Princess Cruises raises deposits and moves up final payment deadline, sparking traveler backlash

Princess Cruises disclosed a revision to its booking policies that will affect reservations for sailings from 2027 onward. Standard deposits for seven-day voyages rise to $300 per person for inside, oceanview, balcony and mini-suite rooms, and to $600 for suites, up from $250 and $500 respectively. The company also shortens the final-payment window to 120 days before sailing and will automatically cancel bookings that miss this deadline, though reminders will be sent beforehand.

These measures, slated to begin on Sept. 2 for new reservations, are intended to bring consistency with industry norms and secure cabin availability. Passengers have voiced both support and opposition online, with some appreciating the ability to settle balances early and others warning that the tighter schedule could strain those using installment plans. The policy shift follows similar recent changes at other cruise operators that have drawn consumer ire, such as a recent automatic gratuity increase by Celebrity Cruises.