Booking & changes

How much is the deposit?

What you pay to hold the booking, and whether you get it back if you change your mind.

Deposits by cruise line
Cruise lineDepositsSource
Royal Caribbean InternationalFinal payment is due 75, 90 or 120 days out, by cruise length
  • — 1 to 4 night cruises: balance due at least 75 days before sailing.
  • — 5 to 14 night cruises: balance due at least 90 days before sailing.
  • — 15 nights or longer: balance due at least 120 days before sailing.
  • — Some fare programs require a nonrefundable deposit.
Checked 2026-09-21
Carnival Cruise LineThe deposit is the minimum cancellation charge once the free window closes
  • — On 2 to 5 day cruises, canceling 75 to 56 days out forfeits the deposit.
  • — On 6 day or longer cruises, and all Alaska, Europe, Transatlantic and Panama Canal cruises, canceling 90 to 56 days out forfeits the deposit.
  • — Closer in, the charge is the deposit or a percentage of total fare, whichever is greater.
Checked 2026-09-21
Norwegian Cruise LineFinal payment dates cannot be extended
  • — Reservations not paid in full by the final payment due date are subject to cancellation.
  • — If the reservation is canceled, a cancellation fee applies.
Checked 2026-09-21
Celebrity CruisesYour balance due date is set at the time of booking
  • — You are told the balance due date when you book.
  • — Booking inside the final payment period means the full balance is due at booking.
  • — An invoice listing your packages, amenities and room type is emailed once the deposit is made, or supplied by your travel advisor.
Checked 2026-09-21
Princess CruisesPrincess EZpay spreads the balance over monthly instalments
  • — EZpay charges the card on file once a month, with no extra fees, until final payment.
  • — Charges begin about 20 days after the deposit is paid.
  • — One card must be used for the deposit and for every EZpay payment.
  • — The remaining balance is divided equally across the months. You cannot set different amounts.
  • — You can opt out of EZpay. That does not cancel your cruise, and you still owe the balance by the final payment date.
  • — A failed payment triggers a denial email. You are not removed from the plan; the amount is rolled into the remaining balance.
Checked 2026-09-21
MSC Cruises$99, $199 or $300 per person, by cruise length
  • — 1 to 4 nights: $99 per person. 5 to 14 nights: $199. 15 nights or more: $300.
  • — These amounts are stated in MSC's US promotional terms current in September 2026; MSC notes they are subject to change.
Checked 2026-09-24
Holland America LineReduced deposit when you book your next cruise on board
  • — Booking on board gives a reduced deposit with no further deposits due until final payment.
  • — Onboard-only benefits can include up to US$400 per person in shipboard credit and double onboard spending credit opportunities.
Checked 2026-09-21
Disney Cruise LineAs little as 10% down; hold a booking 3 days with no deposit
  • — Disney will hold a booking for up to 3 days with no deposit.
  • — Confirm it with as little as 10% down.
  • — Pay any amount, whenever you like, until the final balance is due.
  • — Refunds are available up to 120 days before sailing for most stateroom categories.
Checked 2026-09-24
Virgin Voyages20% of the voyage fare, due at booking
  • — The deposit is 20% of the ticket price only. Taxes and fees are not part of that calculation.
  • — Booking less than 120 days before your voyage means the full voyage fare is due at booking.
  • — Final payment is due 120 days before your voyage start date.
Checked 2026-09-21
VikingUS$500.00 per person to confirm a reservation
  • — The deposit applies to the Cruise Fare only. It does not cover air purchased through Viking.
  • — Once a booking has a deposit paid, or air is paid in full, every change costs US$30.00.
  • — Paying a deposit binds you to Viking's booking terms and the Passenger Ticket Contract.
Checked 2026-09-21
Cunard LineA minimum 15% deposit when booking online
  • — When booking online you choose to pay in full or pay a minimum 15% deposit.
  • — If the voyage sails soon, the full balance is due at booking.
  • — The full payment due date is set out in Cunard's booking terms.
Checked 2026-09-24
Oceania CruisesUS$500 per person, or 20% of fare for top suites
  • — Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites: 20% of the cruise fare per person, due within 5 days of booking.
  • — All other stateroom categories: US$500 per person, due within 5 days of booking.
  • — Booking more than 150 days from sailing: final payment is due 150 days before sailing.
  • — Booking 150 to 91 days out: full payment is due within 3 days of booking.
  • — American Express, MasterCard, Visa and personal checks are accepted. You can authorize Oceania to charge final payment to the deposit card automatically.
Checked 2026-09-21

12 of 12 lines recorded. Blank rows are gaps in our data, not gaps in the line’s policy.