The short answer
Book Europe cruises about a year or more ahead for the best cabin choice, especially for summer and river cruises. You pay a deposit at booking and the rest 90-120 days before sailing, and after that date cancelling gets expensive fast. A cruise-specialist travel agent costs you nothing extra and can catch perks and fine print.
At a glance
| Line | Deposit | Final payment due | Lose 100% if you cancel within |
|---|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways (Europe) | $400 per person | 90 days before | 30 days |
| Princess (booked on/after Sep 2, 2026, up to 44 days) | Varies by fare | 120 days before | 60 days |
| Viking (35 days or less) | As on your invoice | As on your invoice | 29 days |
Deposits and final payment (checked Nov 2026)
- AmaWaterways: Europe deposit $400 per person; final payment 90 days before departure.
- Princess: for bookings made on or after Sep 2, 2026, final payment is due 120 days before departure (it was 90 days for 1-13 day cruises booked before that date).
- Viking: deposit and final payment dates are set on your invoice and depend on the promotion; its terms do not give one fixed number of days.
Cancellation penalties: examples
- Viking (cruises of 35 days or less): $100 per person if you cancel 120+ days out; 20% at 90-119 days; 35% at 70-89; 50% at 50-69; 75% at 30-49; 100% at 29 days or less. Full refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking directly.
- AmaWaterways (Europe): $200 at 121+ days; $400 at 90-120 days; 35% at 60-89 days; 50% at 31-59 days; 100% at 30 days or less.
- Princess (bookings from Sep 2, 2026, cruises up to 44 days): deposit lost at 120+ days unless refundable deposit; 25% at 113-119 days; 50% at 91-112; 75% at 61-90; 100% at 60 days or less.
Wave season and sales
- 'Wave season' is the cruise industry's name for January-March, when lines push big sales and extras. It is a good time to book but not the only time.
- Prices on popular river cruises tend to rise as cabins sell, so last-minute deals are rarer than on big ocean ships.
Why use a travel agent
- Lines pay the agent's commission; you usually pay the same fare.
- A good agent can track price drops, add perks, handle flights and insurance, and help if a ship or river problem changes your trip.
- Look for an agent who specializes in cruises and has sailed the line you want.
Your checklist
Sources & what we could not confirm · 3 sources · checked 2026-11
- AmaWaterways: Terms and Conditions
- Princess Cruises: Standard cancellation, refund and final payment policy
- Viking: Booking and Sale Terms and Conditions (US)
Still being confirmed
- 'Book 12-18 months ahead' is common industry advice, not an official rule.
- Wave season timing (January-March) is common industry usage; no primary source was fetched.
- Royal Caribbean's current final payment and penalty rules were not verified from a current source.