Intro
Princess Cruises is changing its deposit, final payment, and cancellation policies for many future cruises. Beginning September 2, 2026, Princess will require final payment 120 days before departure for all eligible new bookings, while standard deposit amounts will also increase based on the length of the cruise and stateroom category.
The new policies apply to new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, for cruises departing January 1, 2027, and later.
If you already have a Princess cruise booked, don't panic. The new policy does not automatically change every existing reservation. Your booking confirmation should show the deposit, final payment date, and cancellation terms that apply to your specific reservation.
Princess Cruises Policy Changes at a Glance
For qualifying new bookings beginning September 2, 2026:
Final payment will be due 120 days before departure on all Princess cruises
Standard deposits will increase for many cruises of 44 days or less
Suites will require higher deposits than Inside through Mini-Suite accommodations
Cruises of 45 nights or longer will continue to require a percentage-based deposit
The cancellation schedule will align with the new 120-day final payment requirement
A 100% cancellation penalty will begin 60 days before departure
There will be no grace period after the final payment deadline
These changes apply to both individual and group reservations.
When Does the New Princess Cruises Policy Take Effect?
There are two dates travelers need to know.
The new policy applies when both of the following are true:
Your Princess cruise is booked on or after September 2, 2026
Your cruise departs January 1, 2027 or later
Bookings made before September 2, 2026, continue to follow the terms applicable when the reservation was made.
This distinction is particularly important during the transition period. Two guests sailing on the same Princess cruise could potentially have different payment or cancellation terms depending on when their reservations were booked.
Always refer to the terms shown on your individual Princess booking confirmation.
When Is Final Payment Due for a Princess Cruise?
Under the new policy, Princess Cruises final payment will be due 120 days before sailing for all voyages.
That includes:
Short cruises
6- to 9-night cruises
10- to 44-night cruises
Cruises of 45 nights or longer
World Cruises
Circle Pacific voyages
Individual reservations
Group reservations
This represents a significant change for shorter Princess cruises that previously had a later final payment deadline.
There Is No Final Payment Grace Period
Princess has indicated that there will be no grace period for the new final payment deadline.
If the required balance has not been received by the deadline, the reservation may automatically cancel.
Princess plans to send payment reminders approximately 14 days and 7 days before final payment is due, but travelers should not rely exclusively on these reminders.
How Much Is the Deposit for a Princess Cruise?
Princess's standard deposit will depend on the length of your cruise and whether you are booking a suite.
New Princess Cruises Deposit Amounts
Cruise Length | Inside through Mini-Suite | Suite |
|---|---|---|
5 days or less | $125 per guest | $250 per guest |
6–9 days | $300 per guest | $600 per guest |
10–44 days | $500 per guest | $1,000 per guest |
45+ days / World Cruises | 30% | 30% |
These standard deposit amounts apply under the new policy beginning September 2, 2026, for qualifying 2027 and later departures.
Princess frequently offers reduced-deposit promotions, so the amount required when you actually make a reservation may be lower.
For example, Princess sometimes offers promotional $99 or $100 deposits on eligible cruises. A reduced-deposit promotion generally changes the amount you need to pay upfront; it does not mean the total cruise fare itself has been reduced.
Are Princess Cruises Deposits Refundable?
Whether your Princess deposit is refundable depends on the fare and promotion you book.
Princess sells reservations with different deposit terms, including refundable and nonrefundable deposits. Special promotions may also have their own deposit and cancellation requirements.
This is why travelers should look beyond the advertised cruise fare when comparing offers.
A fare that is slightly less expensive but requires a nonrefundable deposit may not be the best choice for someone whose travel plans could change.
Before paying a deposit, verify:
Whether the deposit is refundable
The amount of the required deposit
Your final payment date
When cancellation penalties begin
Whether the promotion has additional restrictions
Expert Planning • Personalized Service
Ready to Plan Your Next Vacation?
Pride Travelers makes planning your next vacation easier. From cruises and hotels to flights and pre- and post-cruise stays, our travel advisors are here to help you plan every detail. Best of all, booking your cruise with us typically costs the same as booking directly with the cruise line.
What Happens If I Cancel a Princess Cruise?
Princess is also updating its cancellation schedule to correspond with the new 120-day final payment requirement.
For cruises of 1–44 nights, the new schedule moves the payment and cancellation timeline earlier than travelers on shorter Princess cruises may be accustomed to.
One particularly important change is the 100% cancellation penalty beginning 60 days before departure.
Previously, certain shorter Princess voyages did not reach the 100% cancellation penalty until closer to departure.
That makes the 60-day mark particularly important under the new policy.
Princess Cruises Cancellation Penalties
Cancellation penalties depend on the length of the cruise and how close to departure the reservation is canceled.
Travelers should consult their individual booking confirmation for the exact cancellation schedule associated with their reservation.
Cancellation penalties can potentially include more than the base cruise fare. Depending on the booking and applicable terms, packages and certain prepaid cruise components may also be included when calculating cancellation charges.
Government taxes and fees are generally treated separately under Princess's published cancellation terms.
What About Princess Cruises Longer Than 45 Days?
