penalty percentage applied, the amount forfeited, and any potential Future Cruise Credit (FCC) issued.
| Days Before Sailing (DPS) | Typical Penalty (Per Person) | Standard Refund Type | Common Scenario |
| 90+ Days | $0 to Deposit Amount Only | Full Refund (Excl. Deposit) | Best time to cancel for cash back. |
| 75 – 89 Days | 25% of Total Fare | Partial Cash Refund | A small percentage of fare is forfeited. |
| 50 – 74 Days | 50% of Total Fare | Partial Cash Refund | Standard cancellation window with moderate loss. |
| 30 – 49 Days | 75% of Total Fare | Cash & Future Credit Mix | High penalty period—review Future Cruise Credit (FCC) rules. |
| 0 – 29 Days | 100% of Total Fare | No Refund (Cash or FCC) | All funds forfeited; only travel insurance may apply. |
Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD) handling, the last-minute penalty window, and Future Cruise Credit (FCC) expiration terms.
| Cruise Line | NRD Forfeiture Policy | Cancellation Window for 100% Penalty | FCC (Future Cruise Credit) Expiration (Typical) |
| Royal Caribbean | Full NRD forfeited upon cancellation. | 14 days or less before sailing. | 12 months from original sailing date. |
| Carnival | NRD may be convertible to a new sailing credit (fee applies). | 15 days or less before sailing. | Varies; tied to a specific new booking window. |
| Norwegian (NCL) | NRD is always forfeited; cannot be transferred. | 15 days or less before sailing. | 1 year from the date of issue. |
| Princess Cruises | NRD is forfeited; often allowed to be transferred to a new booking within 90 days. | 50 days or less before sailing. (Wider Window) | Generally 1 year from the date of issue. |
| Disney Cruise Line | NRD is forfeited; often applied as a credit towards a future Disney sailing. | 14 days or less before sailing. (Varies by voyage length) | Varies; typically a generous 1 year after the original sailing date. |
| Viking (Ocean) | Deposit is non-refundable. | 45 days or less before sailing. (Wider Window) | 24 months from the cancellation date. |
Accurate segmentation by cruise length
| Cruise Length | Days Before Departure (DBD) | Cancellation Charge (Per Guest) | Policy Note |
| 2–5 Night Cruises | Up to 76 days | None (Deposit fully forfeited for Early Saver fares) | Best window for cash refund of additional payments. |
| 2–5 Night Cruises | 55 to 30 days | Deposit or 50% of Total Fare (whichever is greater) | Significant penalty threshold. |
| 2–5 Night Cruises | 14 days or less | 100% of Total Fare | Total forfeiture; only taxes/fees are refunded. |
| 6+ Night Cruises | Up to 91 days | None (Deposit fully forfeited for Early Saver fares) | Longer cruises require earlier final payment and cancellation. |
| 6+ Night Cruises | 55 to 30 days | Deposit or 50% of Total Fare (whichever is greater) | Penalty starts earlier than on short cruises. |
| 6+ Night Cruises | 14 days or less | 100% of Total Fare | Total forfeiture of cruise fare. |
(Royal Caribbean’s tiers are highly specific based on cruise duration.)
| Cruise Length | Days Before Departure (DBD) | Cancellation Charge (Per Guest) | Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD) Rule |
| 1–4 Night Cruises | 75 days or more | No Charge (Except for NRD amount) | NRD is retained, but remaining payments are refunded. |
| 1–4 Night Cruises | 74 to 61 days | 50% of Total Price | Penalty escalates quickly for short trips. |
| 1–4 Night Cruises | 30 days or less | 100% of Total Price (No Refund) | Maximum penalty for short cruises. |
| 5–14 Night Cruises | 90 days or more | No Charge (Except for NRD amount) | Widest window for cancellation with minimal financial loss. |
| 5–14 Night Cruises | 89 to 75 days | 25% of Total Price | First significant penalty tier begins. |
| 5–14 Night Cruises | 30 days or less | 100% of Total Price (No Refund) | Maximum penalty for standard cruises. |
Princess is known for having an earlier 100% penalty date than Carnival/RCI
| Cruise Length | Days Before Departure (DBD) | Cancellation Charge (Per Guest) | Key Policy Feature |
| All Sailings (1–24 days) | Up to 90 days | No Penalty (Except NRD/Non-refundable fares) | The 90-day mark is the full refund cutoff. |
| All Sailings (1–24 days) | 75 to 89 days | 25% of Total Charges | First penalty tier. |
| All Sailings (1–24 days) | 61 to 74 days | 50% of Total Charges | Penalty reaches half-fare mark quickly. |
| All Sailings (1–24 days) | 30 days or less | 100% of Total Charges | New 100% penalty window (formerly 14 days). |
Disney’s policy is unique as it distinguishes between Standard and Concierge bookings.
