Princess Cruises makes big policy change.

The practice of booking a cruise simply to hold a spot while deciding whether to travel may soon become a thing of the past. Major cruise operators are gradually tightening their booking policies in an effort to reduce last-minute cancellations.

Recently, Princess Cruises joined other well-known cruise companies such as Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean in implementing stricter reservation policies designed to discourage uncertain bookings.

Traditionally, many cruise companies allowed travelers to cancel their trips without losing their deposits if the cancellation was made well in advance. While penalties still applied for cancellations made within three months of departure, travelers could often recover their deposits if they changed plans earlier. Under the evolving policies across the industry, refundable deposits are becoming less common. In many cases, passengers now need to choose higher-priced fare options if they want the flexibility of a refundable deposit.

As part of this industry shift, Princess Cruises recently announced an update to its booking system. Beginning October 15, all new reservations automatically fall under a non-refundable deposit policy.

This marks a notable change for the company, which had previously been among the few cruise lines still offering refundable deposits as the default option. The adjustment brings the brand more in line with its competitors and reflects a broader effort to stabilize bookings and reduce cancellations.

At the same time, Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced several onboard changes aimed at improving efficiency and discouraging “just-in-case” reservations. One such move includes adding fees for guests who fail to show up for specialty restaurant reservations. The company has also implemented updates to dining policies to reduce food waste and improve operational flow throughout its ships.

Another notable development from Norwegian Cruise Line focuses on sustainability. The cruise line has transitioned its well-known Freestyle Daily activity program from a printed format to a digital one. Guests can now check daily schedules, dining information, and onboard updates using the cruise line’s mobile app or through their stateroom televisions.

While printed copies are still available upon request, the digital shift is intended to reduce paper waste while giving passengers quicker and more convenient access to information during their voyage.