And last year, a new federal rule went into effect that requires a cruise line to offer a full refund for a cruise that begins in the U.S. and is canceled or is delayed by at least three days. The law also makes cruise lines refund any prepaid fees.

In 2024 and 2025, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and equivalent bodies in Europe introduced significant new protections for cruise passengers. The "new" refund law stipulates that cruise lines must provide a full cash refund (rather than just a Future Cruise Credit) if a voyage is canceled by the cruise line for any reason. Furthermore, passengers are entitled to a refund if there is a significant delay (usually more than 24 hours) in embarkation or if the ship fails to depart from a port of call and cancels the rest of the trip. The law also requires cruise lines to process these refunds within 60 days of a valid request. One of the most important 2026 updates is the requirement for "fee transparency," meaning cruise lines must show the full price (including port taxes and mandatory fees) upfront. While this law significantly protects consumers from "junk fees" and forced credits, it is a grounded tip to remember that it generally does not cover cancellations made by the passenger (such as getting sick or missing the boat); for those situations, you still need a robust third-party travel insurance policy.