| Cruise Category | Days Before Departure (DBD) | Cancellation Charge (Per Guest) | Key Policy Feature |
| Standard: 1–5 Nights | 60 days or more | No Fee | Cleanest cancellation window for short trips. |
| Standard: 6+ Nights | 90 days or more | No Fee | Longer cruises have a more generous 90-day grace period. |
| Standard (All) | 44 to 30 days | 50% of Vacation Price | The first major penalty tier. |
| Standard (All) | 14 days or less | 100% of Vacation Price | Total forfeiture for last-minute cancellations. |
| Suites/Concierge | 60 days or more | Deposit Only (Non-Refundable) | Concierge has earlier deposit loss but sometimes less-steep later penalties. |
| Expense Category | Refund Source | Refundability (General Rule) | Key Caveat |
| Cruise Fare | Cruise Line | Policy-based (Tiered penalty schedule) | Subject to the Days Before Sailing (DPS) calculation. |
| Port Fees & Taxes | Cruise Line | 100% Refundable | Fees that the cruise line has not yet paid to the port are always returned. |
| Pre-Paid Gratuities | Cruise Line | 100% Refundable | Always refunded as they are a service not rendered. |
| Shore Excursions (Pre-Booked) | Cruise Line/Vendor | 100% Refundable (72 hours prior) | Must cancel pre-booked excursions outside of a short cutoff window. |
| Travel Insurance Premium | Insurance Company | Not Refundable (After 14-day review period) | The premium itself is non-refundable once the policy is active. |
| CFAR Type / Vendor | Payout Format | Percentage of Loss Covered | Purchase Deadline |
| Cruise Line Waiver | Typically Future Cruise Credit (FCC) | 75% of Non-Refundable Monies | Must purchase at time of initial deposit. |
| Third-Party CFAR | Often Cash (After claim approval) | 50% – 75% of Pre-Paid Trip Cost | Must purchase within 10-21 days of your initial cruise payment. |
| Standard Travel Insurance | Cash (Only for covered reasons) | 100% of Non-Refundable Monies | No limit on purchase date, but early purchase is recommended. |
Your exact cash refund is highly conditional, depending on the **specific cruise line (Carnival, RCI, Princess)**, the length of the cruise, and your deposit type. To see the precise dollar amount you are estimated to receive, you must input your booking details into our **Cruise Refund Calculator** at the top of this page.
Whether you receive cash or an FCC depends entirely on the **penalty window you fall into**. To determine the exact penalty tier and see the estimated split between cash back and Future Cruise Credit for your specific sailing, please use our interactive **Cruise Refund Calculator** now.
Calculating the penalty percentage requires cross-referencing your cancellation date against your specific cruise line’s lengthy tiered schedule. The fastest way to accurately determine your penalty percentage is by entering your information into our **Cruise Refund Calculator**, which instantly performs this complex calculation for you.
Yes, port fees and taxes are almost always 100% refundable. To ensure you receive the maximum possible refund amount—which includes these refundable fees minus the cruise fare penalty—please use our **Cruise Refund Calculator** to generate your official estimate.
Our **Cruise Refund Calculator** is built using the official, detailed policy schedules for all major lines, including **Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line**, and more. It provides accurate estimates based on the rules specific to your booked brand.
The penalty cutoff date is specific to your cruise length (e.g., 75 days vs. 90 days). To find the exact date you must cancel by to fall into the lowest penalty tier, input your sailing details into the **Cruise Refund Calculator** to see the date highlighted.
Absolutely. Specialized fares have different deposit and penalty rules. To ensure these unique fare conditions are accurately factored into your refund estimate, you must use the specialized input fields on our **Cruise Refund Calculator**.
Yes, longer cruises always have stricter, earlier deadlines. To see the specific tiered schedule that applies to your 10-day voyage, use the date inputs on our **Cruise Refund Calculator** which adjusts the penalty tiers based on your trip length.
If you aren’t sure, the easiest way to assess the penalty associated with your deposit is to run the scenario through our **Cruise Refund Calculator**. It instantly identifies the deposit penalty associated with the major fare types for your chosen cruise line.
The refund penalty is based on the **Total Cruise Fare**, which excludes taxes and fees. To get the specific percentage of the total vacation cost that you are eligible to recover, please input your full cost into the fields of our **Cruise Refund Calculator**.
Carnival Faqs
Yes, but the refund amount depends on the reason. If you cancel for a non-covered reason (like simply changing your mind), the standard penalty policy applies. If you have Carnival Vacation Protection, you can cancel for any reason and receive 75% back in Future Cruise Credit.
Carnival’s refund policy is a tiered penalty schedule based on the number of Days Before Departure (DBD). The closer you cancel to sailing, the less cash you receive, with 100% of the fare forfeited if you cancel 14 days or less prior to departure.
Yes, usually. If you are changing your date or itinerary, you may face a change fee (often $50 per person for non-refundable fares like Early Saver) in addition to any difference in the new fare price.
Only if the cruise line cancels the sailing. If you, the guest, cancel, you can only receive a 100% cash refund if you cancel outside the penalty window (e.g., 91+ days for long cruises) and purchased a fully refundable deposit fare.
