How To Reschedule A Royal Caribbean International: What Royal Caribbean International Guests Should Know for 2026
Let's clear up rescheduling your cruise with what Royal Caribbean International actually publishes, not guesswork.
Rescheduling after final payment is treated like a cancel-and-rebook under the same published terms: On sailings of 5 nights or longer, you can cancel 90+ days out and get a full refund except for any non-refundable deposit. Inside that window the penalty climbs in steps: 25% of the fare from 89-75 days out, 50% from 74-61 days, 75% from 60-31 days, and 100% (no refund) inside 30 days. Shorter 1-4 night sailings use a tighter 75-day cutoff for the free-cancellation zone.
If rescheduling your cruise affects an upcoming trip, call +1-800-406-8495 and we'll walk through it with you. If your itinerary includes a charter or repositioning sailing, terms can differ from a standard published route, so it's worth asking specifically. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reschedule a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Contact the cruise line or your travel advisor with your confirmation number - rescheduling before final payment is usually simple, while doing so afterward is typically treated as a cancellation and rebooking. 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. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Is there a fee to reschedule?
It depends on timing - many lines allow one free reschedule before final payment, with standard cancellation fees applying to changes made closer to departure. 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. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I reschedule to any date I want?
Subject to availability - popular sailings and holiday departures may already be sold out or priced higher than your original booking. 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. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Does rescheduling affect my cabin selection?
Your original cabin may not be available on the new date, so you may need to choose a different stateroom, potentially at a different price. If you booked as part of a larger group, some of these terms can apply differently to the group organizer than to individual cabins. Good to know before you finalize anything.
What happens to prepaid extras if I reschedule?
Prepaid items like drink packages or Wi-Fi typically transfer to the new sailing date, though it's worth confirming with guest services when you make the change. It's worth double-checking this against your own confirmation email, since promotions occasionally add extra flexibility beyond the standard rule. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Who can help reschedule my Royal Caribbean cruise?
Call +1-800-406-8495 and our advisors can find the best new date for you. 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. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Is rescheduling a Royal Caribbean cruise different from canceling and rebooking?
It can be simpler if done early enough - many lines allow a straightforward date change before the cancellation penalty window opens, avoiding the need to fully cancel and rebook. 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. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Does rescheduling require paying a new deposit?
Not usually, if your existing deposit is refundable, it can typically be applied to the new date rather than requiring an entirely new deposit. 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.
Can I reschedule more than once?
There's generally no strict limit on how many times you can reschedule, though each change is subject to the same fees and availability considerations as the first. It's generally faster to sort this out well before your final payment date than to wait until the week of departure. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
What's the easiest way to reschedule without extra fees?
Requesting the change as early as possible, ideally well before your final payment deadline, gives you the best chance of avoiding fees tied to date changes. 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.