Cruise Booking Transfer Guide
Cruise bookings have a hard deadline most travellers don't know about: the passenger manifest is submitted to port authorities — including US Customs and Border Protection for Caribbean sailings and Schengen border agencies for Mediterranean routes — typically 4 days before sailing. After that point, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, and Princess all treat name changes as near-impossible without emergency documentation. Before final payment (usually 90–120 days out), most lines are relatively flexible: Royal Caribbean charges nothing before final payment, Carnival is free on standard fares, and Celebrity allows full guest replacements with 90+ days to go. After final payment, expect fees of $75–150 per person. MSC limits you to one name change per reservation at $75. The rule that one original guest must remain applies across almost every major line — it's a fraud-prevention measure, not just policy. Gratuity accounts also need reassigning when a guest substitution happens. This guide covers 11 cruise lines.
Guest Substitution Allowed
Royal Caribbean
Guest Substitution AllowedRoyal Caribbean allows guest substitutions, with free changes within 24 hours and fees after final payment.
Carnival Cruise Line
Guest Substitution AllowedCarnival allows free name changes on standard fares. One original guest must remain on the booking.
Celebrity Cruises
Guest Substitution AllowedCelebrity allows free name changes before final payment (120–180 days before sailing). Fees apply after.
TUI Cruises
Guest Substitution AllowedTUI explicitly allows booking transfers to another person by contacting them 7+ days before travel.
Limited / Timing-Dependent
MSC Cruises
Limited / Timing-DependentMSC allows one name change per reservation for $75 within 89 days of sailing. Contracts are officially non-transferable.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Limited / Timing-DependentNCL allows guest substitutions for $100–150, typically until 45–60 days before departure when final documents are issued.
Princess Cruises
Limited / Timing-DependentPrincess allows minor corrections for free and guest substitutions for $50–100, well before final payment.
Costa Cruises
Limited / Timing-DependentCosta allows name corrections up to 15 days before departure. Economy/promotional fares treat name changes as cancellations.
AIDA Cruises
Limited / Timing-DependentAIDA allows name changes for €50 per person, with deadlines varying by package type.
Disney Cruise Line
Limited / Timing-DependentDisney allows free guest changes before final payment (90–120 days before sailing). The lead guest cannot be changed.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Limited / Timing-DependentViking allows minor name corrections but generally does not permit full transfers. Fees range from $50–200.
Cruise name-change and guest-substitution rules are among the most time-sensitive in travel. The passenger manifest deadline (typically 4 days before sailing) is a hard stop imposed by port authorities and customs agencies — not the cruise line's own preference. After that deadline, even lines with flexible stated policies cannot always make changes. Deposit vs. final-payment timing, fare type (restricted vs. standard), and cabin category all affect what's possible. One original guest must usually remain. Always contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly well before the manifest deadline. Last updated: March 2026.