Here's The Right Way To Cancel Cruises And Excursions If You Don't Want To Get Penalized

Unless you take spontaneity to a whole new level, chances are you book your cruises, tours, and other organized vacations in advance. Choosing to book a cruise in advance is a sensible way to get the best deals on various vacation options, from hotels and resorts to package excursions and cruises, and it also helps you plan your year and get everything you need for your getaway organized in time. But even when you plan ahead and book things in advance, life doesn't always play ball. Illness, injury, or a change of plans can mean you have to cancel your excursions.

Canceling a cruise can seem like a big deal. You might feel like you are locked in, and worry that you are going to lose money or be penalized in some way if you cancel, particularly if it's a last-minute thing. But don't panic. But canceling that cruise trip doesn't have to be a problem, as long as you go about it the right way.

Keep a few key things in mind when canceling cruises and excursions to avoid the penalties cruise operators sometimes include in their booking policies. It is always worth checking the fine print in your cruise documentation to see what your options are. Whether it's making the request in writing, checking your travel insurance, reviewing the timelines and schedules, or even just recovering a small portion of the fees, here are some of the best things to know if you want to cancel your cruise.

The main thing to pay attention to when it comes to canceling a cruise is timing. Most cruises will charge a penalty in the event of cancellation, but this will likely be something quite small if you modify your booking with plenty of advance warning, and it will increase steadily the closer you get to your sailing date. This can mean that waiting just a few days can be expensive, so if you know you want to cancel, it is always better to do it sooner rather than later. The length of the cruise can also play a part, as it is usually easier and less expensive to cancel a shorter excursion than a longer getaway. Royal Caribbean Cruises' cancellation policy is one example: For cruises of five to 14 nights, you can cancel up to 90 days before the cruise date without being charged a thing. Canceling 74 to 61 days before will cost you 50% of the ticket price, while anything 30 days or less means you've booked a room whether you can go or not.

It's also worth looking at the payment schedule you signed up to when booking your cruises. Cruise operators typically take a deposit, then allow installment payments until a final payment date. Cancellations before the final payment date often include a fully refundable option, and if you chose it, you can be fully reimbursed. Cancellations after the final payment date become far more complicated, as companies aren't as quick to refund a cruise trip that's been paid in full.

Whether you'll get a refund also depends on what you are canceling. If you are canceling the entire cruise, it can be difficult to get refunds on short notice, but you may still be eligible for refunds for any excursions, prepaid packages or extras, and port fees and taxes you no longer have to pay. If you are only trying to cancel shore activities and excursions, you can usually get a full refund as long as you cancel with 48 hours' notice.

Crucially, you will have to cancel your cruise in the same way you booked it. So if you booked directly with the cruise operator, you'll be able to cancel directly with them as well. Some cruise lines offer online portals for changes and cancellations, which makes things easier, but others require written notice (either through email or snail mail), which can make things a bit more involved. 

If you booked with a travel agent or third party, you'll need to go through them to cancel and explore refund options. This is often simpler, as the agent handles everything for you, but it usually comes with a fee or penalty. However, some third-party operators offer to waive cancellation fees if you book a new cruise at the same time, so it is worth asking whether there are any offers you should know about.

Another important way to get money back if you have to cancel a cruise, particularly if it is because of circumstances beyond your control, is by checking your travel insurance. You should always insure your cruise, and if you bought travel insurance and need to cancel due to illness or injury, you'll likely be covered. Some full-coverage policies even include a "Cancel for any reason" option, which does exactly what it says and will offer you a near-complete refund if you cancel for any reason, even at the last minute.