Princess Cruises Tightens Booking Policies

Princess Cruises has announced new booking policies, leading to diverse opinions among travelers. The company plans to change the timeline for final payments starting in 2027. Final payments will be required 120 days before departure, according to a statement to Fox News Digital.

The cruise line stated, “These changes aim to streamline the booking process and align with other industry practices, while ensuring guests have equal access to staterooms and sailings.” The revised rules come into effect on September 2 for new bookings departing on January 1, 2027. Guests have been informed through an email, as cited by Cruise Critic.

In addition to the advance payment requirement, Princess Cruises will now require larger deposits. For inside, oceanview, balcony, and mini-suite staterooms on seven-day cruises, deposits will increase from $250 to $300 per person. Suite deposits will rise from $500 to $600 per person. Should the final payment deadline pass without payment, reservations will be canceled automatically, though reminders will be sent prior to due dates, based on reports.

On social media, the policy changes have sparked discussion among cruise enthusiasts. Some travelers claim the earlier deadlines won’t impact their planning, as they prefer to settle payments quickly. “I pay it all as soon as I book,” a TikTok user commented. “I book in the same day and always remain sail-ready.” Another added, “I don’t mind these changes; I prefer paying off my trips quickly to start saving for the next one.”

Others expressed concerns over the increased deposits and earlier deadlines. “Those deposits are crazy,” remarked one commenter. Another pointed out potential issues for travelers using payment plans, asserting, “120 days out for final payment is the worst of all of it! Especially people who are on payment plans.”

The booking adjustments occur as other cruise lines make policy changes that have also caused frustration. Celebrity Cruises recently experienced backlash for raising automatic gratuity charges, prompting discussions about tipping practices. The cruise line increased daily automatic gratuities by $1.50 per person, bringing the total to between $19.50 and $24.50 per guest, per day. The timing of the announcement drew criticism from passengers, some of whom were informed the same day the changes took effect.

One Reddit user commented on the gratuity issue, suggesting, “At this point, they just need to include gratuities in their fare like the luxury lines do.”

Kelly McGreal, a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital, provided this information.