Princess Cruises Implements Stricter Booking Rules, Angering Some Travelers

Princess Cruises is set to implement tougher booking policies for sailings departing on or after January 1, 2027, introducing higher deposits and earlier final payment deadlines. These changes, which will take effect for new bookings on September 2, aim to bring consistency to the booking process and align with broader industry practices, according to the cruise line.

Under the updated rules, standard deposits for seven-day cruises in inside, oceanview, balcony, and mini-suite staterooms will increase from $250 to $300 per person. Deposits for suites will rise from $500 to $600 per person. The cruise line is also moving the final payment deadline to 120 days before departure for all sailings.

Reservations will be automatically canceled if the final payment is not received by the new deadline, although passengers will continue to receive payment reminders. Princess Cruises stated that these adjustments are intended to ensure fair access to staterooms and desired sailings for guests.

The policy shifts have elicited a range of reactions on social media. Some travelers indicated that the changes would not significantly impact their booking habits, as they typically pay for their cruises in full shortly after making a reservation. "I pay it all as soon as I book," one user commented on TikTok. "I get my reservations in that day, and I'm always sail ready."

Conversely, other passengers expressed concern over the increased upfront costs and earlier payment schedules. Some questioned the rationale behind requiring larger deposits and earlier final payments. "Those deposits are crazy," one commenter wrote. Another passenger noted the potential difficulties for those who rely on payment plans, stating, "120 days out for final payment is the worst of all of it! Especially people who are on payment plans."

These booking policy updates follow similar moves by other cruise lines that have previously drawn criticism. Notably, Celebrity Cruises faced backlash for raising its automatic daily gratuity charges with minimal notice, leading some passengers to consider directly tipping crew members in cash. The increase added between $1.50 per person per day, bringing the daily rates to between $19.50 and $24.50.