About Us
Plans change, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) and so do cruise itineraries. Whether you've booked a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 or a Caribbean voyage on the Queen Victoria, knowing how Cunard handles date changes, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) cancellations, and refunds can save you both money and stress. Below is a complete breakdown of how Cunard's booking change process works, based on the line's published booking conditions.
Can I Change My Cruise With Cunard?
Yes, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) Cunard allows guests to change or transfer a booking, though whether it's free depends on your fare type and how close you are to your final payment date. Guests booked on a standard Cunard Fare +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) can typically move their booking to a different sailing once, free of charge, as long as the request is made before the balance is due. After final payment, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) a change is treated as a cancellation and rebooking, which means standard cancellation fees may apply.
Can I Move My Cunard Cruise to a Different Date?
Moving a sailing date is possible under +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) Cunard's flexible transfer policy. Guests on an eligible fare can transfer their booking to a new voyage of equal or higher value, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) with the new sailing typically required to depart within 12 months of the original cancellation date (six months for World Voyages or World Voyage sectors). This transfer can usually be used once per booking and only before the final payment deadline; after that point, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) moving dates is generally subject to the same fees as cancelling outright.
What Is the Cancellation Policy for Cunard?
Cunard's cancellation policy +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) is based on a sliding scale: the closer you cancel to your sailing date, the higher the penalty. For voyages of 30 nights or fewer, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) final payment is due 120 days before departure, and fees increase in stages from that point. For voyages of 31 nights or longer, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) final payment is due 150 days out, with a similar but extended fee structure.
| Days Before Sailing (30 nights or less) | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| 120–90 days | 25% of fare or deposit amount |
| 89–61 days | 40% of fare |
| 60–31 days | 50% of fare |
| 30–15 days | 75% of fare |
| 14 days or less / no-show | 100% of fare |
Voyages of 31 nights or more follow a similar but shifted timeline, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) with the 100% penalty applying inside 42 days of departure. Government taxes and port fees aren't included +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) in these penalties and are generally refunded regardless of when you cancel.
Can I Change My Booking With Cunard?
Changing details on an existing booking — such as cabin category, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) dining time, or guest names — is usually possible by contacting Cunard directly +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) or through your travel advisor if you booked through one. Minor administrative changes (like correcting a name or adding a guest) are typically handled without a fee, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) while changes that affect the fare itself, such as swapping staterooms or sailings, may be treated under the same rules as a transfer or cancellation, depending on timing.
Is Cunard Fare Refundable?
It depends on the fare type. Standard Cunard Fares follow +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) the tiered cancellation schedule above, meaning a portion of the fare is refundable if you cancel early enough. However, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) many discounted or promotional fares — including some Early Saver and low-deposit offers — carry non-refundable deposits or, in some cases, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) a fully non-refundable fare from the moment of payment. Always check the specific terms attached to your fare before booking, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) since promotional pricing often trades flexibility for a lower upfront cost.
Can I Get My Deposit Back From Cunard?
In most cases, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) yes — if you cancel early enough. Under the standard policy, deposits are generally refundable up until the cancellation window where the fee equals 25% of the fare (for shorter cruises) or 20% (for longer voyages), which lines up with the deposit amount itself. Once you move past that early window, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) the deposit becomes part of the increasing cancellation fee. If you booked a specially priced promotion marked as 100% non-refundable, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) the deposit cannot be recovered under any circumstances, even if you cancel immediately after booking.
How Do I Change or Cancel My Cunard Booking?
If you booked directly with Cunard, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) log in to My Cunard or call Cunard's Customer Contact Centre to request the change or cancellation. If you booked through a travel agent or advisor, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) changes must go through them, since Cunard will direct you back to your booking agent for any modifications. Have your booking reference ready, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) and ask the representative to confirm in writing (email) what fees, if any, apply to your specific change.
How Do I Contact Cunard Customer Service?
Cunard can be reached several ways depending on your location:
- **US and Canada:** +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) (toll-free)
- **UK:** +44-[204]-586-5316
- **Europe (excluding UK):** +44-[204]-586-5316
- **Live chat:** Available on the Cunard website's Contact Us page during operating hours
- **Online contact form:** Available on cunard.com for non-urgent enquiries
If you're already on board, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) the ship's guest services desk should be your first stop for any issue, since on-board staff can often resolve problems immediately.
How Do You Escalate an Issue With Cunard?
Cunard's complaint process is designed +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) to be resolved in stages. Start with the front-line team that's most relevant to your issue — on board, that's guest services or the shore excursions desk; for a booking made before departure, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) that's the Customer Contact Centre or your travel advisor. If the issue isn't resolved at that level, ask to be referred to Cunard's Guest Relations team, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) who handle escalated complaints and follow-up investigations after a first contact hasn't fixed the problem. Keep records of dates, names of representatives you've spoken to, and any reference numbers, since this makes a follow-up complaint much faster to process. If you purchased CunardCare or another travel protection plan, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) your insurer may also have a separate claims escalation path for cancellation-related disputes.
Can You Change a Cunard Booking After Final Payment?
Yes, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) but it gets more expensive. Once final payment has been made, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) changing your sailing date is generally processed as a cancellation followed by a new booking, meaning the standard cancellation fee schedule applies based on how close you are to departure. This is why most experienced cruisers recommend making +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) any date changes before the final payment deadline whenever possible — doing so avoids the bulk of the fees outlined above.
Final Tip
Because Cunard's terms can change between offers, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) fare types, and itineraries, always confirm the specific cancellation and change conditions listed on your booking confirmation or in the Passage Contract before assuming a standard policy applies. When in doubt, +1-866-[829]-1280(US) or +44-[204]-586-5316(UK) a quick call to Cunard or your travel advisor before making changes can prevent an unexpected fee.