Cruise Fare Types and Timing
How much flexibility your fare buys, and when it matters.
Get My Best Cruise PriceFare Type Is Part of Your Timing
Choosing when to book also means choosing how much flexibility you are buying. Most lines offer at least two kinds of fare: one with a refundable deposit and one, usually cheaper, with a non-refundable deposit. Which is right depends on how sure you are of your plans and how far ahead you are booking.
| Refundable deposit fare | Non-refundable deposit fare | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| If you cancel before final payment | Deposit generally returned | Deposit kept, or held as a future cruise credit less fees, depending on the line |
| If the fare drops | Often easier to re-price | Re-pricing may be limited by the fare rules |
| Best when | Plans may change; booking very far ahead | Dates are firm and you want the lowest fare |
Each line writes its own rules, and they change. Read the fare conditions before you pay, or ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise to explain them.
Three Dates That Shape Your Cruise Price
Booking date
Sets your starting fare and the promotion you qualify for.
Final payment date
Before it, many bookings can be re-priced or cancelled under the deposit rules; after it, penalties apply.
Sailing date
The closer it gets, the fewer cabins remain; prices can rise or, on slow sailings, fall.
Between booking and final payment is the window when watching for a price drop pays off. Best Cruise Quotes explains how to track a fare and what lines typically allow, and Web Cruise Reservations walks through the booking process step by step.
Matching Fare Type to Your Calendar
- Booking 12 to 18 months out for a fixed occasion: a non-refundable deposit can make sense if the date is truly fixed, but insurance becomes more important.
- Booking early while plans are still forming: a refundable deposit buys peace of mind.
- Booking in a sale: check which fare types the offer applies to; some promotions require a particular fare.
- Booking after final payment would normally be due: you pay in full at once, so be sure.
Travel insurance, bought soon after your deposit, can protect money you cannot get back. Cruise & Travel Insurance covers what it does and does not cover.
A Note on Price Drops
Price-drop rules are set by each line and differ by fare type and by whether final payment has been made. Before final payment, some bookings can be re-priced to a lower fare for the same cabin category, sometimes with conditions such as giving up a promotion attached to the original booking. After final payment, re-pricing is usually limited or not offered. Ask about the rule for your fare when you book, and note your final payment date in your calendar.
Fare Types FAQ
What is a non-refundable deposit fare?
A fare where the deposit is kept by the line if you cancel, in exchange for a lower price. Some lines let you move the deposit to a future cruise, minus fees; terms vary.
When is final payment due?
It depends on the line and the length of the cruise, commonly a few months before sailing. After final payment, cancellation penalties usually rise steeply.
Not Sure Which Fare to Choose?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will explain each fare’s rules for your sailing before you commit.
Explain My Fare Options