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Services

Cruise Booking Cancellation

Plans change. Here’s exactly how cancelling a cruise booked through XTC Search Flights works, what it costs, and how long a refund takes.

Cancelling a cruise involves two separate items: the penalty the cruise line applies based on its own fare rules and how close to sailing you cancel, and our service fee for processing the cancellation on your behalf. We disclose both amounts before you confirm anything, so there are no surprise charges.

Cancellation steps

Step 1

Call or email us

Reach a specialist at +1 866-424-3823 with your booking reference, or email support@xtcsearchflights.com.

Step 2

Review the penalty

We check your fare rules and quote the exact cruise line penalty and our service fee before doing anything.

Step 3

Confirm & receive written proof

Once you approve, we submit the cancellation and send written confirmation along with your refund timeline.

What a cruise cancellation typically costs

Cruise lines scale their cancellation penalty to how far ahead of the sail date you cancel. As a general reference:

Days before sailingTypical cruise line penalty
90+ daysDeposit only (some fares fully refundable)
89–61 days25% of fare
60–31 days50% of fare
30–15 days75% of fare
Under 15 days100% of fare

On top of the cruise line penalty, our cancellation service fee runs $49–$99 per booking, depending on cruise line and complexity, and is disclosed before we process your request. Full detail is in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

Refundable vs. non-refundable fares

Some promotional fares are sold as non-refundable from the moment of booking in exchange for a lower price. If your original booking confirmation shows a non-refundable fare, cancelling will not return the cruise portion of your payment, though our service fee for handling the request may still apply. We always flag non-refundable fares at the time of booking so you can choose between a flexible or discounted rate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a cruise refund take?

Once the cruise line confirms your cancellation, refunds are typically issued to your original payment method within 14–30 business days, though timing varies by cruise line and payment provider.

Can I cancel just one traveler on a shared cabin?

Yes, in most cases. Removing one guest from a cabin can trigger a single/reduced-occupancy fare adjustment for the remaining guest, which we’ll quote before making the change.

Do I get a refund if the cruise line cancels the sailing?

If the cruise line cancels or significantly changes your sailing, its own compensation policy applies, which may include a full refund or future cruise credit. We waive our service fee for that booking in this situation.

What if I bought travel protection?

Covered cancellation reasons under your travel protection plan may be reimbursable directly through the insurer, separate from the cruise line and agency refund process.

Ready to cancel or have questions first? Call +1 866-424-3823 and a specialist will look up your booking and walk you through the exact numbers before anything is submitted.

Ready to set sail?

Speak with a cruise specialist and lock in today’s exclusive fare.