Royal Caribbean Cruises implemented a new cancellation policy aimed at encouraging guests to finalize bookings earlier. The changes impact individual, NextCruise and group reservations created on or after April 8.

For cruises of one to four nights, cancellations within 61–74 days of departure will now be 50 percent; 75 percent within 31–60 days; and 100 percent for cancellations at 30 days or less from departure.

On cruises of five nights or longer, the higher cancellation charges will extend farther out from the departure date. In addition to the four-night policy, guests will be charged 25 percent for cancellations made 75–89 days from departure.

The older system allowed more leniencies for cancellation, only charging 100 percent of the trip when cancelled within 14 days or less of the departure date.