Royal Caribbean Revises North America Cancellation Fees

Royal Caribbean’s new cancellation framework takes effect October 11, 2026, for its North American cruise schedule. Trips will be sorted into three duration groups: 1-4 nights, 5-9 nights, and voyages lasting at least 10 nights. The change moves cruises of 10-14 nights into the strictest category. Today, those itineraries sit in the middle group.

The company is also removing the 25% charge that applies to some earlier cancellations. Under the current terms, that fee can affect 5-14-night trips canceled 89-75 days before departure. It can also apply to voyages of at least 15 nights when canceled 119-75 days ahead. Royal Caribbean has not provided revisions to the other timing brackets or fee percentages.

Enforcement will tighten when a third or fourth traveler leaves a reservation. The underlying rule remains the same, but individual exceptions will end. The system will instead assess the departing traveler’s fare according to the reservation’s penalty stage when the cancellation occurs. Most reservations made before October 11 remain under the present setup until that date, while select 2028 regional releases enter the revised structure immediately.