Royal Caribbean Is Deleting Its Gentlest Cancellation Penalty

Royal Caribbean is overhauling its North American cancellation policy, with the full change taking effect on October 11, 2026. The cruise line told travel advisors about it by email on September 28. The headline change is the removal of the 25% penalty tier across all sailing lengths.

That tier mattered because it was the mildest charge a cruiser paid for backing out after final payment. With it gone, cancelling soon after the final payment deadline costs more than it did, and there is one fewer step between losing a little and losing a lot.

The line is also simplifying how sailings are grouped, replacing its 5–14 night and 15+ night categories with two: 5–9 nights and 10 or more nights. And from October 11, cancellation penalties for third and fourth guests in a cabin will be applied automatically rather than waived.

The new structure already applies to 2028–2029 Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal and Transpacific sailings, which opened for booking on September 29. Royal Caribbean describes the goal as a simpler, more consistent framework. Cruisers with existing bookings should check which penalty schedule applies, especially around their final payment date.

Sources: PAX News, Royal Caribbean Blog