Royal Caribbean Cancels 25% Penalty Tier Across All Sailings

Royal Caribbean is making changes to its policies and processes, coming into effect by October 11, 2026.

Here's what you need to know:

UPDATED CANCELLATION PENALTY SCHEDULE

We're simplifying our North America cancellation penalty structure by consolidating sailing length categories and streamlining penalty tiers.

What’s Changing?

• New sailing length categories are being introduced: 5-9 Nights and 10+ Nights
  • The previous 5-14 Nights and 15+ Nights categories are being replaced
• The 25% penalty tier is being eliminated across all sailing lengths

The result is a simpler, more consistent cancellation framework.

As we kick off the 2028-2029 Deployment Season, all new Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, and Transpacific 2028 sailings opening tomorrow, September 29, 2026, will be subject to this new cancellation penalty structure. Please note that existing open deployment for these products will remain under the current penalty schedule until the full rollout takes effect on October 11, 2026.

3RD & 4TH GUEST CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER

Beginning October 11, the existing 3rd and 4th guest cancellation policy will be automatically enforced within our reservation system. While the policy remains unchanged, applicable cancellation penalties for 3rd and 4th guests will no longer be waived. Moving forward, the system will calculate and apply the appropriate penalty percentage to the canceled guest's cruise fare based on the booking's penalty status at the time of cancellation. This enhancement helps ensure consistent application of the policy across all reservations.

Effective October 11, 2026, these updates will apply across all new and existing deployment, for both FIT and Group bookings.

For more details, please review the FAQs below.

Thank you for your partnership and continued support.

FAQs

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