Princess Cruises Implements Stricter Booking Policies

Princess Cruises has announced changes to its booking policies, which include higher deposits and earlier final payment deadlines. This move has led to mixed responses from travelers.

One significant change is the adjustment to the timeline for final payments. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Princess Cruises confirmed, “Beginning with new bookings for sailings departing in 2027 and beyond, we are implementing a 120-day final payment and a modified cancellation fee schedule.”

The statement further explained, “These changes bring greater consistency to the booking process and reflect broader industry practices, while also helping ensure that guests have fair access to the staterooms and sailings they want to experience.” The new rules are set to take effect on September 2 for new bookings on sailings departing January 1, 2027. Guests were informed of these policy changes via an email from Princess Cruises, according to Cruise Critic.

The cruise line has also increased standard deposits. Travelers booking seven-day cruises in inside, oceanview, balcony, and mini-suite staterooms will now be required to pay $300 per person, up from $250. Suite deposits will rise from $500 to $600 per person, as reported by a review website. Additionally, reservations will be automatically canceled if final payment is not received by the deadline, although guests will receive payment reminders before the due date.

These policy changes have sparked discussions among cruise enthusiasts on social media. Some travelers believe earlier deadlines won’t impact their plans. A TikTok user stated, “I pay it all as soon as I book. I get my reservations in that day, and I’m always sail ready.” Another commented, “I don’t mind these changes because I like to pay off my trips as fast as I can so that I’m able to begin saving for the next one.”

However, others are questioning the requirement to make larger deposits earlier in the booking process. One commenter on social media wrote, “Those deposits are crazy.” Another expressed concern about the impact on travelers using payment plans, stating, “120 days out for final payment is the worst of all of it! Especially people who are on payment plans.”

This decision by Princess Cruises comes as other cruise lines have introduced similar policies, causing frustration among travelers. Celebrity Cruises recently faced backlash after increasing its automatic gratuity charges with minimal notice, prompting some passengers to tip crew members directly in cash instead. The daily automatic gratuities were raised by $1.50 per person, increasing charges to between $19.50 and $24.50 per guest per day.

Passengers criticized the timing of this announcement, noting they were informed the same day the new rates were implemented. A Reddit user suggested, “At this point, they just need to include gratuities in their fare like the luxury lines do.”