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Princess Cruises is rolling out new booking policies that include larger deposits and earlier final payment deadlines, stirring mixed reactions among travelers.
The cruise line announced that starting with bookings for sailings departing in 2027 and beyond, final payments will be due 120 days before departure. Along with this change, Princess Cruises is updating its cancellation fee schedule to align with broader industry standards and to help ensure fair access to cabins and voyages.
These new rules will take effect on September 2 for any new reservations on sailings departing January 1, 2027, or later. Travelers were informed of the changes via email, according to reports from Cruise Critic.
In addition to the earlier payment deadline, deposits for standard seven-day cruises in inside, oceanview, balcony, and mini-suite cabins will increase from $250 to $300 per person. Suite deposits will rise from $500 to $600 per person. The cruise line also emphasized that reservations will be automatically canceled if the final payment is not made by the deadline, although guests will receive reminders in advance.
The announcement has sparked a range of responses online. Some cruisers welcomed the changes, noting they usually pay off their trips quickly and appreciated the clarity in the booking process.
“I pay it all as soon as I book,” one TikTok user shared. “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 expressed frustration over the increased upfront costs and the earlier final payment deadline, particularly those who rely on payment plans.
“Those deposits are crazy,” one user remarked.
“120 days out for final payment is the worst of all of it! Especially for people who are on payment plans,” wrote another.
These booking policy updates come amid growing tensions in the cruise industry. Recently, Celebrity Cruises faced backlash for raising automatic daily gratuities by $1.50 per guest with little advance notice, leading some passengers to vow to tip crew members directly in cash instead. The increased gratuities now range from $19.50 to $24.50 per guest, per day.
Many travelers criticized the timing of Celebrity’s announcement, which was made the same day the higher charges took effect. Some commenters suggested that gratuities should simply be included in the cruise fare, as is common practice on luxury lines.
As cruise lines adjust their policies to meet operational and financial demands, travelers are weighing the benefits of early payments and consistent fees against the challenges of higher upfront costs and shorter payment windows.