How To Move To A Different Date On Princess Cruises: What Princess Cruises Guests Should Know for 2026
This is one of the questions our advisors hear most often about moving your booking to a different date on Princess Cruises - here's what's actually true.
Moving to a different sailing works the same way as a date change once you're past final payment, falling under the standard cancellation terms: Under Princess's current schedule, cancel 90+ days out and you avoid all fees beyond a non-refundable deposit if you have one. From there: 25% of the total charges apply from 89-75 days, 50% from 74-61 days, 75% from 60-31 days, and 100% inside 30 days. Longer voyages (14-24 nights) use a 120-day version of the same structure. Note that Princess has also announced a shift to a 120-day final payment window across most sailing lengths for newer bookings.
For anything specific to your sailing regarding moving your booking to a different date, a quick call to +1-800-406-8495 beats guessing. Peak season sailings sometimes have tighter rules than the general policy, so it's worth asking if your dates fall into that window. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I move to a different date on Princess?
Contact the cruise line or your travel advisor with your confirmation number - moving to a new date before final payment is usually simple, while moves closer to departure may incur standard cancellation fees. If your itinerary includes a charter or repositioning sailing, terms can differ from a standard published route, so it's worth asking specifically. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Can I move to a completely different itinerary, not just a different date?
Yes, though that's typically treated as a full rebooking rather than a simple date change, since pricing and availability reset. This tends to be handled a little differently for bookings made directly with the cruise line versus through a third-party agency, so checking your paperwork helps. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Will I lose my deposit if I move to a different date?
If your deposit was refundable, it typically transfers to the new date; non-refundable promotional deposits usually don't carry over. Since this can vary slightly by sailing date, it's worth a quick check against your specific departure before you make other plans around it. That's the short version, at least.
Is there a limit to how many times I can change my date?
Most lines don't set a hard limit, but each change made after final payment is generally subject to cancellation fees, so repeated changes can get expensive. It's generally faster to sort this out well before your final payment date than to wait until the week of departure. That's the short version, at least.
Does moving to a different date affect my loyalty points?
No, your accumulated loyalty status stays with your guest profile regardless of which specific sailing you end up taking. Because these details get updated periodically, checking the current version on the cruise line's own site before you rely on it is always the safer move. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Who can help me find a better date for my Princess cruise?
Call +1-800-406-8495 and our advisors can check alternative dates and pricing. Since this can vary slightly by sailing date, it's worth a quick check against your specific departure before you make other plans around it. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Is moving to a different date the same process as a full rebooking?
It can function similarly - if you're inside the cancellation penalty window, a date change might be treated the same as canceling and rebooking under current pricing. Keeping a screenshot or PDF of your booking terms at the time you paid is a smart backup if a policy detail is ever disputed later. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Does Princess charge a rebooking fee for date changes made early?
Many lines allow free or low-cost date changes when requested well before the cancellation penalty window opens, though this varies by cruise line and fare type. Because these details get updated periodically, checking the current version on the cruise line's own site before you rely on it is always the safer move. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Can I move my sail date to a completely different year?
Generally yes, as long as the itinerary is still offered and inventory allows, though pricing will reflect the new sailing's current rates rather than your original booking price. This can shift a little depending on which travel agency or booking channel you used, so confirming with whoever holds your reservation is a good habit. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Will my deposit carry over to a new date?
If your original deposit was refundable, it typically transfers to the new date; non-refundable promotional deposits are usually forfeited when moving to a different sailing. This can shift a little depending on which travel agency or booking channel you used, so confirming with whoever holds your reservation is a good habit. Worth keeping in mind either way.