The 3-1-1 rule is a security regulation from the TSA regarding liquids carried in carry-on bags. It requires liquids to be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, carried in 1 quart-sized bag, with 1 bag per passenger. It has no relation to the cancellation policy.
Yes, typically. Deposits for popular promotional fares (like Early Saver) are non-refundable and are converted into a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) if you cancel early, usually minus a $50 service fee per person.
You can cancel a Carnival cruise online by logging into your “Manage My Booking” section on the official Carnival website. Locate the “Cancel Reservation” option and follow the prompts. Calling your travel agent or the cruise line is often the most direct method.
Carnival excursions are generally 100% refundable if canceled online through the “Manage My Booking” portal up to 48 hours before the scheduled arrival time at the port where the excursion takes place.
Carnival likely charged you a flat fee or kept a portion of your deposit (e.g., $50 per person service fee for converting an Early Saver deposit into an FCC) in addition to any initial non-refundable deposit amount, depending on the fare type you purchased.
Yes, for most standard fares. Carnival usually adheres to a 24-hour grace period for corrections. You can often get a full refund within 24 hours of booking unless your cruise departs within 60 days, where stricter rules apply.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN FAQs
The deadline varies by cruise length: 90 days or more before sailing for 5-14 night cruises, and 75 days or more for 1-4 night cruises. Note that this timeframe only avoids the tiered penalty; Non-Refundable Deposits (NRD) are still forfeited.
The NRD is not refundable in cash at any time. If you cancel an NRD fare early, the deposit is kept as a penalty. You can, however, change the ship or sail date for a $100 per person change fee instead of canceling entirely.
Royal Caribbean typically processes cash refunds to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after the cancellation is confirmed. It may take an additional 2-3 weeks for the funds to be posted by your bank.
The biggest penalty is 100% of the Total Price, which is assessed if you cancel 30 days or less prior to the departure date for any cruise length. This means you receive no refund of the cruise fare.
Only if you purchased travel insurance. Royal Caribbean’s standard policy does not offer exceptions for medical reasons. To receive a cash refund for a medical emergency, you must have purchased the **Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program** (or third-party insurance) prior to the cancellation.
Yes, always. Both **Government Taxes/Fees** and **Prepaid Gratuities** are fully refundable, even if your cancellation occurs within the 100% penalty window. They are returned in cash to the original payment method.
You can cancel many pre-cruise purchases (like dining or excursions) via the **”My Royal Cruise”** online planner. However, the cruise booking itself often requires contacting your travel advisor or calling Royal Caribbean directly to ensure the cancellation is immediately effective and penalties are correctly calculated.
The penalty for canceling a short 1-4 night cruise in this window is **50% of the total cruise price**, plus the loss of any non-refundable deposit amount.
Royal Caribbean does not officially advertise a blanket 24-hour “no penalty” grace period, but they often allow penalty-free changes or cancellations if done **within 24-72 hours of booking** and if the sailing date is still far out (outside of 75-90 days). Confirm with an agent immediately after booking if you need this option.
The $100 per person fee is the administrative charge to change the sail date and/or ship when you have booked a **Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD)** fare. This fee allows you to save your booking and avoid the full cancellation penalty.
Princess Cruise FAQs
For most Princess cruises (1-24 days), the 100% cancellation penalty begins 30 days or less prior to departure (for bookings made March 4, 2024, or after). You must cancel at least **31 days** out to receive any partial refund.
No, not anymore. For bookings made on or after October 15, 2025, Princess Cruises defaults to a Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD). Guests must specifically select and pay a higher fare or deposit fee to secure a refundable option.
Princess Cruises typically processes cash refunds for credit card payments within 10 to 15 business days after the cancellation date. Refunds for onboard account credits issued via check can take longer, usually around **4 to 6 weeks**.
For a standard 1-24 day Princess cruise, canceling at 70 days before departure incurs a penalty of 50% of the Total Charges (Cruise Fare, Cruisetour, etc.). The 50% penalty window applies between 61 and 74 days before sailing.
Name changes are usually allowed, but only one original passenger must remain on the booking. Minor corrections are free, but a full transfer of all guests is treated as a cancellation, which triggers the penalty schedule.
Yes. If you cancel for a covered reason (e.g., specific medical or family emergencies) under the Princess Vacation Protection plan, you are generally eligible for a 100% cash refund of your penalties and non-refundable costs.
If Princess Cruises cancels your voyage, you are entitled to a choice between a 100% full cash refund of all monies paid or a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which may include a bonus percentage.
Yes. Shore excursions, onboard purchases, spa treatments, and specialty dining packages are all 100% refundable if canceled before the non-penalty cutoff (usually 48-72 hours) and are not subject to the cruise fare penalty schedule.
For Princess World Cruises and extended sailings, the cancellation deadlines are stricter. The final payment is due 120 days before sailing, and the 100% cancellation penalty starts much earlier, at 60 days or less prior to departure.
No. Princess Cruises’ cancellation fees are based only on the “Total Charges,” which excludes Government Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses. These non-fare items are **always fully refundable** in cash, regardless of when you cancel.