Princess treats extended voyages differently from most shorter cruises.
For cruises of 45 days or longer, including applicable World Cruises, the standard deposit remains 30% of the cruise fare.
These longer voyages also have their own cancellation penalty schedule.
Because World Cruises and other extended Princess voyages can represent a substantial financial commitment, travelers considering one should carefully review the specific deposit and cancellation terms before making a reservation.
Can I Still Get a Reduced Princess Deposit?
Yes. Princess can still offer reduced-deposit promotions.
Princess regularly runs promotions that reduce the amount required to secure an eligible reservation. These offers may include deposits such as $99 or $100 per guest.
Promotional deposits can have exclusions based on factors such as:
Cruise length
Stateroom category
World Cruises
Suites
Sanctuary Collection accommodations
How close the cruise is to departure
Always check the terms of the specific promotion.
What About a Princess Future Cruise Deposit?
A Princess Future Cruise Deposit, commonly called an FCD, is different from the standard deposit schedule.
Eligible guests can purchase a Future Cruise Deposit while sailing with Princess and later use it toward another Princess cruise.
Future Cruise Deposits can provide a reduced deposit requirement on an eligible future reservation and may include onboard credit depending on the cruise selected.
The rules for Future Cruise Deposits are separate from Princess's normal deposit schedule, so travelers with an existing FCD should check whether it can be applied to the cruise they are considering.
Why Is the 120-Day Princess Final Payment Date Important?
The change effectively moves an important financial decision earlier in the vacation-planning process.
Consider a traveler taking a Princess Alaska cruise in June.
Under a 120-day final payment policy, the cruise could need to be completely paid for around February, several months before the Alaska cruise season even begins.
That makes it more important to budget for the cruise well in advance and to consider travel protection before cancellation penalties become significant.
It also means travelers comparing Princess with another cruise line should consider payment terms alongside the cruise fare itself.
What If I Booked My Princess Cruise Before September 2, 2026?
The new policy described in this guide applies to new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, for departures beginning January 1, 2027.
If you booked before September 2, do not assume that your final payment date has moved to 120 days.
Check your Princess booking confirmation.
Your confirmation should identify the payment deadline and applicable terms for your reservation.
Princess Cruises Final Payment FAQ
How many days before a Princess cruise is final payment due?
For qualifying new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, for departures January 1, 2027 and later, final payment is due 120 days before departure.
Does the 120-day Princess final payment policy apply to short cruises?
Yes. Under the new policy, the 120-day deadline applies across voyage lengths, including shorter Princess cruises.
What happens if I miss my Princess final payment date?
Princess has indicated there will be no grace period. Reservations that are not paid by the required deadline may automatically cancel.
How much is a Princess cruise deposit?
Under the new standard deposit schedule, deposits range from $125 per guest on cruises of five days or less to $500 per guest on cruises of 10–44 days for Inside through Mini-Suite accommodations. Suite deposits range from $250 to $1,000 per guest for those same voyage lengths. Cruises of 45 days or longer use a percentage-based deposit.
Can Princess offer a lower deposit?
Yes. Princess may offer reduced-deposit promotions that temporarily lower the upfront amount required on eligible reservations.
Is a Princess cruise deposit refundable?
It depends on the fare and promotion. Princess offers both refundable and nonrefundable deposit arrangements, so travelers should verify the terms before making payment.
When does Princess charge a 100% cancellation penalty?
Under the new cancellation structure, the 100% cancellation penalty begins 60 days before departure.
Does this change affect a Princess cruise I already booked?
Not necessarily. The new policy applies to qualifying new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026. Check the confirmation for an existing reservation rather than assuming the new schedule applies.
Booking a Princess Cruise
Understanding the deposit is only one part of choosing the right Princess cruise. The ship, itinerary, stateroom category, fare type, Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, and available promotions can all affect the overall value of a reservation.
Pride Travelers can help you compare Princess cruises and available options before you book. And in most cases, booking a Princess cruise through a travel advisor does not cost more than booking directly with Princess.
If you're considering a Princess cruise, contact Pride Travelers before booking directly. We can help you find the right sailing, stateroom, and fare while giving you a real person to contact when questions come up before your cruise.
Expert Planning • Personalized Service
Ready to Plan Your Next Vacation?
Pride Travelers makes planning your next vacation easier. From cruises and hotels to flights and pre- and post-cruise stays, our travel advisors are here to help you plan every detail. Best of all, booking your cruise with us typically costs the same as booking directly with the cruise line.
Princess Cruises policies and promotional terms can change. The terms associated with your individual reservation and booking confirmation govern your booking.
Related guides
Princess Plus vs. Premier Packages FAQ: Ultimate 2026 Guide
Compare Princess Plus and Princess Premier cruise packages. Discover 2026 pricing, drink limits, dining perks, and exclusive benefits to choose the best option.
Princess Cruises Packing Rules: The Famous Wine Allowance and What's Banned
Princess Cruises' bring-aboard rules: the unique one-bottle-free, $20-corkage wine policy, the 12-can beverage limit, $250 vape penalty, the OceanMedallion, and what to expect at the embarkation scanner.