Before you book a Carnival cruise, you must understand the line's cancellation policies, especially as they relate to any promotional pricing and packages.
Details regarding how much money you will get back, timeframes, and processes are all things to know ahead of time before you commit to any sailing.
Thankfully, Carnival Cruise Line provides their customers with some options to get their money back, or at least credit, when cancelling a cruise. However, some rates are more restrictive than others.
Here is an overview of Carnival's cancellation policy and whether or not you can get a refund if you decide to cancel your voyage aboard one of their FUN ships.
Carnival's deposits and payment schedule
Unless you're booking a last-minute sailing, you likely do not have to make your entire payment at once. As with other cruise lines, guests booking a cruise with Carnival are required to make a deposit to secure their booking.
The amount depends upon the length of the cruise, ranging from $100-$500 per person and double the amount for single occupancy. This means that if you're sailing solo on a 7-night cruise, you'll have to pay $500 for your deposit.
Moreover, the date of final payment varies. If, for instance, you're going on a 3-night cruise, your final payment will be due 76 days before your cruise. The final payment date for sailings between 4 and 5 days is the same, with those 6+ nights increasing to 91 days before sailing.
What is Carnival Cruise Line's cancellation policy?
Carnival divides its cancellation policy based on whether the final payment has been made or not.
If you are cancelling your cruise before you have made your final payment, there's no penalty unless you booked your cruise with a specific promotional rate with a non-refundable deposit and/or fare.
If you booked with a non-refundable deposit, your only penalty would be that you wouldn't get the deposit back. You would not, however, be subject to paying the rest of the cruise fare.
As noted above, for cruises 5 nights or less, the final payment date is 76 days before sailing, and for cruises 6 nights or more, the final payment date is 91 days before sailing.
Moving on, the rules for getting a refund after your sailing's final payment date are trickier. Once final payment has been made, you are subject to whatever cancellation penalties apply based on how long it is until your cruise is scheduled to depart. Moreover, the penalty increases as your cruise date approaches.
From the final payment date to 56 days before your cruise, the penalty is the standard deposit.
Once you reach 55 days until your cruise, you are subject to paying 50% of the total fare or the standard deposit, whichever is greater. At 29 days, the penalty increases to 75% of the total fare or the standard deposit, whichever is greater.
Finally, from 14 days before the date of your sailing, the penalty is 100% of your total fare, and no refunds will be given if you are a no-show or depart from your ship once it has begun.
What are the cancellation policies for Carnival's special fares and promotions?
Carnival offers several promotions, which can be a great money saver for cruisers. However, it is important to know that they come with additional terms and conditions, which can affect the cancellation policy and make your rate less flexible.
If you're booking years into the future and are not fully certain whether you'll be able to cruise or not, it might not be wise to book a more restrictive cruise fare. If you need to cancel, you could be out hundreds of dollars for your family's deposit.
Early Saver
If you book an Early Saver rate, your deposit is non-refundable at any time after the booking is made. So long as you cancel before the final payment date, you will get a non-refundable and non-transferable future credit in the amount of the deposit, minus a $50 service fee per person.
The future cruise credit must be used on a new booking made within 12 months from the date of cancellation and can only be applied to the price of your future cruise. As such, it cannot be used to help cover add-ons like drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty meals, and more.
Any unused portion will be forfeited and not refunded to your original form of payment.
Super Saver
Another promotion is Super Saver. Once you have made your booking, your deposit is considered non-refundable. Unlike Early Saver, if you cancel before final payment, you won't get any sort of voucher to apply to future sailings — you simply lose the deposit money.
Pack & Go
Finally, if you're able to score a great last-minute rate with Carnival's Pack & Go promotion, you should be aware that 100% of the TOTAL fare is non-refundable after booking. It is important that you be certain that you can go and don't have anything that could interrupt your vacation plans.
Since these bookings are made after the cruise's final payment date, you'll have to pay the entire cruise fare upfront, rather than placing a deposit and paying it off over time.
My cruise fare dropped after I placed my deposit. Am I able to get the lower rate honored by Carnival?
Per Carnival's "Lowest Price Guarantee" clause, if you find a cheaper rate within two days (48 hours) of booking, you can submit a claim to be verified by Carnival.
In order for them to honor the lower rate, it must be publicly advertised, meaning that it cannot be a travel agent's group rate or charter. Plus, it must be for the exact same ship, sail date, stateroom category, and number of guests.
While Carnival won't refund the difference, you'll get 110% of the difference in onboard credit to spend on add-ons like a drink package, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, etc.
If you booked an Early Saver rate and see that Carnival's website advertises a lower fare later on, you can call Carnival and see if they'll honor the lower rate.
The Early Saver Price Protection form states that if the rate meets the Price Protection requirements, you'll get the option of requesting an upgrade or a non-refundable onboard credit for the fare difference.
Reach out to your travel agent if you have any questions or concerns
Terms and conditions can be tricky to read, especially with numerous caveats intertwined in the legalese. It is best to review before booking with a trusted travel advisor or ask the cruise line directly for clarification.
If you have already booked a cruise directly with Carnival, all of the cancellation policy information can be found on their website. You're able to check and see if your cruise is subject to any cancellation penalties by logging into your account and clicking on the "My Cruise Details" section. From there, you'll want to select the "Is there a penalty for canceling this booking" link.
For Carnival guests who have booked through a travel agent/advisor, you should contact them for additional clarification and information.
What happens if your flight is delayed?
First things first: you should always schedule your flight for the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart. The ship will not wait for you if your travel plans are delayed, whether that's because of a single delay or total flight cancellation. This is the most costly mistake you can make when it comes to your cruise vacation!
If your flight is delayed and you happen to miss your ship, Carnival will not reimburse you. Note that the time onboard your itinerary is not the all-aboard time. It is often earlier, as cruise lines have to conduct mandatory safety drills before sailing away.
Travel insurance can provide some relief; however, it won't make up for missing out on the family vacation that you have been looking forward to for months!
Carnival Cruise Line trip insurance
Many independent advisors and companies sell insurance products, including travel agents. Sometimes, you can even purchase an annual travel insurance plan! This, of course, only benefits those who plan to travel a considerable amount.
When you make your Carnival booking, you will be asked if you want to add Carnival Vacation Protection.
This insurance plan is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Note that, unfortunately, it is not available to residents who live in Quebec, Canada; New York; or Puerto Rico.
If you opt to add this add-on to your vacation, you'll receive the following benefits:
- Trip Interruption Protection: Up to total trip cost reimbursement if you must start your vacation late or need to come home early due to illness, injury, and more.
- Baggage Protection: Up to $1,500 if your stuff is lost, stolen or damaged, and up to $500 reimbursement if you have to buy necessary items while your bags are delayed 24+ hours.
- Medical Protection: Up to $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation (services provided by CareFree Travel Assistance™).
Read more: Cruise travel insurance and why you need it
Chantal McPhee
Chantal McPhee has a great passion for travel since first venturing to the Bahamas as a child with her grandparents. Today, she loves cruising with her husband and two daughters to new places and aspires one day to do a world cruise. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy
