In most cases, refunds will post to the original form of payment about 7 to 10 days after they're fully processed. However, some refunds may take up to 30 days to post. Royal Caribbean International? doesn't control how long the refund process takes; your bank or financial institution determines the length of time.

In 2026, the timeline for receiving a refund from a cruise line depends on the reason for the refund and your original payment method. If the cruise line cancels the voyage, you are typically processed automatically within 7 to 14 business days, though it may take an additional billing cycle for the credit to appear on your bank statement. If you cancel the booking, the process can take longer—often 30 to 60 days—as the line must verify the cancellation penalties associated with your "fare type" (non-refundable deposits can complicate this). For on-board credit or overpayments made during the sailing, most lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean will refund the balance to your credit card on file within 10 business days of the cruise ending. If you paid via travel agent or check, the process can stretch to 90 days as it involves manual accounting and third-party processing. Always request a "Cancellation ID" and a "Refund Confirmation" email to track the status of your funds through the cruise line’s guest relations portal.